Big (temporary) changes to O’Connell St
Dec | May 8, 2008Newstalk today carried a news story at 6pm about the removal of historic monuments for several years as part of the development of the public transport infrastructure in Dublin historic monuments. Listed in the report were the O’Connell Monument, the Parnell Monument and the Spire on O’Connell Street.Â
I’m surprised at this but I would not be against the idea of removing the monuments in the same way I am against the destruction of large parts of St Stephens Green. Statues and Spires can be restored with a few weeks work and I’d rather see them removed than risk their collapse into a trench or being hit by cranes and diggers. A city center park full of mature trees takes several decades.
Add to that the rumour that the Guinness Brewery at St James’s Gate may close and move to a green field site in Clondalkin (more about that will surely come after Diageo hold a press conference tomorrow) then this year may be a good time to visit Dublin before it becomes a building site.
On a side note, a recording of Minister Dempsey was played where he said you cant make an omelette without breaking some eggs. Does he read this blog? OK, probably not but you never know 
I totally agree with you on your opinion on the temporary removal of monuments as well as the deconstruction of St. Stevens Green. But from what I experienced on my 5 months stay in the city (about 1 1/2 years ago) Dublin already was somehow a big construction site at that time (however not the city center).
Greetings from Austria, Thomas
It is unbelievable to change the city centre as you explain. O’Connell Street is a so beautiful avenue; it would be terrible to make works on it for several years. As a new Dubliner, I admit that public transport (bus + dart) is very bad for a European Capital, but does it deserve to destroy the city centre? I’m not sure…
It won’t destroy the city centre, at most it will be inconveinent and annoying for a couple of years. But, really, we cant have it both ways – we have been complaining for years about the woeful transport network in Dublin, now that something is finally going to be done about it, people are still moaning!
Agreed O’Connell Street is a beautiful avenue and does need to retain as much of it’s character as possible but change is neccessary also. We advise tourists to avoid O’Connell Street at night because of it’s history of crime.
I don’t agree that the work that will need to take place will affect tourism.