More than €650,000 has been spent on fire-safety improvements at Farmleigh House in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, with work on the historic property still approaching completion. The building is used to accommodate visiting heads of state and other international dignitaries.
Farmleigh House fire-safety works near completion
The project followed an internal fire-safety assessment carried out in August 2022. That review identified a range of defects affecting doors and fire protection measures throughout the protected structure.
Freedom of Information records show that €653,000, excluding VAT, had been spent on the work at the time of the disclosure. The original estimate for the wider project was approximately €853,000 excluding VAT, while the final account has not yet been agreed.
The Office of Public Works (OPW), which manages the property, said the improvements were required to bring Farmleigh House into line with current fire-safety building regulations.
What did the inspection find?
The assessment identified dozens of issues that could affect how the building would respond during a fire or other emergency. Several fire doors did not close correctly when released, while others had damaged or missing seals.
Inspectors also recorded gaps around the tops and sides of doors, warped doors and doors that caught on the floor as they swung shut. One door had a substantial crack in its panel.
Two areas were identified where fire doors were required but had not been installed. The report also referred to instances of “non-compliant hold open”, an issue that can prevent a fire door from closing as intended.
More than 100 doors and windows included in project
Project documents indicated that 104 internal doors, windows or cabinet doors would need to be upgraded or replaced. The works also included improvements to other parts of the property’s fire and security systems.
- Fire-stopping measures to limit the spread of fire and smoke
- Upgrades to internal doors and windows
- New escape-route signage
- Upgraded electronic security locks
- Additional fire-safety and structural protection measures
Fire stopping is designed to seal gaps and openings in a building’s structure, helping to slow the movement of flames and smoke between rooms or compartments. Together with compliant fire doors and clear escape signage, these measures are intended to give occupants more time to leave safely.
Read More
For more Ireland News, public-sector developments and updates from Dublin, visit DailyDigest.ie.
Why the work required special care
Farmleigh House is a historic property containing original architectural features, furniture and artwork. The OPW said the safety work had to be completed carefully to protect those elements while improving the building’s performance in an emergency.
The project was treated as maintenance of a protected structure, meaning planning permission was not required according to the project documentation. A business case prepared in 2024 estimated that construction would take about a year and stated that the house could remain available for use while work continued.
That arrangement is significant because Farmleigh is used for official visits and state occasions. The property has hosted meetings and receptions involving senior political figures and visiting heads of state, making fire protection an important issue for both public safety and government operations.
What the OPW has said
An OPW spokesperson said the revised works included fire-stopping, upgrades to multiple internal doors and windows, electronic security-lock improvements and other necessary safety measures.
The spokesperson said the structural protection work was designed to safeguard occupants during a fire or emergency. They added that the project was nearing completion on site, but that the OPW could not provide a final cost until the accounts had been agreed.
What happens next?
The immediate next step is the completion of the remaining work and the agreement of the final account. Until that process is finished, the total cost cannot be confirmed.
The project also highlights the practical challenges involved in maintaining historic public buildings. Properties such as Farmleigh must meet modern safety expectations while retaining their heritage character and remaining available for official use.
For the public, the key issue is whether the completed upgrades resolve the defects identified in the 2022 assessment and provide effective protection for visitors, staff and dignitaries using the house.
Frequently asked questions
How much has been spent on the Farmleigh House works?
FOI records show spending of €653,000 excluding VAT. The final cost has not yet been settled.
Why were the works needed?
An internal assessment found defective fire doors, missing seals, gaps in fire protection and other issues that needed correction to meet current fire-safety requirements.
How many doors and windows were affected?
Project documents said 104 internal doors, windows or cabinet doors would require upgrading or replacement.
Is Farmleigh House still being used?
A 2024 business case said the property would remain available for use while the construction work was under way.
Conclusion
The Farmleigh House fire-safety project has already cost more than €650,000 and remains unfinished, with the final bill still to be agreed. The work addresses a broad set of issues identified during the 2022 inspection, including defective fire doors, missing protection and damaged building elements.
As one of Ireland’s important state properties, Farmleigh must balance heritage conservation with modern safety standards. The completed upgrades will be closely relevant to anyone working at, visiting or using the Phoenix Park house for official events.
