In 2006, two childhood friends, Will Beckett and Huw Gott, opened a restaurant serving steaks from traditionally-reared cattle and sustainably sourced seafood, alongside old-school cocktails in a then-unfashionable part of London.

Since then, Hawksmoor has grown into a 10-restaurant group, most recently opening the doors to a venue in New York, praised by The New York Times and renowned critics of the city's culinary landscape.

Now, it’s Dublin’s turn.

Co-founder Will Beckett says: “We’ve been coming to Dublin for years to spend time in one of our favourite cities for food and drink, always keeping an eye open for a beautiful space.

"We can’t wait to open Hawksmoor in what we think is the most hospitable city in the world.”

The ‘beautiful space’ in question is the former National Irish Bank on College Green, where the group hopes to open in spring 2023, subject to planning.

The other half of the duo, Huw Gott, says their goal will be to restore the building to its former glory and enhance features that the public are unlikely to have seen.

“A lot of time and thought have gone into this design for Hawksmoor Dublin, as we’re hoping to celebrate the original fabric of the National Irish Bank building by restoring original features, such as the banking hall’s grand 40ft cast-iron dome and ornate plasterwork, and reinstating elements like cast iron railings similar to those originally installed in the 1880s.”