Join Eoin Ó Broin TD for a very special tour of an Open House favourite, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, over the festival weekend.

Eoin is the author, with photographer Mal McCann, of The Dignity of Everyday Life, Celebrating Michael Scott’s Busáras (Merrion Press 2021)

An example of the international Modernist Style, and strongly influenced by Le Corbusier, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada/Busáras attracted much international attention when it was completed after the Second World War. Busáras was designed by the architectural firm of Michael Scott between 1946 and 1953, the design team included Wilfrid Cantwell, Kevin Fox, Robin Walker, Kevin Roche and Pat Scott (mosaics), with Ove Arup as the consulting engineer.

The building was designed to house a bus terminus and transport company offices. It also featured a small newsreel cinema to occupy travellers. The bright and colourful top floor restaurant was originally meant to be public: a restaurant during the day and a nightclub in the evening. Constructed of reinforced concrete with Portland stone cladding, and decorated with mosaics by Patrick Scott, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada/Busáras remains one of the landmarks of modern architecture in Ireland.

Meeting point: Front Hall, Ground Floor, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada,

Bookings open for ISL (Irish Sign Language) Tour on Friday 29 September.

Wheelchair accessible
Accessible Toilets
Assistance Dogs welcome