Dublin City Council has given the green light for a massive €40 million development on the Northside which will see the construction of one of Europe’s largest mosques.
As well as a three-storey domed mosque, the development at Clongriffin will also include the construction of a primary and secondary school, a 600-seater conference centre, mortuary, library and fitness centre.
Permission for the development was approved subject to a number of conditions.
The mosque, a key element of the plans submitted by the Dublin Welfare Society, will cater for the growing number of Muslims living in Dublin.
The mosque element of the development will include a main prayer hall, prayer rooms, meeting rooms, general purpose room, crèche, bookshop, library and mortuary.
The two-storey conference centre part of the development includes a reception foyer, 600-seat conference room, 130 seat-restaurant and 200-seat banquet hall.
A 16-classroom primary school and 12-classroom secondary school will also be built, as well as a fitness centre with swimming pool, gym and 11 two-bedroom apartments.
Dublin Bay North TD Terence Flanagan (FG) said construction in Clongriffin has come to a halt and there were vacant sites in the area.
“This development will expand on the facilities available to local residents,” stated Deputy Flanagan.
“I am confident that the condition included in the planning permission that the call to prayer is not audible outside the mosque area will be adhered to.”
Dublin Bay North TD Seán Kenny (Lab) gave a guarded welcome to Dublin City Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the development.
“Planning conditions include the stipulation that all construction traffic must not enter or exit the site through Clongriffin town, but instead must use a new access road linking Clongriffin with the Hole-in-the-Wall Road north of Father Collins Park,” said Deputy Kenny.
“The brick walls originally sought to surround the mosque will be replaced with low plinth wall and railings to make the centre more permeable and allow pedestrian and cyclist access.
“The mosque play facilities will be accessible to local residents after school hours.”
Deputy Kenny said he was glad that most of the points made in his original submission for the planning application have been taken on board.
“Residents in the Clongriffin area will need time to fully study all of the implications of this major development which, with the recent planning approval for 147 residential units, could give a boost to development in the city North Fringe area,” he added.