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Child Item

Sparch - losing the battle

beardybrewer

The Indo lead with an article about about the people enjoying themselves and soaking up some sun at the Spanish Arch last weekend as losing the battle on public drinking bye-laws.

Now I was there myself with the family on Sunday and it was a lovely atmosphere. There was salsa dancers (very smart advertising from that dance instructor), music, ice cream, people picnicking (*), and generally a good vibe.

Yes there was a crate of beer by nearly every group. We actually commented on the lack of guards harassing people and in our minds as long as there's no trouble then common sense policing should prevail. We did have to have a chat with our young fella as one of the local drunks was trying to chat him up but that can happen anywhere. Other than that, it was a great festival atmosphere.

http://www.galwayindependent.com/news/topics/articles/2017/03/29/4137439-losing-the-battle-/

What's does boards think?

* No grass was harmed

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BrokenArrows

People need to be realistic.
Its Ireland and specifically Galway. There are a handful of days per year where the weather creates this type of atmosphere that people enjoy and the arch becomes a party.

Yes people should be cleaner and there may be occasional scuffles later on in the night but come on. Its not like its happening every night, not even every weekend.

Mrs OBumble

ben.schlomo wrote: »

And someone might get knocked down crossing the road or maybe trip and hurt themselves or attack somebody or.....'what if' is a great game.

Sorry, but to equate the dangers of crossing the road with the dangers of having a bunch of drunk people hanging out beside the river for an extended time is ridiculous.

Roads actually have some safety measures built into them: lights controlled crossings, islands half-way across, only licenses drivers are allowed to operate most vehicles, etc.

The riverbank as it stands has none of that, and in an accident waiting to happen. No ... not to happen, to recur. (Yes I can name someone who went off there will drunk, not in a group, but had been out on a bender. Whether it was deliberate or accidental, no one knows.)

Mrs OBumble

Grady Plain Honeybee wrote: »

If it was pretty much anywhere else in Europe they would probably be open air bars selling drink down there never mind people bringing their own, why should we have to be so dry about it. People like to drink when they are socialising, take away that and the arch will be a fairly quiet place on a sunny day. Why stop people doing what they enjoy, kids don't need to be sheltered from people drinking its an everyday thing and as the poster said you will encounter winos coming up to you on the street on a normal day as much as you will down the arch.

Unfortunately there's a world of difference between civilised drinking at riverside bars in Europe, and kids bush-drinking (minus the bushes!) at Spanish Arch. Yes, kids do need to be sheltered from the latter.

biko

I think it's time for a forum Beers soon. Down at Sparch of course

Nailz

biko wrote: »

I think it's time for a forum Beers soon. Down at Sparch of course

Great idea! Buzzkills need not apply

_Whimsical_

BrokenArrows wrote: »

People need to be realistic.
Its Ireland and specifically Galway. There are a handful of days per year where the weather creates this type of atmosphere that people enjoy and the arch becomes a party.

Yes people should be cleaner and there may be occasional scuffles later on in the night but come on. Its not like its happening every night, not even every weekend.

That fact makes it harder to anticipate security needs and to roster a garda presence for it though being realistic. There's no reason sober people can't go and sit there and hang out though is there?

inisboffin

Maybe I'm just having an 'Old' moment, but seeing that video makes me *not* want to Sparch, it doesn't look relaxing at all!

If I want loud and crammed, I'd just head up to a pub on Quay St. I'd much rather sneak off and have a can under a tree in a park.
I saw someone suggest on FB that one area be designated a family/booze-free area, and the other left open but, that has its own issues like designating an area a 'party zone'.

I know someone living in those apartments, it's horrible in the summer, and it's not what they signed up for between late night madness and markets etc. More bins for sure, police the place to make sure there's no messing, and cut it off by 8 or 9 when the sun has gone down. Bushing can continue somewhere else if people want but it won't cause the same hassle on the streets, and the noise won't be horrible.

ben.schlomo

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Sorry, but to equate the dangers of crossing the road with the dangers of having a bunch of drunk people hanging out beside the river for an extended time is ridiculous.

Roads actually have some safety measures built into them: lights controlled crossings, islands half-way across, only licenses drivers are allowed to operate most vehicles, etc.

The riverbank as it stands has none of that, and in an accident waiting to happen. No ... not to happen, to recur. (Yes I can name someone who went off there will drunk, not in a group, but had been out on a bender. Whether it was deliberate or accidental, no one knows.)

And many pedestrians have been hit and killed by cars!!!! Who knew. Like I said 'what if' is a great game.

schemingbohemia

inisboffin wrote: »

Maybe I'm just having an 'Old' moment, but seeing that video makes me *not* want to Sparch, it doesn't look relaxing at all! If I want loud and crammed, I'd just head up to a pub on Quay St. I'd much rather sneak off and have a can under a tree in a park.
I saw someone suggest on FB that one area be designated a family/booze-free area, and the other left open but, that has its own issues like designating an area a 'party zone'.

I know someone living in those apartments, it's horrible in the summer, and it's not what they signed up for between late night madness and markets etc. More bins for sure, police the place to make sure there's no messing, and cut it off by 8 or 9 when the sun has gone down. Bushing can continue somewhere else if people want but it won't cause the same hassle on the streets, and the noise won't be horrible.

Sorry but it is exactly what they signed up for when they moved there. Sounds like people who move to near Croke Park and then give out about matches and concerts being on.

ben.schlomo

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

That fact makes it harder to anticipate security needs and to roster a garda presence for it though being realistic. There's no reason sober people can't go and sit there and hang out though is there?

Nobody said sober people can't sit there, I've sat and had my dinner there on numerous occasions when we lived in town.

Utopia Parkway

inisboffin wrote: »

I know someone living in those apartments, it's horrible in the summer, and it's not what they signed up for between late night madness and markets etc.

In fairness if you're in one of those apartments you are a stones throw from the bottom of Quay Street. There's going to be noise no matter what. One of the disadvantages of having such a central address. Think you have to weigh up are you OK with more noise for the advantages of living almost slap bang in the middle of Galway's social centre. Surely they must have known it was going to noisy to some extent?

inisboffin

schemingbohemia wrote: »

Sorry but it is exactly what they signed up for when they moved there. Sounds like people who move to near Croke Park and then give out about matches and concerts being on.

From my understanding at least, the people who moved in near Croke Park moved in to an area where there was a stadium existed (even with that there was a certain guarantee of management and safeguards from the stadium, which aren't always met).
The people who moved in to the apartments were given assurances about amplified noise time restrictions, which aren't enforced, about policing of public spaces (below) for safety, and about public drinking management. I can ask my friend for more specifics, but I don't think they signed up for that level of noise and partying.

inisboffin

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

In fairness if you're in one of those apartments you are a stones throw from the bottom of Quay Street. There's going to be noise no matter what. One of the disadvantages of having such a central address. Think you have to weigh up are you OK with more noise for the advantages of living almost slap bang in the middle of Galway's social centre. Surely they must have known it was going to noisy to some extent?

Actually from their side you can't hear Quay Street really at all. I've been there when music was on full blast in Spanish Arch hotel, and I couldn't hear it but you could hear the lads playing acoustic guitar and drums below like it was the sitting room. It's weird the way the noise moves. Perhaps the apts on the other side would definitely be in earshot, but not theirs.

Sconsey

schemingbohemia wrote: »

inisboffin wrote: »

Maybe I'm just having an 'Old' moment, but seeing that video makes me *not* want to Sparch, it doesn't look relaxing at all! If I want loud and crammed, I'd just head up to a pub on Quay St. I'd much rather sneak off and have a can under a tree in a park.
I saw someone suggest on FB that one area be designated a family/booze-free area, and the other left open but, that has its own issues like designating an area a 'party zone'.

I know someone living in those apartments, it's horrible in the summer, and it's not what they signed up for between late night madness and markets etc. More bins for sure, police the place to make sure there's no messing, and cut it off by 8 or 9 when the sun has gone down. Bushing can continue somewhere else if people want but it won't cause the same hassle on the streets, and the noise won't be horrible.

Sorry but it is exactly what they signed up for when they moved there. Sounds like people who move to near Croke Park and then give out about matches and concerts being on.

Everyone can have an expectation that the law will be enforced, it's reasonable to assume that they signed up to living there with the expectation that it would be a busy, noisy spot, not the site of illegal drinking/partying. So your comparison does not really hold up.

[Deleted User]

Many down there last night? A couple were injured during a knifepoint attempted robbery. It was late tbf.

http://galwaybayfm.ie/victims-spanish-arch-botched-robbery-hospitalised-knife-wounds/

JohnCleary

I'm starting to feel old, but thought Monday down the Sparch was class. You had all the chung-wans / students in the middle section with tunes blaring.

Then you had the relaxed area / hippie vibe over at the Sparch itself.

Then you had the 'adults' section down Long Walk :pac:

All the while, the background tunes brought a great vibe to all areas.

Pretty sickened about the rubbish left behind though, no one is going to argue that this is unacceptable. On the flip side, this may happen (with the exception of Paddy's Day), what... 5 times? Ces't la vie

inisboffin

Sconsey wrote: »

Everyone can have an expectation that the law will be enforced, it's reasonable to assume that they signed up to living there with the expectation that it would be a busy, noisy spot, not the site of illegal drinking/partying. So your comparison does not really hold up.

A noisy spot with what though? No one minds a bit of craic in daylight hours when there is noise. But an after hours party spot where (a) reason is that a law is not being enforced? OR Markets/Events that go way over levels and hours with amplified music (for this one I believe challenges have gone to a legal level, but as I don't live there I get that this could be construed as heresay).

I lived in town myself. You know there is noise, but people choose places even within that. For example, as someone mentioned, not facing Quay St, or not over a night club etc. Things change with businesses etc, but if you have nothing built right in front of you nor to the left (Spanish Arch) there is a certain expectation of consistency.

After 10 pm is really reasonable in my opinion, to ask people to move on if drinking and keep it down. If that needs to be policed so be it.

what_traffic

"Council to consider ‘designated drinking area’ at Spanish Arch"
http://connachttribune.ie/council-consider-designated-drinking-area-spanish-arch-300/

Nailz

what_traffic wrote: »

"Council to consider ‘designated drinking area’ at Spanish Arch"
http://connachttribune.ie/council-consider-designated-drinking-area-spanish-arch-300/

So... the Spanish Arch??

joeKel73

what_traffic wrote: »

"Council to consider ‘designated drinking area’ at Spanish Arch"
http://connachttribune.ie/council-consider-designated-drinking-area-spanish-arch-300/

"Councillor Peter Keane – the solicitor who drew up the bylaws – said the Council needs to..."

Stall the ball... did the council pay one of themselves to write up these new bye laws??

Mrs OBumble

inisboffin wrote: »

but if you have nothing built right in front of you nor to the left (Spanish Arch) there is a certain expectation of consistency.

If i moved into an apartment with an area looking like Spanish Arch outside of it, i would expect it to be a mecca for mayhem, no matter what promises anyone made about it being quiet.

And thats in pretty much any country, not just in Galway or Ireland.

Bredabe

My colleagues rented in the block closest to the water, they were shocked at the noise level allowed after 9pm. Where they are from(as many of the residence were at the time) outdoor socialising is common but everyone heads home by 9.

inisboffin

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

If i moved into an apartment with an area looking like Spanish Arch outside of it, i would expect it to be a mecca for mayhem, no matter what promises anyone made about it being quiet.

And thats in pretty much any country, not just in Galway or Ireland.

The person I know who lives there is a Galwegian. They knew the area and according to them it was never like this in the past. I agree with you in that I personally wouldn't have chosen to live there, but they did, and they chose to live on the river side for noise reasons.

inisboffin

We're bad at compromises. If we just had a better bins, patrolling litter warden or the odd Garda, allowed people to drink in the sun, maybe designate one area for families/alcohol free (or even not this bit), and then move on at 9 or 10, would that be so bad?

Instead the talk now is all "oh we can't control it, so let's just fence it in and let them go mad" like some kind of ghettoisation.

Utopia Parkway

inisboffin wrote: »

The person I know who lives there is a Galwegian. They knew the area and according to them it was never like this in the past. I agree with you in that I personally wouldn't have chosen to live there, but they did, and they chose to live on the river side for noise reasons.

If I was moving in down there to be honest, I would be expecting it to be noisy to some extent. No matter what was said to me beforehand. I know the area is slap bang in between Quay Street and the Spanish Arch. I'd be surprised any local would expect it to be otherwise. If you're not from Galway then fair enough. You might be unaware of the situation.

Some people might not mind a bit of extra noise for the sake of the location. Depends on the individual though.

ben.schlomo

Bredabe wrote: »

My colleagues rented in the block closest to the water, they were shocked at the noise level allowed after 9pm. Where they are from(as many of the residence were at the time) outdoor socialising is common but everyone heads home by 9.

Where? Saudi Arabia!!!

Mrs OBumble

Bredabe wrote: »

My colleagues rented in the block closest to the water, they were shocked at the noise level allowed after 9pm. Where they are from(as many of the residence were at the time) outdoor socialising is common but everyone heads home by 9.

Its actually quite fun letting tourists in on this little secret: the craic starts at 10pm ish.

So many of them go out at 8pm, then give up and go back to the hotel at 9pm because the pubs are so quiet that theres abviously nothing happening tonight.

Stevolende

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

A few drinks under the sun down the Spanish Arch is a Galway tradition. Maybe not from 60 years ago but certainly the last 25+ years anyway. That said the place was left in a shíte state on Monday. I don't know if the answer is bigger bins down there or a bottle bank of some sort but people have to learn to clean up after themselves or else they are going to ruin it for everyone eventually.

There was a camp set up around there about 1990 that used the label fo a Linden village cider bottle stuck through a pole as it's title. So not sure how long people were congregating around down there. Wasn't the van that several homeless people were killed in when a wall fell on it parked around teh corner from there too.
Wondering when the area was done up more nicely to accommodate people gathering down there. Would it be some time mid 90s?

inisboffin

Does no one remember the beach parties? Less intrusive

There was also a time that when the pubs emptied at 11 and the masses headed out for a bop - the only place to be - somewhere in Salthill!

bobbyss

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

I just think your kids should be able to go to any public place on a summers evening and not have to deal with people drunkly chatting them up or impinging on them in any regard. I feel their right to that should always trump my right to swig Buckfast or beer in the sun.

I don't see why we couldn't have Salsa dancing and ice cream and picnics and street theatre and bands and sitting out being social chatting and meeting people without the element of alcohol? Why do we need it? I think giving kids that example is beneficial as teaching then how to ward off drunk pervs.
There are plenty places to enjoy a drink or get hammered if you so desire, en masse in a public area amidst kids right next to a body of fast moving water probably shouldn't be one though.

Spot on. The very idea of it would be enough for me to be put off going down there in the first place.
Alcohol is never good news when consumed en masse in a public place. If the Gardai come and arrest drunk and disorderly people I say lock them up and throw away the keys. Good riddance to them.