Is Dublin city losing its cultural soul?

It’s been a busy week in Dublin city.

Last Wednesday, protesters gathered outside a house on Prussia Street in Stoneybatter after a group of men entered the building to evict squatters.

On Thursday, news broke that the Science Gallery in Trinity College was going to close, reportedly because of its financial viability.

On Friday, news spread that another popular Dublin cultural spot – Ireland’s largest independent bookshop, Chapters Bookstore on Parnell Street – was to close its doors after nearly 40 years in business.

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And then on Saturday, more than 400 protesters gathered outside the Cobblestone pub on Smithfield square before marching through the city to O'Connell Street, playing music as they went. It was the second such demonstration in less than a month over the proposed and planned development of hotels at the Cobblestone pub and at Merchant's Arch in Temple Bar.

But all of these incidents seem unique and disparate. Why should be drawing connections between a squat eviction, the closure of a bookshop and the development of a hotel in Temple Bar?

Or do they actually represent a broader narrative about the direction Dublin city is headed and the lack of support for cultural spaces across the Irish capital?

On today’s In the News podcast, Sorcha Pollak speaks to Irish Times columnist Una Mullally about the growing frustration and anger among some Dublin residents over the development of hotels and purpose built student accommodation blocks and lack of consideration for the city’s character and culture.

Also on today’s podcast, Irish Times Dublin editor Olivia Kelly demystifies the planning process used by hotel developers in the capital and breaks down the steps people should take if they want to effectively object to developments in the city.

In the News is presented by reporters Sorcha Pollak and Conor Pope.

You can listen to the podcast here:

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