FEATURING THE MONEY TREE
I am somewhat disappointed by the fact that the majority of Christmas Trees throughout the city are lacking lights.
The plaza features the [relocated] sculpture Crann an Oir (tree of gold) by Derry sculptor Éamonn O’Doherty, which became a symbol of the Central Bank, Irish Banking, and the Celtic Tiger boom and bust. The sculpture, also known as the “Golden Ball” but I thought that it was known as the “Money Tree”.
The Central Bank’s lobby contained Abstract Beaded Pattern, a large artwork by Patrick Scott. It was put into storage prior to the Bank’s move from the premises in 2017.
Central Plaza, also known as the Central Bank of Ireland Building for its former tenant, is an office building on Dame Street in Temple Bar, Dublin. It was the headquarters of the Central Bank of Ireland from 1979 to 2017.
It is Ireland’s only suspended structure building’, with its 8 floors hanging from central concrete cores. Each floor was built on the ground and then raised into place. It was controversial for being out of scale with its surroundings and for being constructed 30 feet (9.1 m) taller than approved.
As of 2022, the building was undergoing renovations including the addition of a rooftop venue and observation deck.