Ground floor of landmark Dublin 8 building to open for first time since 1860s as event and exhibition space.
The Digital Hub has started construction works to transform the ground floor of St Patrick’s Tower in Dublin 8 into a new event, exhibition and community venue, marking the first time the space will be accessible since the 1860s.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam joined Darina Kneafsey, Chair of the Digital Hub Development Agency, and Fiach Mac Conghail, Chief Executive of The Digital Hub, to officially launch the project. The renovation, supported and funded by Dublin City Council, is expected to be completed by August 2026 at a cost of around €1m.
“The best way to protect our built heritage is to put it back to work for people”
The refurbished space will accommodate up to 50 people and be wheelchair accessible. It will host meetings, seminars, exhibitions and cultural events, serving The Digital Hub’s enterprise community as well as local businesses, schools and arts organisations. Tolmac Construction has been awarded the contract for the works.
Full steam ahead
Fiach Mac Conghail, Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Hub Development Agency; the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam; and Darina Kneafsey, Chair of the Digital Hub Development Agency
St Patrick’s Tower, a former windmill built in 1757 for the George Roe Whiskey distillery, is one of the largest smock windmills in Europe and a protected structure. It operated until 1860 before falling into disuse when the distillery switched to steam power.
The tower remains an iconic feature of The Liberties and has been conserved by The Digital Hub since its establishment.
“This historic building is being reimagined as a vibrant event and community space,” said Lord Mayor McAdam. “The best way to protect our built heritage is to put it back to work for people. This project shows the kind of imaginative, practical regeneration Dublin needs.”
Fiach Mac Conghail described the development as “an important and exciting project for The Digital Hub and the Dublin 8 community. St Patrick’s Tower is an iconic and beloved building, and it is fantastic that the renovation work will both conserve it and allow it to become a usable space.”
Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, said: “St Patrick’s Tower has not been used for many years, so it’s fantastic that it is going to be transformed into an exhibition and event space that will ultimately benefit a new generation and give the building a new purpose.”
The refurbishment comes as the Land Development Agency advances plans for affordable housing on parts of The Digital Hub campus under the Pear Tree Crossing masterplan. Although The Digital Hub is due to be dissolved under a 2021 government decision, it will remain operational until at least the end of 2027.
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