National Centre – current status and masterplan

Work is underway to progress the planning and development stages of the National Centre, and a Steering Group - chaired by the former Secretary General to the Government and current Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain, Mr. Martin Fraser - is driving this work. You can find out more on the National Centre Steering Group – members and work streams page.

The development of the National Centre is multi-annual in nature and is currently in the planning stages. Extensive work is continuing on the development of a detailed project plan including timelines for development, with a number of Government departments and agencies acting in partnership. As the planning phase progresses, an indicative timeline for the project will be made available.

A major milestone in the development of the National Centre was reached in February 2025 when planning permission with conditions was granted by Dublin City Council. The non-standard conditions are currently being examined in detail in order to progress works.

The planning permission provides for the redevelopment of the Sean McDermott Street site to include:

• the main National Centre buildings, that is the Museum and Archive, which will comprise the refurbishment of some existing buildings on site, along with a new high-quality building designed to enclose a Garden of Reflection;
• a newly constructed educational facility for the provision of further and higher education;
• Family and Parenting Support Facilities in two refurbished buildings on site; and
• newly constructed Age-Friendly Universal Design + Social Housing units.

It is important to note that the planning permission relates to the overall, high-level, building design and structure. Detail on what will be contained in the main National Centre buildings is not yet decided and, in the meantime, engagement is ongoing with survivors and affected persons, their families and advocates to ensure the National Centre is informed by those who are most central to the project. Further information on consultation and engagement with key stakeholders can be found on the consultation and engagement page.

The masterplan sets out the floorplans of the campus facilities, including:

• Archive and museum space within the historic convent and chapel buildings;

• Newly-built archive and museum space adjacent to the historic buildings, encompassing a garden space for reflection and remembrance;

• Purpose-built facilities for further and higher education and for community-based family and parenting supports; and

• Units of universal design social housing.

You can view the floorplans at this link and some further information on each of the elements can be found in this detailed document here. Please note that these may be subject to change.