Landmark pub set to expand

The owners of Taylor’s Pub on Dominick Street have drawn up plans for an extension into two adjoining commercial units.

Publican Jonathan Duggan of BRTW Investment Ltd has sought permission for alterations to the existing bar at Number 7, and for the demolition of numbers 5 and 6 Upper Dominick Street to make way for a ground floor extension to the bar.

The plans also include a first floor licensed café – the Mick Taylor Room – and two apartments on the second and third floors.

According to the plans, the latest application supersedes a previous grant of permission for the redevelopment of the bar and an extension into Number 6.

“It should be noted that the inclusion of No 5 facilitates a considerable reduction in impact on No 7, the Protected Structure, as an alternative fire escape is now facilitated from the premises. This also facilitates the introduction of two residential units at the upper floors of the new structure.

“The incremental development of the exceptionally small original plots independently would not be financially viable and this collective development enables the redevelopment of otherwise dilapidated small premises which have become unsustainable on their own,” the application reads.

An archaeological assessment included with the application notes that works on the Protected Structure will include breaching the wall to facilitate access to the new development and a breach in the first floor wall between the two main rooms to provide access.

“The plans indicate that the new development will include a basement level in the area facing onto Pump Lane. The existing cultural heritage features on the land will not be directly impacted. However, care must be taken to ensure that none of these features are impacted during construction.

“It is recommended that if possible, archaeological pre-development testing will be undertaken in the area of the proposed basement to establish If any archaeological layers/features will be impacted,” the assessment reads.

An Architectural Heritage Assessment and Conservation Report on the development described Taylor’s as “an excellent example of the grocer/public house type premises typical of the mid 19th-early 20th century Irish towns”.

“These had a grocer’s shop to the front section with a long counter and shelving behind the counter. The customer side in this premises had an open fireplace. A screen separated the rear section where there is a counter and back bar shelving. This rear screened section was often reserved for alcohol sales to men and may often have been restricted to women and children in the early 20th century,” the assessment reads.

It concludes: “The proposed works will enable the entire structure to be brought back into full use while maintaining the character of the ground floor and principal rooms fully intact. The incorporation of Numbers 5 and 7 enables the premises to have a licensed café element to help the business’ sustainability and therefore the restoration and preservation of the original Taylor’s Bar.”

The City Council is expected to reach a decision on the application towards the end of April.