Iconic Southside Pub Kiely’s Will Be Wiped Out To Make Way For Hated Co-Living Accommodation

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Kielys Donnybrook

The demolition of the well-known hostelry Kielys pub in Donnybrook to make way for a six-storey, shared co-living accommodation scheme has drawn a very negative response.

The board granted permission for the construction of a scaled down 85-unit shared co-living accommodation scheme, and a cafe/restaurant at ground floor level by Shane Whelan’s Domhnach Ltd on Tuesday despite strong local opposition.

Domhnach had originally proposed 100 shared accommodation units.

In total, 10 separate appeals were lodged on behalf of third party objectors against the Dublin City Council decision giving the shared co-living project the go-ahead last January.

115 objections were lodged against the proposal, including from politicians Ivana Bacik of the Labour Party and Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews.

Those to lodge appeals included the Herbert Park Residents’ Association, the Donnybrook Residents’ Association, the Hanley O’Reilly Partnership.

In her objection against the scheme, Rosemary Cullen Owens remarked that “the ghosts of many former Kiely’s patrons – not least its rugby regulars – will turn in their graves” over what is proposed”.

The board said the scheme would constitute an acceptable residential density in the village location, would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area, and would be acceptable in terms of urban design, height and quantum of development.

The decision brings to an end a 15-month long planning battle over the proposal.