DUBLIN is hoping to follow in the footsteps of other European cities by getting its own chocolate museum.

Plans have been drawn up to locate the attraction in a listed building on Merrion Square in Dublin 2, in the heart of the capital.

If approved, the museum will be similar to existing tourist favourites in cities like Cologne and Barcelona.

Rycon Merrion Square Museum Ltd applied to Dublin City Council for permission to change the use of the Apothecaries Hall building at 95 Merrion Square West to provide a chocolate museum.

It would be located in the basement, and on the ground floor and first floor of the building.

The premises has been used for office and residential accommodation.

Rycon wants to carry out internal works to make way for the museum, including removing the existing partitions and doors.

permission

The company did not comment when contacted as the planning process is ongoing.

While the council ruled the application invalid on a technicality, a fresh attempt to secure planning permission has been made.

City planners said the description of the project was insufficient for the information of the public.

"The full nature and extent of the development must be stated," it told the applicant.

The company was required to submit new site and new newspaper notices.

Planners said the applicants should ensure the works are properly described.

In the German city of Cologne, the museum is located on the Rhine and takes visitors through 3,000 years of chocolate history.

One of the most popular features is the famous fresh chocolate fountain, which has been enjoyed by millions of visitors.

The museum makes chocolate but only to demonstrate how it is done.

Tourists rave about the experience.

"This is a wonderful museum to visit if you are a chocolate lover," one contributor to travel website Tripadvisor wrote.

The best part is "when you walk into the working chocolate-making area, the smell is divine", another fan said.

"The chocolate fountain is best enjoyed with a spoon (bring one with you) and picking up some freshly made product on the way out makes for great presents," a third contributor wrote.

If it is approved, the Dublin attraction will be hoping to give visitors a similar experience.

comurphy@herald.ie