Celebration of the First Milestone of An Lóchrann
A New Inspiring Performance Venue and Music Studio for DCU All Hallows
The President of DCU Professor Daire Keogh attended an event to mark the first milestone in the new Music Studio and Performance Space on the DCU All Hallows campus. What was once Marmaduke’s Café will now become The Lantern/An Lóchrann, a multi-purpose 80 seat performance venue and sound studio. The design by architect Mandy Channon of REIR Studio envisages a place of quiet beauty that sensitively marries the heritage of the campus with this new purpose and creates an accessible and inclusive space. A new ramped entrance frames the heritage oriel window of Purcell House. Louvre doors will replace the current glazed doors to incorporate an outdoor stage for summer performances. The space is also connected to the enclosed zen garden to the side of a new Music Pod - a fully enclosed and sound insulated technology and music studio. Here students will gain real world industry standard experience with music technology. A sound and recording desk positioned at the window into the performance space will allow performances and other events to be recorded and streamed. A space for all connected to a peaceful, enclosed zen garden, the venue will enable collaborations in the creative arts and bridge campus talent with the local community. The project is managed by Eanan O’Doherty project manager with the DCU Estates Office. It has received full planning permission and will be ready to go to build in the 2026/7 academic year.
The President spoke about the heritage of the campus and how just as we have benefited from the beauty and 18th century vision of those that built Drumcondra House and laid out the grounds, this new 21st century addition will plant seeds for the future. He praised the design and initiative as something that will bring lasting value to the campus and complement the development of Woodlock Hall that set the standard. He warmly congratulated the ambition and vision of the steering group for this project led by Dr. Patricia Flynn. She spoke about the Lantern as providing illumination, a guide showing a pathway, a focus for gathering and that all these are part of this project from the student’s learning in the studio and showcasing their work to the neighbouring community attending performances.
As befitting a performance space that will be widely used across schools in the campus the event included performances by final year jazz students Giovanny and Bianca who sang ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’, Dr Deirdre MacMathuna of Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge spoke about the many rich associations with the word Lóchrann and read the Irish language poem Lóchrann translated by her school colleague Prof Ciaran MacMhuricaidh. Dr Kit Fryatt, poet from the School of English read his poem DREFT. The event closed with an all-star vocal quartet of Staff from The School of Theology Philosophy and Music, Róisín Blunnie, Laura Sheils, Barbara Dignam and Holly O’ Grady who performed ‘Comet’ a composition by PhD student Laura Sheils inspired by the telescope in Birr Castle which aptly fitted the illumination theme of the new venue.
The Lantern/An Lóchrann will be a space where creativity is ignited, shared and carried outward through performance.