O’ Connell Street, Dublin
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Power Leisure were refused permission for a change of use from Banking Hall to betting office and ‘sports cafe’ at no 12 Lower O’Connell St, I view this as a very positive development and a sign that the Street is really starting to attract a number of diverse shopping choices.
Also of interest is that Supermacs have opened a Juice Bar under the brand name ‘relish’ at their existing premises (removing some burger & chips capacity) and McDonalds are rumoured to be actively considering a McCafe similar to their successful Grafton St venture.
The reserved judgement on the Carlton Site seems to be taking an age, how difficult is it to make a decision, presumably there is ample precedent for a decision. Realistically this is a vital development for the main street in the City, how many other European Capitals have had a derelict site on their principal thoroughfare for a 20 year period?
Has the betting office decision been appealed to ABP? On what grounds were they refused permission does anyone know – are use-specific guidelines set out for the O’Cll St/HARP area in the City Dev Plan?
Regarding McDonalds, as yet I fail to see how a McCafé is going to be integrated into this premises, what with the new fittings spread so broadly out across the place, and the lack of space for a specific counter etc – certainly not in the ‘intimate’ fashion of Grafton St anyway. Perhaps they’ll dig up what’s just gone down!
As for a juice bar on O’Connell St – did you ever think you’d see the day? 🙂Is the Carlton judgement not due shortly – think I heard late Jan/early Feb somewhere.
The CC must be so frustrated with this, it’s holding up so many things and it doesn’t reflect well on them either, even if it’s not their fault – they’re the fall guy in all this.@Graham Hickey wrote:
Is the Carlton judgement not due shortly – think I heard late Jan/early Feb somewhere. The CC must be so frustrated with this, it’s holding up so many things and it doesn’t reflect well on them either, even if it’s not their fault – they’re the fall guy in all this.
I hope your right, reserved judgements can go on for ever, I have a freind who is waiting for one since 1999, needless to say this is a much more important case (to the greater good), but it just goes to show how a six month ‘reserved judgement’ will shortly enter its 6th year.
Just on the subject of the derelict site, more particularly the hoarding across it, why was Dr Quirkey’s facade copied, of all the buildings on the Street, what were they thinking?
I suppose the reason it was used Diaspora was because the original Millenium Mall envisaged a development with the Carlton at its centre. This clading was a kind of pre-advertisment fir the new building. Beats the gapping void I guess.
Why is the east-side stretch from Abbey to the Bridge being left until the end to complete. Anyone know. Seems such an odd thing to do. It means you wont realy appreciate the newly completed median and west side. Cant imagine that distruption to business is a problem. Do you think it is due to proposals to run the Luas up to O’Connell St. Are they waiting until this idea is put to bed before they ebing works.
What do you mean being left to the end Stephen? Is it not just about to be tackled, now that the western side is nearing completion?
Whenever it is dealt with, the large cast iron pillar box there should not only be retained, but fully restored as well. And there’s at least another one way up near the Gresham that deserves the same treatment. To have them replaced with those terrible day-glo lumps of plastic they call modern design would be a great shame. The contrast between the new paving and old boxes should also look good. Indeed these are the closest items of furniture on the street to be in any way described as ‘original’.
No. The plan is to complete the north end of the street first and then finally this small stretch. I know – its bizzare. Thats why Im wondering what the rationale behind it is.
Theres a new contempary shopfront being added to the snnoker hall up near the Royal Dublin (still cant remember the name). Gone are the old decorative cast-iron style lighting,,,,in comes modern steel. Its not finished yet but it might work – particularly in light of new pavement and new RDH facade.
@StephenC wrote:
No. The plan is to complete the north end of the street first and then finally this small stretch. I know – its bizzare. Thats why Im wondering what the rationale behind it is.
Theres a new contempary shopfront being added to the snnoker hall up near the Royal Dublin (still cant remember the name). Gone are the old decorative cast-iron style lighting,,,,in comes modern steel. Its not finished yet but it might work – particularly in light of new pavement and new RDH facade.
Ned Kellys – or ned kelly’s sports club (all lower case) to give it it’s full title. Past it yesterday, looks quite good andlooks a million times better than the horrific Dr Quirkeys
When Dr Quirkey’s was built – it’s a tricky building to date. It looks 1940s/early 50s but also has a kinda early 90s appearance too!
Where did you hear about the lower end being postponed Stephen? Pehaps as you say Luas proposals are holding it up.
Well here’s the new Ned Kelly’s. I think it is an disimprovement. It is ironic that the only decent shopfront on the upper street is the very one to be replaced, while the other ones in dire need of work still languish up there.
This replacement did not need to be done – the stained glass and iron lamposts were attractive and entirely in keeping with the building regardless of whether or not they were original. It had some character, whereas now, although undoubtedly attractive, is hardly distinctive. The appeal stems more from its newness than its design.
@Graham Hickey wrote:
Well here’s the new Ned Kelly’s. I think it is an disimprovement. It is ironic that the only decent shopfront on the upper street is the very one to be replaced, while the other ones in dire need of work still languish up there.
This replacement did not need to be done – the stained glass and iron lamposts were attractive and entirely in keeping with the building regardless of whether or not they were original. It had some character, whereas now, although undoubtedly attractive, is hardly distinctive. The appeal stems more from its newness than its design.
I must admit my bias on this one, I spent many an afternoon skiving off college to play snooker in Ned Kelly’s,
I am also happy enough with the new shop front and I particularly like the minimalist sign when it is iluminated. When you compare the shopfront of this arcade with all the others particularly the old funland or Dr Smirkeys it really is an improvement although I do take your point that what was there was not particularly offensive.
What does offend me along here is the plantroom that is visable rising over the rear of No 45, it destroys the vista from Cathal Brugha St completely dwarfing what is a very fine Georgian town house, no doubt it was thrown up without planning permission.
Yes it’s horrendous alright.
I do like the new signage – very sleek. The glazing’s a bit strange though, not quite modern, not quite traditional…
@Graham Hickey wrote:
I do like the new signage – very sleek. The glazing’s a bit strange though, not quite modern, not quite traditional…
A bit like that end of the Street its very hard to put a discription on the mix of the good the bad and the ugly down there!!!!!!!
People have probably heard already but a man died today on O’Connell St from injuries sustained in a very nasty fall from the second floor of the Lir Clock terrace on the street.
Apparently he was a window cleaner and something obviously went badly wrong.I wondered what had happened with the cordon etc at street level, and the poor man’s harness thing was lying on the ground. He pulled away part of the Chas F Ryan sign up there, bits of it lying on the street as well – whether he was tied to it or just grabbed hold in desperation. Horrible.
now that the o connel street rejuvination project is well and truly up and running, has any plan been made for additional statues along the upper section of the street.
it is a national disgrace that people such as padraig pearse, de valera and michael collins (surely irelands most influential figures of the recent past are not represented on the very street where the nation was born of their toil). yet figures such as wellington (who publicly stated that he was ashamed of his irishness) have the largest monument in the state dedicated to them.
i am currently travelling around the world and have noticed that every country singles out and honours their heroes in an appropriate manner, so why is it ireland cannot do so. now is the perfect time to do so. it would also balance out the parade of statues on the street.
once i return home i fully intend lobbying my local t.d. (john o donoghue-minister), not that it wil likely do any good. any other ideas on how this situation might be improved.
p.s-archiseek is the best thing about the internet
Wellington does NOT have a monument on O’Connell Street….
otherwise your comment “archiseek is the best thing about the internet” is very true
I dont think everyone will agree with you Timbo but I do see your point. The current trend seems to be towards non-religious or political monuments/sculptures like the Spire. I like the Spire (for all its engineering faults) but i think it’s a pity that Pearse and the other 1916 signatories are’nt represented in anyway (that I know of at least) at the GPO. Regardless of how people judge the influence of such people, I dont think you can deny they had a hugely significant influence, and it seems unfortunate that they’re architecturally airbrushed out of our history at such a significant site.
Irish heroes are often honoured by adding their names to the worst city council housing in Dublin.
For instance, the signatories of the declaration are all remembered in the various names of the towers of Ballymun: Patrick Pearse, James Connolly, Austin Clarke, McDonagh etc.
Pearse and Collins are remembered by their names being attached to street names, Pearse Street and Collins Avenue in Dublin. There’s a statue of Michael Collins in Clonakilty, Co Cork, and the memorial where he died. There’s also a statue of De Valera in Ennis, Co Clare.
I don’t think there’s any question of them being airbrushed from history but O’Connell Street already has too many statues, none of which are maintained very well. I would much rather see the O’Connell Monument cleared of bird crap and the Wellington Monument in the Park cleared of graffiti than more new statues.I take your point Kefu about the many placenames etc relating to Irish historical figures, my issue is with the lack of such commemoration at the GPO. I also agree that cleaning up the street’s current statues would be worthwhile. The signatories could be remembered by a plaque, or even paving stone (like the orange order one on dawson street) or I’m sure in countless other ways without the need for more statues which, granted, the street might not need.
anyway it isn’t true, there is that nice bronze cucullain and those wierd naive painting in the gpo and the garden of remberance on parnell square, oh and they are preserving the house on moore street the rebels fled to.
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