Balbriggan venue chosen as public’s favourite building

A concert hall in Dublin has been voted the public’s favourite building.

The Lark Concert Hall in Balbriggan topped the poll in the public choice category of the The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Irish Architecture Awards.

Organisers said the overwhelming support for the project reflects its outstanding contribution to the built environment and its resonance with the community.

Kinsale Library in Co Cork and Castleblayney Library and Market Square Regeneration in Co Monaghan were the runners up among 42 projects competing for the award.

RIAI President Sean Mahon said The Lark Concert Hall is a new building that seats 400 people.

He told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that “it’s concealed very well on the outside with the new space that sits very comfortably right beside a three-storey Georgian house building which is integrated into the new facility and provides support services for the facility”.

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More than 20,000 votes were cast online by the general public this month.

Mr Mahon described the level of public engagement this year as “extraordinary” and said “the Lark Concert Hall truly exemplifies the excellence and innovation” that the award stands for.

There is “increasing public recognition of how quality architecture has the power to improve lives and shape the society we envision,” he added.

The RIAI Irish Architecture Awards are being presented at the National Gallery of Ireland today.