Teach 6 (also known as House Six and Mandela House) serves as a vital student centre. The building serves as the headquarters of the Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU), The University Times, Trinity Publications, the Central Societies Committee, and dozens of student societies. However, there is one major problem: it is inaccessible. Any student wheelchair users or similar assistive device are essentially barred beyond the ground floor.
The push to make Teach 6 accessible started during Leah Keogh’s TCDSU presidency (2021/22).
Originally, plans for accessibility improvements at the JCR Hamilton building received €100,000 of funding. However, reallocation has become necessary now that the JCR Hamilton space is being repurposed for the new Student Centre in the Science Gallery. Recently, the proposal to reallocate the €100,000 from the JCR Hamilton to fund the Teach 6 lift project was granted.
The plan outlines that a conservation architect will be appointed, followed by scope and strategy consultations, and the submission of statutory applications by June 2025. Design and tender pack completion will occur by September 2025, contractor appointment by November 2025, and finally, construction completion by April 2026. The plan will cost €600,000 total, up from the original 2022 projection of €400,000 due to inflation and rising construction costs in Dublin. Teach 6 is a heritage building that requires careful consideration when changing its old structure.
In a comment to The University Times, the Trinity Ability Co-op stated they were “glad to see that this is finally going ahead, with planning permission and funding changes.” Adding “We are delighted to see that the Students’ Union […] will be made physically accessible for all students.” On the built heritage designation of Teach 6, they mentioned “a building’s status as a built heritage is not a truly good defence for inaccessibility – particularly when it is such a central hub for students.” Concluding “we hope that this is the first step taken by the College to focus its policy more on accessibility and inclusion, and that tending to the needs of all students will become more of a priority.”
If completed in time, this project will finally remedy the long-standing inaccessibility of one of Trinity’s most important student spaces. Its success will depend on the continued collaboration and dedication of both the students and College administration.
