The new location is very accessible from all parts of the Dublin and, being closer to mainline rail stations and main road routes, is also easier to reach from other parts of the country. The location also makes sense because it brings the Centre closer to other cultural institutions. The newly-rebuilt Project Arts Centre, The Ark, the Irish Film Centre and the Temple Bar Galleries are a few of those immediately adjacent to CMC. Other near neighbours include Christ Church and St Patrick's Cathedrals and the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, all with strong music programmes. This proximity will, it is hoped, provide a cross-fertilisation of ideas and activities which will be to the benefit of everyone.

New Facilities
With a whole building of five floors to itself, the Centre now has a street level, 'shop window' presence which gives it a much clearer identity. The public areas are also considerably enhanced. The reception space on the ground floor includes a sales area for CDs, music and publications, as well as listening facilities. The first floor library, a large double room, is bright and welcoming, providing integrated access to scores, recordings and information materials as well as the Centre's extensive computer databases. The offices are on the second and third floors and the basement provides archival storage.

The Contemporary Music Centre is committed to a policy of access for all of its clients to all the materials in its collection. For clients with a disability, wheelchair access is available to the ground floor via a ramp leading from the adjacent courtyard. The constraints imposed in a listed historic house mean that wheelchair access cannot be provided to the first floor library, but staff will be happy to make scores and recordings available to disabled patrons on the ground floor and listening facilities are available there also.

Fishamble Street
Fishamble Street is in the oldest part of the city of Dublin and takes its name from the fish market which was located there in mediaeval times. The street has many historical associations but is probably best known as the site of the first performance of Handel's Messiah on 13 April 1742. This is a particularly appropriate link for CMC since, if Handel were alive today, he would certainly be a regular visitor to the Centre.

Handel came to Dublin in November 1741 at the invitation of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and spent nine months in the city, basing himself in lodgings in Abbey Street. The oratorio, Messiah, had been composed in great intensity in only 24 days the previous autumn and the premiere, performed 'for the relief of the prisoners in the several gaols and for the support of Mercer's Hospital and of the Charitable Infirmary' took place before a large audience. The choirs of St Patrick's and Christ Church Cathedrals took part, with Handel himself directing.

The recently-opened New Music Hall was ideal for such a prestigious occasion and the Dublin papers, anticipating a crowd, requested 'the Favour of the ladies not to come with hoops this day to the Musick Hall in Fishamble Street. The gentlemen are desired to come without their swords.' An audience of some 700 managed to take their places inside, with several hundred more outside in the street. 'Words are wanting to express the exquisite Delight it afforded to the admiring crowded Audience', wrote Faulkner's Journal the next day.