The Irish Times

Work has finally started on reinstating the ornate canopy of Dublin's Olympia Theatre almost three years after it was accidentally demolished when a truck backed into it on November 18th, 2004. The work is expected to be completed in two weeks, after which the theatre is planning a "grand opening" of the restored stained-glass and cast-iron canopy, which dates from the late 19th century. The canopy, which extended out to the edge of the footpath, will be better protected in future because Dublin City Council recently extended this stretch of footpath and put cast-iron bollards in place along it. As the Olympia is a protected structure, its canopy had to be restored. Shortly before the canopy was hit by the truck the theatre was planning to dismantle it and have it sent to Scotland for restoration.