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University Hall
Alternative names	Hatch Hall
General information
Type	Residential accommodation and hotel
Architectural style	Gothic Revival architecture
Classification	Protected structure
Address	Hatch Street Lower, Dublin 2
Town or city	Dublin
Country	Ireland
Coordinates	53°20′02″N 6°15′23″W / 53.3338°N 6.2563°W / 53.3338; -6.2563
Groundbreaking	1910
Estimated completion	1913
Owner	Red Carnation Hotels
Technical details
Material	Red brick and limestone detailing
Floor count	4
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Charles B. Powell
Developer	Society of Jesus
Main contractor	William Connolly & Sons
References

University Hall, also known as Hatch Hall, is a building on Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Ireland which has housed a Jesuit university hall accommodation, a direct provision accommodation centre for asylum seekers and refugees and in 2020 a plan was lodged for its conversion to a 60-bedroom 5-star hotel.

The building was designed by Charles B. Powell in 1910 in a late-Victorian and gothic-revival style which contrasted markedly with its predominantly Georgian townhouse surroundings.

History

Founded by the Jesuits in 1913, University Hall provided accommodation for third level male students studying in Dublin until its closure in 2004. The Jesuits promoted a spirit of 'Friendship, Faith, Involvement', and the hall was well known for its community spirit. The hall's motto was Sic Luceat Lux Vestra (in this way let your light shine).

Initially the hall catered to only a small number of students, mostly studying medicine in UCD, but its intake grew progressively larger throughout the twentieth century to a yearly average of over 100 male students.

In 2004 the property was bought for €16m by Gerry Barrett, a property developer who intended to develop the hall into a hotel. Permission for an 81-bedroom hotel was initially granted permission by Dublin City Council before being rejected by An Bord Pleanála.

Later the building was operated as a direct provision centre being used as accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees.

The building was acquired by Red Carnation Hotels for €20m in 2019 and is to be converted into a 5-star boutique hotel.

Culture

The undisputed annual highlight of the Hall's calendar was the 'Hatch Ball' a large formal dinner held in the nearby Shelbourne Hotel. It was by no means, however, the only social gathering; with intermittent discos in nearby nightclubs, nightly parties in private rooms usually proceeding to Dublin nightclubs and regular excursions to the beloved local pub, Hartigans of Leeson Street, the social scene was always vibrant.

The hall also supported a number of societies including film, debating and photography. The management actively encouraged hall residents to become active members of the local community through charity events and homework clubs.

Former residents of Hatch hall still meet socially in Hartigans pub on the first Wednesday of every calendar month; a social gathering known as "Hatch Wednesday". Past residents of the hall have included Desmond O'Malley, founder and former leader of the Progressive Democrats; Brian Cowen T.D and Michael O'Leary, Ryanair CEO.

References

1. "Hatch Hall, Hatch Street Lower, Hatch Lane/Hatch Place, Dublin 2, DUBLIN". Buildings of Ireland. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
2. "Reception and Integration Agency Department Of Justice and Equality Annual Report 2017" (PDF). Reception and Integration Agency Ireland (RIA). Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
3. "CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, HATCH STREET LOWER, NO. 028A (JESUIT RESIDENTIAL HALL)". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
4. "1913 - Jesuit Residence UCD, Hatch Street, Dublin". Archiseek - Irish Architecture. 9 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
5. "Red Carnation acquires Hatch Hall". Hospitality eNews. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
6. Deegan, Gordon. "Dublin resident lodges appeal against Ashford Castle operator's plan for city hotel". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

• University College Dublin
• Buildings and structures in Dublin (city)
• Gothic Revival architecture in Ireland
• University and college residential buildings in Ireland
• Direct provision centres in the Republic of Ireland