Department Of Finance – An Roinn Airgeadais

As if this corner of Stephen’s Green was lacking in landmarks, with the Huguenot cemetery, the Shelbourne Hotel and bars like the Baggot Inn vying for top-​dog position, here comes the new Department of FInance building.
Constructed from giant slabs of titanium gray concrete with large square window openings, grounded by intricate metal work, this building is monumental. Of all the concrete blocks around this is one of the best.
The giant concrete slabs seem to have been positioned by an enormous and meticulous jenga player. This, incidentally, is the same technique employed in the construction of dolmens and cairns back in pre-​Christian days, which, if combined with ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’s’ monolith is something of the vibe this place gives me.
Certainly, the new Department of Finance is a darn sight better than most government institution buildings, thanks to Grafton Architects, and is a worthwhile and thought provoking addition to this, the second most prestigious, corner of St. Stephens Green.