Material relating to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) and surrounding grounds, 1996, including correspondence relating to a portrait and bust of President Mary Robinson (MR) being created before end of her term, between Loughlin Quinn, Department of The Taoiseach, Michael O'Doherty, Principal Architect, Office of Public Works (OPW), Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President and MR, in which O'Doherty recommends a list of potential portraitists and sculptors, 04/10/1995-22/08/1996; correspondence between Professor George Dawson, Trinity College Dublin, and MR in relation to the planting of a daffodil display on the Queen's Walk, and MR's explanation that this could only be approved if Dawson let the OPW cover costs, 26/08-04/09/1996; two memos from PR to MR in relation to the Visitor Centre, Pro Media making some minor editing changes to videos to be displayed and including latest proposals for exhibits, 05/09/1996.

Ref: P143/4/10/7

Material relating to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) and surrounding grounds, 1995, including photocopy of refurbishment proposals submitted by Niall Parsons, Project Architect, New Works, 09/06/1995; two photocopies of outline "Creative Approach for a Visitor Centre", ProMedia Ltd., 13/06/1995; two faxes from Colm to Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, and from PR to MR in relation to comments of first reading of Visitor Centre proposals, 21-23/06/1994; two memos from PR to MR in relation to the visitor centre, the need for project to have a director/co-ordinator, the suggestion Kevin Casey be approached to that end, and news he had accepted to be more involved, 04-05/07/1995; handwritten notes [Nick Robinson's?] in relation to furnishings of Áras.

Ref: P143/4/10/6

Material relating to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) and surrounding grounds, 1994, including typed correspondence from G.C. Johnson, Office of Public Works (OPW), to Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, regarding Fire Safety Works and the upgrading of doors, with two drawings of layout of Áras with various doors marked, 22-23/01/1994; photocopy of correspondence between Joe Ryan, Assistant Principal Planning Officer, Department of the Environment, Brian McCarthy, Assistant Secretary to the Government, PR and President Mary Robinson in relation to the application of planning controls to State development, and the exemption of certain categories from planning permission requirements including Áras an Uachtaráin "in common with other state institutions that are deemed to be sensitive from a security perspective", 28/02-20/04/1994.

Ref: P143/4/10/5

Material relating to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) and surrounding grounds, 1993, including photocopy of memo from Peter Ryan (PR) to President Robinson (MR) regarding Fire Precautions, Security of Stores, etc., Visitor Centre, Secretariat Accommodation and Refurbishment, 06/01/1993; memo from PR to MR regarding "The Mullaghmore Judgement" which would have a twofold effect on works in progress "i.e. the legal capacity of OPW [Office of Public Works] to engage in those works and the matter of planning approval", 16/02/1993; faxed extract from Supreme Court case of Howard and Byrne v The Commissioners of Public Works, sent 22/04/1993, photocopy of minutes from Public Meeting held in 1974 "Dublin Civic Offices- Will Dublin's present destroy its past?" and photocopy of Bye-Law 4, General Meetings; typed memo from PR to MR in relation to meeting between Liam Egan [Architect and Director of Maintenance, OPW], and Kevin Casey, after which Egan was happy to engage Casey [in unspecified work on Áras, possibly as project manager], 28/10/1993; correspondence between PR, David McConnell, President, Zoological Society of Ireland, and MR, and internal memos between PR and MR, in relation to proposals that Dublin Zoo could use a limited amount of the grounds of the Áras, which includes map of Phoenix Park marking Áras, Dublin Zoo, the Fish Pond being considered and the two lodges, 28/10-10/11/1993.

Ref: P143/4/10/4

Material relating to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) and surrounding grounds, 1992, including typed lists of ceremonial trees planted in Áras and on Queen's Walk, sent to President Mary Robinson (MR) by Kay Gleeson, Personnel Officer, Áras, 28/01/1992; memo from Peter Ryan (PR) to MR advising her to keep pressure on for funding for Áras improvements to keep it high on list of Government projects, 05/05/1992; material relating to a fire Evacuation Drill sent by Gleeson to MR including list of Safety and Security Officers and copy of general instructions on evacuation, 04/06/1992; photocopy of information from unidentified publications on artist Dennis Malone Carter, and his painting "The Legend of Killarney" and on artist Dirk Valkenburg and his painting "Birds with an Urn in a Landscape", with memo to MR from Joe Brennan, Deputy Secretary to the President, referencing new paintings [being hung at Áras?], 18/07/199[2?]; correspondence relating to revised procedures for fire alarms and evacuations, 05/07-24/09/1992.

Ref: P143/4/10/3

Material relating to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) and surrounding grounds, 1991, including renovations and refurbishments required to make the Áras inhabitable and functional for all those living and working there, and opening it up to visitors through the development of a visitors’ centre. It includes handwritten letter from Eddie [McPartland, Irish architectural historian and co-founder along with Nick Robinson (NR) of what is now the Irish Architectural Archive] offering assistance; drawings from Caterers' Equipment of proposed Kitchen layouts, 10/04/1991 and architectural drawings for stable block with visitors' entrance, and basement with display area and audio visual room, by Office of Public Works (OPW); copies of typed report to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Michael Rosney M.I.H.C.I. [surveyor?], following visit to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) on 8th December 1990, giving observations and recommendations covering safety, structure, operation including that MR call on services of CERT to carry out an "in-depth analysis of the entire operation", [01?]/1991; draft report on the building and its potential with notation (from NR?), 20/01/1991; OPW Condition Report of Áras an Uachtaráin, March 1991, covering all areas (State, Private, Service, Secretariat, Army, Storage, Unused, Circulation), and covering condition of electrics, and issues of security; list of jobs and repairs required for SDU Drivers Quarters, prepared by Mary Darling for Bride Rosney, which was then sent to NR, 24/02/1991 [The Special Detective Unit (SDU) is the main domestic security agency of the Garda Síochána, the national police force of Ireland, under the aegis of the Crime & Security Branch]; correspondence from John Cornforth [architectural historian, author, and architectural editor of Country Life 1967-1977] to NR on his views of what needs to be done with Áras including recognising historic importance of building, and how to approach furnishings and decor, and noting that certain work being carried is for the good of the building and should not be changed from President to President (he uses example of 10 Downing Street, London), with handwritten notes from NR, 07/03/1991; correspondence between Mr W Harold Clarke, Chairman, Eason & Son Ltd., and NR relating to invite from Clarke to NR to produce booklet on Áras an Uachtaráin, and NR declining since one was under way by Freddie O'Dwyer, OPW; 25/02-08/03/1991; photocopy of letter to MR from Charles Clements, which was passed to NR since it gave details about Clements' ancestor, Nathaniel Clements, a ranger in Phoenix Park from 1748-1777, who built the house which eventually became the Áras, 21/03/1991; typed memo to MR from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, on meeting of the Ad Hoc Group on Improvements to the Áras, 27/03/1991, and on solutions to staff accommodation problems following discussion he had with Liam Egan, Architect and Director of Maintenance, OPW, 15/04/1991; typed correspondence between PR and MR, and between PR and Barry Murphy, commissioner, OPW, on improvements to Áras, a revised draft report, a proposal to divide the report and the implementation of urgent works, 15/05/1991; correspondence between Séamas Ó hEocha, Decorative Plaster Restoration, NR and PR in relation to possibility of hiring him to restore ceilings at Áras, 10-19/06/1991.

Ref: P143/4/10/2

Material relating to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) and surrounding grounds, 199[0?]-199[7?] including "Áras an Uachtaráin: The Story of a House", by Kevin Casey, written about the history of Áras an Uachtaráin, sometime during the middle of MR's presidency (late 1993/ early 1994); official Christmas Card from President of Ireland, which features drawing of Áras an Uachtaráin by Michael Craig (no date); typed address/article by President Mary Robinson on the history of Áras an Uachtaráin, which describes the busts of previous presidents and the potential location of hers once complete "my husband Nick has made it clear that it cannot be where the beautiful old Irish mirror hangs at the far end of the room, as that is one of the finest early Irish mirrors in existence", no date; ringbound folder from Pro-Media giving details of panels, imagery etc. in exhibition space in Áras an Uachtaráin, 199[6/7?].

Ref: P143/4/10/8

Photocopy of correspondence between Kay Gleeson, for [Peter Ryan (PR)] Secretary to the President, and Mrs Primrose Wilson, in relation to President Dr Patrick J Hillery's regret it was not possible to arrange a visit to Áras an Uachtaráin, and that because so many requests were received, it was necessary to decline them all, 29/01/-08/02/1990 [this was most likely shared with President Robinson, to show what precedence was in place regarding visits]; typed inventory of furniture at Áras an Uachtaráin ["Árus"], December 1990; typed memo from Peter Ryan to President Robinson (MR) in relation to visit by Mr Murray to examine the Áras an Uachtaráin building to check on requirements including rewiring, Fire detection and safety, kitchen equipment and hygiene, and to look at hiring a house manager and revamping the operation of the household, 10/12/1990; set of floor plans for Áras an Uachtaráin sent to Bride Rosney, by PR, 18/12/1990; typed draft "Architectural Guide to Áras an Uachtaráin", by Frederick O'Dwyer, OPW [Office of Public Works], November 1990 and photocopy of thank-you note from Nick Robinson to Richard Stokes, Office of the Taoiseach, for the draft booklet, 20/12/1990; photocopy of correspondence between Cecil King and Nick Robinson in relation to King's suggestion he complete a bronze bust of MR, 04-20/12/1990 [King stated he had been previously commissioned by PV Doyle, Doyle Hotels, to do sculptures of all previous presidents, which were in the VIP Room in Aer Lingus]; photocopy of chapter from "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy", on "The Phoenix Park, Its Origins and Early History, With Some Notices of Its Royal and Viceregal Residences".

Ref: P143/4/10/1

Cover letter from Eddie [McParland, Irish architectural historian and co-founder along with Nick Robinson of what is now the Irish Architectural Archive] to Nick in relation to the "horrors" in the house, and which accompanied recommendations not included, 18/12/1990.

During Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency she set about opening up the building and gardens of Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras), the official residence of the President of Ireland, to the public, including hosting regular garden parties to which ordinary citizens from various communities were invited, assessing the efficiency of the building's configuration, examining the need for restoration and updating of the building, and investigating the feasibility of having a visitors' centre and onsite tours. MR's husband Nicholas Robinson (NR) had a keen interest in architectural heritage and restoration, having helped establish numerous bodies, among them the Irish Architectural Archive (with Edward McParland), the Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation and the Irish Landmark Trust, and as First Gentleman used his expertise and contacts to assist in the project to restore and update the Áras. Material includes correspondence, architectural designs and reports and is arranged chronologically by year.

Ref: P143/4/10