THE OCCASION OF THE UNVEILING CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF RESTORATION WORK AT NEWMAN HOUSE
85-86 ST. STEPHEN'S GREEN, (NEWMAN HOUSE), ON THURSDAY, 9 DECEMBER, 1993
- The preservation of Ireland's architectural heritage is widely accepted as a task of vital importance for the 1990's. It was with this in mind that I willingly accepted the invitation here today for the unveiling of the fine restoration work carried out on Newman House which has been so central to the cultural and educational life not only of Dublin but of the country as a whole.
- It is fitting that such a fine specimen of architectural beauty should receive such sympathetic treatment in its restoration as this House was the original home of University College, Dublin, one of the country's most prestigious Universities.
- Last year this major programme of restoration began at Newman House. Although a restoration project had been initiated by UCD in 1989, and had received enthusiastic support from Dublin Tourism and Bórd Fáilte, being jointly funded by the College and Bórd Fáilte's tourism fund, it is only now, through dedicated hard work on the part of those involved, but above all, through the generous patronage of Gallaher (Dublin) Limited, together with Bórd Fáilte and European Funding, that this ambitious programme of restoration has been possible.
- The restoration is a very important contribution to the conservation of our architectural heritage. No other Dublin house of this period and calibre has yet been restored and opened to public view.
- Newman House consists of two superb Georgian town houses which boast some of Ireland's finest eighteenth-century plasterwork. The buildings also have great literary historical significance, having been associated with such distinguished people as John Henry Cardinal Newman (first Rector of the Catholic University), the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins and later with the writers James Joyce and Flann O'Brien.
- (On mentioning Joyce in particular, a bronze bust of the writer looks across from St. Stephen's Green towards Newman House with no show of interest on his features. His long fingers support a jutting chin. Joyce was hard in himself, unrelenting from the beginning. He gave his student talk about Ibsen in the physics theatre at Newman House. Indeed, he learned Dano-Norwegian solely in order to write to the playwright. This same physics theatre today boasts a huge set of Gothic windows soaring to the ceiling, the sun blasts in from Iveagh Gardens, a lovely box of light with a hologram of boy-man Joyce talking up to his fellow students on the tiered seats under the window, talking (not ranting) of the same Ibsen and Stephen Dedalus. The Joycean days were indeed scholar glory days at Newman House.)
- 85 St. Stephen's Green was originally built in 1738 for Hugh Montgomery M.P. for County Fermanagh, as his town residence. His architect was Richard Castle, who designed many important buildings in Ireland at that time, most notably the seat of Dáil Éireann, Leinster House and Tyrone House, Marlboro Street (now the Department of Education). Newman House was among the first houses of its type in Dublin to be faced in stone, in what we know as the Palladian style. The importance of the House is signified by its location on the prestigious St. Stephen's Green, another prominent landmark in the City of Dublin. When the house was built it would have resembled a free-standing pavilion in a central position on the South side of the Green. It fulfilled more than adequately the requirements of the day, that of a small town palace built for the purpose of entertainment and show.
- Following the death of Hugh Montgomery, Number 85 was the home to several distinguished families, notably the Whaley family, (of Buck Whaley fame), the distinguished banking family of La Touche and the Clanwilliams. Its last private owner was Judge Nicholas Ball, a distinguished legal figure in mid nineteenth-century Dublin. On the death of Judge Ball the house was in turn purchased by the Catholic University of Ireland. Since then Newman House has played a very important role in the life of UCD.
- May I say that looking around us we cannot but be impressed by the fine professional restoration work that has been carried out. The rooms which come to my notice at Newman House are first of all The Entrance Hall at Number 85. This is truly what the restoration of spare Georgian elegance holds for the eye of the admirer following decades of utilisation wear and tear. The restored Apollo Room is probably the most impressive piece of restoration which had originally been initiated under the 1989 restoration programme and completed under this present ambitious project. The Apollo Room is a small reception room off the Entrance Hall of Number 85. Its walls, I am sure you will agree, are decorated with an astonishingly rich assembly of plasterwork panels (or stucco) executed by the Swiss Lafranchini brothers. During the nineteenth century the dimensions and decoration of the room were substantially altered by the opening of an archway into the room at the rear. This destroyed the original plasterwork scheme. Fortunately however, the plaster figures and ornaments were affixed to the walls of the inner parlour. Restoration work has resulted in the unique stucco plasterwork and the entire Apollo Room being painstakingly restored to its original elegant eighteenth century appearance.
- In addition the restoration of the Saloon recreated one of Ireland's most spectacular eighteenth-century interiors. This splendid room, originally the College Chapel during the Catholic University days, has a wonderful view overlooking St. Stephen's Green. It fills the entire breadth of the building. Its plasterwork ceiling is one of the finest works of the same Lafranchini brothers. Painstaking restoration has undoubtedly returned the Saloon to its original beautiful state. This involved both detailed structural and decorative investigation to put right that which had been altered considerably over two centuries. This would not have been possible without the expertise of the best of contemporary Irish craftsmen employed.
- As I have said the aim of the Newman House restoration was to restore these historic buildings as heritage exhibits and also as a working environment which will continue to contribute to the educational, cultural and business life of University College Dublin, of Dublin City and of the country as a whole. I am sure that you will all agree with me when I say that it already achieves this aim admirably. The thoughtful and enlightened investment by Gallaher (Dublin) Ltd. will stand as a model of co-operation between industry and university to preserve Newman House as an outstanding example of Ireland's cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.
- I would like, in concluding, to pay tribute to all of those involved (too many to mention everyone individually) in bringing to fruition this fine project, whatever their connection, be they from UCD, Gallahers, Bórd Fáilte, the Design Team (Architects, Engineers, Surveyors), the Construction Team or the Painting (Tony Kampff (Decorators) Ltd.) and the Decorative Plasterwork Company (Fine Plasterwork Ltd.). I congratulate all concerned on an outstanding achievement. The final product is a testament to their efforts.
- In a few moments it will be my great pleasure to unveil a commemorative plaque marking the occasion of the official re-opening of Newman House. I do hope that many more fine projects like the one at Newman can be achieved through even further co-operation.
- Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir.