A leading Kilkenny publican has infuriated city councillors over his refurbishment of one of the city's best-known pubs.
Customers of the Marble City Bar, however, have welcomed the extensive changes made to the High Street premises by its new owner, Mr Eamon Langton.
The row over the refurbishment is seen as symbolic of a wider debate about how Kilkenny can preserve its integrity as a medieval city while moving with the times.
The pub is one of Kilkenny's most photographed buildings. A number of changes, including a new window and new double doors, have been made to the facade, while the interior has been removed and replaced by a stylish cafebar.
The changes went down badly at last week's meeting of Kilkenny Corporation, at which councillors were told by city officials that Mr Langton did not have planning permission for the new Kieran Street entrance to the premises.
A Fine Gael councillor, Mr Martin Brett, described the changes to the pub's interior as a "mishmash of plastic surgery" and said the pub had been downgraded. A Fianna Fail member, Ms Evelyn White, however, said a number of young people were thrilled with the new look.
Customers who spoke to The Irish Times were unanimously in favour of the changes. Ms Siobhan O'Dwyer, a partner with marketing consultants ODM, said she believed "passionately" in preserving old, interesting and historic buildings.
"But at the same time we have to find a balance and move forward. I don't think we've figured out yet how to do that in Kilkenny," she said. She liked the way traditional materials had been used to transform the Marble City.
Mr Kieran O'Connor, owner of the H Hair Studio in Butterslip Lane, said the premises had been given "a very 1920s art-deco feel". He was a customer of the old Marble City and believed it needed to be refurbished. "I think it's fantastic."
Mr Naoise Nunn, manager of the Apres Match comedy team, said that ultimately bars were for the customers who drank in them. He really liked the changes.
Councillors agreed last week that a meeting would be sought with Mr Langton to discuss the planning issues arising from the refurbishment. Mr Langton is abroad and was not available for comment.
