Sir, - While walking in Malahide recently we noticed an application for planning permission to construct 140 apartments in the grounds of the Casino and also seeking approval to convert the house into a bar/restaurant. Ironically, prior to seeing the notice we had commented upon the delightful fact that the parkland of the Casino had hitherto been completely undeveloped.
For Fingal County Council to allow the application to be even considered is, in our, opinion a travesty. If the building is a List 1 structure, then this makes a complete mockery of the listing process.
The Casino at Malahide is one of the best preserved (and indeed remaining) cottage ornes in Ireland and in architectural significance is as important as the Swiss Cottage at Cahir.
The Government makes token announcements on how highly our heritage (natural and built) is valued, but when is Ireland going to have a state-controlled and properly administered listing service such as exists in the United Kingdom? Ireland markets itself abroad as a destination of immense historical and artistic merit but this is a complete myth unless we protect and conserve what we have for future generations.
But it may be too late for the Malahide Casino. I fear that once again our heritage is being sacrificed to over-development and wanton greed. - Yours, etc.,
S.C. BLEAKLY,
D.W.R. O'BRIEN,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.