Famous O'Connell Street Beer Garden to be filled in by Holiday Inn Express

A hugely popular beer garden on Dublin's O'Connell Street is reportedly set to close, to provide more hotel rooms for Holiday Inn Express.

Dublin City Council has approved planning permission, granting the hotel an extension that will close what has been described as a "unique cultural centre", despite significant opposition to the plans.

The courtyard and late night bar setting interlocks Fibber Magee's, The Living Room and Murray's - all significant cultural assets to the capital city.

The developer had originally sought approval for a seven-storey extension, but that application was refused following concerns among council officials around loss of daylight for surrounding buildings. Instead, the Council have now approved plans for a slightly lower six-storey extension, in-filling the popular Dublin spot. The extension will provide for an additional 95 guest rooms in the Holiday Inn.

This decision has been criticised by a number of politicians, including the Green Party's currently suspended TD Neasa Hourigan. Hourigan has pointed out the decision to 'infill' this unique cultural setting – one of the very few late bars of the area – would go against the city development plan to safeguard cultural spaces in Dublin city. The TD said: "There are few similar music venues in the city and none of such long standing."

On this point, Hourigan is right. Fibber Magee's is one of the longest-standing and best known rock bars in the country, a cultural landmark since 1979. This infamous bar has seen Aslan, Bono, and even the likes of Foo Fighters grace the stage. The venue remains an important platform where Irish acts continue to cut their teeth.

The outdoor area under threat currently allows for a unique blend of culture - a rock bar, a traditional music bar, and one of the best sports bars in the country. Not often would you see a blend of clientele like this anywhere else in Ireland. This unique garden area plays host to locals and tourists alike, and is completely packed more often than not.

Labour councillors Darragh Moriarty and Declan Meenagh have also released statements, claiming the swing towards catering for tourists has gone too far in the nation's capital. "Numerous music venues, late bars, night clubs and dance venues have all been forced to shut their doors in recent years, making way for either the new hotel developments or the further expansion of existing hotels," their statements said.

Hugely disappointed that DCC has given green light to plop hotel accommodation on top of the Living Room/Murrays/Fibbers beer garden.

The hotel already has 214 rooms and an additional 97 rooms will now replace what is one of the north city-centre's very few beer garden spaces. https://t.co/jr2jE27GTV pic.twitter.com/Z8wDqvnJAP

— Darragh Moriarty (@darragh_mor) June 20, 2022

The developer has insisted that these complaints are unfounded, saying the extension will "support the growing city centre business and tourism industries" and that it can proceed "without any significant impact on surrounding streets."

Dublin City Council were satisfied with the plans, insisting they were in accordance with the city development plan.

Objectors may still lodge an appeal with An Bord Pleanála in an attempt to reverse the decision.