Dublin skyline

I think you misunderstood my comments. I said that the proposed developments of the docks was only a carrot that was being used by the government to win over the electorate in a probable election next year. Ye have often heard of the saying of a donkey being led by a carrot and stick? I did’nt refer to yerself in any way other than saying that we don’t need the Brits or such archaic colonial powers to run our country again. God forbid. Improving the all round calibre and interests of our TD’s is the solution and that will happen with time with our new earned immense wealth. TD’s will develop an interest in the arts rather than just the pig stye!

No prob, Cheers PDLL

@johnfp wrote:

Apologies also from me to PDLL. I guess being stuck in Scotland and subject to spontanious bigoted remarks has made me realise how much I miss the old sod despite the understandable frustrations you are all encountering regarding planning issues / delays/ development of the physical landscape etc . I know there is still a long way to go but development s such as Docklands, Smithfield, O Connell St IAP ( painfully slow I know) and initiatives such as Transport 21 give me confidence for the future .It`s an incredible transformation from the country I left in 1996. Also, you`re right that this isn`t the forum for the social issues raised earlier.
I fully realise Ireland is not perfect and has it`s own issues but I do believe fundamentally we, as a people , are a more kind and considerate lot and that pretty much derives from the fabric of our society so I was just making the point it would be such a shame if we lost that in the face of so called economic development.
Anyway, apologies again and lets look forward some great architectural feats and sound infrastructural developments in the years to come which should put us right back on the map.
On Docklands, anybody know whats happening with the U2 Tower and Crosbies proposed Point Village?

Point Village could/should start in the new year. U2 Tower will be ’07

I have seen it. I don’t know what to make of it though. Mind you, I would prefer Santry Hall to the old flats any day.

One must separate residential from commercial. There are two hindrances common to high-rise development, (a) the architects who want to build a high-rise regardless of its situation; (b) the nimbys because it never will harmonise with their concept of their area. To high-rise residential should be added a third, the do-gooders, because according to their creed Ballymun did not work. The first two are easier to change than the third. The real problem with Ballymun was a sizeable criminal element and an uneducated populace, but it is not PC to admit it and certainly it is not to be said! Similarly, look at the 3 story maisonettes in Ballybrack, supposedly a lesson in social inclusion by DLRCoCo – built at huge individual cost in the ‘70’s, by 2000 they resembled Beirut, complete with burnt-out window frames and cars; now they’ve been pulled down. Nobody but the inhabitants can be blamed for what happened to those buildings. Just as the bourgeois run riot with their faux Georgian and plastic strip windows, the vulgus have a different outlook (or lack of one!) My guess is that any future high-rise dwellings in Dublin will be confined to the educated classes.

I see that Kilmore House at Spenser Dock is starting to come along now. Does anyone know what the building is beside it? The building I am talking about has a circular roof at an angle. I haven’t seen it up close so I am a bit unsure.

Was down this way for a ramble over the Chrimbo period. While it was great to see the rejuvenation of the once derelict docks, the overall impression of the newer buildings was rather pitiful and unimpressive. Those stumpy office buildings, ie Citigroup look a joke. Spencer Dock doesn’t look anything special either. The emerging buildings on Sir John Rogerson’s look more of the same….however the view of the complexes at the Grand Canal Basin/ Charlotte Quay from the bridge at Ringsend looks quite good. The Jeany Johnson and a Viking Longboat moored at the DDA offices are a nice little feature and the new pedestrian bridge looks quite good as well.

Are they still going to build it higher than originally planned?

I think it really adds to the skyline down there.

The definition of the north docklands as “crew cut” is very appropriate, in my opinion. I cross the loop line twice daily, and looking down the river there is nothing of any architectural merit that stands out. We’re in danger of completely missing out on the great chance offered to Dublin by the regeneration of the riverside.
We need an international side to the DDDA. To counterbalance the prolific Nimbys and fanatic Irish Georgian Society, amongst others with a pathological fear of buildings over 5 storeys.