Monopoly let the people decide

THE leafy avenues of Dublin’s embassy belt have been replaced by the rolling fields of Roscommon as the most desirable address in the land.

Not in the estate agents’ windows, perhaps, but certainly on the new Monopoly board which was launched yesterday in plenty of time for Christmas.

If generations of Irish gamers grew up convinced that Shrewsbury Road and Ailesbury Road were the most desirable addresses on the planet, with the deeds to Crumlin and Kimmage barely worth the cardboard they were written on, young newcomers to the fold will be aiming towards Roscommon as the ultimate trophy property.

They may not have won the Sam Maguire Cup since 1944, but the only landlocked county in Connacht took a different type of All-Ireland glory this year by winning a national poll of Monopoly enthusiasts.

The Waterford-based toy manufacturer held an online election to determine which counties would make it onto the new board and, crucially, in what order.

As the new edition revealed yesterday, while Roscommon is the new Shrewsbury Road and Cork is the new Ailesbury, Westmeath has won the dubious honour as the noughties version of Crumlin, occupying the first brown space on this trip around Ireland. The whole county can be bought for a trifling €600,000 while making Roscommon your own will set you back €4 million.

Counties didn’t make it onto the board included Tipperary, Clare, Kildare, Wicklow, Carlow.

Hasbro said about 170,000 votes were cast between April 26 and May 25.

Dublin had a slow start but, unlike their footballers, finished the “season” strongly to take the yellow spot formerly home to North Earl Street.

Recently introduced “internet” and “telecoms” utilities retain the places once held by water and electricity.

“For over 70 years the Monopoly board has represented the most valuable locations in Dublin, but the new All-Ireland board was decided on the passion of its people,” said Hasbro national sales manager Anne Dermody yesterday.

“To secure any one of the 22 spots on the new version of the world’s most famous game is a great achievement.”

Hasbro said inter-county rivalry was rife during the poll with locals, county councils and Monopoly lovers all involved.

Each person was allowed one vote per day and over-enthusiastic efforts to boost the poll through multiple voting did not go unnoticed by Hasbro who were watching carefully. Once voting was over all votes were checked and only verified votes were counted.

The new game launched yesterday in Dublin Castle, was attended by Minister of State Tom Kitt.