Our main street

sabat · 29-04-2019 01:08AM

I was getting the last bus at 11.30pm from outside McDonald's on Upper O'Connell St a few weeks ago and there were two different junkie couples with babies in prams scoring drugs from the rabble that congregate along that stretch around funland and Dublin Bus HQ.

wakka12 · 29-04-2019 01:39AM

Yeh this topic is talked about a lot. I guess what differentiates it from the many other horrible Dublin streets is its strong potential to be an amazing public space which has never been even slightly realised despite so decades of talks of rejuvenation, and the fact that its called our main street, when grafton,henry,dame and thomas street seem a lot more important to the social and commercial life of the city than it

MarkY91 · 29-04-2019 09:49AM

It's a nice street up until the spire. Then it takes a drastic nosedive..mostly due to the while block where Dr.quirkeys is. Vacant lots, disgusting little convenient stores. Wtf are they there for on a national street?

monkeybutter · 29-04-2019 10:13AM

Best Doughnuts in the country on O'Connell street, only reason to go near the place

Utter Consternation · 29-04-2019 10:23AM

If one were to take an evening constitutional down the luscious surrounds of Talbot street/Gardiner Street, one would be amazed at the welcoming environment and delightful locals who are always willing to inspect your wallet or unburden you of your personal belongings.

Mollyb60 · 29-04-2019 10:32AM

When I worked in Dublin I was involved in the large scale redevelopment proposals that were submitted to DCC for planning approval. It would've covered the block between Moore St and O'Connell St around Dr Quirkeys and included apartments, offices, retail space and a museum for the houses on Moore St involved in the 1916 Rising. That was at least 10 years ago now but I seem to recall the planning was refused over objections from historical societies about the plans for the Moore St houses. As far as I know there was no pleasing the objectors so it killed the project dead.

OCS has some really stunning buildings on it like Clerys and the Ambassador and the Grand Central Hotel but that top part around Quirkeys really desperately needs some investment and buy in from DCC. So I'm very happy to hear about this O'Connell St Revival Society. Hopefully it revives the street a bit.

Snow Garden · 29-04-2019 11:37AM

Agree with OP. O'Connell Street is a complete kip. It's got so much potential too. Shame really.

Utter Consternation · 29-04-2019 11:41AM

It's not ideal that you have to keep your eyes open for puke on the footpath either. This can be said for every main street in Ireland after a weekend however.

Elmer Jones · 29-04-2019 12:34PM

Dublin all along the quays and around O'Connell street is extremely dirty looking (and it's been like that for the 10 years or so I've commuted to Dublin) and yet nothing has been done about it.

It's our capital city which should be showing off the country to tourists but instead we've decided to leave it looking like some **** hole provincial town.Dublin City Council should really be held to task for this and told to up their game, it's letting down the entire country.

Utter Consternation · 29-04-2019 12:38PM

Elmer Jones wrote: »

Dublin all along the quays and around O'Connell street is extremely dirty looking (and it's been like that for the 10 years or so I've commuted to Dublin) and yet nothing has been done about it.

It's our capital city which should be showing off the country to tourists but instead we've decided to leave it looking like some **** hole provincial town.Dublin City Council should really be held to task for this and told to up their game, it's letting down the entire country.

The boardwalk is not a place i'd linger at any time of the day.

Elmer Jones · 29-04-2019 12:40PM

Utter Consternation wrote: »

The boardwalk is not a place i'd linger at any time of the day.

No far too many scumbags hang around there alright , but even a lot of buildings along the quays are porly maintained at the front and it's just a really bad look for the city.

29-04-2019 12:48PM

Another unsavoury aspect:. At any given time, at least one of the "bridge ovens" / ice cream makers / coffee machines will be "out of order" / broken inside one of these fast food restaurants on this street

Kermit.de.frog · 29-04-2019 01:01PM

I accept the point that there are Burger Kings and McDonalds on a lot of main roads around the world. Fair enough.

But Dr Quirkys? Sites abandoned/derelict? And don't get me started on shop signage although that's a city wide problem.

There should be standards for premises in the city center in terms of presentation. It looks terrible.

Looks like Sheffield or Sunderland instead of how it's marketed - a confident, forward looking, European capital city.

It looks anything but when you are walking around.

And then on Talbot Street - a huge Sports Direct store with it's "worst of British" huge signs. Classy eh? Who thought that would spruce the place up when Boyers frontage looked way better.

Shame really - and simple things could make it so much better.

CucaFace · 29-04-2019 01:06PM

The problem with O'Connell street is actually mainly just on the same side as the GPO for some reason. Really poorly designed buildings that look terrible, horrible gambling places that should be shut down, cheap Chinese restaurants and even a big hole where that hotel was demolished now at last 15 years ago and still nothing is there to this day. DCC are just useless. How the hell can someone own the land on O'Connell street and just leave it derelict for this long without the authorities coming along and say do something with it or sell it ?

The junkie problem on the street has improved a lot in the last 2/3 years in reality, they have been moved to the southside.

The fact that you could go hours without seeing a Garda on that street doesn't help with the antisocial issues happening there (especially later at night).

Cienciano · 29-04-2019 01:35PM

The Satanist wrote: »

There's been more rejuvenation attempts at it than I've had dinners. Maybe it's time to tackle the real problem - nuke the north inner city.

I agree with part of that. The problem with O'Connell street isn't the shops. It's the people. The amount of scumbags in the north inner city is crazy. From the boardwalks (OK, I haven't been on the boardwalk in about 8 years, they might be ok now) right up past Dorset Street. Junkie central. Any large area of council houses gives you a high percentage of skangers unfortunately.

EmmetSpiceland · 29-04-2019 02:04PM

The north side of the city centre is, for the most part, a dump. The parts over the ha’penny bridge up towards Henry St aren’t bad but up Parnell St and over to Gardiner St are horrible. East of O’Connell St too.

Even worse when the sun goes down.

Muahahaha · 29-04-2019 03:22PM

Elmer Jones wrote: »

No far too many scumbags hang around there alright , but even a lot of buildings along the quays are porly maintained at the front and it's just a really bad look for the city.

The buildings on OCS, all along the quays and Dame St especially are absolutely filthy and caked in road dust if you look up past the ground floor. In other countries owners have to powerwash them a few times a year but here it seems to be a case of ah sure it will rain, theres no need to clean them. But there actually is, theres buildings on Dame St that are almost black in colour but a good powerwash would make them a lot brighter.

CucaFace wrote: »

. DCC are just useless. How the hell can someone own the land on O'Connell street and just leave it derelict for this long without the authorities coming along and say do something with it or sell it ?

Its a good question. In the case of the Carlton site flagged for a shopping centre the developer there went bust and got bailed by NAMA. During all this time when the site is laying derelict instead of being forced to use it or lose it he applied for and was granted a 7 year extension to the planning permission. I don't even think he will have a brick laid by the time the permission is up and it'll be another extension. By the time its all done that site on OCS will have been derelict for the best part of 20 years, DCC are next to useless at ensuring we have a nice public realm.

bear1 · 29-04-2019 03:26PM

I must be one of the lucky ones to have never noticed the junkies on OCS..
There are **** streets in every city.

Utter Consternation · 29-04-2019 03:28PM

bear1 wrote: »

I must be one of the lucky ones to have never noticed the junkies on OCS..
There are **** streets in every city.

I think if you veer down Talbot Street/Gardiner Street you'll get to meet some 'authentic Dubs.'

Kermit.de.frog · 29-04-2019 03:42PM

The state of the northern part of the street on the western side.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3501301,-6.2605031,3a,75y,216.49h,90.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDK0xX35xjldE31LiFVkWjg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

A "Funland casino" and other ****e right beside the Spire and GPO. Classy.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3515623,-6.2611078,3a,49.5y,215.47h,90.13t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suL-_VH1cRgl4VMvQyeDzmg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3518938,-6.2612595,3a,75y,293.76h,93.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDYwada2X2iznHfjI5DrgOA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Snow Garden · 29-04-2019 03:47PM

bear1 wrote: »

I must be one of the lucky ones to have never noticed the junkies on OCS..
There are **** streets in every city.

You must be very unobservant. Go down any of the side streets or along the quays and you'll see them for sure.

Kermit.de.frog · 29-04-2019 03:54PM

On O'Connell Bridge facing the street. Look at the state of the buildings, the horrible signage and tat.

You would think a corner so visible to everyone would have some sort of standard the owners have to abide by. But there seems to be none.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3473692,-6.2594803,2a,48.5y,317.4h,95.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBFzshcdGHEOvIYX7CwTg7A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Just drags everything down with it.

And it would not even take that much effort or expense to clean it up.

Kermit.de.frog · 29-04-2019 09:34PM

Here is another thing that really annoys me.

How much did we spend repaving the street?

Well, the clowns in the council or ESB or Gas or whatever come along, dig it up for piping or electric, and throw down tarmac instead of putting the stones back. Yes, I know this is not only an OCS issue!

Look at this. Do they not think when they are doing the job - "maybe we should put the stone back" :rolleyes:

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3478989,-6.2594661,2a,75y,68.06h,49.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s779oBjQR_6Lms3KRPHxeIg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3478989,-6.2594661,2a,63.9y,295.7h,52.88t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s779oBjQR_6Lms3KRPHxeIg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Granted the image is from 2015 prior to the tram but I saw the exact same the other day on the northern end of the street.

veryangryman · 29-04-2019 09:48PM

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Shame really - and simple things could make it so much better.

Like a 12 lane super highway? :rolleyes:

Kermit.de.frog · 29-04-2019 09:57PM

veryangryman wrote: »

Like a 12 lane super highway? :rolleyes:

In a tunnel, yes. :cool:

wakka12 · 29-04-2019 09:58PM

Mollyb60 wrote: »

When I worked in Dublin I was involved in the large scale redevelopment proposals that were submitted to DCC for planning approval. It would've covered the block between Moore St and O'Connell St around Dr Quirkeys and included apartments, offices, retail space and a museum for the houses on Moore St involved in the 1916 Rising. That was at least 10 years ago now but I seem to recall the planning was refused over objections from historical societies about the plans for the Moore St houses. As far as I know there was no pleasing the objectors so it killed the project dead.

OCS has some really stunning buildings on it like Clerys and the Ambassador and the Grand Central Hotel but that top part around Quirkeys really desperately needs some investment and buy in from DCC. So I'm very happy to hear about this O'Connell St Revival Society. Hopefully it revives the street a bit.

What? It was approved by the council(though not favoured by the descendants of 1916 soldiers), the project died because the developer went bankrupt

Mollyb60 · 30-04-2019 01:14PM

wakka12 wrote: »

What? It was approved by the council(though not favoured by the descendants of 1916 soldiers), the project died because the developer went bankrupt

In fairness to me I did say it was over 10 years ago so I'm maybe mixing it up with another project. I left the company and moved to Belfast shortly after the planning went in so I wasn't around for the outcomes. I'll defer to your greater knowledge. But we can all agree that nothing was built and the hole in OCS is a disgrace.

corner of hells · 30-04-2019 01:19PM

JupiterKid wrote: »

I'm involved in a group that is looking to turn the fortunes of O'Connell Street around.

We are a voluntary society set up a year ago. We care about our national thoroughfare and want to see it in the shape it was 50 odd years ago when it had respectable, decent shops and was a place to enjoy and not just pass through quickly.

We have drafted a Vision Statement for the street and know realistically that our aims won't be achieved overnight.

Good news is that Clerys is finally being redeveloped and the huge Carlton site on Upper O'Connell St will also see work getting underway later this year - there will be a new retail and mixed use development there that will bring activity and life to that part of the street. We are also lobbying City Councillors and candidateds running in the upcoming local elections to get them onside.

Another issue that needs addressing the the number of drug clinics just off the street - most of these need to be relocated to take a lot of the scummy element away.

We are the O'Connell St Revival Society. Check out our FB page, or better yet...join up!

What drug clinics are located just off the street ?
I know of Amiens Street and Pearse St and the hostel just off O Connell Street.

bodhrandude · 30-04-2019 02:25PM

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

The state of the northern part of the street on the western side.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3501301,-6.2605031,3a,75y,216.49h,90.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDK0xX35xjldE31LiFVkWjg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

A "Funland casino" and other ****e right beside the Spire and GPO. Classy.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3515623,-6.2611078,3a,49.5y,215.47h,90.13t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suL-_VH1cRgl4VMvQyeDzmg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3518938,-6.2612595,3a,75y,293.76h,93.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDYwada2X2iznHfjI5DrgOA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Just looks like any other city centre street, it could be Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Deebles McBeebles · 30-04-2019 02:28PM

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

The state of the northern part of the street on the western side.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3501301,-6.2605031,3a,75y,216.49h,90.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDK0xX35xjldE31LiFVkWjg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

A "Funland casino" and other ****e right beside the Spire and GPO. Classy.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3515623,-6.2611078,3a,49.5y,215.47h,90.13t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suL-_VH1cRgl4VMvQyeDzmg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3518938,-6.2612595,3a,75y,293.76h,93.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDYwada2X2iznHfjI5DrgOA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

The casino seems less of an issue when you see the homeless people sleeping outside the GPO.

Our main street

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