Why can't O'Connell Street in Dublin be more like Dame Street and Grafton Street ?

Big Gerry · 16-07-2023 03:16PM #1

is there a reason why Dublin City Council can't keep O'Connell Street to the same standards as Dame Street and Grafton Street ?

Its like O'Connell Street is in another country compared to the other main Streets in Dublin.

TokenJogger · 16-07-2023 03:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058305274/why-cant-oconnell-street-in-dublin-be-more-like-dame-street-and-grafton-street

The redesign is terrible until they rip it up and do it properly it will always be

There was heavy criticism of the redesign when it was proposed but they bulled ahead anyway

A secondary factor is Dorset street which feeds into it is increasingly becoming a ghettoized foreigner, black, brown, refugee zone and this is giving exactly the same result as seen in London where I lived

mod

warning - trolling

Big Gerry · 16-07-2023 04:11PM

The main street in Ireland should be a showpiece for the country that everyone can proud of.

O'Connell Street could be one of the best main streets in Europe if they put proper investment into it and get rid of the all the down market businesses like Dr Quirkeys etc.

Arthur Pants · 16-07-2023 04:37PM

Get rid of all the junkies and beggars for a start.

Captain Flaps · 16-07-2023 07:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120858475#Comment_120858475

Yeah you're full of it and a massive racist to boot. The issues with O'C and Dorset street are the same as they've always been - feral Irish.

tinytobe · 16-07-2023 07:10PM

It was actually a nice street back in the days. Google for Sackville Street. Nice hotels as well, such as like near the GPO. All prior to 1916.

orangerhyme · 16-07-2023 07:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120859770#Comment_120859770

I agree the Irish are the biggest troublemakers in Dublin and the rest of Ireland.

I think O'Connell st is at a turning point with Clerys Quarter, Carlton site and Metro station. GPO might have something interesting happening too.

Parnell Sq is being rejuvenated with new LIbrary and other work too.

There will always be a few dodgy people around though. I suggest we try to get to the root of the problem though.

Big Gerry · 16-07-2023 07:44PM

The Spire really brings down the tone of O'Connell Street it makes me think of junkies every time I see it.

Naked Lepper · 16-07-2023 07:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120858475#Comment_120858475

wtf are u on about u absolute clown

Arthur Pants · 16-07-2023 07:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120859901#Comment_120859901

It is a beacon for the underclasses to congregate on O'Connell Street and environs. Then need to back the floozie in the jacuzzi to raise the tone of the place.

standardg60 · 16-07-2023 08:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058305274/why-cant-oconnell-street-in-dublin-be-more-like-dame-street-and-grafton-street

It's simply because every street is a reflection of it's inhabitants.

Count Dracula · 16-07-2023 08:26PM

It had a chance when people could shop in Cleary's or go to the Cinema.

I don't get the comparison with Dame Steet or Grafton Street, what rubbish are you spouting op? Why did you not include Abbey street, Westmoreland street, or Henry street.

The northside / southside debate has its roots in the days of the industrial revolution in the UK and Ireland's exposure to it. When Guinness opened on the south side of the keys the main jobs were given to people who lived locally and got jobs. This maintained a status quo which was in the main that southsiders got the jobs whereas northsiders in areas such as Smithfield and the markets would take the jobs on that side. This divide also existed down the quays at the ports where areas around the Custom House were easier and more accessible to northsider residents. You must remember that there was no East link bridge or indeed any bridge before the customs House, which ballooned in size during the prime of Georgian Dublin.

There is nothing wrong with Dublin's city centre, the Hotels are full.

There is an should be a wider debate to be had surrounding the future of the high street globally. The internet has completely decimated it. It can now only exist with businesses that are providing services which cannot be procured online. As Debenhams and Clearys if you want proof of that.

orangerhyme · 16-07-2023 08:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120860081#Comment_120860081

I think people will always enjoy a day out shopping with a bite of lunch. Women in particular get a buzz out of it. I know that's sexist but it's true. There's a social element which you can't replicate online.

Dublin is improving all the time despite the housing crisis, which I feel is hitting an inflection point next year.

I'd like to see more investment and research in early intervention for antisocial behaviour, drug/alcohol abuse, crime, poverty, poor education etc.

I think there's so much potential in each human being.

I think the Carlton site will bring a huge improvement to O'Connell st and once they're over the planning issues, it'll definitely happen as the Metro station will be one of the busiest.

The renders here look amazing: https://dublincentral.com/image-gallery/. It's an entirely new district in the city center.

One thing I like about Dublin city centre is that it's very buzzy and lively with a young energy nearly every day and night of the year. Some cities in Europe are dead in comparison.

The population of Dublin center between the Canals has been gradually increasing about 2000 or 3000 a year since the 90s, which has created a better atmosphere and is why we've so many restaurants and cafes opening all the time.

Also the number of hotels and offices has been increasing every year.

the_amazing_raisin · 16-07-2023 10:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058305274/why-cant-oconnell-street-in-dublin-be-more-like-dame-street-and-grafton-street

IMO there's two major problems with O'Connell Street

First, there's almost no shops on it worth visiting. There's what, an Eason's, two Burger kings, a McDonald's and the GPO now?

Oh and a Londis that sells the cheapest booze in Dublin I believe

So no nice restaurants, shops or museums to visit

I don't really buy the idea that the whole area is a dump, Henry Street is alright and Abbey Street has improved a lot

But O'Connell Street still seems to just be a way to get to somewhere else rather than the destination itself

I think the other problem is the traffic, getting the cars off the street was a great idea but I think the bus stops need to be removed or redistributed

Let's face it, buses are pretty loud and you can't really imagine sitting in an outdoor cafe on the street enjoying lunch while a bus driver is telling some guy on a scooter to f**k off

Maybe the electric buses will be quieter and make it into less of a diesel engine symphony

I also think they need more trees and plants along the street, it's a bit of a concrete jungle compared to most streets, and it's more noticeable given how wide the street is

Big Gerry · 16-07-2023 10:19PM

I can't think of any other country where the main street is the worst part of town.

Thelonious Monk · 16-07-2023 10:32PM

It's not the main street people want to go to any more. It's a transport hub and a place that people just kind of pass through, it's never going to be anything else really at this stage.

I don't know why people get so worked up about it, it was never anything special in any of our lifetimes. I was in South William St area today getting food and drinks and it was just gorgeous, it's a different world to O'Connell St. That area is where people go to shop and socialise etc, go there if you want to be somewhere nice.

SEPT 23 1989 · 16-07-2023 10:53PM

its the entrance to an Ireland I don’t recognise anymore

Larbre34 · 16-07-2023 10:57PM

The difficulty with O'Connell Street is as clear as it is unsolvable.

60 to 80 years ago, the authorities of the time decided to replace the old Georgian tenements of the north inner city with new build social housing.

Unfortunately, due to a combination of further economic decline and lack of political will, among other things, that new social housing was not managed, not protected. The people were not assisted properly and so the whole hinterland of O'Connell Street, or at least large areas of it to the east and north, became a squallid, poverty and drug ridden hole.

Sadly, despite various initiatives since the 80s, that situation has not improved a whole lot and despite also an economic transition, that same troubled area has further ghettoised with migrant communities and drug black spots.

And so, until all that is changed through a complete regeneration- and dare I say gentrification - O'Connell Street and its surrounds will continue to suffer the anti-social behaviour of some people who live close to it and who steal, mug, fight, intimidate, assault, and deal and take drugs on the streets in that area.

In fact you could put 40 Guards on permanent duty in that 1 square mile and it would still only be a game of whackamole, losing against revolving door prisons and do-gooder judges and SJWs.

Mrs OBumble · 17-07-2023 12:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120858801#Comment_120858801

Where to? Or are you suggesting killing them all?

Padre_Pio · 17-07-2023 12:41AM

O'Connell St is no better than a bus terminus and has been for the better part of 20 years.

Routing all the busses down Marlborough and Gardener St would be a huge improvement, then pedestrianize half of it and let restaurants and cafes expand out onto the street.

ahnowbrowncow · 17-07-2023 12:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120861037#Comment_120861037

Send them to Galway and create employment with a new Irish film, 'Begging in the rain'.

TokenJogger · 17-07-2023 01:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120859770#Comment_120859770

I'm sorry you don't like the truth but it remains true, the people of east london know all about it

TokenJogger · 17-07-2023 01:22AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120859918#Comment_120859918

The logistics that feed into a particular area affect that area and as an aside resorting to insults proves your acceptance of the original point, anger at the situation but inner helplessness to change it

Strumms · 17-07-2023 02:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120860669#Comment_120860669

I agree.

there is nothing there anymore. It’s just bus stops, fast food restaurants, boarded up businesses, call / internet cafes.

the only retail shop I’d have the remotest interest in would be Easons. I wouldn’t have a single reason for going to O’Connell st now. A far nicer experience around Exchequer / Wicklow / Grafton / Georges / South William & Drury Streets…

the street and general area has absolutely bûcket loads of potential. Hopefully the Clearys quarter can be a revitalising shot in the arm, it needs it…

ArmaniJeanss · 17-07-2023 10:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120860604#Comment_120860604

I've genuinely never regarded as O'Connell Street as the 'main street'.

I don't see any reason why we should force that street to be 'better' when there are success stories of Grafton St, Stephens Green, Dawson St, Temple Bar, South William St, Henry St/Jervis Quarter etc. Like it'd be nice if it was better, but it's hardly a priority.

Arthur Pants · 17-07-2023 10:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120860597#Comment_120860597

Supermacs and Eddie Rockets also. Plus it is 2 McDonalds (assuming the one past the Spire is still there).

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 17-07-2023 10:58AM

O Connell street is just a connection between North and South Dublin - most people going there are just trying to get from one to the other.

Decades ago I suggested making it pedestrian only and putting better transport links to limit the number of cars in the city - then you could have green areas up and down the middle of it and coffee shops with outside seating areas, but I'm guessing that ship has long since sailed.

Thelonious Monk · 17-07-2023 11:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120861093#Comment_120861093

I used to live in East London, a wonderful multicultural place. It's a big place but pretty much all of it is so popular that house prices are off the charts. What are you talking about exactly?

Sleepy · 17-07-2023 11:59AM

O' Connelll Street will never be a destination as long as it's surrounded by social housing ghettos. It's a grotesque mismanagement of our national real-estate but there's actually very little of the city centre (either side of the Liffey) that's a desirable place to live in.

Badly Drunk Boy · 17-07-2023 01:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120859779#Comment_120859779

I suppose you think this view from 1760 looks better that the current set-up? 😄

And not a junkie to be seen here (except yer man crossing the road looks like a bit of a laudanum fiend). 🧐

Wanderer78 · 17-07-2023 01:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058305274/why-cant-oconnell-street-in-dublin-be-more-like-dame-street-and-grafton-street

...probably far more links to wealth on those streets than o'connell st, make o'connell street more wealth orientated, and you probably wouldnt have these issues, or maybe if we moved methadone clinics more so towards dame and grafton street, o'connell street wouldnt be as bad then, who knows.....

Why can't O'Connell Street in Dublin be more like Dame Street and Grafton Street ?

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