La Catedral Studios retrospective: A Visionary Space Rooted in Dublin's Artist Studios’ Legacy

Starting from a dilapidated former Victorian clothing factory for the defunct St. Bernard’s brand, in 2005, Sardinian co-founders Antonella Scanu and Costanzo Idini gradually envisioned and created La Catedral Studios, a labour of love still in the process of making. Their tradition of DIY artist spaces in Dublin dates back to 1997, often housed in unconventional structures—military barracks (Barrack Studios), mills (Loft Studios), and soap factories (Phoenix Studios), all demolished after the recent years’ gentrification phenomenon.

Today, La Catedral continues this legacy in its revamped-in-progress historic red-brick warehouse, managed and reimagined under the relentless care of its co-founder Antonella, the driving force behind a one-of-a-kind Dublin independent studio space, a truly inspiring den for professional & emerging artists.

Her bold, inclusive, and multidisciplinary vision shines through every corner of the studios, and her continuous, transformative work supports and complements the building’s period architectural aesthetics and multiple demands, making it a unique, autonomous, creative hub with an eclectic social vibe.

Located in the heart of the D8 Liberties—once a thriving textile manufacturing district—LCS sits just around the corner from the National College of Art & Design and the Digital Hub, an ideal position within Dublin’s vibrant creative community.