Conservation & Heritage
Trinity can trace its campus development back to the laying of the foundation stone in 1592. The University has some of Ireland's finest buildings, including masterpieces like Thomas Burgh's library of 1720, right up to award winning contemporary architecture, such as the McCullough Mulvin's Long Room Hub completed earlier this decade.
Trinity's main campus lies in the heart of Dublin City and is in a constant state of change and expansion, to keep Trinity at the forefront of education and research in Ireland, and in the top 100 in the world. These changes must be carried our sensitively in the context of the heritage of our buildings and grounds, our need to accommodate modern teaching and research, and as part of the neighbourhood. As custodians of these amazing places, we must ensure that our buildings participate - as much as our staff and students do - as a vehicle to deliver teaching and innovation for our society. Sensitive and sustainable changes and conservation in the historic built environment to contribute to this grand design, is in itself one of the greatest contributions we can make to the conservation of these buildings – and to honour their founders and designers.
Trinity is a busy and well-used campus, and this brings maintenance challenges, which must also be carried in accordance with good conservation practice by our Facilities & Services teams.
Our conservation and heritage practices, and certain key conservation projects, are led by the Design Services Manager, and Trinity uses conservation grade architects as appropriate to carry our any works, in accordance and close consultation with Dublin City Council.
If you have any queries regarding the conservation and heritage of Trinity's buildings, please contact the Service Centre by email on estatesandfacilities@tcd.ie or by telephone on extension 4000.