O’ Connell Street, Dublin
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Originally posted by kefu
This reminds me of the bid to save the Easter Rising house on Moore Street. Despite the campaign, it’s still a shack and the upstairs windows are still boarded up. All that’s visible is that tiny plaque.I agree on this one, sometimes the priority for urban renewal is so strong that a choice has to be made, fossilising one house because some historical figures were arrested there was just too far.
I agree that the marian shrine should be sold to Carrolls gift shops as a prototype for yet more indonesian plastic tat.
The Taxi rank should also be moved to Cathal Brugha St, the one at the side of Clery’s works very well.
and not cos of what they saw…
the refurbishment of o’connell street reminds of changing rooms… or those even shorter programmes on in the morning where they simply repaint the room and different colour and then the owner comes in and she says oh you made the place so much _better_ …
painting it a different colour doens’t nessecarily improve it…
ie you got square of front of the gpo but it empty and useless
and have you been reading all those things singing the praises of the spire in the papers i still think its sh**e
Hello to yiz all on here,” I just popped in, and I find your comments very interesting. I guess you could say that I’m from the “Rare Oul’ Times,” I left Dublin in 1957, the Royal, Nelson’s Pillar, and many other places that are probably gone by now. How about # 16 Moore Street?” (The Irish Alamo) a very historic shop from 1916. I am now 45 yrs in California and really looking forward to going back next year. I have had a book published about my growing up in my dear oul’ Dublin. Some (not many) of my family depicted in my book are still there, in fact I just talked to an old pal that I used to play with this morning on the phone, what a thrill that was, yer looking at over 50 yrs since I seen him. I have great memories of my Dublin as it was there that I recieved a great foundation for my success today, ethics, humor, making friends, and helping people around me in life. Nice to be here with “me own.”
I picked username “Tismeself” in fond memories of my grandda, who used to identify himself with that name. My real name is Leo Byrne!”
Slan
“Life is grand”It’s about the fact that it’s a tacky, badly kept, glass-encased, cheap “non-monument” that looks like it was left over from a sale at a £1 shop.
😀
Well, well said. This is the only issue here – it’s a complete heap o’ shite. If nobody is arsed to maintain it then it should go.
Originally posted by Sue
Phil, I didn’t know there was Catholic imagery on the O’Connell monument – do tell us more. But I have no problem with that…. O’Connell secured “Catholic Emancipation”, so presumably the imagery relates to that political achievement and is not simply a bit of flag-waving by fanatics.
As you said, it is more related to O’Connells political achievement in securing Catholic Emancipation (Maid of Erin holding Catholic Emancipation in her hand), but I got the impression that you found anything relating to catholicism in the urban landscape as ‘fascist’.
I just think its one of those little harmless quirky things that make us Irish – so what if it isn’t aesthetically pleasing its part of Dublin. And just like the happy ring house and the why go bald sign it isn’t to everyones taste (no matter what it represents to the individual) it’s not the worst. We should not do away with things just because they are not in vogue but should have reminders of past times (and tastes) throughout the city.
I’d be more concerned about the crappy shops and gangs of junkies on the street than a (tiny) statue.
Agreed – it’s not as if it’s a major blemish on the streetscape.
I also agree that structures should not be preserved soley for history or their age where they impinge on projects that serve ‘the common good’.
One may percive this statue as being cheap and of poor quality but sure that’s always been the nature of religious imagery in Ireland – we have always just accepted it. Replacing it with something abstract or ‘of merit’ would be contrived in the extreme.
It is small, insignificant and representative of Irish life moreso than any other statue on the street (unfortunately including the PVC)
And as the IAP highlighted the last thing wanted prevailing on the street is nausiating ‘good taste’.
What double standards would be demonstrated by the removal of something that still has meaning for people that is ‘tacky’, whilst allowing golden arches and palm trees to proliferate but a few doors away.Forgot – the new bins have arrived. You wanted minimalist – you got minimalist!
Very nice, with large capacity, but loads of them weren’t levelled and are balanced at the most ridiculous angles on the new drainage slopes.And a new bike-park has been put on the median at the Abbey junction – not that it stops you know what.
Dick Gleeson, City Planner was on the radio last week having a chat about the development thus far – nothing new was revealed really – mainly that the next stage to be started ‘straight away’ is the median down to the bridge which will followed ‘straight away’ by the widening of the western (McDonalds) pavement (presumably surgical gloves and free health insurance will be provided to workers on this section)
Then the eastern pavement will be tackled. No timeframes were given but I think the entire lower section is to be finished by middle/late next year. Presumably the busy western side will be finished by Christmas.He described northern O’ Cll St as a ‘challenge’, and spoke of the Carlton’s central role in this part of the scheme. He hopes that the Abbey will come to the site, and said that it has become more likely that it may move to here. However what was good to hear is that the CC still want a significant shopping/leisure use attached to the site, something in the region of 500,000sq feet (isn’t the ILAC 250,000) which could either be in the form of an open street stretching back to Moore St, or a more traditional mall-like scheme.
He said it would be a challenge to incorporate both the Abbey and a major retail facility into the development, in particular accommodating the service needs of the Abbey such as the standard 3 storey high entrance for scenery, and a large loading bay for the accociated large vehicles – but nonetheless it is feasible (suppose then Moore Lane in a full circle would return to its original service/ancillary use). He also mentioned car-parking as necessary.
Also he said that if such a double-amenity development arose, further properties further north would have to be acquired – presumably referring to the Fingal building and/or the space behind.Asked about shops on the street, nothing new here – the improvement in public space will improve the image of the street, eventually resulting in the market dislodging some of the less desirable retailers (to Talbot St :D), and that the public purse isn’t big enough to buy out more reluctant offenders – also mentioning that just a couple of fast-food outlets would still be acceptable.
And on the issue of poor old Parnell Square, plans are advanced to reshape the area as a ‘cultural square’ with the Gate and the Municipal Gallery as the the cornerstones. It is proposed to create a public space (didn’t mention where – Garden of Rememberance?) and to execute ‘other interventions’ – again no timeframe.
Has anyone been on the street at night, i.e what do the uplighters etc look like? Some pics would be great. Apparently they’re all up and running.
I wonder have the DCC any plans on improving the way trade refuse is collected especially waste from the fast food outlets. Other wise any shinny new pavement out side McD’s is just going to be blackened in days! It really is disgrace full how rubbish collection can cause some much litter.
I was on O’Connell St the other night after a few pints and the lighting is excellent if bit orange! Maybe that was the pints!
Originally posted by shaun
Removing the thing is tantamount to blowing it up, it’s a wrong way to go. We all blush and cringe a bit when we pass these things, but it is rather freaky I think. Coincidentally, was it not on this street that another famous statue was “removed” in 1966 because some people objected to it’s presence.The State is obliged to favour all equally or not at all. Its presence, like the presence of similar structures on State property is in breach of the constitution post the McKenna and Coughlan decisions.
On a completely separate issue (and one more relevant to this site), the story on the front page of the Indo refers:
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1192857&issue_id=10959
Safety takes the shine off O’Connell Street
DUBLIN’S new-look O’Connell Street is to be sandblasted because buses are skidding dangerously on its shiny granite surface.
Dublin Bus has raised concerns about the street, which only recently emerged from the chaos of Luas construction and a multi-million euro regeneration project.
Now the city council has admitted there is a problem and says it will have to sandblast the eye-catching granite surface.
The bus company wrote to the council after two recent incidents. In one, a bus skidded as soon as the driver hit the brakes.
Dublin Bus raised serious concerns about the safety of the road’s surface in wet weather.
The council, in a statement to the Irish Independent, last night admitted that it was aware that there was an issue with regard to potential skid problems with a small section of the street where granite has been laid.
“These problems will be rectified within the next two weeks,” the council said.
The rest of the street where the granite has not been laid will not affected.
It is understood that the operations manager of Dublin Bus wrote to the council highlighting the issue.
In one of the accidents on May 31, two people were injured as an airport shuttle was rear-ended on the street during rush hour.
Safety takes the shine off O’Connell Street
DUBLIN’S new-look O’Connell Street is to be sandblasted because buses are skidding dangerously on its shiny granite surface.
Dublin Bus has raised concerns about the street, which only recently emerged from the chaos of Luas construction and a multi-million euro regeneration project.
Now the city council has admitted there is a problem and says it will have to sandblast the eye-catching granite surface.
The bus company wrote to the council after two recent incidents. In one, a bus skidded as soon as the driver hit the brakes.
Dublin Bus raised serious concerns about the safety of the road’s surface in wet weather.
The council, in a statement to the Irish Independent, last night admitted that it was aware that there was an issue with regard to potential skid problems with a small section of the street where granite has been laid.
“These problems will be rectified within the next two weeks,” the council said.
The rest of the street where the granite has not been laid will not affected.
It is understood that the operations manager of Dublin Bus wrote to the council highlighting the issue.
In one of the accidents on May 31, two people were injured as an airport shuttle was rear-ended on the street during rush hour.
oh man… the irish independent demographic clearly includes yerself… this is a classic FUD – fear uncertainty doubt story based on a small piece of truth – they are probably going to sandblast a small braking surface near the pedestrain crossing – of course having the buses travel slower up the street would also work…
but if people stay away – they can now run with the storey “o’connell street reno a failure as people stay away”
I agree that many Herald stories are FUD material hence the name ‘Evening Hysteria’ being used by many.
But beyond the ‘Rear-ended’ quote it does raise a valid question, how did the roads department OK a road surface that was obviously of the wrong specification. If it doesn’t provide sufficient traction for buses it must be a lot more dangerous for cyclists.
It is just another indication of the years of lethargy followed by a panic once the pressure came on to finish prior to the election.
The opinion polls are begining to take shape. The TNS/MRBI poll shows Gay Mitchell on 24%, taking a seat in Dublin, but a drop of three to 15% for Fianna Fáil’s Royston Brady.
well im not really going to go never corss the street there but i was enjoying slating the scheme:)
story is generally true though ain’t it…
and an inappropriate material was used?
“The rest of the street…will not be affected” – indeed.
The only granite on the entire 1650ft length of O’ Cll St’s carriageways to date is that of two pedestrian crossings on each side of the median and the small area of the crossing at the Spike.But whatever about the exaggeration, I agree about consultation with Roads – I mean…ah sure whats the point in stating the obvious – you know the routine.
Also agree about the rubbish mounting from 3 o clock or so – it is disgusting and disgraceful.
perhaps this is what the council are doing with o’connell street…
re all one colour paths and road… and if it is i’d be dead impressed….“Woonerf” – Anarchy the Key to Safe Streets?
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/000765.htmlWhy don’t we do it in the road?
A new school of traffic design says we should get rid of stop signs and red lights and let cars, bikes and people mingle together. It sounds insane, but it works.http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/05/20/traffic_design/index_np.html
the 20mph thing is interesting
someone was saying theres going to less traffic on o’connell street i guess thats true
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