Its poor structural condition was exposed in 2012 when bits of its elaborate cornice began falling off after an especially harsh winter which required a multi-million euro renovation the following year.

But when “A Christmas Prince” evolved into a trilogy that spawned the entire NCU, the flair fell off fast.

“As social pressures increased, and business fell off, Daddy would have to find a new location and start over again.”

“It's not fallen off the back of a lorry. It's been stolen!”

Some of the books had fallen off the library shelves, but the building was intact.