Calls for rainbow-coloured pedestrian paths in Dublin

jon1981 · 03-09-2015 05:23PM #1

As if parts of Dublin aren't already ugly enough, now we want to introduce this tacky crap?

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/calls-for-rainbow-coloured-pedestrian-paths-in-dublin-1.2339217

Introducing ‘rainbow walks’ to Dublin streets will make the city a more attractive proposition for gay tourists, according to local Fine Gael members.

Pretty for gay tourists, but would about the city as a whole?!

The proposal comes from Dale McDermott, a former president of the party’s youth branch, who says the Irish capital is now seen as a “beacon of hope” internationally following May’s same-sex marriage referendum result.

An 18-page document due to be submitted to Dublin City Council in the coming days identifies two locations on Dame Street – the junction with Great George’s Street as well as the Parliament Street junction in front of City Hall – and one on Capel Street for the multi-coloured pedestrian crossings.

This has nothing to do with anti LGBT, but why is it necessary to brand ourselves LGBT by defacing the city further? Haven't we already achieved LGBT friendly status in the latest referendum (yes voter btw).

magma69 · 03-09-2015 05:25PM

I don't really give a shít either way.

Toto Wolfcastle · 03-09-2015 05:26PM

I think they sound awesome!

RayM · 03-09-2015 05:27PM

Seems harmless enough. Although they should be extended to 23 Merrion Square.

The Randy Riverbeast · 03-09-2015 05:27PM

Meh. I suppose it would annoy a certain group of people which would be a plus but at least its better than something like the spire.

Gongoozler · 03-09-2015 05:27PM

Do gay people not like the same types of roads and paths as the rest of the population?

Kev W · 03-09-2015 05:31PM

Go for it, it'll look nice and actually make the pedestrian crossings easier to spot from a distance.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 03-09-2015 05:33PM

Lol that McDermott Clown has very little to be worrying about, he should be reprimanded for wasting council time with ridiculous proposals.

Full Marx · 03-09-2015 05:35PM

Surely in order for road markings, signage etc to work they all need to be standardized? Should we change the colour of the lights at traffic lights too?

Bad idea IMO. Why not stick up some more flags or something instead?

Sheep Lover · 03-09-2015 05:35PM

Will we get pathways with Liverpool crests on them for 'pool fans?

20Cent · 03-09-2015 05:35PM

Nice idea hope they do it.

Sterling Archer · 03-09-2015 05:38PM

I've no real opinion on this but won't they end up looking like this after a few years http://cdn.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Rainbow-Damage-3.png

Sheep Lover · 03-09-2015 05:38PM

It's like some propaganda tactic from a dictatorship.

One eyed Jack · 03-09-2015 05:39PM

Kev W wrote: »

Go for it, it'll look nice and actually make the pedestrian crossings easier to spot from a distance.

As if they're not easy enough to spot already?

This idea doesn't contribute in any way to road safety, and if I'm being honest, looks to me like nothing more than another hair-brained notion from politicians with little else to be doing.

I had a google search there for the rainbow zebra crossings mentioned in the article -

Gaudy looking as fcuk, they look like those pastel drawings that pavement artists do.

There are much better ways to encourage more tourists to Ireland than this nonsense.

suicide_circus · 03-09-2015 05:40PM

Cynical effort to cash in on the lgbt tourist euro?

DoYouEvenLift · 03-09-2015 05:41PM

Being gay means you automatically love pretty, vibrant colours apparently. Funny, I thought the only difference between gay people and the majority of people was that they were attracted to people of the same sex (which really isn't a big deal anymore)...do we really need stupid sh!t like this? As if we need to try to appeal to gay tourists more after the historical events this Summer. Talk about pandering.

KungPao · 03-09-2015 05:42PM

Sounds like a fabulous waste of money to me.

DoYouEvenLift · 03-09-2015 05:49PM

Also, is this moron aware of how ironically stupid this would look for most of the year because of the sh!t weather we have in Ireland? If we'd warm, sunny weather year round it could probably pass but imagine walking across this on a cold, rainy day with a completely grey sky overhead when you're feeling sh!t

Kev W · 03-09-2015 06:05PM

DoYouEvenLift wrote: »

Also, is this moron aware of how ironically stupid this would look for most of the year because of the sh!t weather we have in Ireland? If we'd warm, sunny weather year round it could probably pass but imagine walking across this on a cold, rainy day with a completely grey sky overhead when you're feeling sh!t

Yeah, what we really need on dismal rainy days is the absence of colour to really pick us up.

Have a grey day!

timthumbni · 03-09-2015 06:09PM

You see now what the vote was actually about. You were warned but youse didn't listen. Next thing will be compulsory "gay" classes for your young males.

I for one do not welcome our new alien rainbow overlords.

(Not serious in case anyone is in doubt)

K4t · 03-09-2015 06:15PM

DoYouEvenLift wrote: »

Being gay means you automatically love pretty, vibrant colours apparently.

Eh, nope. Surely you're aware of the importance of those pretty, vibrant colours to the lgbt movement and most recently the election victory? It's not the colours themselves so much as what they represent. Aesthetically speaking it would look very well imo. I mean, who doesn't admire and appreciate a rainbow in the sky? What's the problem with having a few on the ground?

The Randy Riverbeast wrote: »

I suppose it would annoy a certain group of people which would be a plus.

The negative being it might make some of them speed up when they see it..

Capt'n Midnight · 03-09-2015 06:24PM

One eyed Jack wrote: »

As if they're not easy enough to spot already?

This idea doesn't contribute in any way to road safety, and if I'm being honest, looks to me like nothing more than another hair-brained notion from politicians with little else to be doing.

This is a road safety issue.

How visible would they be on a wet night ?

Stick with retroreflective white stuff.

TBH this sounds more like trying to be seen doing something for the sake of doing something rather than for any valid purpose. Plenty of poorly funded organisations to talk to about what's needed other than window dressing.

amdublin · 03-09-2015 06:30PM

Sounds great!

Not everywhere. Just one or two maybe.

They have them in Key West florida:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/05/30/key-west-florida-gets-permanent-rainbow-crossings/

Kev W · 03-09-2015 06:31PM

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

This is a road safety issue.

How visible would they be on a wet night ?

Stick with retroreflective white stuff.

Why not have both?

Rainbow pattern in the middle with a border of the reflective stuff.

Anyway, we're not talking about some country lane here. You'd hardly miss it.

Menas · 03-09-2015 06:36PM

KungPao wrote: »

Sounds like a fabulous waste of money to me.

Agreed. And knowing the council they will use the wrong type of paint and the colors will run necessitating an expensive cleanup or re-work.

Fr_Dougal · 03-09-2015 06:38PM

You'd never guess there was an election around the corner.

The_Valeyard · 03-09-2015 06:40PM

Waste of money,

Fix potholes instead

PucaMama · 03-09-2015 06:41PM

absolutely no need for this. total stupidity. how about spending money cleaning the city of graffiti instead of painting it like a rainbow?

foggy_lad · 03-09-2015 06:41PM

If there is going to be rainbow paths I also want Mincing lanes next to the bus and cycle lanes!

osarusan · 03-09-2015 06:42PM

Harmless but pointless.

Paramite Pie · 03-09-2015 07:08PM

I think it's a stupid idea. I'm gay and stuff like this is more of a reminder of my 'minority' status than anything else. I'm a white male aged 18-35, the most over-represented group in media... I shouldn't feel like a minority.

What I like about Dublin is that it's gay bars aren't all clustered together on one street anymore. Panti-bar and the George are on different sides of the Liffey and I now feel more confident picking up guys in regular bars now too... we don't need a gay ghetto like other cities have just like we don't need a Chinatown.

Calls for rainbow-coloured pedestrian paths in Dublin

Rainbow coloured streets? 388 votes

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