Ministers O’Donovan and Moran Announce Commencement of Construction on the NCH Discover Centre

NCH Discover is part of a planned wider redevelopment of NCH that aims to Transform it into a World-Class Music Campus for Ireland

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD today announced the official commencement of construction of the NCH Discover Centre, a new state-of-the-art national centre for music participation, learning and community engagement. This marks an important milestone in the history of the NCH and in the planned future redevelopment of the Earlsfort Terrace site, with a view to transforming it into a world-class, fully accessible, sustainable and vibrant music campus for the nation.

The Ministers were joined by the NCH Board including the Chair Joe Hamill and CEO Robert Read at a ceremony to officially launch the construction of the NCH Discover Centre. The project, which is funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport under the National Development Plan, will be designed and managed by the OPW and delivered by Purcell Construction.

A New Future for Music in Ireland The new 1,400m² NCH Discover Centre will be a new national centre for music participation, learning and community engagement. Scheduled for completion in early 2027, the centre will include two state-of-the-art recital spaces, flexible workshop and rehearsal spaces, dedicated Gamelan room, and enhanced universally accessible facilities, expanding the NCH’s capacity to welcome new audiences, students and communities into the heart of Ireland’s national music institution.

The NCH Discover Centre will be the home to the NCH’s Learning and Participation programmes supporting music listening, learning, creativity and participation for people of all ages and abilities. They include concerts for families and children, schools and education programmes supporting learning across the curriculum, workshops for students, musicians and adult learners, music-based health and wellbeing programmes, inclusive and accessible music programme and more. Examples include Mini Music courses for children aged three to eight years old, Music in Mind aimed at supporting positive mental health, Tea Dance Tunes for those living with Dementia, the Blow the Dust Orchestra for older people, choral, percussion and choral workshops, masterclasses and much more.

The NCH Discover Centre is the first phase of a wider redevelopment under the National Development Plan and will see the restoration and renewal of the NCH campus. The main project is currently in the design phase of the Infrastructure Guidelines process.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan, said “Today marks a key milestone in the evolution for the National Concert Hall and I want to thank the OPW, the Board and staff of the National Concert Hall for their commitment and passion in getting the project to this stage. The NCH Discover project will not only restore this unique heritage building which formerly housed the UCD Pathology department, it will put learning and engagement at the core of NCH’s work and provide opportunities, in particular for young people, that will broaden the reach of the Concert Hall to new communities and audiences.”

Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran commented: “The OPW has worked in partnership with the National Concert Hall (NCH) and the Department of Culture, Communication and Sport to advance the project to this significant stage. We are delighted to witness the commencement of these works, which will enable the NCH to offer additional, more accessible services and venues by creating new universal access spaces. Upon completion, this project will position the NCH as a world–class music destination and a leading national cultural institution.

The OPW has a longstanding partnership with the NCH, which will continue into the future as we undertake the wider redevelopment of the NCH campus. This ongoing collaboration seeks to re-purpose and enhance existing spaces, while retaining the architectural character of the original structure.”

Joe Hamill, Chair of the National Concert Hall, said:

“This is a defining moment in the history of the National Concert Hall. The NCH Discover Centre represents the first step in creating an inclusive, future-focused music campus that will enable more people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in, experience and enjoy the power of live music. It will ensure that the National Concert Hall remains at the cultural heart of Dublin and Ireland for generations to come. We deeply appreciate the support of the Government for this project, and extend our sincere thanks to Minister O’Donovan and his Department, Minister of State Moran of the OPW and the entire project team for their commitment and partnership in realising this ambitious vision.”

Robert Read, CEO of the National Concert Hall, said:

“This redevelopment will redefine what the National Concert Hall can deliver for the Irish public. It will allow us to fully meet our remit as the National Cultural Institution for Music, expanding our educational reach, strengthening our artistic output and celebrating Ireland’s musical identity on a global stage. The commencement of the NCH Discover Centre is a major step toward a transformational future for music in Ireland, made possible by the support of the Government and the dedication of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the OPW, and our exceptional teams across the NCH.

A Cultural Legacy Rooted in History Originally built as the 1865 Exhibition Palace and later home to University College Dublin, the NCH has evolved into Ireland’s premier home for music since opening as a concert venue in 1981. Today it is home to National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, National Symphony Chorus Ireland, Cór Linn, Cór na nÓg, and a vibrant ecosystem of resident music organisations including; Chamber Choir Ireland, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Music Network, Crash Ensemble and Music Generation.

The redevelopment will honour this heritage while creating a modern, sustainable and fully accessible campus that will serve Ireland for decades to come.

The NCH Discover Centre will be delivered by the National Concert Hall in partnership with The Office of Public Works and Purcell Construction, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, through the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040.

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Sinead Doyle, Marketing & PR Manager, 087 1775334 / Sinead.doyle@nch.ie Roisin Dwyer, PR & Publications Executive, 085-7129628 roisin.dwyer@nch.ie

About the NCH Discover Programme The NCH Discover Programme is the National Concert Hall’s dedicated learning and participation strand, inspiring creativity and engagement with music for people of all ages and backgrounds. Through performances, workshops, school programmes and community initiatives, the Discover programme places access, inclusion and lifelong learning at the heart of the NCH’s artistic mission.

About the NCH Redevelopment The National Concert Hall is undertaking a major redevelopment of its Earlsfort Terrace campus as part of Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan. This transformative project will conserve and upgrade the historic buildings while creating a state-of-the-art music campus, including enhanced performance, rehearsal and technical facilities, ensuring the NCH can continue to support world-class music-making and cultural engagement well into the future.

About the NCH The National Concert Hall is Ireland’s national cultural institution for music, welcoming audiences since 1981 through live performance and extensive educational and cultural programmes. Located in the heart of Dublin city centre, the NCH is home to National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and its choirs, National Symphony Chorus Ireland, Cór Linn and Cór na nÓg, and provides a creative base for a wide range of resident and partner music organisations to include Chamber Choir Ireland, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Music Network, Crash Ensemble and Music Generation.