Historians should have say in naming of new Dublin developments, committee hears

Local historians should be brought in for consultation with developers to ensure place names for new developments reflect the capital’s history and culture, a meeting of Dublin’s central area committee has heard.

Independent councillor Christy Burke said developers operating in Dublin were selecting names “off the hoof” for newly built housing and office blocks and that many developments had “no connection to the area at all”.

"You just can't pull names out of the blue when you have men and women, and lots of women in that area, who would be so deserving of having a development called after them," Mr Burke told Tuesday's meeting of Dublin City Council's Central Area Committee. "Lots of Cumann na mBan women from 1916 would have resided in that area [Dublin 1]. I'm sure that local historians, with the help of local councillors, that that should be the policy."

“I’m sick and tired of looking at ‘Blossom Way’ developments and no connection to the area at all. I’d really like to see bit of effort put in, in relation to keeping the culture and the history of the area. I’d like to see more of an impact and an interaction with local historians in relation to naming.”

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Mr Burke was responding to a discussion on the proposed naming of two new apartment blocks by Clúid Housing beside Charles Street Great near Mountjoy Square in Dublin 1. The development, which is set to be named Charles Street House, is also bordered by Charles Lane and Tyrell Place.

In its proposal, the developer advised that a number of names were considered to include historical figures connected to the area, including the Gardner family because of their involvement in the development of Mountjoy Square and Sean O'Casey who lived in the area. However, it was felt these names were "overused" and "would create confusion" so the developer settled on Charles Street House, according to a briefing note made available to councillors.

Councillor Nial Ring, who admitted to “banging this drum” around naming “for a long time”, underlined that Charles was a member of the Gardner family. “The Gardner family actually got a huge number of streets, but it might be useful if the proper research is done rather than saying the Gardner family were considered.”

Mr Ring said he had no problem with the Clúid development being named Charles but that future consultation should accurately reflect the people of an area and not just the landowners. "We really have to start reflecting our modern Ireland and this rather than the colonial past," said Mr Ring.

He added that a protocol document was currently under consideration by the council and once approved, should enable historians and councillors to play more of a role in the naming of such developments.