GregF

@AndrewP wrote:

@darkman wrote:

Some of the media seem to be mixing up the Clarence hotel revamp and the U2 tower. QUOTE]

Weirdest twist yet…

True,….Sky News had it on Monday night relaying across the bottom of the screen and kinda saying that conservation groups were concered for the listed buildings located beside the new U2 tower.

I see 2 panels of glass on the bridge have been shattered a long time (for well over a year). Neglect by the DCC has already set in, probably due to the court proceedings.

@Morlan wrote:

What’s that on the top.. the Eye of Sauron?

Bono’s halo!

I bet it’ll be a candidate for the Sterling Prize when it’s built.

……and don’t forget we already have a statue of another religious type, the penitent Father Matthew gracing O’Connell Street as well, not to far from JC.

Fair play to Harry Crosbie!

Is it that beautiful ultra dull matt grey….I thought I saw from the distance?

Well low and behold, whilst sauntering down O’Connell Street I managed to encounter himself again for a second time. Like St Paul on the road to Damacus, truely this had to be a miracle that I beheld for from a shop window stood another vision of the ominipotent king, but this time manifested as a 7 foot figure surrounded by other such venerable religious curio. Attired in his customary red robes his languid hands revealing a little bit of his all loving rosey red heart and all for the princely sum of only €799.00. One would see such a little shop of quirky oddities perhaps in Talbot Street and the like years ago but here this was on O’Connell Street, Ireland’s premier street. And I thought to myself, doesn’t it compliment the Anne Summers store, Burgerking and of course the other manifestation of himself up the road at the taxi rank very well indeed! Classy stuff!

@phil wrote:

As far as I know there was always a plan to put back this statue, despite the fact that the DCC didn’t want to. The main reason I am glad to see it make its return is that it is at least one trace remaining from the more recent past. A quirky piece of 20th Century history if you will. Of course I wonder what I would make of it if it was to be placed there now as a new statue, but the fact is that it isn’t. I agree about the signage on the shop fronts, trees removed etc, but I really don’t feel that this statue is in the same bracket as these. I wonder what would be though of it if all the above was in order?

If this is what you were referring to, why didn’t you just come out and say it in the first place? Instead you simply threw the same net over everyone who dresses in a manner that you feel is below you. Do you think this is the only place that the activities you mention take place in this city? Do you feel the same about some of the more up-market establishements around this city where similar activities take place?

It is not simply about prohibiting such activities but attempting to find the cause of them. I am sure you would prefer to see everything that offends you hidden from the public eye, but that would not solve anything.

Phil, I’d like to point out that you were somewhat condescending here, for you know nothing about me or my background either.

@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.

Ah come off it , will ye. Regarding the statue, you say that you are glad to see it make its return. But do you not think that it is so fucking tacky whether it was there or not before. And bless the Dublin taxi drivers but one would never ask them for advice on anthing let alone ‘taste’, know alls they may be, having an opinion on everything but Catholic canon law would not be their forté either. By the way, the Pro-Cathedral is only around the corner in Marlborough Street if any of the taxi drivers feels the urge to talk to god himself.
Regarding the €40 million make over of the street, surely the likes of this further cheapens the whole look of the area. We’ve already had the Spire that easily tarnishes, ongoing tacky signage and shop fronts, uniform bins replaced by a hotch-potch assortment and several trees removed, adding to the overall botchiness. The whole makeover of the street was to project an image of modern Ireland; contemporary, pluralist and secular; (hence the Spire was non-political) instead we now have an icon of Catholic superstition reinstated all for the sake of the whims of the money grabbing cab drivers. (Does anyone remember the nonsense that was the moving statue hysteria way back in the 1980’s that plagued the country. Definitely a Father Ted moment.)
The plans for the GPO, should they ever materialize, will no doubt be another car crash for O’Connell Street and for the dignity of the building itself and its history.
Regarding your humanitarian bit about everyone has a right to use the street, well that is very true as it is a democracy but anti-social behaviour, public drunkeness, bawdiness, drug peddling, littering, guffawing, Sking, Skong, Skang etc…. should be prohibited, should it not. Should folk not adhere to a certain standard of civilized behaviour when in public. Blame the parents, blame the education system, blame the telly or what ever……
But maybe you don’t agree with this and think everything is fine overall.

.

Fancy promo…obviously shot when folk spill out onto the streets when on their lunchbreaks during the week…. It’s kinda a ghost town at the weekends.