O’Connell Street – actions and aspirations

Sir, – It is encouraging to see many people over the last few weeks on the pages of your newspaper – whether citizens or not of Dublin – express much concern about our main thoroughfare and its current malaise. It is worth noting, however, that in June 2019, The Irish Times reported on the launch of an initiative from concerned individuals to address what were even then identified as the street’s shortcomings.

As then reported, the O’Connell Street Revival Society wanted to “halt the downward trajectory of the street” through the implementation of what it says are low-cost achievable measures that could “change the dynamic” of Ireland’s main street. An accompanying report from that group outlining those steps that could be taken was launched by the then lord mayor, Cllr Nial Ring.

Rereading that report today, it is striking that most of the themes included in that report cover almost all of the issues so wearily repeated in recent weeks about the challenges affecting the street. More importantly, the report included solutions. Sadly, as of 2023, most of the recommended measures listed in that report that could have helped the street have made little progress beyond wishful aspirations.

As seen from your paper over the past few weeks, there is clearly no shortage of ideas or goodwill from the general public towards fixing the street. But ideas and goodwill can only go so far.