Save 15 Ushers Island

The representatives of the Irish people are called upon to maintain the nation's affiliation to its cultural heritage. Not to sell off important cultural landmarks to property developers. If Ireland is anything beyond a free market, then it is imperative that such an historical resource must be preserved for generations to come.

6 years ago Featured

The world loves Dublin for several reasons but none so powerful as its devotion to the history of Irish literature. Individuals and groups have struggled to save Thoor Ballylee in the West; surely Dublin city officials can do the same for one of the most significant of the Joyce buildings.

Surely some plan can be developed to preserve the house and offset whatever revenues might be achieved by turning it into a hostel or another use that would threaten its status as a significant cultural landmark and permit public appreciation as such.

What is destroyed cannot be remade. Please retain this important piece of Irish memory.

Please save the house!

As a fellow Madigan I urge you to support the effort to save 15 Ushers Island.

To save this Joycean house, we are ready to carve a flock of geese if necessary.

I believe the best use of No 15 Usher’s Island is to develop it in that way in association with the James Joyce Centre ( where I am a former Curator), Sweny’s Joycean Visitor Attraction ( where I am a volunteer and former Trustee) and the recently-opened Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLi). No 15 Usher’s Island is a mecca for all those – Irish and from around the world – who appreciate, celebrate and are enriched by the remarkable works of Dubliner James Joyce – and in particular, those familiar with the created short story in the English language. This proposed development puts the integrity of the literary landmark in imminent and ultimate peril. Previously, No 15 was saved and maintained by a selfless and heroic effort, which can be credited not only with saving this Joyce polestar but also with placing it on the world’s literary map. If No 15 were a manuscript rather than a structure, the National Library would surely move to secure its preservation and curatorship in perpetuity. Like an original manuscript, No 15 Usher’s Island is part of the Irish nation’s cultural endowment; as such, its preservation should be a foremost consideration for the planning authority and for Ireland's statutory Department of Culture, whic is a notifiable body in the planning process and which, accordingly has a responsibility to express a view.

Ireland's cultural treasures must be preserved, including those that represent its vibrant literary heritage. This house is an integral part of that heritage.

Given what has happened to such icons as "Bloom's door," I urge you all to step back, find donors, and save this site for cultural heritage rather than dormitory use. It's worth it.

When I was studying in Ireland, I was saddened by the Irish history that wasn't being protected. Culturally, do yourselves a favor and continue/start preserving the history that makes your country unique.

Is Ireland still "the sow that eats her farrow"? What is the point of having cultural landmarks if the city will not protect them?

Please save this important landmark in Irish culture! There is no way that turning it into a hostel will help the preserve it as a landmark in Irish literature.

Please save this important cultural landmark!

Stories that are held in these buildings are easily destroyed and what is done can not be undone.

Please save this cultural landmark!

Please! Save the legacy of James Joyce in Dublin.

Please save this cultural treasure. I hate to think how many study abroad programs in Dublin every summer assign "The Dead" and then take students for a walk along the Liffey to 15 Ushers Island!

6 years ago Featured

This would be an incredible injustice to this culturally and world renowned building to be used as a hostel. Why don't you turn it into a museum for Irish writers, specifically Joyce, and display his work? I have been to Dublin on many an occasion and believe me, there are plenty of other buildings that can be used as a hostel.

This important building should be protected with a use compatible with the story