Building Ireland Season 1 Episode 2 The Banking Halls of Dublin

In episode 2 of Building Ireland season 1 titled The Banking Halls of Dublin, viewers are taken on a journey through the rich history of Dublin's iconic banking halls. The episode showcases the development of the banking system in Ireland, starting from the establishment of the Bank of Ireland in 1783 to the present day.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to the Bank of Ireland, the country's first commercial bank, and its first headquarters on College Green in Dublin. The building, designed by renowned architect Edward Lovett Pearce, was created in the Georgian style of architecture, a trend that swept across the city at the time. Viewers are taken on a tour of the impressive banking hall, which still holds its original eighteenth-century charm.

The episode then focuses on the changes to the banking industry in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as Ireland moved from the British Empire to Independent statehood. Viewers explore the effects of World War I and the 1916 Easter Rising on banking in Dublin and the city's financial district.

The unraveling of the traditional banking system in Ireland during this period forced banks to merge, with the Bank of Ireland merging with the Hibernian Bank in 1869 and the Trustee Savings Bank in 1996. This consolidating of resources enabled banks to create large and impressive banking halls across the city, providing more essential services and creating an atmosphere of grandeur in the financial center.

The episode takes a closer look at some of Dublin's most spectacular banking halls, including the AIB Bankcentre, the Central Bank of Ireland, and the Ulster Bank. Viewers get an insight into the intricate design, architecture, and decoration that went into these buildings, which helped to convey power and wealth to the citizens of Dublin.

Building Ireland does not just focus on grand banking halls but also smaller, yet no less extravagant branches that provided banking services to ordinary citizens. The episode showcases some of Dublin's lesser-known banking halls, including the Phoenix Park branch of the Bank of Ireland.

The documentary also takes a peek into the future of banking. The introduction of online banking in the early 2000s saw a significant change in the way banking services were provided in Ireland. The episode details the challenges this new era has brought for traditional banks and how they have adapted to changing customer needs. Building Ireland also highlights the strides made in sustainability in the banking sector and the move towards green finance.

In conclusion, The Banking Halls of Dublin episode of Building Ireland is perfect for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers alike. The episode celebrates the beauty of Dublin's banking heritage and showcases how banks adapted to changing times and new demands. Viewers are left with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the impressive banking halls that have shaped the city's financial district and continue to impress visitors to this day.