An Taisce, Dublin Civic Trust and the Irish Georgian Society had all objected to the plan.

In its ruling Dublin City Council planners said: "The proposal would reduce the range of cultural and tourist activities in the city core and would set an undesirable precedent for the loss of further cultural facilities in the city"

The museum, which recreates a Dublin Georgian house, was opened by the ESB at 29 Fitzwilliam Street in 1991, during Dublin's year as European Cultural Capital.

The building was one of a number restored by the ESB in 1988.

It was beside the ESB's original headquarters building, which was designed by architect Sam Stephenson and provoked huge controversy in 1965 as a number of Georgian buildings were demolished to make way for it.

The demolition broke up the 'Georgian mile' of historic buildings along Fitzwilliam Street Upper and Lower.

The ESB's headquarters are being redeveloped as part of a massive new office development over two blocks.