Dubliners celebrate O’Connell Street facelift

TO some, the plastic signs of the fast food joints and the chewing-gum stained pavements signified that little had changed.

But to Dublin’s older residents, the shining Spire, the sound of the Luas bell ringing and the Oriental Plane Trees showed the city’s main thoroughfare has come a long way.

The newly scrubbed-up Daniel O’Connell, Jim Larkin and Parnell were joined by hundreds of the city’s residents of all nationalities to celebrate O’Connell Street’s facelift.

They were without their friend, the “Floozie in the Jacuzzi”, who has since been replaced by a giant spire and six bronze hares.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Catherine Byrne said the makeover was “the beginning of a new era for the city.”

She said doubling the size of the pavements has lead to an increase of 25% in pedestrians walking down the street.

Almost 350,000 natural stone slabs were laid down during the three year project, and 142 lime, birch, ash and oriental plane trees were planted. It is also brighter, with 40 double arm boulevard lighting columns, 36 reflectors and 115 in ground lights added.

To mark the occasion, Dublin City Council launched a number of events to encourage residents to come out and enjoy their city.

The Bastille Festival will take place in Smithfield market next weekend, while a Moroccan Market will be held in Wolfe Tone Park from June 14 to June 18.

Starting next Friday there will be seven days of Outdoor Circus Acts performed around the city, while an urban music and dance festival is organised for September.

These and many more events will culminate in the Liffey Swim on September 9.

Ms Byrne said: “Summer in Dublin will provide those of us that live and work in the city along with our tourist visitors, the chance to enjoy Dublin in a culture and community spirit and I encourage everyone to take part in the fantastic array of activities on offer this year.”