Trinity's oldest building has officially been reopened following an 18-month conservation and restoration project.
The 320-year-old Rubrics is Ireland's longest-serving purpose-built residential building, and is now ready to welcome staff and students back under its historic roof.
Big cheers outside the newly reopened Rubrics!
Restoring the Rubrics required innovative thinking in order to improve the sustainability of the building, while also staying true to its heritage. The project involved critical restoration works to the building's structure, and the installation of ground-sourced heat pumps which now service its heating and 80% of its hot water.
Guests at the opening event were invited on a guided tour of the Rubrics, before celebrating an official ribbon cutting by Linda in front of the building. A short reception was then held in the Book of Kells Experience, where guests heard about the Rubrics' rich history, and its journey through the renovation project. Speakers on the evening included: Eleanor Denny, Bursar and Director of Strategic Innovation; Andrew Somerville, Fellow Emeritus and Author of The early residential buildings of Trinity College Dublin: Architecture, financing, people; Kevin O'Kelly, Project Sponsor; and Linda Doyle.
Featured mages: ribbon cutting with the Project Steering Committee in front of the Rubrics; Group photo with all guests to mark the opening; Guided tour of the Rubrics; Reception in the Book of Kells Experience.