
Dublin City Council unveils plans for multi-million euro traffic free College Green Plaza
Dublin City Council has unveiled plans for its multi-million euro traffic free plaza at College Green.
The project, estimated to have risen in cost to €80 million, is aiming to transform the public space into what the council calls, 'a compelling (and) attractive destination for everyone'.
Advertisement
The plaza, which was mooted eight years ago when planning permission was first sought, is at the 'very early stages' of development, the council in a statement said.
'This is a very exciting project for the city of Dublin and we encourage all those interested in helping to inform what it looks like to participate in the online consultation,' the statement continued.
Extensive consultation is underway with a wide range of stakeholders to help inform the design.
The council's project team is working toward the completion of the preliminary design by the end of this year, with a view to submitting a planning application by early 2026.
Advertisement
The project is significantly broader in scope, scale and ambition than the initial project brought to planning in 2017.
'It also has the benefit of driving significant and impactful changes for the area as it will capitalise on the opportunities for the space that will be realised by the National Transport Authority's (NTA) network redesign, which will remove all buses from College Green on a phased basis,' the council noted.
A preliminary cost estimate for the project is €80 million, however the budget for the project will be reviewed and refined when the preliminary design is completed according to council management.
The original figure mentioned in 2017 was €10 million. However, in November of the following year, then An Bord Pleanála, refused permission citing the potential for 'significantly negative impacts' on bus services.
The the online consultation which can be found
here.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Times
5 hours ago
- Times
Irish bookie BoyleSports takes £100m punt on UK high streets
Ireland's biggest independent bookmaker has placed a £100 million bet on Britain's struggling high streets, with plans to open hundreds of new shops. The family-owned BoyleSports, a staple on high streets in Ireland, wants to open 200 new shops and create 1,000 jobs in what its bosses say is the UK's under-appreciated market. The move comes as BoyleSports is expected to be controversially unveiled as the new front-of-shirt sponsor at the Premier League football club West Ham United. BoyleSports, which operates 390 shops across Ireland and the UK, was founded by John Boyle in 1982, who remains on the company's board as chairman. Some 70 outlets are in the UK at present. The UK expansion will be funded by its shareholders, Vlad Kaltenieks, the company's chief executive, said. The move may be viewed as counterintuitive given the retreat from the high street by the likes of William Hill, Coral and Ladbrokes in recent years as they concentrate on online gambling operations. The number of betting shops has fallen every year for the past ten years, according to the Gambling Commission, although numbers dropped by only 1.4 per cent last year. The pandemic had a profound impact: some 1,808 shops have closed since Covid-19 hit, the equivalent of one in five of the number of shops pre-lockdown. UK bookmakers have instead turned their attention to US online markets, where sports betting is being legalised on a state-by-state basis. With America expected to be the world's biggest regulated market, UK betting companies have used their online expertise to partner with American firms. Kaltenieks said that this had resulted in UK betting shops becoming an under-appreciated market. Like other firms operating in the UK, BoyleSports was fined £2.8 million by the Gambling Commission in 2020 for failing to comply with money-laundering risk assessments. Kaltenieks said that it complies with all legal requirements, and that compliance was one of the firm's priorities. It is precisely because the UK is heavily regulated that makes the new investment attractive, he added. 'The UK is one of the most exciting, well-regulated and competitive betting landscapes in the world, and we believe we offer something genuinely different to customers,' he said. 'As a family-owned, independent business, we've built a loyal customer base in Ireland by focusing on trust, service and a seamless experience and now we're rolling that approach out even more widely across the UK.' There has been speculation over a potential tie-up with West Ham United over the past few weeks. The company declined to comment on such a deal, though it is understood that the club could unveil the new sponsorship deal as early as this week. Premier League teams have agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of their matchday shirts by the end of the upcoming 2025-26 season following a campaign by gambling industry critics.


BreakingNews.ie
7 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Dublin City Council unveils plans for multi-million euro traffic free College Green Plaza
Dublin City Council has unveiled plans for its multi-million euro traffic free plaza at College Green. The project, estimated to have risen in cost to €80 million, is aiming to transform the public space into what the council calls, 'a compelling (and) attractive destination for everyone'. Advertisement The plaza, which was mooted eight years ago when planning permission was first sought, is at the 'very early stages' of development, the council in a statement said. 'This is a very exciting project for the city of Dublin and we encourage all those interested in helping to inform what it looks like to participate in the online consultation,' the statement continued. Extensive consultation is underway with a wide range of stakeholders to help inform the design. The council's project team is working toward the completion of the preliminary design by the end of this year, with a view to submitting a planning application by early 2026. Advertisement The project is significantly broader in scope, scale and ambition than the initial project brought to planning in 2017. 'It also has the benefit of driving significant and impactful changes for the area as it will capitalise on the opportunities for the space that will be realised by the National Transport Authority's (NTA) network redesign, which will remove all buses from College Green on a phased basis,' the council noted. A preliminary cost estimate for the project is €80 million, however the budget for the project will be reviewed and refined when the preliminary design is completed according to council management. The original figure mentioned in 2017 was €10 million. However, in November of the following year, then An Bord Pleanála, refused permission citing the potential for 'significantly negative impacts' on bus services. The the online consultation which can be found here.


Reuters
11 hours ago
- Reuters
Dublin like a local
A young, creative, international city has emerged from the financial crisis that stopped Dublin in its tracks for the best part of a decade. The warehouses of the Irish capital have been repurposed by international tech companies for their European headquarters, the docks and quays are lined with buildings of glass and steel, and there are new hotels, coffee shops and bars. It is still unmistakably Dublin — with its beautiful Georgian terraces, manicured garden squares, stunning coastal walks and villages that make up some of the prettiest suburbs of any capital city. But now its cobbled streets hum with fresh purpose. I grew up on Ireland's west coast and, after a spell in London, moved to Dublin a decade ago to cover Irish business news and then political and general news for Reuters. The economic catastrophe that befell Dublin after the 2008 financial crisis is a cautionary tale of the dangers of unfettered lending and poor regulation. But reinvented as a modern, cosmopolitan capital that values its people and history, today's Dublin is simply marvellous. Here's how to enjoy this beautifully unruly city like a local: Pubs: Dublin's pubs are essential to the city's cultural and social fabric. They are where friends catch up, colleagues bond after work, and couples meet for dates. Some are loud and busy, others perfect for sitting alone with your thoughts or a book. My favourite is Martin B. Slattery's in the vibrant, eclectic suburb of Rathmines. A wood-paneled pub — that like most classic Dublin watering holes still refuses to serve food — 'Slatts' has a snug at the front, the patrons love to chat, and the Guinness is exceptional. In town, there's the Long Hall, a stone's throw from Dublin Castle, with red-and-white striped canopies. Inside, it's largely unchanged since it opened in 1881. Another Victorian classic is the Palace on Fleet Street. Flowers cascade from hanging baskets outside and an antique lamppost marks the entrance. It is one of the oldest pubs in the city, and a favourite of students from nearby Trinity College and tourists stopping for a pint as they amble towards Temple Bar. It has a strong literary heritage, with poet Patrick Kavanagh and novelist Flann O'Brien among its former patrons. If you're looking for something quirkier, make your way over to the Hacienda on Mary Street, popular with celebrity musicians winding down after a show. Behind its Spanish colonial exterior, it always looks closed — which it is to most people, unless proprietor Shay likes the look of you. He never opens before 8 p.m., but if you think you're the type of punter that Shay will welcome, then press a buzzer at the door marked 'Bar' and wait to see if he'll let you in. The traditional 'session': The Cobblestone in Smithfield is the stand-out choice for quality traditional Irish music. Tucked into a quiet corner of a square that was once known for its bustling livestock market, it is described by its owner as a "drinking pub with a music problem." There is a "seisiún" of traditional Irish music every night — an informal performance by seasoned musicians who gather to play for fun. You will want to get in early to grab a stool by the bar, so you can see the performers in the corner. O'Donoghue's on Merrion Row is a music pub steeped in history and was a favourite of The Dubliners, a traditional folk music group that sold more than thirty million records. The walls are adorned by photos and drawings of the Irish music legends who have played here over the years, and there are music sessions every night. Whelan's on Wexford Street is a must for live music. Major artists that have passed through its doors include the Arctic Monkeys, Damien Rice, Mumford & Sons, and Ed Sheeran, who calls Whelan's one of his favourite venues in the world. To eat: In the years since the financial crisis, Irish food has undergone a significant evolution, moving beyond traditional stereotypes into a modern and innovative culinary culture. Chapter One, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, and Liath each have two Michelin stars, and there are five more restaurants with one star. International influences have flourished, creating exciting culinary fusions derived from Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Traditional dishes such as Irish stew, soda bread and Dublin Coddle can still be found at places like the Quays Restaurant in Temple Bar, but my go-tos are the caipirinhas and petiscos at Rei Momo in the centre of town, or the authentic tacos, quesadillas and tamalitos at Suertudo in Ranelagh. The definitive read: In a city seeped in literature, one book dominates: James Joyce's 'Ulysses.' The modernist classic is an intricate portrait of the city on a single day, June 16, 1904 — and the characters' steps are retraced by thousands every year on Bloomsday. A good place to start is the Joyce Tower Museum, on the coast at Sandycove and housed in a Martello tower, a round stone fort built in the early 19th century to defend against a Napoleonic invasion. The tower is the setting for the opening chapter of "Ulysses," where Stephen Dedalus wakes up and begins his day. Joyce himself stayed here briefly in 1904. For the real enthusiast, consider a reading at Sweny's Chemist and Druggist, where you'll be transported into a living page of "Ulysses". A charming, time-capsule of a shop, it is located at 1 Lincoln Place, a short walk from Trinity College. More literary trails: Dublin revels in its literary heritage. Three of the four newest bridges have been named after writers, and you can't turn a corner in Dublin without bumping into a plaque or statue devoted to a writer or poet. The city has been an inspiration for numerous authors, so no visit is complete without a literary tour. Start at Merrion Square, where Oscar Wilde's sculpture cuts a colourful figure lounging on a rock overlooking his family home across the street. "Dracula' writer Bram Stoker lived at the nearby 30 Kildare Street for a time with his wife, Florence. But perhaps the most impressive place on any literary tour of Dublin is Trinity College, home to the Long Room, a 65-metre (213-ft)-long chamber in its library that contains 200,000 of the university's oldest books (currently under restoration). The Book of Kells, a precious ninth century manuscript containing the four gospels of the New Testament, is on permanent display. Swift, Wilde, Beckett, Stoker, and Synge studied here. More recently, it served as a backdrop and symbol of class and identity in Sally Rooney's 'Normal People.' If you're looking for literary Dublin, this is where you'll find it. Getting away: The sea matters to Dubliners. Joyce's characters in "Ulysses" are forever walking, haunted, by the shore. The first Dubliners were Viking raiders who came from across the sea and commandeered a sheltered pool on the Liffey for a winter camp to repair their longboats ahead of the spring pillaging. When Dubliners want to shake off the cobwebs, they head to the coast. Dublin's coastal towns and villages are some of the prettiest suburbs of any capital city and stretch from Howth in the north to Dalkey and Killiney Hill in the south, where U2's Bono and the Edge are neighbours. There are lovely coastal walks and breath-taking views in both directions, all easily reached on the local train, with fares starting at 2.60 euros ($3) for a single adult ticket. To really do Dublin like a Dubliner, the day should start with a bracing swim at Sandycove's "Forty Foot." Imagine a rocky outcrop into the Irish Sea, with waves crashing on concrete steps and brave souls in swimming togs gasping as they dive into the chilly waters. Few urban experiences are as invigorating, and when you emerge, you'll be more than ready to think about the lunch you're going to have in Howth. Located on the north side of Dublin Bay, perched on a rugged peninsula, Howth is a postcard-pretty fishing village you can amble around while picking up fish and chips and maybe an ice cream. I could happily eat every day at any one of the many fantastic restaurants in Howth, but if you like a view with your oysters or mussels, pick Aqua, a beautiful restaurant housed in a former sailing club at the end of the west pier. CITY MEMO DATA POINTS Population: 1.4 million Price of a cup of coffee: 5.10 euros ($5.85) for a cappuccino from Bewley's Café on Grafton Street. Price of a pint of beer: 6.80 euros ($7.80) for a pint of Guinness from Martin B. Slattery's. Great place to see a sunset: The Pavilion, a student bar overlooking the cricket pitch at Trinity College. Best bookstore: Hodges Figgis, a 257-year-old bookseller on Dawson Street.