This is the oldest surviving piece of architecture surviving in the city, namely the square tower of the Medieval Abbey of the Canons of St. Augustine. The Red Abbey is open to the public from Easter 2004 following extensive refurbishment. The €175,000 project involved the restoration of the Abbey itself and the re-surfacing of the green park area surrounding it. Granite stone paving will now surround the abbey, which lies between Georges Quay and Douglas Street. Designs representing those found in a window from the original church on the grounds will be etched into the surface of the paving. The green park area will now be completely covered with stone paving, following an archaeological dig and a public consultation process, which invited submissions and observations from those, interested in the physical upgrade. Trees and public lighting will be in place also. Public access to the tower is also being considered.
