Relight the fire

Officially launched by Dublin's Lord Mayor Naoise Ó Muirí in November 2012, Townhouse Twenty2 brings the tally of buildings occupied by Digital Hub member companies and organizations to seven. In its history, it provided refuge for a 1798 rebel, served as a public library for 99 years, notably characterized by its open fireplace in the main reading room, which would be unheard of today.
It was last a home to a feather merchant and his family in the 18th Century before going empty and only recently redeveloped into 372 square meters of office space over five stories, specifically designed to meet the needs of 21st Century digital businesses. The nine-month redevelopment required extensive alterations, as well as refurbishment and extension works, including the covering up of the open fireplace and removal of any personality and life the public space once had. Although the building was completely modernized, an effort to retain the building's structure and rooms was still made. Townhouse Twenty2 is located at No. 22 Thomas Street in Dublin's south-west inner city and is the latest premises to be developed by the Digital Hub Development Agency. It is one of a number of protected structures in a terrace of buildings fronting directly on to Thomas Street. It can no longer be easily accessed by the public without a keycode, but the small addition of the hidden book closet can be found to the left at the entrance to the gate.
Feel free to visit and take part in the book swap to share your stories with other passersby.