23 December 2025

The Little Museum of Dublin has reopened following a two-year, €4.3m refurbishment.

Based in the Georgian townhouse at 15 Stephen’s Green, the renovation significantly enhances the visitor experience and operational capacity. The museum now features reimagined exhibition spaces, educational facilities, improved accessibility, and an expanded artefact collection sourced from the Irish public.

With funding from Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Tourism and Culture, Dublin City Council and private and corporate donors, the redevelopment aims to elevate the museum’s role as a flagship cultural site in central Dublin, supporting long term growth as a tourism and education asset.

Delivered in partnership with conservation architects Deaton Lysaght, our team provided structural and MEP services for this popular tourist destination. Together, we focused on carefully preserving the eclectic history of the building, whilst delivering an outstanding experience for visitors exploring the dynamic epochs of Dublin’s past. As part of the museum’s commitment to accessibility and inclusive design, our engineers designed a striking new four-storey lift structure, framed in steel and clad in glass, to ensure access to all levels of the museum.

The project involved substructure works, including a 550mm-deep raft foundation set into stiff clay, and reinforced concrete walls forming the lift pit. Above ground, the superstructure features a steel frame supporting the glass cladding, with a lifting beam installed at the top of the shaft. Vertical loads were transferred through four square hollow sections (SHS) columns and universal columns (UC) beams, which helped distribute the weight to corner box sections and down to the foundation. Lateral stability was achieved through vertical diagonal bracing, with structural connections anchoring the lift shaft to the existing building. Additional drainage and access improvements were also implemented, ensuring the new infrastructure supports both functionality, accessibility and long-term resilience.

The scheme also includes a full revamp of the mechanical and electrical systems within the building to provide a comfortable and welcoming internal environment, a factor which often presents challenges in existing protected structures. The lighting design was a key focus, seeing our engineers work closely alongside interior designers and specialist lighting suppliers, all whilst achieving the desired aesthetic. The design of life safety systems such as fire alarm and emergency escape systems was also of paramount importance.

The restoration allowed for multiple new items and for popular displays to be reimagined. A highlight is the U2-focused Made in Dublin music room featuring a striking maquette of Vera Klute’s head statue of Luke Kelly. The entrance to the museum via the basement now displays a small garden with the historic K1 telephone box and as you venture through the space you are ‘faced’ with a stairwell devoted to former Dublin Lord Mayor Alfie Byrne. A first-floor room overlooks Stephens Green and is entirely dedicated to Dublin, paving its way through history from Victorian Times through the city’s Little Jerusalem Jewish quarter, Oscar Wilde, Nelson’s Pillar and the 1916 revolutionary era.

Adding to the experiential dimension of the refurbishment, the museum provides a newly installed patio to provide outdoor space for visitors and events alongside the completely refurbished and redecorated interior.

Since opening its doors in 2011, the Little Museum of Dublin has welcomed over one million visitors, establishing itself as a key contributor to the city’s cultural landscape. With its recent redevelopment, the museum is poised to significantly enhance the visitor experience and expand its reach. Projections estimate over 215,000 visitors annually by 2035, generating approximately €24.7m in revenue over the next decade.

Our team is extremely proud to have contributed to this prestigious project which restores and preserves Dublin’s’ cultural heritage, while focusing on sustainability and accessibility. CEO of the museum, Sarah Clancy commented on the reopening expressing her gratitude:

Thanks to the generosity of the Irish people, the support of the state and the talent of our team, we have managed to reimagine the Little Museum of Dublin for generations to come. We are so proud to be reopening our doors and welcoming guests back into our newly renovated and accessible museum at 15 Stephen’s Green.”

Images courtesy of The Little Museum of Dublin