J. Seerski
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The art deco building has finally been revealed for all to see. The owners have done a magnificent job inside – considering there was little of any importance inside previously. They have done a splendid job on the building and credit where credit is due. Art Deco has at last has its day in the sun…. After so many depressing demolitions, maybe an appreciation for art deco is filtering into the mainstream public (and builders also!).
Super Value on O’Connell Street is not necessarily a bad thing. It is fitting considering the History of the site that it returns to selling groceries.
As for Clerys, does anyone know that Mary Guiney, Chairwoman of Clerys, is 102 and possibly the oldest proprietor of any company in the world (certainly the oldest woman?) It makes Clerys unique in more than one respect. I read somewhere that someone called the store ‘Irelands answer to Selfridges’. Certainly it has similarities, but the building is more elegant and refined than its overpowering London counterpart. If anyone has been at both stores, the similarities and the differences are quite startling.
It is very much of the neo-classical vogue, at a time when governments in the US and Europe were builing in a similar vein (1930s) after the decadence of 1920s art-deco.
It is certainly a powerful building – as was the intention, no doubt. But for all of its strengths it looks clumsy. Irelands only comparable project at the time was the Ministry for Industry and Power – the present Ministry for Enteprise and Employment. More refined with hints of alternative architectural movements – art deco the most prominent.
Sorry but the Carlton is perfect for the Abbey. It would solve two significant problems in the immediate area: just what is to become of the Carlton and the problems of the existing Abbey.
It would be preferable for the Carlton site to be redeveloped as a theatre than any other proposal. What O’Connell Street needs is a good dose of culture and the abbey move would facilitate that. Secondly, redeveloping the Carlton as a shopping arcade would temporarily be a good thing, but like all shopping centres they suffer from transient popularity. Stephens Green is a bit of a joke and so is the ILAC, but when they opened they were all the rage. Thankfully cultural institutions have a greater permanence.
The Abbey suffered from invisibility, as well as space constraints, on the present site. The Carlton site would, appropriately enough, provide that visibility such an institution would need.
Finally the Carlton facade is stunning – and would be an asset, not a liability to any new development on the site.
Given that Arnotts are going to redevelop, it would be timely that they re-examine the entire building as opposed to just adding on another extension at Abbey Street. It is an exceptional building on Henry Street, but it has been sadly diminished by the poor canopy and shuttering. If these were removed it would enable a greater appreciation of the building (as well as giving the building a greater presence on Henry St.)
On another matter, when they refurbished in ’98 -’99, they removed many sixties fittings revealing, for a short time, some late nineteenth century pillasters at the main entrance. These were, sadly, covered with marbel slabs which can be seen today.
And, while Arnotts is older than Clerys, Clerys was the site of the first department store (1851) – arnotts opened as a small store in 1845 – In fact, Clerys was the first of its kind, pre-dating Bon Marche in Paris!
Well I can’t believe it – I am amazed – the IAP seems to be well… getting implemented!!
The footpaths between Clerys and Abbey St. are being finally widened and I have to say the sheer width is impressive! I thought the whole project would be never implemented but substantial changes are, at last, bearing fruit….
Out of these ten, I’d guess 99% of Ireland knows at least one….or lives in one!!!
Willow Park
Grove Park
Pinewood
The Fairways
The Elms
Oak Park
The Copings
Shrewsbury
Ailesbury (Yes there is more than one!!!)
The CopseSorry, forgive my ignorance – but such extraordinarily long posts defeat the whole point of the discussion forum. I have to agree with sw101. They quickly loose their point… zzzz…. garethace take note!!!
This smacks of appaling populism. Rural Ireland will cease to be if such mumble from the Taoiseach is allowed to dictate planning policy. If the Taoiseach can do such on the whim of some placating waffle then the entire development plans of county councils and the Spatial Strategy (as deficient as they were) were a complete and other waste of money. But then again this is Ireland….
One off housing has destroyed and is continuing to destroy the countryside. It is vile, unsustainable, uneconomic and blurs the distinction between urban and rural. It is an enormous waste of land that could be used for agricultural use (consider that most sites for one-off housing are at least 1/2 an acre in size).
Bertie got his way over Soencer Dock by putting on his ‘Man of the People’ badge. Will he get away with it again?
As for the Liffey idea – what about this idea…
The easiest method of constructing an INTEGRATED transport system would involve a circular line , mirroring that of the Circular Roads. Cheapest method of construction would involve building underneath both the Royal and Grand Canals. Offshoots to various hideous suburbs.
Also, it is possible to build underneath the liffey. Perhaps offering another means to solving the underground problem without digging up the streets…
Simple ideas are often the best – the Luas is a complicated mess.
The idiocy of the two lines not joining at the centre is baffling. I heard of the arguments that the Stephens Green Line would not join owing to a possible underground connection – its nonsense.
Also, the idea that Abbey Street to Connolly Stn. is Line ‘C’ is another joke – its less than a km long!!!!!
Yeah, I’m sick of this sad country. Can anything be completed (a) correctly; (b) on time????
Why oh why do we put up with second best?
Rarely one escapes the wrath of the Phoenix. Indeed. Its a good guide to planning in Dublin (Or lack of it).
Its a bit obscure at the moment because of all the construction work, but the Jim Larkin Monument on O’Connell St. is absolutely spectacular, inspiring and forever moving.
Its the most animated of all Irish Statues.
This wins hands down! (or hands up in his case!)
See link
http://www.irelandposters.com/dublin/jim_larkin_statue.html
