September 2021
ULSARA
NEWS
YOUR LOCAL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER Cherishing Heritage Preserving Community
THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER WHAT’S INSIDE
Planning Some of the submissions and appeals we made in 2020-21.
Environment Climate change, the Dodder Greenway, Swifts, and the activism of Patrick Geddes.
Get involved A call to action! Ulsara needs skills, knowledge and helping hands. Join us. Get involved.
Books Books and authors of local interest published this year.
Local Directory Some of the great local businesses who deserve our support and custom.
Save a life Find your nearest AED, and how to help someone having a cardiac arrest.
Valuing our public spaces One of the positive outcomes of the pandemic may be our (re) discovery and enjoyment of the public spaces in our area. Restrictions on indoor meetings and social distancing meant that many of us found solace and community in the parks and walks in our area. This was particularly true for those without gardens, in flat and house-shares, and working from home. As the year progressed, we started to see changes to our streets, with space for sitting, eating, walking and cycling being prioritised. The long term impact of the pandemic on public space is yet to emerge, but there is a real opportunity to be thoughtful and holistic about the design and use of public space in the future, including how public space can protect and promote personal and planetary health. This can only be achieved by active communities, professionals and public representatives working together to make the design of public spaces central to all urban planning.
Bus Connects, the NTA project to develop priority bus corridors, is progressing slowly. After a third round of consultation in winter 2020, a final draft planning application is being prepared for submission this autumn to Bord Pleanála. We await the final plans but are reassured that the original proposal to remove many mature trees in the Pembroke Road area has been withdrawn. Ulsara’s comments on the most recent iteration of the plans focused on revised traffic plans for the Waterloo/Upper Baggot/ Pembroke Streets junction and the likely implications for adjoining roads. When the NTA formally submits proposals to Bord Pleanála, there will be a further opportunity for Ulsara and residents to comment on the plans. The latest plans for the routes through Pembroke Rd and Morehampton Rd can be found at busconnects.ie.
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ULSARA Newsletter September 2021
JOINUSAND GET INVOLVED We want to reflect the Ulsara area’s diversity of communities and residents in our work and campaigns. If you live in our area, please join us as a member, and even better – get involved. Our committee and campaigns need skills, knowledge and helping hands, no matter how little time you can offer. Planning/ urban development, social media, organisation skills are especially welcome. Please get in touch via Twitter @UlsaraDublin or by filling in the contact form on www.Ulsara. ie.
Message from the Chair
This newsletter has been published annually for decades, usually in Spring. Through the year, keep in touch with our activities through Twitter, our website, and by signing up for our e-newsletter. We also welcome old-fashioned letters. www.Ulsara.ie @UlsaraDublin PO Box 8411, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Life has changed for all of us in the last 18 months. To our residents, friends and neighbours who lost loved ones, we extend our sympathies. As we approach autumn, it feels like we can let out a collective breath and allow ourselves to hope that we have overcome the worst of the pandemic. In this 2021 newsletter, we choose to look forward and to take comfort in what we have, what we learned, and what we might gain from the past two years. We saw streets becoming real neighbourhoods, neighbours becoming friends, and parks and public spaces being rediscovered and reimagined. And we observed extraordinary resilience, adaptability and innovation in our local businesses, shops and restaurants. Although we missed our annual meetings and the opportunity to talk directly with you, the Ulsara committee remained active throughout the year. We continued to make planning submissions, and our subgroup continued to offer help to neighbours. We even continued our work on graffiti removal. In 2021, our long-standing Chair, Carmen Neary stepped down. Carmen steered the association through much of the last decade, sustaining our vision and focusing our efforts on things that matter to the current and future residents of this area. We thank Carmen sincerely for her energy, steadfastness and hard work and wish her the very best for the future. Ulsara is now in its 53rd year, and its mission – to cherish our heritage and preserve our community – is as relevant as ever. It is not by accident that Ulsara has escaped the spread of monolithic offices and destruction of streetscapes and residential amenities. Ulsara has been resolute and tenacious in the pursuit of appropriate development in our area, and in challenging inappropriate planning decisions. We aim to continue doing so, an urge you to join us.
Fiona Slevin, Chair Who we are Since its foundation in1968, Ulsara has fought to preserve the residential character and amenities of our neighbourhood, encourage community life in the area, maintain our green spaces, and preserve the distinctive architectural features of the area. We draw our members from the streets, lanes, and squares stretching from Ranelagh Road to Upper Baggot Street, and from the canal to Herbert Park. Ulsara ULSARA acknowledges with thanks the support of Dublin City Council (Community Grant Scheme) toward the publication of this and previous Newsletters. Designed and printed by Simon Hederman at www.hederman.ie
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ULSARA Newsletter September 2021
Books of local interest From the Grand Canal to the Dodder Beatrice Doran’s book, From the Grand Canal to the Dodder, provides 67 profiles of the lives of people who lived in the area. Many are familiar; others are less well known like Lady Mary Heath, aviator and athlete, and Sophie Bryant, mathematician, educationist and suffragette. The accompanying images bring the people to life, and Doran provides additional reading sources for those who want to delve deeper. Available from local bookshops.
Black Dragonfly Jean Pasley’s sumptuous novel is based on the life of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn. Hearn spent part of his childhood with a great-aunt at 73 Upper Leeson Street. After a successful stint at the Inquirer in the US, he went on to become one of Japan’s most celebrated and cherished writers. Black Dragonfly is published by Balestier Press and available from local bookshops.
The Kindness of Psychopaths Local resident, Alan Gorevan is an award-winning writer and intellectual property attorney. He independently published a number of thrillers during the pandemic including this page-turner, about a young woman who vanishes from her Donnybrook home. See www.alangorevan.com
ULSARA NEWS
Remembering Andrew J Kavanagh
U
lsara members were saddened to hear of the death in May 2021 of Andrew Kavanagh, a long-time supporter and committee member. Born in 1929, Andrew qualified as an architect in 1952. He worked in the OPW and the Agricultural Institute and retired in 1987. He and his wife Rosemary moved to Dartmouth Square in 1955 and were early members of Ulsara: Rosemary played a central role as Secretary, and Andrew was on the committee. Ulsara undoubtedly benefited from his knowledge and insights about building and development.
P.V. Doyle and the Burlington Hotel
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n 2018, a trawl through Ulsara Minute-Books revealed a saga involving P.V. Doyle, the Burlington Hotel and Ulsara, in which Andrew played a significant role. While Ulsara did not stop the demolition of Tullamaine Villa to make way for the hotel, the association was a persistent thorn in P.V. Doyle’s side through the 1970s and 80s. There were frequent letters and meetings over building work, trees, size, signage, car parks and a dance licence, and later over Doyle’s reported intention to replace four houses at 99-102 Upper Leeson Street with a block of flats. In an attempt to placate the association, Doyle was reported to offer Ulsara free meeting rooms in the hotel and the services of a Typist-Secretary, while expressing interest in retaining Martin Reynolds, Derek Griffith and Kavanagh to prepare ‘a Scheme’ to convert Nos 99-102. He also offered the use of the swimming pool to ‘suitable people’ in the locality on Sunday mornings. The committee was not impressed. Exchanges about Nos 99-102 and Doyle’s plans to revamp the hotel continued through the 1980s. For the most part, Ulsara was successful. Through their dogged persistence, Andy Kavanagh and the committee members can claim much credit for saving the Upper Leeson Street and Sussex Road area from even more demolition and inappropriate development. Following retirement, Andrew Kavanagh completed a dramatic and beautiful restoration of the RC parish church and community centre in Rathmines, and carried out commissions for the World Bank in Africa and the Azores. His wife Rosemary died in 2016
Cherishing Heritage Preserving Community Published in 2018, Ulsara’s 50th anniversary book sold out within weeks. It is now available on Amazon Kindle as an e-book: just search for the title. The book recounts the history of the association and includes essays from recognised experts including Frank McDonald, Alistair Rowan and Ruth McManus. The book also looks forward, with perspectives on architecture, environment, conservation, urban planning and other subjects related to life in Dublin city in the past, now, and in the future. The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs by Andy Sheridan. Tullamaine Villa, Sussex Road before being demolished
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ULSARA Newsletter September 2021
Membership Form & Annual subscription Ulsara is your residents’ association, with a committee and members drawn from the area. Please join us and support our efforts to maintain the residential zoning, character and amenities of the area. Ulsara’s work is done on a voluntary basis and we rely on your generous support and committed membership for our continued effectiveness. The easiest way to join is on www.Ulsara.ie Click on the Membership tab, and pay by credit/debit card or PayPal. Or complete this form and post with a cheque to: Ulsara, PO Box 8411, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
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Ulsara Heritage Trail app Covering the whole Ulsara area, our Heritage Trail app provides insights and information on the built environment and past residents. We hope it will inform, enthuse and inspire you to know more about and value the history of our area. Download the GuidiGo on iTunes or GooglePlay, and search for Upper Lesson Street Area Dublin Heritage Trail. See more at www.ulsara.ie.
ULSARA Newsletter September 2021
Briefs: Ulsara Activities Covid19 Pandemic Support Ulsara volunteers offered assistance to members of the local community during the pandemic and helped with shopping, errands and picking up prescriptions. The initiative was a success, with some members saying that they got reassurance and comfort from just knowing the support was there if they needed it. The email address - UlsaraCovid19@gmail.com - remains active, but the phone number has been suspended. Graffiti Control Five years ago, in response to a profusion of unsightly graffiti, Ulsara, with the support of Dublin City Council, began cleaning and overpainting all graffiti on public utility structures such as ESB boxes and transformers, An Post Boxes, Litter Bins, Parking Ticket Machines and Lamp Standards. DCC provided the appropriate green, grey and black paint and we provided the muscle.
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Planning Issues
Ulsara was active on a number of planning issues through the year, including: • 40 Herbert Park, former home of The O’Rahilly: our observation noted that the proposed development was unsuitable in terms of scale, bulk and height, and would be an undesirable intrusion and bad precedent. • Submission to the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy with points on Metrolink and its impact on the Charlemont/Dartmouth Road area. A more detailed observation will be relevant at planning permission stage. • Submission on the pre-draft Dublin City Development Plan 2022–28; further submissions will be made as the Plan progresses. • Observation on the planning application for the St Mary’s Home site, which provided for a large number of studios/co-living units. • Appealed the removal of an important tree on Waterloo Road, but decided not to submit an appeal to development plans for the Waterloo Exchange as it was felt that it would be too costly with little impact. • Ongoing monitoring of the Strategic Housing Development process; noted the number of judicial reviews being taken against An Bord Pleanála for mistakes made by the board during their review.
Be Ready to Save a Life The Grove Ulsara arranged for the gates of The Grove on Morehampton Road to be painted, sharing the cost with co-manager An Taisce.
Some 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home or outside a hospital setting. If the person has to wait for emergency services, their survival rate is less than 7%. If a bystander can give timely CPR plus defibrillation, the chance of survival can jump to as high as 74%. For every minute’s delay in deploying the defibrillator (AED) the odds of survival reduce by about 10%.
Get to know where AEDs are located. Potential life-saving mapping is provided by AEDLocator.ie – but it relies on people posting locations. Currently, there are few showing in the Ulsara area. Please post the location of any AEDs not shown. You could save a life. If you witness a sudden cardiac arrest: 1. Call 112 or 999 (or get someone else to make the call) Grand Canal Clean Up A growing number of dedicated volunteers deserve huge credit for keeping our canal clean, under very trying circumstances. Join them on the first Saturday of every month at 10.00 am at Wilton Terrace, by Leeson Street Bridge. See www.fotgc.ie or the GrandCanal group on Facebook.
2. Start CPR as soon as possible (put the phone on speaker if needed) 3. Get someone to locate and bring you a defibrillator. CPR is easy to learn and is provided free by the Irish Heart Foundation. See irishheart.ie for more information.
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ULSARA Newsletter September 2021
Active citizenship and urban conservation
Patrick Geddes: Think Global, Act Local In 2018, Philip Crowe wrote a chapter for Ulsara’s 50th anniversary book, Cherishing Heritage Preserving Community. In it, he drew a link between Ulsara’s work and that of Patrick Geddes (1854-1932), one of the founding fathers of the townplanning movement. It is 110 years since Geddes’ Cities and Town Planning Exhibition visited the RDS and posited ideas such as creating gardens for citizens in derelict spaces, repairing or rebuilding existing houses, and tidying back lanes. Like us, Geddes was living in a period of rapid and unprecedented technological, social and environmental change. In his 1915 text Cities in Evolution, Geddes observed the ills of the polluted and overcrowded industrial city and identified the need for a transition to an efficient and cooperative ‘neotechnic’ city that would reflect a new era of advanced technologies, and operate within the renewable and assimilative capacities of the planet. To realise this new vision, Geddes considered it essential to build an involved and ‘a more enlightened and generous citizenship’. He also recognised the challenge in doing so, since people were, he thought, ‘half-blind’ to the city and its history. Geddes advocated starting the process of regeneration with local interventions that are ‘simple, easy, obvious, and things that everyone would approve of’. Much of Geddes’ work focused on civic engagement, connecting citizens with their place and with one another through building local knowledge and promoting local actions. Geddes believed that by understanding the local it would be possible to comprehend the global and therefore make
Interactive maps showing past floods as well as the extent of potential future coastal, river and rainfall floods can be seen at www.floodinfo.ie/map/ floodmaps/
Climate Change Action
local actions relevant. He also believed that small-scale changes could precipitate larger scale changes, perhaps prompting or precipitating a rethinking of urban planning and governance practices. Hence, the mantra Think Global, Act Local, is attributed to him. From its inception, Ulsara has (consciously or inadvertently) tried to live up to Geddes’ ideals. Though we have not always succeeded, we continue to see how committed individuals can make a difference, how civic activism can succeed when it is resolute and sustained, and how a diverse range of talents and approaches are necessary for success. As we wrestle with how Dublin and areas like Ulsara will evolve in the future, it may be timely to revisit Geddes’ vision for local action and active citizenship. Read Dr Philip Crowe’s complete article on www.Ulsara.ie.
The recent IPCC report and Status of Ireland’s Climate study highlights unequivocally the urgency of dealing with climate change. In Dublin, one of the biggest risk is flooding. Heavy rainfalls and storm surges are expected to increase in frequency and/or intensity, which would increase the risk of flooding in vulnerable areas of the City. While the River Dodder flood defence is completed and is designed to mitigate fluvial flood impact upstream of Ballsbridge, there is a significant risk of flooding from our old and overwhelmed drain and sewer system, as happened in London this year. We know that a report in 2005 suggested that the drainage system required urgent upgrading, but it’s unclear what has been done in the past 15 years. See the 2005 report at greaterdublindrainage.com. Read the Dublin City Council’s Climate Change Action Plan at dublinclimatechange.codema.ie
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ULSARA NEWS
The Swifts of Georgian Dublin When it comes to fork-tailed migrant birds, my rule is this: swallows for the confirmation of summer’s roll, swifts for the peak times. Last in and first out is how they do it, arriving up from Africa by way of an unfathomable navigational ability that guides them to the exact building on the exact street where they were born.
Caption: Dodder Greenway bridge: Image from SDCC.ie
Swifts are one of the most astounding birds that visit us each year. Other than nesting duties – carried out under the eaves of our rooftops – swifts steer clear of terra firma. So wholesale is their giving-over to the skies that these svelte insect hunters don’t touch the ground for the first two years of their lives. Feeding, preening, collecting nest materials, and even mating – all take place on the wing without anything to lean on or attach to or steady against. It is only recently that scientists finally solved the riddle of where swifts sleep. It turns out that they fly up very high at night and switch off half their brains, alternating hemispheres as they remain airborne in a kind of semi-conscious cruise control. And if you don’t find that completely and utterly incredible then I don’t know what to do for you. A small matchbox-size opening into a shoebox cavity high on a building is all they need. Increasingly, however, swifts are arriving after their staggering and death-defying journey halfway across the planet to find rooftops sealed up and nowhere to nest. These birds so fundamental to the European summer are being shut out by us. This summer in particular, the skies over our beautiful part of Dublin were eerily bereft of swooping swifts. Their steady and sad decline hasn’t gone unnoticed, however. Following campaigns by ornithological groups, both Croke Park and Dáil Éireann are today fitted with ‘swift bricks’, manmade nest-boxes that can be easily integrated into construction materials or attached at a later date. By acting now, we can make this city once again a haven for nesting swifts by the time they reappear next May. As custodians of Georgian heritage that has housed these birds for generations, we owe it them to install nest-boxes as part of our duties to biodiversity. Consider teaming up with neighbours and fellow residents or encourage a local office block to get involved. Information and resources are available from Swift Conservation Ireland at www.swiftconservation.ie. By Hilary White, a writer and conservationist living in D4. @ HAWhiteK
Dodder Greenway Progress
Progress has been made on the proposed 17km Dodder Greenway. Planning started in 2014 under South Dublin Council Management; more recently the baton has been taken up by the National Transport Authority. Greenway construction works commenced in 2019. Three (of four) new metal bridges have been installed crossing the Dodder at the Tallaght Bypass, to the rear of the Bollbrook Centre, from Kilvere to the Riverside Cottages, and over from Bushy Park to the rear of Rathfarnham Village. The new Rathfarnham bridge is a fine bridge about four metres wide with ample room for walkers and cyclists linking the Greenway to a new car park for about 100 cars and connecting with the adjacent roadway and cycle paths. Works for the next year will focus on developing Greenway paths to and from the three new bridges, with lighting where required and with sensitive landscaping. Currently, it is possible to cycle from Grand Canal Dock along Dodder Paths to Bushy Park, Rathfarnham, with careful main road crossings. However, the path is very narrow between Donnybrook and Clonskeagh and from Dartry to Orwell Road, showing no signs yet of Greenway Upgrades. For the most part there are existing Dodder pathways to Bohernabreena, with some public road exceptions The Greenway cost is currently estimated at €7m, including some €2m EU support. The lower Dodder Flood Protection Works have been adapted in places to facilitate Greenway Plans.
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Local Directory
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ULSARA Newsletter September 2021
Some of the great teams that operate in our area.
This year, we invited entries via @UlsaraDublin on Twitter to provide a directory of some the great local people and businesses that kept us going through 2020-21.
Bookshops
Michie Sushi
First Editions
On Pembroke Lane (off Waterloo Road), First Editions offers an eclectic range of antiquarian books, and specialises in modern signed first editions. www.firsteditions.ie
Hamptons Books
A true local and community bookshop, Hampton’s stocks a broad range and will find books for customers. Predictably, they have some very loyal regulars. 93a Morehampton Road; (01) 667 3072
Papermint Store
Irish-owned retailer on Morehampton Road with greeting cards, gifts and notebooks. www.papermintstore.com
The Company of Books
A great local Ranelagh bookshop, Gwen did sterling work through the pandemic as she cycled the area delivering books. Also has notebooks, diaries and cards. www.thecompanyofbooks.ie
Food & Drink Canal Bank Café
A long-time excellent neighbourhood, all-day restaurant on Sussex Terrace, starting with breakfast, then a comprehensive main menu from noon. www.canalbankcafe.ie
Forest Avenue
On Sussex Terrace, Forest Avenue shifted to being a gastronomic grocer and deli early in the pandemic. An expert team. www.forestavenuegreengrocers.ie
Awarded best Sushi in Ireland 11 years running, Michie Sushi on Chelmsford Lane offers excellent food by a great team. Delivery, collection, catering and dine-in – from lunchtime. www.michiesushi.com
Neighbourhood Wine
On Upper Leeson St, Neighbourhood Wine took over the old Leeson Lounge. An independent wine merchant with a great selection of wine. And they deliver. www.neighbourhoodwine.ie
Nick’s coffee
Across from Ranelagh Luas, Nick’s is a local institution. Small kiosk, giant quality. People queue for the coffee and stay for a chat on the benches outside. www.facebook.com/ NicksCoffeeCompanyLtd
One Kinda Folk
A new local favourite with quality coffee and drinks and outdoor seating. They also have sandwiches at lunch time. www.onekindafolk.ie
Tap House
The outstanding staff at the Tap House offer craft beers and bar food (try the tacos) in a most convivial setting (with outdoor terrace) in the centre of Ranelagh. www.taphouse.ie
The Sussex
Above O’Brien’s pub on Sussex Terrace, a well-known, smart bistro style restaurant offering great food in a relaxed and welcoming setting. www.thesussex.ie
The Village Butcher
Michael, Sarah and the team offer outstanding quality meats with direct provenance, as well as gourmet food,
bbq sauces & rubs. And great advice. www.thevillagebutcher.ie
Redmonds of Ranelagh
Award-winning and knowledgeable off-licence in the centre of Ranelagh with a huge, personally selected range of wines, beers and spirits (and barware/gifts). www.redmonds.ie
Terroirs
Seán and Françoise Gilley’s shop in Donnybrook reflects their exuberant love affair with wine and an individual approach to sourcing and selling them. www.terroirs.ie
Other Services Gerard Byrne, Artist & Gallery
You may have seen Gerard painting buildings, houses and gardens in the area in his distinctive vibrant, expressive style. Gallery on Chelmsford Rd. www.gerardbyrneartist.com
MHF Architects
Local resident Michelle Farrell runs an independent, experienced, RIAIregistered architectural practice, with a personal approach to all projects. www.mhfarchitects.ie
Archview Physiotherapy
Voted one of the top 5 physiotherapists in Ireland, the Archview team offer a range of treatments at their Pain & Sports Injury Clinic on Ranelagh Road. www.archviewclinic.ie
Smallman’s Plumbers
On Sallymount Avenue, a go-to source for heating and plumbing needs. The team is great at helping find solutions for professionals or DIYers alike. www.smallman.ie
i-Service
On the corner of Sallymount Avenue, i-Service sells mobile accessories and phones as well as providing reliable and quick, professional repair services. www.i-service.ie