The Genealogical Society of Ireland has been given the go-ahead to create a permanent home for its national archive in the Martello tower at Seapoint, near Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. An Bord Pleanála has upheld planning permission for the refurbishment and change of use of the tower, which was granted by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in January.
The decision comes five years after local councillors voted to allocate the tower to the society, which is a non-commercial educational charity founded in 1990 to promote an interest in genealogy in Ireland.
The Seapoint tower is one of a series built by the British along the east and south coasts in the early 1800s as gun fortresses to repel a possible naval attack by Napoleon. It most recently housed a sweet shop but since 1988 has lain empty.
One objector to the Genealogical Society's plans for the tower, architect Mr Patrick Shaffrey, queried the need for a public monument to have a use. Other objections concerned traffic and car parking, the adjoining bathing facilities and current zoning.
An Bord Pleanála decided a change of use would not contravene the tower's zoning under "Coastal amenities to be protected and improved" and that it was acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience.
The society and researchers of family histories will have access to the tower once the archive, which includes records dating from the late 1600s, is in place. One planning condition is that members of the public who give "reasonable notice" of their intention to visit the tower may do so.