Some Stardust Families Attend Special Opening Ceremony for New Artist Studio on Site of Condemned Nightclub

SOME Stardust families attended a special ceremony to open a new artist studio on the site of the condemned nightclub.

The move is part of a €9 million plan by Dublin City Council to provide more than 60 workspaces for artists in the city.

Gertrude Barrett, who lost her 17-year-old son Michael in the devastating 1981 fire that claimed the lives of 48 young people, said: “I welcome Artist Studios because all art and creativity is uplifting , positive and good for the soul.

“Best wishes to the artists who are enjoying the studios. I also hope they remember the lost souls.

His daughter Carole, who has made a memorial plaque containing the names of Stardust victims which will hang on the wall inside the studios, said: “I think Artist Studios is positive, reflective and responsive to the victims.

“As we heard in their pen portraits, they all had one or more hobbies, they were also innovative, artistic and creative in many ways, from baking to embroidery, music, dance, sports and much more.

“I don’t think anything else could have occupied this space given its history and use.”

The buildings, most of which are owned by the council, include the former Eden restaurant and the Filmbase building, both at Temple Bar, 8 and 9 Merchants Quay, and a vacant site in Bridgefoot Street, as well as the Stardust building, owned by Xestra Asset Management. .

A jury at Dublin Coroner’s Court concluded earlier this year that the victims had all been unlawfully killed after 43 years of campaigning by the families for justice.

Families who lost loved ones in the Stardust tragedy have each received €500,000 in compensation for each victim killed in the devastating nightclub fire.