O’ Connell Street, Dublin
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No doubt that irish attitudes have changed somewhat recently…….
but does the fact that the statue is there prove that we haven’t really changed all that much??should we change ? don’t see why we should conceal or attempt to erase our catholic past.
why is he standing on the EU flag? Is it a subliminal message from above to reject the Constitution?
I think it looks fantastically kitsch and it serves as a reminder that although massive changes have occurred in Irish society, manifested significantly in the built environment, nowhere more dramatically than this part of Dublin, this will always be a nation with a powerful Catholic legacy. I prefer this to a phone kiosk, uber-bin, or metropole…
Does it move?
Quite possible, given there was a little more air in there today.
You can clearly see the solar panel on top there too.
Also a close-up of the LEDs.
@alonso wrote:
considering what happened to the original Jesus, maybe a bit of protection was deemed necessary!!!
If you look closely at the second last picture in Graham’s first post (#2736), it seems someone has already been using the case for spitting target practice.
Or could it be someone drawing a particularly abstruse parallel between the treatment of Jesus during questioning by the Council and the treatment of the protesters during the Reclaim the Streets rally a couple of years ago? (Mark 14:65)
On second thoughts, it was probably just some gurrier with an aversion to authority and a lack of respect for the property of others. This is Dublin, after all.
Oooooooh! It’s so tacky!
Was an actual sculpture not considered instead? Incidentally, when the Floozie is brought back to, we should start a brutal statue of Dublin tour. There’s a statue of the Virgin Mary by Broadstone as well.
Heh heh.
Alas it’s not the only thing that’s tacky. The street is clearly suffering from a systematic lack of resources being provided to Enforcement. This is the latest innovation to ‘beat the system’ – a typically Irish solution that of course means nothing if retailers bothered to read planning regs.
*slaps knee* – oh but of course! They’re only temporary! That means they’re not really there! In fact, they’re completely invisible!
Talk about a racket – this ‘Sign Design’ crowd must be raking it in.
The same directly across the road.
While Beshoff’s next door have also made their contribution.
Around the corner on Henry Street – this part also in the IAP – we have another advertising banner.
While down the road at the very entrance to the city’s main throughfare, Schuh clearly think they can get away with anything too. Unbelievable.
Back up at the northern end, it’s business as usual with the aul favourites.
I’ve lost count of the years at this stage.
And all while DCC dabbles in the lucrative business itself. Truly truly shocking.
They’re all over the street
And none of this even remotely covers the countless other cases the entire length of the throughfare – virtually every week both temporary and permanent signage is being tacked on to property left right and centre. Especially those projecting signs that have such a nasty cumulative cluttering effect. And nearly every retail premises on the street has posters attached to its windows, some almost completely covered.
It’s really unbelieveable what’s going on here – barely even the major cases are being tackled. Not to lay it all at the feet of DCC – at the end of the day it’s retailers who are shooting themselves in the foot – but it’s up to the planning authority to both lead the way and clean up the mess, and they’re failing miserably on both fronts.
That Christ statue is fucking awful….FFS. I thought we were gone well beyond the Father Ted stage of religion. It just adds to the overall tawdriness of the street thats creeping back in. Sadly, and let’s face it, O’Connell Street will never be a top class European boulevard with an air of wealth and sophistication, but just a tacky backstreet. The Council aren’t helping, nor the shops and even the folk that pass by daily, particularly some elements of the local Dub folk who’s sartorial preference are shiny synthetic suits (with elasticated waists and ankles) topped off with matching hats. I’ve given up with this area of the city as well.
What…..the…..hell….is that?! That statue I mean. Is that a joke? I have to echo the sentiments of many here; how is O’Connell Street ever going to achieve respectibility if this kind of tacky, pointless rubbish is installed. Dont get me wrong, I’m a Catholic, me and JC are best of buds, but this is an embarrassment. And that plinth must have cost a few bob, as did the labour. What a waste of money. I’ve not read all the posts on this thread, too many by now, but I hope ye all are as disheartened by the state of the capital’s main street as I am. It’s no Champs-Elysees, it’s not even a patch on Patrick’s Street in Cork. And with the Metro coming, construction will make it worse before it can get better. I need a drink.
I think there is a danger of over-reaction going on here. This statue was here before the restoration of the street took place. Whilst I am unsure of the details, it seems to be of significant importance to have been reinstated. Even if it is simply reflective of the power that the taxi-drivers have on the street, it is still part of it, and as I have said before, I am glad to see it make its return.
At times I feel there is an undercurrent on this thread that believes that only people matching certain criteria should have the right to be on O’Connell Street. One of the most positive things about this street is that it brings a wide cross-section of society together. This is one of the main reasons that it is regarded as the main street of the city. Whilst maybe it was not an intention, it seems that the pavement widening has only served to enhance this further, particularly around the GPO, Spire area. Long may it remain open to people of all backgrounds who dress in whatever manner they want.
@fergalr wrote:
Oooooooh! It’s so tacky!
Was an actual sculpture not considered instead? Incidentally, when the Floozie is brought back to, we should start a brutal statue of Dublin tour. There’s a statue of the Virgin Mary by Broadstone as well.
I reckon if you could look under the base of the statue, you’d read “Made in Taiwanâ€!!
Could be used as a decoration on the big Christmas tree in December…
Much prefer the outstretched arms of Larkin down the road than this cheap muck!I’m only negative about the disgraceful physical appearance of the street. Admittedly, the number of working class people on the street might diminish if high-end tourist shopping, luxury restaurants etc were there instead of bookies, SPAR etc, but then again, maybe not. It will still be the main street, the centre of the bus network, and surrounded by many established communities. Graham H rightly points out the scadalous use of so-called temporary signage and advertisments that is ruining the visual appearance of the street. It not the folk who wear tracksuits and push prams. I agree with you phil that this is somewhere all backgrounds can interact, and where North/South divides are less apparent. But it needs to look much, much better.
Are these the taxi drivers who prayed the same ones who objected to regulation, frequently fleeced customers (I have stories to tell as I’m perceived as a foreigner by so many), smoked in the cab,and other said niceties? Maybe I should have said preyed. It is very tacky though, but then couldn’t they put a big one in the Liffey instead of the Holy Joe and it could be lit up for Christmas. (Does it blink?)
@phil wrote:
I think there is a danger of over-reaction going on here. This statue was here before the restoration of the street took place. Whilst I am unsure of the details, it seems to be of significant importance to have been reinstated. Even if it is simply reflective of the power that the taxi-drivers have on the street, it is still part of it, and as I have said before, I am glad to see it make its return.
At times I feel there is an undercurrent on this thread that believes that only people matching certain criteria should have the right to be on O’Connell Street. One of the most positive things about this street is that it brings a wide cross-section of society together. This is one of the main reasons that it is regarded as the main street of the city. Whilst maybe it was not an intention, it seems that the pavement widening has only served to enhance this further, particularly around the GPO, Spire area. Long may it remain open to people of all backgrounds who dress in whatever manner they want.
What ever about the people (I agree with your sentiments) the street should be a setpiece for teh city. The memorials on the street should relflect its status as the principle thoroughfare of the city and that jesus statute doesnt do that. By all means design a monument to Jesus if necessary but as constat says…..Made in Taiwan has no place here!
I have no problem with the taxi drivers’ shrine, the problem is: what the fuck is the taxi rank doing on o’connell st?
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