Advertisement We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories A planning report lodged with the application states that the scheme is of “critical importance to the long-term viability of the hotel”.Alamy Stock Photo Green light given for extra floor to be added to former U2 Hotel, The Clarence, in Dublin Dublin City Council granted permission to increase the number of rooms in the hotel from 58 to 162 and add an extra floor. 4.18pm, 2 May 2025 Share options ‘IT’S A BEAUTIFUL day’ for the new owners of the former U2 hotel, The Clarence in Temple Bar as Dublin City Council has given the green light to almost triple the size of the hotel. The Council planners have granted planning permission to Keywell DAC to increase the number of hotel rooms by 104 from 58 to 162 and add an extra floor to The Clarence and adjoining Dollard House. A planning report lodged with the application states that the scheme is of “critical importance to the long-term viability of the hotel”. The scheme also includes a modern brasserie, coffee shop and bakery on the ground floor of Dollard House to replace the Giddy Dolphin pub. The revamp includes Cleaver East to become a contemporary music pub; replace Roberta’s Restaurant with a premium event facility; refurbish and relaunch the Workman’s Cellar as a premium event driven late night music venue and reposition Anne’s bar as a specialist bar. The overhaul also includes the relaunch of the Octagon Bar – currently called The Curious Mister – and Stout Bar and retain the Tomahawk as it is. A planning report lodged with the application by Stephen Little & Associates has stated that the refurbishment, conservation and extension aims “to recapture the iconic status of the Clarence Hotel and deliver high quality hotel accommodation and ancillary facilities to this area of Temple Bar”. Keywell DAC is part of Lifestyle Hospitality Capital (LHC) and last year, LHC purchased a majority stake in the Dean Hotel Group, that included the boutique Clarence Hotel, from the Press Up Group. Advertisement The hotel continues to trade on its U2 association, with the hotel website stating that the hotel is “also known as the 'U2 Hotel' or 'Bono Hotel' in Dublin”.RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie The deal came only months after Bono, The Edge and Paddy McKillen Snr sold the Clarence hotel in October 2023 to the Dean Hotel Group Accounts earlier this year showed that the Dean Hotel Group paid out €18.07m in cash for the Clarence Hotel company in the deal. The deal ended Bono and The Edge’s connection with the four-star hotel after more than three decades of ownership. However, the hotel continues to trade on its U2 association, with the hotel website stating that the hotel is “also known as the ‘U2 Hotel’ or ‘Bono Hotel’ in Dublin”. In the sole objection against the scheme Temple Bar resident, Declan O’Brien told the council that “the cumulative impact of this development and similar tourism-focused projects in the area threatens to overwhelm the local infrastructure and further commercialize Temple Bar at the expense of its cultural and residential functions”. O’Brien stated that “there has not been a significant residential development in the Temple Bar area in decades”. He said: “The further intensification of the area to mono-use has wider implications for the city. This proposal does not sufficiently align with the objectives of the Dublin City Development Plan. He added: “It represents an over intensification of tourism and hospitality uses that will undermine the cultural, residential, and social balance in Temple Bar.” In a separate submission in support of the application, Banta Restaurants Ltd which operates Cleaver East, it said that the proposed works would represent an essential investment in the improvement and modernisation in this iconic Dublin hotel which will benefit not only the hotel but the wider local economic and tourist community. Gordon Deegan View 5 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Green light given for extra floor to be added to former U2 Hotel, The Clarence, in Dublin”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Green light given for extra floor to be added to former U2 Hotel, The Clarence, in Dublin”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app. This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation. Download and sign into the app to continue. Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Dublin City Council the clarence the dean group News in 60 seconds Family 'scarred' as man who murdered 'remarkable' woman with carving knife is sentenced to life Exclusive: Michael Shine shows no remorse and claims accusers are motivated by money Saoirse McGarrigle 20 mins ago Immigration Germany's far-right AfD party classified as extremist group by domestic intelligence agency 26 mins ago Prince Harry Prince Harry loses Court of Appeal bid over the level of protection he gets on UK visits 43 mins ago Court of Appeal McGregor seeks to introduce evidence from new witness in appeal of civil sexual assault finding 52 mins ago gardiner street Woman (60s) seriously injured in e-scrambler hit-and-run in Dublin city centre Truck driver who seriously injured father of rugby star Conor Murray jailed for 10 months RT broadcaster Chay Bowes detained and denied entry to Romania falling tsar Housing tsar controversy: McDonagh tells minister he no longer wants to be considered for job Catholic Church After changing his date of birth, this Cardinal from Burkina Faso can now vote in the conclave Signalgate fallout: Trump nominates national security advisor Mike Waltz as US ambassador to UN more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online