Rutland Street National School (formerly the Pro Cathedral School) was constructed between 1910 and 1912, as a response to the lack of school places and the conditions of existing school buildings in the North East Inner City.  Designed by Aislin and Coleman Architects, it is an early example of modern twentieth century construction, with a steel frame, concrete floors and a brick facade.  Designed for 2,000 pupils, it was the setting for the iconic recordings Give Up Yer Aul Sins in the 1960s. In the 1970s a concrete frame structure known as the ‘School on Stilts’ was also constructed on the site. The National School relocated to Sean MacDermott Street in 2008 and until recently, the building accommodated a crèche and a number of youth and community groups.

An extensive renovation and redevelopment scheme is underway to create a vibrant multi-use community hub in this landmark building, which will provide a large range of services and facilities for the surrounding area. These include facilities for community groups, a café and community hall, a crèche, a radio station, Dublin City Council offices and enterprise incubation hubs. The historic building is to be repaired and brought up to modern standards in relation to universal access and energy use. The area to the rear of the site is also to be extensively redeveloped to provide new space for the existing community garden, a ball court, a café terrace and extensive landscaped areas for the building users.

Dublin City Councillors have recently approved the development under the Part 8 planning process. The Integrated Design Team, led by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects, are now preparing the tender documents and it is anticipated that the works will start on-site next year.

The ambition is that this historic and significant building will become a focal point for the community and a symbol of the regeneration of the area, both in the immediate future, and for generations to come.