Devour Dublin

DEVOUR DUBLIN

The author and designer of this book is Louise Kiernan. A native of Dublin, she has experienced the damaging effects of the recession first hand. Through the love of the city and its people, she decided to write and design a table coffee book that tells the story of the current Irish recession. It contains compelling photographs of the city, bold illustrations and an informative outline of what has happened. It is an insightful guide into the budget friendly, secret gems of the city. It tells the story of the Irish recession in an imaginative yet emotionally positive way.

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IRISH

recession

“As Ireland recovers from a major construction melt-down and surging unemployment, it seems likely to continue to experience further negative quarters.�

Capital analyst Julian Callow Ireland first realized that it had reached a recessive state in 2008, when economists had calculated that the country was experiencing a negative growth rate for two consecutive quarters of the year. Although other countries around Europe were experiencing difficult economic times, Ireland was one of the first countries in the Euro zone to actually go into a recession. A hard hit for an economy that had grown so prosperous in recent years, and had become one of the fastest growing economies, not just in Europe, but also in the world.

Ireland had become powerful with the strength of the Celtic tiger. Consumers felt invincible, and bankers took risks. The greater the potential gain, the greater the potential loses. Ireland took many risks, and in previous years, reaped the rewards. The Irish Economy opened its doors to Europe and other countries for trade, and offered many tax incentives for international businessmen to set up camp on Irish soil. This strategy was graceful and rewarding when the economy was booming, but detrimental when the country was decline.

In just over a generation, Ireland had evolved from one of the poorest countries in Western Europe to one of the most successful. It reversed its persistent emigration, loosing its best and brightest and achieved a reputation for being a thriving and knowledge-driven economy. As a result of constant effort and persistence, Ireland increased its standard of living, had the second highest gross domestic product per capita within the EU and achieved exceptional growth.

One of the great things that was established during the booming years of the Celtic Tiger was the creation of jobs. From 1990 to 2005, employment soared from 1.1 million to 1.9 million. The population increased by almost 15 percent from 1996 to 2005, which was a striking contrast from the trends of previous years. It was seen as the land of opportunity by many other European countries, and as a result, decreased its unemployment rate to almost 4.4 percent, which was less than half the EU average.

As a result of its striving economic activity and souring employment rates, Ireland became a prosperous and booming economy over night. The standard of living increased dramatically and so did peoples expectations. It became accepted to buy and treat oneself to luxury items and services. People spent on impulse, like money was plentiful, and had no fear of it running out, or god forbid, that the economic boom would come to an end.

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Another key to understanding what happened to Ireland is to realize that while GNP grew from 5% to 15% every year from 1991 to 2006, the Celtic Tiger growth stemmed from two very different booms.

The first was a rise in employment associated with increased competitiveness and a quadrupling of real exports. As the Irish levels of income began to average with those in Western Europe, one would expect the growth to fall to normal European levels. Instead growth continued at high rates until 2007 despite falling competitiveness. The second boom was driven by construction.

people went bananas

Since 2008, there has been a huge drop in the numbers of travelers. It was estimated by the Central Statistics Office that the amount of money spent by Irish people on foreign travel dropped by almost 20% in 2009. The amount of money spent on these trips was down 19.5% to just under â‚Ź5.8bn. It was also estimated that expenditure on domestic travel in 2009 was down 8.3% to â‚Ź317.9m. Spending on domestic holiday travel fell by almost 17% to â‚Ź154.9m while that on business and visiting friends and relatives also fell by an average of almost 13%. So over all, the Irish were hit hard by their previous impulse spending, and the situation was only to get worse, as the banks and government were forced to accept an austerity package, and introduce strict taxation schemes.

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As the Irish had more income, surplus money was spent on luxury items. People were being well paid, and felt no reason to hold back, when their next paycheck was around the corner. Construction workers had huge profit margins, and were willing to pay their employees extra for over time, breaks and holidays. The economy was reaping the rewards of economic booms that they had not previously experienced and people were loose with cash. Families were investing in extra properties, moving to more expensive housing estates, taking two or three holidays a year. Many families even invested in a home abroad for themselves, so that their vacations could become more regular.

Consumers were spending without consideration, and they were hit with reality when economy collapsed in later years.

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“At the height of the lunacy, around three-quarters of the total lending by Irish banks – €420bn or about two and a half times the size of the economy – got bound up in property, construction and land speculation.”

Christophe André, Economics ,OCED.

The property boom within Ireland was something of a phenomenon. It contributed immensely to the economic growth within recent years. Unfortunately the success story for the construction contractors and bankers had to end at some point, and as the market for property reached its saturation point, the sales and profit margins came to a decline.

Following the point of saturation came a decrease in property prices followed by a loss of jobs available in the building and construction industry, which coincided with a global credit crunch. Contributing factors, which brought about a halt to excessive consumerism and combined to create an environment for a recession.

With construction activity coming to a halt, it not only decreased consumerism and business activity, but the tax revenue received by the government. This of course puts huge pressure on a governments budget, and in turn, pressure on the citizens of the country to generate enough taxes for the country to operate. Taxpayers don’t want to see a decline in the number of services available, and the government cannot afford to run them. Members of the public sector are protected from unfair dismissal from the their union, so it is difficult for the government to get rid of employees. Tension is increasing and anticipation of conflict arises.

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Along with effecting property developers, and employed construction workers, the collapse of the property bubble also affected the Irish banking sector. Irish banks were forced to face the bad investments they had made in previous years, and account for their excessive spending. As property prices plummeted to over fifty percent, the Irish banks were faced with debts they could not afford to pay.

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recession streets

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recession

“The current economic situation is presenting new challenges all the time for consumers and it is very encouraging that, as a nation, we are finding ways to manage these challenges and developing habits that will benefit us far beyond the recession”.

Ann Fitzgerald, CEO of the National Consumer Agency (NCA

The worst recession in Ireland’s modern history has turned the country into a bargain basement with cut-prices on cars, housing, merchandise and more. It was estimated by the Central Statistics Office, that the average cost of goods and services within Dublin fell by 5.0 percent in 2009. Ireland suffered its greatest prices drops in 2008 since the Great Depression in the 1930’s. Economist estimated in 2008 that the overall prices would continue to drop for the next three years, and we are still seeing the effects today in 2011.

As the recession continues, consumers are less inclined to spend extravagantly. Shops are forced to create incentive to attract customers, and consumers are forced to alter their spending habits Latest research reveals that the majority of consumers have made permanent changes to their buying patterns as a result of the recession, with 73% saying they will continue to shop around for better deals even when the economy stabilizes and returns to growth. In addition, two-thirds have learnt to manage their finances better as a result of the recession and plan to continue doing so in the future. Just over two-thirds (67%) of those surveyed have put off big purchases until the economic situation improves.

Throughout the boom years, Irelands breakthrough in economic growth made it one of the richest countries in Europe, along side Austria and Switzerland. With new growth and wealth came an increasing demand for luxury items, such as fast cars, fine wines, and beautiful homes. Due to the abrupt end of this type of lifestyle, the country has now become a haven for deal hunters.

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“I bought at the height of the boom. I have a 35-year mortgage and I am 33 years of age, so I will have a long time ahead of me with a house that I cannot sell.”

Marianne Kennedy. Moycullen resident .

As job loses and cutbacks become a daily reality in Ireland, so too is the crash within the property market. Inflation in house prices and the over reliance of the banks on the construction sector, contributed immensely to the Irish economic crash. Unfortunately it is the owners of these houses that are left with colossal house mortgages, huge debts, and negative equity.

Ireland’s house price boom was one of the biggest in Europe. The country saw prices of new houses surge by more than 200% from 1997 to 2007, while average secondary home prices rose by around 280%.

House prices were not the only property type that have been affected. With businesses closing every day, commercial property has also been hit by the downturn. In both residential areas and along the high street of any town, signs advertising property to rent now dot the landscape.

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In the last three years house prices have plummeted. It is estimated that house prices will continue to fall for years to come. Ireland’s house price crash was one of the worst in Europe and has wiped out almost a decade of gains. It was projected that in 2010, the average prices of houses fell by 14.8% to €198,689. A year earlier, it fell by 36% from its peak price of €310,381 reached in 2006. In Dublin, the average house price plunged 21% in 2010 to a house price of €238,986.

Areas outside Dublin were also badly hit, with the average house price down 11.3%, to €179,721.

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ye

recession

Ireland’s banks became weakly regulated and began to lend Ireland’s banks became weakly regulated and began to lend excessively, including mortgage and development lending. excessively, including mortgage and development lending.

Irish banks had become accustomed to saying yes, and Irish banks had to saying yes, and agreed agreed to give outbecome millionsaccustomed of loans without collateral.

Loses to give out millions of loans without collateral.

Loses occurred occurred when borrowers were unable to repay the loans, when the borrowers were unable to repay the loans, leaving leaving banks to retain the land or property assets they the banks to retain the land or property assets they had purchased. had purchased. Unfortunately the assets were worth a lot Unfortunately the assets worth lot less than the loans, less than the loans, and thewere banks werea left with loses. and the banks were left with loses.

fine e agreed

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ofcourse

kaay kay

can I have a loan?

no problem no

yes y ye es s yes do you promise to pay it back?

alright alr g why no 21

recession

“Because of the huge risks they [Irish banks] took earlier this decade, they became a huge risk not only to this state, but to the eurozone as a whole.”

Brian Lenihan, Irish finance minister.

The property slowdown had grave consequences for Irish banks, which lent heavily to builders and property developers.

Share prices of Irish banks fell steadily from 2007, with the Irish banking crises coming to a head in 2008 when Anglo Irish Banks shares plunged by 15% on 17th March 2008. After aggressive denials that the banking systems were facing difficulties, Irish government has been forced to respond with a sequence of desperate and expensive measures. They agreed to guarantee all deposits and senior debt in six Irish banks. They were also forced to Nationalize Anglo Irish Bank, invest €3.5 billion in preference shares in the two large retail banks AIB and Bank of Ireland, and to establish National Asset Management Agency (NAMA), whish is a state owned bad bank, that acquires property development loans from Irish banks in return for government bonds.

The Irish governments attempt was not as successful as they had hoped, and the economy continued to decline. Fears for Ireland increased within Europe, and discussions of EU emergency aid were underway. After much negotiation, the European Union and the International Monetary Fund agreed to fund an 85 billion euro ($115 billion) bailout package for Ireland aimed at stabilizing the Euro and helping Ireland cover heavy bank debts. The interest however on these loans is quite substantial; 6.05 percent from the euro zone fund, 5.7 percent from the EU fund and 5.7 percent from the IMF, which is higher than the 5.2 percent being paid by Greece for its May bailout. This has left Ireland and its taxpayers with a heavy price to pay, and the government implementing a new four-year austerity program, that the public is less than pleased about.

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“The government has robbed us, they’ve destroyed the country that we’ve built up over a number of years. They’ve just destroyed it.”

An older man at the protests for the Irish austerity plan..

Protest Resistance Strikes

A week after Ireland pledged to accept the $114 billion international rescue package and the toughest austerity program of any country in Europe, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to Dublin’s streets to protest wide cuts in the country’s welfare programs and in public-sector jobs.

The protests centered on a mile long march along the banks of the River Liffey in central Dublin to the General Post Office building on O’Connell Street, the site of the battle between Irish republican rebels and British troops in the Easter Uprising in 1916 — an iconic event that many in Ireland regard as the tipping point in Ireland’s long struggle for independence.

The campaign was a coalition of unemployed individuals, trade unions, workers and community groups. Around 300 people marched with banners and chanted slogans, like “We want jobs not bank bailouts”.

Anti-government sentiment was high during the march as campaigners called for greater state action to get people back into the workforce.

“Right to work” campaigns were also organized to protest in local communities and plan to continue their campaigns at both a national and local community protests, until the “bankers government” leave office.

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The Irish Congress of Trade Union who coordinated the march, chose the points of venues in which the protests would take place. The marches reflected the mood, anger and dismay of the people. They were shocked by their government actions, as well as the alarming fact that their economy was deteriorating. In the last two years, Ireland economy has shrunk by about 15 percent, faster than any other European economy.

Reclaim the city protest took to the Dublin streets on Saturday 28th august 2010. The march, organized by the Right To Work Campaign, started in Parnell Square and made it’s way to the Central Bank on Dame Street. Campaigners were protesting against the policies of the current Fianna Fail / Green Party government and it was celebrated with live music, performances and guest speakers afterwards.

The austerity package, among other things, will involve the loss of about 25,000 publicsector jobs, equivalent to 10 percent of the government work force, as well as a four-year, $20 billion program of tax increases and spending cuts like sharp reductions in state pensions and minimum wage. One Dublin newspaper, the Irish Independent, estimated that the cost of the measures for a typical middle-class family earning $67,000 a year would be about $5,800 a year.

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Jack O’Connor, president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

The Irish people are currently facing redundancies, closed factories, job losses, reduced wages and cuts on government spending. Unemployment in Ireland is currently at 13%, but experts expect it to climb another percentage before the end of the year. Job losses are being hit hardest in the banking and construction industries, both of which grew considerably during the boom years. Many people who are still employed in both the public and private sectors are having to accept wage cuts, and are fearful of losing their jobs.

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Homelessness within Ireland is also on the rise. Irelands recently proposed budget, published on December 7th 2010, made dramatic cuts in all areas, and it is predicted that it will force many people to become homeless.

The budget, which made a 36% slash in the social housing budget, and a 6% cut in HSE (Health Service Executive) department, will also keep the many 5000 people currently homeless in Dublin, trapped living in long term homelessness.

INCREASEIN NUMBERSOF HOMELESS PEOPLEON STREETS

recession

“The question as to where alternative jobs would be found in an economy which has been over-inflated is not easy to answer”.

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recession streets

A young man writes his story on the pavements of Dublin city.

WHILST YOU ARE PASSING, PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME TO READ MY POEM, EACH HEART FELT LINE I RAN MY OWN BUSINESS FOR MANY HAPPY YEARS UNTIL BANKRUPTCY LEFT ME WITH NOTHING BUT TEARS YOU LOSE YOUR JOB, CANT PAY THE RENT END UP ON THE STREETS OR IN A TENT NOT ALL HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE LAZY OR WORK SHY EVERYBODY DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE IN LIFE TO FIND A JOB, A HOME, EVEN CHILDREN AND WIFE BUT THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE OR SO IT SEEMS SO NEVER GIVE IN OR ABANDON YOUR DREAMS AND ALWAYS STAY POSITIVE IN EVERYTHING YOU DO THE ANSWER TO YOUR PROBLEMS LIES WITHIN YOU TOUGH TIMES DON’T LAST FOREVER BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO WHERE I GO FROM HERE IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU AND WHEN INSIDE YOU FEEL LIKE CRYING DON’T GIVE UP OR CONSIDER NOT TRYING NEVER LET PEOPLE PUT YOU DOWN TRY TO KEEP SMILING AND NOT TO FROWN

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“What’s there for them in this country? If our generation are not given a role in rebuilding Ireland, we have no motivation to stay.”

Irelands bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, meant the introduction of a four year austerity plan. The plan is to cut public spending and increase taxes. It achieves savings through welfare cuts worth ten billion euros ($13.4 billion) and higher taxes, expected to bring in five billion ($6.7 billion), according to the green booklet titled National Recovery Plan 2011-2014. The minimum wage will be reduced by one euro ($1.34) to 7.65 ($10.25) an hour and public sector pay will be reduced by a total of 1.2 billion euros ($1.6 billion) over the four years. A beautiful incentive with anyone with legs to flea the country with dear life.

Ireland’s greatest export has always been its people, or so it has been said. The Emerald Isle seems to have a most tragic association with emigration. The Great Famine of the 1840s took a sizeable chunk of the then population of 8.2 million and set many of them off around the world. By the end of the 40’s, the effect had been so severe that about half of all immigration into the United States originated from Ireland.

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It seems that emigration of the young will also be a huge factor in Irelands most recent recession. Since the onset of the global recession in 2007, annual emigration from Ireland has steadily climbed from just under 15,000 to almost 30,000, according to the Central Statistics Office in Dublin. That includes Ireland’s best and the brightest, as Ireland’s college graduates see little hope of finding jobs under the fiscal squeeze, while Irish college students are facing huge increases in university fees. It is estimated that there are currently 100,000 unemployed graduates in the country and that every week, 100 graduates of the class of 2009 leave the country. The Union of Students of Ireland also expect that half of all of Irish graduates, amounting to about 150,000 people, will likely emigrate over the next five years. A huge number of highly qualified people that could help Ireland recover from the recession, if the conditions were right.

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transport 33

“The scheme has exceeded all expectations. Since its launch in September ‘09, we are heading for over 500,000 trips with a population of 1.2 million people in the Dublin region.” (April 12, 2010).

Paul Finan, Dublin council spokesman.

Dublin bikes were first introduced to Dublin city on Sun 13th September 2009. It is a public bicycle rental scheme that allows users to travel around the city of Dublin in a cost effective and environmentally friendly manner. The scheme uses four hundred and fifty French-made unisex bicycles. Dublin was the seventeenth city to begin using this scheme and its predecessors include Copenhagen, Lyon, and Paris. The scheme is sponsored by JCDecaux, a multinational corporation based in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, that is active primarily in advertising.

The scheme was announced by Dublin City Council in 2006 when it was agreed that JCDecaux would receive 72 free advertising spaces around Dublin. It is a fifteen year deal in return for the advertising company’s funding of the project.

450 bicycle stands were installed in groups of ten and twenty in forty locations around Dublin from June 2009. The scheme was opposed by An Taisce (National Trust for Ireland) who said it was “misuse of legislation by a local authority to facilitate a private development”. On 10 May 2010, Dublin city councilors voted for more advertising hoardings to be used to help fund the payments. More than 30,000 people have subscribed, when the council had only predicted 1500 subscribers so early on in the project. On 14 August 2010, it was announced that the scheme had reached its one-millionth trip.

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dublinbikes 35

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Dublin bike station on O’Connell street.

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L O C A T I O N S

station

Approximately 1000 people used the bicycles in the first six hours, and another 1000 people subscribed to use them. Some 11,000 people applied in the first fortnight and Dublin City Council’s supply of subscriber cards was reduced to zero, with the Council having initially targeted a 5,000 person uptake in the first year.

More than 25,000 people had applied to take part in the scheme by March 2010. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley said after the launch this level of uptake indicated the new “mainstream” approach to cycling in Ireland. Due to the success of the scheme in its first year, a first phase of expansion has begun which will see an extra 100 bikes, 4 new stations and 400 new bike stands being added to the Dublin bikes network.

During the short-term hire, a three-day ticket gives you access to all the benefits of the Dublin bikes service. If you only want to use the Dublin bikes now and again, or you are a visitor to Dublin, the three-day ticket is the best option. These tickets are convenient; great value for money and can be purchased from any of the fourteen credit card terminals for just two euro.

You can purchase you three-day ticket at the credit card terminals. It does not however accept maestro cards, visa debit cards or cash. The first half an hour is free with an additional cost attached once the thirty minutes are up. It is very unlikely however that you will go over the thirty minute period as most destination in the city can be reached within that time frame, and if not, you can easily find and replace you bicycle at one of the forty station available. Once you have purchased you three-day ticket, the cyclist will need to keep their ticket throughout the duration of the subscription. The card contains an id number and pin that is acquired when collecting a bike.

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You can become a long-term cardholder of Dublin bikes for a yearly payment of ten euro. With this option, you are free to rent a Dublin bike all year around, with no additional fee. You will also receive a membership card, which is used when hiring and returning the bikes. In order to become a long-term cardholder, you must register your details online, and set up a Dublin bikes account. You will pay a €150 deposit for liability purposes. Once registration is complete, you have access to the bike rental service for one whole year, and are free to travel and explore the city in a new and exciting fashion.

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does

When using the Dublin bikes you have an option to become a loyal fan of db or just a casual user. One option is the long-term plan, allowing you to become an official member for one year at a reasonable price of ten euro per annum. The second option is a three-day pass, which can be purchased at fourteen of the credit terminals. You can get this sweet pass for a very reasonable two euro.

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How

Dublin-bikes is a self-service bike rental system open to everyone from fourteen years of age.

With forty stations and four hundred and fifty bikes available, it enables you to travel through the city centre, commute between home and work and get out and about to enjoy Dublin city at your leisure. There are forty Dublin bike stations distributed throughout the city centre to enable easy access and optimal use. Located in close proximity to each other, every station has a minimum of 15 stands in situ making it easy to enjoy the biking service.

All stations are equipped for long-term and three day ticket users. Fourteen of the forty terminals allow you to purchase a three-day ticket. Once purchased, you can use the three-day ticket similar to the long-term hire card to rent or return a db to any station in the network. The first thirty minutes of use is free on every journey. After the first half-hour, a service charge will apply, but until then, you can roam the streets of Dublin city for free! A great way to see the city, travel to work, and take on a healthier method of transportation.

it work?

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When hiring or returning a bike, log in at the terminal using your Dublin bike longterm pass or three day pass.

Enter your pin and select your bike. When hiring a bike out, you have approximately sixty seconds to press the unlock button of your designated bicycle. You have five seconds to remove it from the stand. So don’t be “dilly dallying”. When returning your bicycle, simply locate the nearest station. An audio signal of two beeps and a green indicator light on the stand confirms that the db is locked correctly and your usage is complete. Once you receive confirmation that your db is locked and secure, you are ready to embark on your next journey of exploration

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The Dublin bikes are designed for both comfort and safety. They are unisex bikes suitable for everyone fourteen and upward. They have three gears and a comfortable cushioned saddle. They have nonslip handles for them rainy days and anti-splash and rear mug guards, which is sure to come in very useful. Not only are they weather friendly but safe too. They have automatic and rear lights that operate day and night. Reflective strips on wheels and pedals, front and rear brakes, a bike rest and a bell! They also have an anti theft lock to put your mind at ease. With this deluxe package, the fashion police wont be picking you up anytime soon.

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Richard O’Shea, Dublin commuter.

Cycling can be one of the most efficient forms of transportation, especially when travelling around a heavily populated and traffic congested city like Dublin. It is more efficient than walking, and at times, can require less energy. It is also better for the environment than other transportation modes. Although there are carbon emissions in the construction and delivery of a bicycle, this is far less than the carbons released using other forms of transportation such as driving a car, or taking a taxi.

Cycling has now become a new form of fashion it seems. Although it is very popular in other European Cities, such as Amsterdam, it was only in recent years that it became a hit within Dublin. Many urban outlets have brought in cool and funky bikes to sell in their stores, one of which being Topshop; a British clothes store which sells produce in over twenty countries around the world. So along with keeping fit, saving money, and being good to the environment, you can also be cool and hip while cycling.

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“I used to spend an hour at the gym and an hour driving. Now, I get my commuting and exercise in, and I save gas money, it’s a win-win situation”.

With cycling you can say goodbye to restricted parking zones, irregular public transport, the last bus home and grid locked traffic. On a bike you can be flexible and spontaneous, you can see your city while keeping fit and healthy, and at a very cost effective price.

Once you have cycled and tested your route, you will find that your journey time is predictable, bringing you peace of mind, rather than driving to work and arriving in stressed and late.

You will be surprised how quick a cyclist can cycle in and around the city while avoiding the chaotic traffic jams and congestions. You will become the master of the roads and be giggling at those stuck with the endless sight of traffic.

The awareness for cycling has increased in recent years, and the government realizes the benefits it can have for both the cyclists and the city. Many schemes and projects have been set up to encourage people to embrace cycling, and allow it to become part of their daily regime. One scheme that was set up by the government allowed an employee or employer to purchase a bicycle and its accessories tax free to the value €1000.

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Dublin City can be a highly congested with traffic delaying you from work, leisure, school runs and more. Getting around Dublin by bike means you don’t have to worry about being stuck behind traffic, restricted by bus timetables or unreliable sources of transportation. The stress of a free parking space, parking meters and tickets are erased. All you need to worry about is purchasing the right safety equipment, attaching your helmet and shin guards and being on your way.

Cycling is the fastest way to get around the city, and if you arrive by bike, yellow lines and clampers are no longer a concern. More often than not, you can park right outside your destination. Unlike a car, to use the roads, a cyclist does not need to pay motor tax, NCT or breakdown cover and, above all, there aren’t any fuel bills. The average person spends around €1.20 a day on fares or petrol, changing to cycling could save over €200 a year, allowing you to spend your additional cash on other fun and interesting things, or even on improving you bicycle.

DUBLIN Cycling is the least polluting way of travelling after walking. Ten bikes can be parked in the space of one car and 2kg of carbon are saved for every short journey that is made using a bike instead of a car. Cars produce an average of 0.3kg of CO2 per km travelled. Cycling 10km each way to work instead of driving saves an average of 1.3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year and reduces the effects of global warming.

Substituting car trips with bike trips also helps the environment by reducing noise pollution and a long list of nasty chemicals in our air like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons.

Along with arriving at places in a timely fashion and having control over when you do or don’t get somewhere, cycling is a great way to keep fit.

Regular cyclists are as fit as an average person 10 years younger. It is estimated that they live two years longer than non-cyclists and breathe in less pollution from traffic than car drivers.

Fact: Twenty minutes of gentle cycling burns up to 100 calories. Cycling also raises your metabolic rate, helping you to maintain a healthy weight.

Riding a bike firms the thighs and bottom, while simultaneously working the lower abdominal muscles, taking you that bit closer to the elusive toned tummy look, what is there to loose.

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“Dublin bus is a fantastic way to get around the city. I am a college student studying multi-media at DIT Angier.St, and find that its quick and easy system to use. I also make great use of the student travel card, which allows me to purchase an unlimited travel pass every week.” (April 12, 2010).

Dublin bus operates by using an Auto fare and ticketing system. An auto fare is where the customer will insert the exact fare, in coins into a fare box, in return for a bus ticket. If the passenger inserts more than the exact fare, the bus driver will issue you a receipt at the bottom of your fare ticket, with the amount that you are due. The passenger can then present their ticket to Dublin Bus offices located on 59 Upper O’Connell Street for a refund. The purpose of this system is to provide safety for the drivers, and also to make the service more efficient.

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Cathy Flynn, multi-media student at DIT.

Dublin Bus is a subsidiary company set up on 2 February under the terms of the Transport Act 1987. Dublin Bus is the main public transport provider for the residents of Dublin, and has multiple buses operating around the city as well as the extending areas on the outskirts of the city. It is estimated that Dublin Bus carries up to 150 million passengers each year and transports up to 70% of all public commuters into the city during peak times. Since 2001, they have been working towards providing an entire fleet of buses that is low floor wheelchair accessible, so far 88% of their buses are low floor wheelchair accessible, and hope to have full accessibility by 2012. Dublin Bus provide a range of bus services including – Radical, Cross City, Orbital, Dart feeder, Airport Services, Xpresso, Nitelink, Raillink, Schoollink and Sightseeing tours.

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Dublin Bus provides many bus services within Dublin city and to and from the surrounding areas. These services include city bus services, Railink, School link, Airlink, Nitelink and DART feeder buses. Dublin Bus also operates day tours which can be used to see the city in a new way, and has recently added some new and exciting tours for visitors wanting to explore to city from a new perspective.

Xpresso is a special service provided by Dublin Bus to allow faster and more efficient bus travel for passengers during rush hour traffic. Xpresso routes are more direct than many other bus routes and cut down journey time between destinations. These routes also have fewer stops and therefore, offer passengers a quicker service.

Airlink Dublin Bus operates services between Dublin city centre and Dublin Airport. The Airlink coach service departs from outside the Arrivals Hall at Dublin Airport and Busรกras in the city centre.

School Link: Dublin Bus is responsible for the school service, which is operated by private contractors. The service is supervised by Dublin Bus and all coaches are clearly marked and have the Dublin Bus logo on the front, back and side.

The service is available to any child who attends primary or post-primary school in Dublin. Coaches will pick up and set down at Dublin Bus stops.

NightLink The Nitelink service operated by Dublin Bus is a late night bus service to the suburbs of the city. The service runs Monday to Saturday throughout the year. First departure of the night is at 12.30am. Most services will operate until 4.30am, but some routes, e.g., Swords and Greystones, operate a more limited service due to the length of the journey. Fares depend on your journey and will be either 4 euro or 6 euro. You can buy your ticket at the bus stop.

Bus bus also runs bustext which is a Dublin Bus timetable service delivered to you via text message. It operates by sending your bus number to their text line, and you receive the timetable of your bus that day. You only pay for the texts you send, the texts you receive are free.

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“I have been involved with the scheme for the last seven years and I have seen first hand the huge difference these grants make to local community groups”.

runs like clock work

Niall Quinn, the programme’s patron, Chairman of Sunderland F.C.

DUBLIN BUS 37

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BUS

Dublin bus also play an active role in the communities they serve, and have got involved in many community projects over the past few years. One of their most recent projects was the Dublin Bus community support program. With this scheme, Dublin Bus uses the money from unclaimed bus ticket change, to support community groups in the areas where Dublin Bus operates. This year they have around €250,000 to give away to local communities where they operate.

Dublin Bus is open to supporting all kinds of projects from environmental improvement schemes to supporting youth and sports clubs. They have also helped those involved in education and cared for the elderly or people with disabilities. There are grants of €1,000, €2,000 and €5,000 available and the application procedure is usually a simple process.

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“People seem to be interested in walking as a health benefit, but here, we’re seeing it’s not just cardiovascular health and other kinds of physical health that are important, but psychological health as well”.

Robert Thayer, a professor of psychology at California State University, Long Beach.

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The positive consequences of walking as a healthy mode of transportation, or as a purely recreational activity, span across many aspects of our lives. The benefits can include a healthier lifestyle, good for the environment, improve your quality of life, reduce traffic or just to have fun. There are also economic benefits to walking, as you can save money on gas, car taxes, parking spaces or even parking fines.

As many are aware, Dublin city can suffer from severe traffic congestion. This congestion can have negative effects on the city and its environment. Those who walk can escape the packed buses, gridlock, and fares. Walking is also a great way to improve your physical and mental health. It is light on your joints, nearly everyone can do it and there is minimal equipment needed to participate. Walking can also burn a substantial amount of calories and can have a significant impact on your figure.

There are also major benefits of walking as it relates to stress and other mental wellness issues. When you are walking, you can separate yourself from some of the stress in your day. It gives you a break from your computer, your phone and your busy lifestyle. The mental break and fresh air can help you unwind from a stressful day, and have a therapeutic effect as well as getting in your daily exercise.

fancy a walk ??

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Exploring Dublin city is a year-round and fun-filled activity. There is a wide variety of choice that tourist and locals can choose from, and can travel and explore by bus, bike, or foot. The great thing about Dublin, is that it is relatively small in compassion to other European cities. Many attractions can be close in vicinity, and visitors can easily stroll the streets of Dublin while frequently coming across historic landmarks or quartky sites to visit.

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Another benefit of walking and exploring the city is that you can travel on your own watch. You can be free of tour groups, and timetables, and feel what it is like to roam the streets and mingle with the local. Dublin is a wonderful place for live music and entertainment, Grafton Street and temple bar, amongst the most popular spots. While walking you can take in the atmosphere, have a pint or a cup of coffee, and enjoy the “craic agus ceol� that Dublin has to offer. The traditional Irish pub-crawl is also an attraction where walking can be beneficial. The Irish are known for their high tolerance for alcohol, and down for a good time, which is no false stereotype. Visitors can get involved in the banter and experience the live traditional music. In these cases, a five minute stroll from one pub to the next can be a great way to clear you head, and prepare yourself for the next pint!

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“I visited the Dublin Flea Market, and I was enchanted. The atmosphere is great, very laid-back and full of color. The stalls are a mix of everything from gorgeous vintage clothes, jewelry, old books and boxes full of random gadgets.

It was wonderful. My only regret is not buying more bargain items�.

Siobhan Ford, marketing student at UCD .

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Dublin Flea Market is open to anyone wanting to sell second hand goods or to look for a good bargain. So whether you are clearing out the attic, leaving the country, strapped for cash or just looking for a good day out, it is the place to go. Applications for stall holders are done on a monthly basis. You need to individually apply for each month you are interested in. The link on the website is open for two weeks from the morning after the previous flea has taken place.

Dublin Flea market runs on the last weekend of every month. It traditionally begins at 11am and continues till 5pm, but traders can and will set up stalls by the early hours of the morning so shoppers are free to roam and bargain. Rent for the stall is collected on the day of trading, and your position will be allocated before you arrive. There is also the option of indoor or outdoor shopping. Along with shopping and bargaining, there are great food and beverage options that you can choose from after a long day. You can sit back, listen and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the traders, as you relax contentedly with a hot cup of coffee or a freshly cut piece of quiche

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The Flea Market is all about bargains and that is what people come and look for when they attend. It is a market of second hand knick knacks, bits-n-bobs, bric-a-brac, household goods, clothes and furniture, vintage, retro, pre-loved and unloved. It is a place where you may find childhood relics you once had, antique shoes or clothing or something completely out of the ordinary that you would have never had expected to find.

Dublin Flea Market is a non profit driven social enterprise that promotes sustainability and opportunity in the wider community. It is as much about innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration as it is about fun, haggling and friendship. It is a place where buyers and sellers can go to haggle and bargain for a good price on goods. A place that is always enriched with good people, a friendly atmosphere and lively bantering. It is a great way to spend an after noon, and to pick up some great deals.

Dublin Flea Market takes placed in Haymarket, Dublin 7, Co. Dublin and is just a Luas line away from the heart of the city centre. A great location to start your day’s shopping, where you can pick up a bargain or two, a good wholesome lunch and make your way into the city to purchase some more goods. If you have not been to the market, it is a shopping experience, and one that you should try to experience during these harsh economic times.

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“The flea market’s great because it encourages people to recycle clothes, instead of falling for the ‘disposable clothes’ idea that some of the cheaper shops encourage”.

Anne Marie Butler, DCU student and regular customer at Dublin flea market.

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The Dublin flea market attracts an array of dealers and sales people from all around the city. There are many unique and interesting sellers at the market. Some are individuals who have cherished and collectible items that they are willing to part with at reasonable prices. Some people have an abundance of valuable goods, that they find they can no longer fit into their wardrobe and are willing to sell it off. Others are there to make money, and some big sales on furniture items while others are there to make a little profit. Many people go for the fun and enjoyment of mingling with others and soaking up the atmosphere. I wouldn’t be surprised if some people go just to enjoy a nice lunch, with some home made quiche or apple pie.

Buyers can choose from a range of products that they can potentially purchase.

There are antique clothing, old cd’s and records that many have not seen since the nineties. There are hats, scarves and gloves that you can buy on the cheap to use to wrap up in the winter, or little antique accessories that you can use to jazz up a good outfit. Some dealers sell old sixties furniture, others sell old and worn shoes. Many of the sales are great bargains, some admittedly are fit for the bin, but one mans trash can be another mans treasure. These days every style and fashion era seem to be accepted if not embraced, so having a wander and considering buying some wacky clothes may be a good idea, even an investment.

There are also great posters available for purchase at the flea market each month, every poster is individual and designed by a different artist. They usually sell for five euro each, and the money is donated to a charity. Along with great poster art, antique furniture, quirky clothing and people, the flea market provides an unbelievable selection of gourmet and homemade foods to choose from each month. So good that it is nearly worth a visit down for a nice lunch. Some of the delicious food types available include homemade scones, stew, packed sandwiches and much more.

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Moore street market has long been a great tourist attraction and a fantastic place to get some great photographs. It is also renowned for its wholesome fruit and vegetables. The street area has been included in many guides throughout the years as a place to visit, and see the “rare aul times” of Dublin City. The Market is a street in central Dublin, which intersects Henry Street. It is considered to be a famous landmark on the north side of the city. It is also notable as one of Dublin’s oldest food markets.

Many Dubliners have a great affection for Moore Street, and especially its vendors. The most famous product for sale is fruit, and the people who work at the stalls have a reputation for being witty and friendly. They and their stalls are considered to be a Dublin institution, and they usually speak in a strong Dublin accent. The low rent and small units also attracted some Asian and African entrepreneurs over the years. Here you can buy Indian spices by the pound, African vegetables, and frozen fish straight from the Yellow sea. It was from a terrace on this street that Padraig Pearse proclaimed the surrender of the Irish rebel forces, on 30 April 1916, after the failed Easter Rising.

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The Dublin City Council were planning to demolish houses within the area in an attempt to redevelop. This was met however by strong opposition by various groups who believed the premises to be an important part of Irish history. Some referred to the location as “Ireland’s Alamo”, as the houses at numbers 14-17 on Moore st. was where the leaders of the 1916 rebellion made their last stand. Number 16 Moore Street is said to be where Irish rebel leaders made the decision to surrender to British forces. Because of its history, the terraces were declared a national monument in 2007, guaranteeing their retention. Continuous plans for the €1.25 billion retail and residential scheme for O’Connell Street remain controversial. At Easter Rising commemorations in April 2009, Campaigners for the preservation of Moore Street said that the fiercest fighting in the 1916 Rebellion took place in houses on the terrace and the surrounding side streets. They wanted the terrace and surrounding area preserved for the centenary of the rising in 2016. The power to declare a site a National Monument currently rests with the Minister for the Environment.

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Many of the stall owners at Moore st. are part of families that have run the stalls for generations. Traditional street traders are woman, full with wit and character. They hawk their deals from one end of the street to the next, and you cant help but notice a bargain in waiting. They sell all kinds of goods, from fruit to vegetables to flashing Santa Claus hats at Christmas time. If wandering the streets of Dublin, you should take some time out to enjoy this truly cosmopolitan and colorful area. Afterwards you and then take a right into Henry Street to see South Dublin’s premier shopping street.

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Monday to Saturday dozens of traders set up their stalls, many of them specializing in fruit, vegetables and flowers. Prices tend to be reasonable to low and the typical Dublin banter is free. The permanent shops next to the stalls range from Irish family butchers to Lidl, the German supermarket giants. There are also dozens of small Asian and African shops filling the gaps between the stalls. Get everything from strawberries, bananas, and fresh cod as well as a lively conversation and an electric buzz. Go, mingle, purchase, explore and enjoy.

The Moore Street Market is a long-established Dublin tradition. The stalls sell everything from electrical gear to fresh fruit, vegetable and fish. There is no more authentic fruit and vegetable market in the city. The main stalls sell the food items but the Moore Street Market attracts all types and it is known to sell a variety of goods from lighters, bananas and Christmas crackers at Christmas time. It is a great place to pick up a bargain as well to enjoy an afternoon with some charismatic and friendly folk.

Moore Street itself is a semi-pedestrian zone and a blend of the old and new Dublin. It intersects with Henry street and leads to the Ilac shopping centre. It is a central location to start your days shopping and is surrounded by a bustling city with various shops and restaurants. It is also fifty yards from the Dublin spire; a 121 meter high stainless steel monument. So if you ever get lost, all you need to do is look up!

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Moore Street markets is known for its open air stalls and charismatic dealers, but more than that, it is known for its fresh fruit, vegetable and fish stalls, at extremely reasonable prices. At the market you will find everything that you can imagine in the fruit and vegetable category: from red peppers to white garlic’s and yellow bananas to green cucumbers. It is fresh produce everyday, and with the volume of people that pass through the street, it is sure to not last long. The continuous lines and stalls of colorful fruit and vegetables, makes you want to go shopping and steal a daily bargain every time. A great place to pick up fresh and wholesome produce at a reasonable and affordable price.

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Moore Street also holds a great fish market. Open to the public Monday through Saturday, it is a central place to pick up some fresh fish for the day. Moore Street has a great history. The street takes its name from Henry Moore. The Moore family came to Ireland in the sixteenth century.

They became owners of the land around St Mary’s Abbey, which was located off what Capel Street, and the surrounding area. In the eighteenth century they decided to divide their land by building streets through it. Henry Moore was the Earl of Drogheda and felt he was an important man, so he called four of these streets after himself: Moore Street, Henry Street, Earl Street and Drogheda Street. Drogheda Street was later called Sackville Street and then became known as O’ Connell Street, which one of the most famous streets in Dublin today.

In the nineteenth century Moore Street became famous for its victuallers, poultry shops and butchers. A victualler is an old word for a grocery shop. Soon the number of fruit and vegetable stalls increased and Moore Street became the largest market in Dublin. There were many other markets around Moore Street, such as the Rotunda Market, Taaffe’s Market, the Norfolk Market, and Anglesea Market, which was famous for second-hand clothes, shoes and furniture. In 1972 all these markets were removed and the ILAC Centre was built in their place. Moore Street is one of the last remaining markets, which still exists and strives in the bustling city centre.

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Ireland is renowned for its legendary fish and chips. It is fast food, and generally take-away. The food is deep fried and full of deliciousness. It is common to soak the chips in salt and vinegar, and is a delight on the way home, after an evening of entertainment. One of the most famous fish and chip shop in Dublin is the legendary Leo Burdocks. Established in 1913, it is the quintessential Irish take-away shop. It is situated across from Christ Church Cathedral and is visited everyday from local residents to worldwide travelers. It has also been visited by some of the most famous and well-known artists around the world, some including Tom Cruise and Liam Neeson.

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Another market in Dublin city that was famous for its fish and fresh produce was the Smithfield market. Smithfield market is located on St. Michan’s Street just behind Capel Street in the centre of Dublin. It was a place where wholesome fruit and vegetables were sold. Laid out in the mid 17th century as a marketplace, it used to be lined with inner city “farm yards” housing livestock.

Although the fish market has only recently been demolished, it has a great history as one of the most renowned fruit, vegetable, and fish markets in the city. With its quiet cobbled area, it creates a relaxing breathing space where shoppers can escape the hustle and bustle of the inner city, and shop in peace and with ease. The market opens on the first Sunday of every month, and a great place to shop, unwind and relax.

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“When I visited Trinity College Dublin, I found there was quiet ambience that called for concentration and reflection. The campus was well conceived and harmoniously balanced, and the library was a magnificent feast for the eyes. I truly enjoyed my visit there”.

Arthur Smith, recent visitor of Dublin City.

Originally established outside the city walls of Dublin in the buildings of the Augustinian monastery of All Hallows, Trinity was set up in part to consolidate the rule of the Tudor monarchy in Ireland. It was seen as the university of the Protestant Ascendancy for much of its history.

Although Roman Catholics had been permitted to enter as early as 1753, certain restrictions on their membership of the college remained until 1873. Women were first admitted to the college as full members in 1904.

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Trinity College was founded in 1592 and is the oldest university in Ireland. It was the first Irish university established on a permanent basis. Though it had long been agreed that there was great need for a native university, shortage of funds and inability to agree on a site delayed its foundation. In 1592, Trinity College was established with the help of Dublin Corporation and Adam Loftus, the Protestant archbishop of Dublin. Though Queen Elizabeth expressed the hope that it would provide for the education of all Irish youth, the fact that it was firmly Protestant and modeled on a Cambridge college ensured that its students were largely Protestant and New English.

Trinity College Dublin is currently recognized internationally as Ireland’s premier university and is ranked in 52nd position in the top 100 world universities and 14th position in the top 200 European universities by the QS World University Rankings 2010. Among many famous students to attend the college were playwrights Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Beckett. Trinity’s lawns and cobbled quads provide a pleasant haven in the heart of the city. The major attractions include the Old Library and the famous Book of Kells.

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Supremely located in the heart of Dublin, Trinity College stands as the gem of Ireland, and is a great place to check out if visiting Dublin. Some of the attractions of Trinity College include:

The Samuel Beckett Theatre is named after one of the most innovative playwrights of the 20th century and was opened in 1992 to celebrate the quarter centenary of Trinity College Dublin. It is the campus theatre of the University’s Department of Drama. During the University term, it showcases the work of the Department and its courses, while outside term time hosts visits from some of the most prestigious dance and theatre companies from Ireland, Europe, Japan and the United States. Regular events at the Samuel Beckett Theatre include the Dublin Fringe Festival and the Dublin Theatre Festival.

Trinities Science Gallery is a world first. It is new type of venue where today’s hot scientific issues are thrashed out and people can have their say. A place where ideas meet and opinions collide. The exhibitions change on a regular basis and throughout each exhibition, there are events, talks, debates and workshops that give the audience a chance to get involved. Exhibitions are free and also are some of the events.

Founded in 1978, it became independent of Trinity College in 1984. For some years afterward, it was the only publicly funded gallery in Ireland that regularly exhibited contemporary Art. The exhibition program has a wide and ranging selection of work, including shows by major international artists as well as by emerging Irish artists. More recently, the development of contemporary art exhibition programs by other galleries and museums in Dublin has meant that the Douglas Hyde Gallery’s role has changed. While its general direction remains the same in that they still hold exhibitions by major figures in the contemporary art world. The program has become more focused than before by frequently engaging with art that has been marginalized, and with artists, both from Ireland and abroad, who have not yet become well known or who have been overlooked. They also regularly hold small exhibitions of ethnographic and craft artifacts. The gallery is known to publish small books and catalogues that are known and distributed all over the world, and occasionally hosts musical events.

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The Old Library and Book of Kells exhibition has been considered a must see when walking around the streets of Dublin. You begin by walking through the cobbled stones of Trinity College and are brought back to the 18th century Dublin, when the magnificent Old Library building was constructed. Inside is housed the Book of Kells - a 9th-century gospel manuscript famous throughout the world. Visitors enter through the Library Shop and proceed to the Book of Kells “Turning Darkness into Light” exhibition. You are then brought to the Treasury where the Book of Kells and other related manuscripts are on view. Afterwards you precede upstairs to the magnificent Long Room which houses 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books in its oak bookcases.

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“When I visited Trinity College and saw the long room library, I was completely astonished. Surely there couldn’t be a more beautiful place for a bibliophile. It is definitely one of Ireland’s treasures”.

Thomas Philips, Dublin tourist.

The main chamber of the Old Library is the Long Room, and is nearly 65 meters in length. It is filled with 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books. When built (between 1712 and 1732) it had a flat plaster ceiling and shelving for books was on the lower level only, with an open gallery. By the 1850s these shelves had become completely full, largely because the Library had been given the right to claim a free copy of every book published in Britain and Ireland in 1808. In 1860 the roof was raised to allow construction of the present barrel-vaulted ceiling and upper gallery bookcases. Other treasures in the Long Room include one of the few remaining copies of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic which was read outside the General Post Office on 24 April 1916 by Patrick Pearse at the start of the Easter Rising. The harp is the oldest of its kind in Ireland and probably dates from the 15th century. It is made of oak and willow with 29 brass strings. It is the model for the emblem of Ireland.

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The history of Trinities Library dates back to the establishment of the College in 1592 and it is currently the largest library in Ireland. Today it has five million printed volumes with extensive collections of journals, manuscripts, maps and music reflecting over 400 years of academic development. The most famous of its manuscripts are the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow, which were presented by Henry Jones, Bishop of Meath and former vice-chancellor of the University, in the 1660s. Other special collections include the Ussher Collection acquired in 1661 and the Fagel Collection of 1802. The Library supports the learning and research needs across all disciplines of the College. It is a major research library of international repute and provides services to a wide range of external users and institutions. It contributes to the development of creative initiatives and its exhibitions of manuscripts and other treasures attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to visit the Old Library each year.

Admission into the old Library include the viewing of , The Book of Kells, Turning Darkness into Light exhibition, Long Room and the Current Long Room exhibition. Adult: €9.00 Students/OAP: €8.00 Family Ticket: €18 Under 12 years old Free.

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The GPO was at first located in a small building on the site of where the Commercial Buildings used to be, now the Central Bank off Dame Street. It was afterwards moved to a larger house opposite the Bank of Ireland building on College Green. Construction began for the purpose built offices on August 1814, and was completed in January 1818, at a cost of £50,000. On 6 January, the new post-office on O’Connell Street was opened for business.

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The General Post Office (locally referred to as The GPO) in Dublin is the headquarters of the Irish postal service, An Post. A historic landmark situated in the centre of O’Connell Street, the GPO is one of Ireland’s most famous buildings, and was the last of the great Georgian public buildings erected in the capital.

The building was designed by architect Francis Johnston in a Greek revival style. The main section was made using Wicklow granite and the portico was made from Portland stone. The statues on the roof were designed by sculptor John Smyth. They depict Hibernia, a classical representation in female form of the island of Ireland, with Fidelity to one side and Mercury to the other.

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The GPO became a symbol of the 1916 Easter Rising; an uprising effort by Irish republicans to end the British rule in Ireland and establish an Irish Republic. During the Easter Rising, the GPO served as the headquarters of the uprising’s leaders. Members of the Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army seized the building on Easter Monday and Patrick Pearse read out the Proclamation of the Irish Republic from its steps.

During the Rising, the GPO was one of three Dublin landmarks—the Four Courts and the Custom House to be destroyed in the fighting. The assault by the British forces made extensive damage to the building. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1929.

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The original columns outside are still pocked with bullet-marks. An original copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic is on permanent display in the GPO philatelic office. The building has remained a symbol of Irish nationalism.

In commemoration of the Rising, a statue depicting the death of the mythical hero Cúchulainn sculpted by Oliver Sheppard in 1911 is housed in the front of the building. Despite its fame as an iconic place of Irish freedom, ground rent continued to be paid to English and American landlords until the 1980s.

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The Dublin Spire as known as “the monument of light” was the winning entry in an architectural competition to provide a replacement for Nelson’s Pillar. The Nelson Pillar was originally a giant column of stone with a statue of Admiral Nelson on top. In 1966, the IRA blew the pillar up, as they considered it a sign of British Imperialism. After a planning appeal and a High Court case, the Spire finally got the go ahead. It was erected between December 2002 and January 2003 to great public excitement. It is located at the junction of Henry Street, Earl Street and O’Connell Street. This site was always considered the centre of Dublin.

One of the beautiful features about the structure is that it looks different under every lighting condition. At night, its stainless steel surface resembles black satin, while early morning and last light gave it a steely blue color. In daytime under bright sunlight, it doesn’t look real from a distance, instead it looks like a computer simulation.

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The structure was designed by Ian Ritchie Architects, who sought an “Elegant and dynamic simplicity bridging art and technology”. The contract was awarded to SIAC-Radley JV and it was manufactured by Radley Engineering of Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. The spire is one hundred and twenty meters tall, making it by far the tallest structure in Dublin city centre. It is three meters wide at the base and tapers to a 15 centimentre wide beacon at the top. The top section is perforated and lit by small LEDs.

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“I have not visited Dublin in a few years, and I am delighted to see that the streets are still alive with street performances and entertainers. I was amazed by the abundance and skill the performers had to offer. It made for some pretty surreal street art”.

John Vincent, recent visitor of Dublin City.

Dublin City and its streets can be a haven for entertainment. One can walk down Grafton St. or through Temple Bar, and be sure to find some live music , stilt walkers, living statues, magicians, or even fire breathers. Dublin is rich with culture, art, color and food, which attract entertainers and performers from around the world.

Another popular festival which takes place each year is the Oxygen Music Festival. It has been held in Ireland each year since 2004 and has been cited as Ireland’s biggest music festival. Oxegen has attracted significant attention from outside Ireland, and many travel overseas to the experience the three-day madness. It has attracted huge names in the past, and continues to do so. Some of the past performers include The Killers, Snow Patrol, The Prodigy and R.E.M. It is also a popular spot for celebrities, and some of those who have attended past festivals include television personality Chris Pontius, actor Josh Hartnett, and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones.

Oxegen, for two consecutive years, was named as the Best European Festival in a poll, which included festivals from France, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom.

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Festivals are also a huge part of Irish culture. Dublin attracts all sorts of festivals and people throughout the year.

Festivals range from music, food, fashion and film. Some of the most popular festivals include the St. Patrick’s Celebrations, which takes place on March 17th each year. This festival usually attracts large numbers of people from around the world, who want to see and experience the true St.Patricks day festivities with the Irish. On this day, visitors are sure to see large amounts of consumed alcohol, be exposed to the ultimacy of salt and vinegar fish and chips, know what its like to witness a sea full of green people, wearing hats, scarf’s and painted faces.

Experience the Michael Flaherty Irish jig, begin to love traditional Irish music and live to say “I survived Paddy’s day in Dublin!”.

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Dublin city is a great place to see some live and energetic street performances. There are all types of talented and interesting people out to make your day that little bit more entertaining and carefree.

Although most of the entertainers are there to make a days shilling, there are also many performers who are there for the greater good of others. One day of entertainment that took place on Grafton St. was for the aid of Barretstown. Barretstown is a renowned camp within Ireland that is specially designed to provide therapeutic recreation programs for children with cancer and other serious illnesses.

The camp was founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman in 1994 and is modeled from his well-known Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut, USA. It provides excellent, unobtrusive medical supervision that helps children with cancer and other diseases. It helps them forget illness, learn to have fun and rebuild their confidence and self-esteem. The children, aged from seven to seventeen, come from Ireland and more than twenty other European countries to take part in the wide range of activities the camp has to offer, such as arts and crafts, canoeing and outdoor adventures.

The programs take place at a fairytale castle in the beautiful foothills of Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains.

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“When I visited Dublin, I was thrilled to see so many markets and stalls. Temple bar is a must see. During the market days, it is like a culinary trip with hundreds of gourmet delicacies on display, full of color and irresistible. A true delight to visit.�.

Victoria Moffit, Dublin tourist.

Dublin city is a great place to pick up a daily deal or bargain at the outdoor stalls. While you walk along the streets, you are bound to come across some fun and funky street stands. Some of the stalls sell hats, scarves, paintings or posters. While others sell hand made jewelry, wall plaques, CDs, tapes or records.

Some of the merchandise can be regarded as antique, while other merchandise can be brand new, just sold at a lower and more reasonable price. One of the most popular places for stall buying and selling is in the George Street Arcade, visited by tourists and locals everyday. It has a unique atmosphere and seems to be full of warmth, personality and humor every time you visit. There are over forty shops and stalls in the arcade selling everything for men, woman, children, collectables, antiques, even hairdressing accessories and you are guaranteed to find something extra special or unique. There are also a few restaurants and bars there for you to take the weight of your feet after a hard days shopping.

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Temple Bar is also a wonderful landmark to visit, full or culture, color, great shops and delicious food types.

It is known to be the centre of music and drama and holds open markets weekly or monthly. One of the markets that takes place there is the Temple Bar Food Market, which opens every Saturday 10am – 4.30pm on the Meeting House Square. Many people spend hours there talking to the stallholders and sampling many of the delights that the market has to offer. Some of the produce includes reads, cheeses, Spanish tapas, olives, yoghurt and preserves, cakes, homemade jam, organic meat, sushi, or even Croatian specialties.

There is also an Indian stall, which specializes in vegetarian dishes, snacks and finger food as well as chutneys & pickles. It is a place that is definitely one of the cities treasures, and a place to be visited if looking for fresh and wholesome food. Yum.

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“Truth lies in proportions, not in size”.

Edward Delaney, a celebrated Irish sculptures

by Edward Delaney

Dublin city has a lot to offer to its residents and visitors when it comes to art. There are plenty of art galleries, museums, public exhibitions, and street art to keep a traveler amused for weeks. Some of these Galleries include The Hugh Lane Dublin City Gallery; where there is a constant exhibition of Frances Bacon’s studio – Terrible Beauty. There is a permanent collection from Auguste Rodin, Walter Osborne and Jack B.Yeats. Also on view are renowned paintings from the Hugh Lane Bequest of 1917, including La Musique aux Tuileries by Edouard Manet.

Bains de Mer by Edgar Degas, Lavacourt under Snow by Claude Monet and The Mantlepiece by Edouard Vuillard.

The National Gallery of Ireland is also a popular spot to visit when strolling around Dublin, and one can view some of Irelands and Europe’s most treasured art possessions. Located in the centre of Dublin, it can be entered from Merrion Square, beside the National History museum and Leinster House, which is the centre of government in Ireland, or from Clare Street. It was founded in 1854 and opened its doors ten years later. The Gallery has an extensive, representative collection of Irish painting and is also notable for its Italian Baroque and Dutch masters painting. Entry to the gallery is free.

Thomas Davis was a revolutionary Irish writer who was the chief organizer and poet of the Young Ireland movement.; a political, cultural and social movement of the mid-19th century.

He established The Nation; an Irish nationalist weekly newspaper with Charles Gavan Duffy and John Blake Dillon. He dedicated his life to Irish nationalism. Although he was a Protestant, he preached unity between Catholics and Protestants. To Davis, it was not blood that made you Irish, but the willingness to be part of the Irish nation. It has been noted by later nationalist heroes, such as Padraig Pearse, that while Wolfe Tone laid out the basic premise that Ireland as a nation must be free, Davis was the one who built this idea up promoting the Irish identity.

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The Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar is also a wonderful place to visit if looking for art within the City. Located at the heart of Dublin, the Project Arts Centre is one of the leading centers for Art. It has an extensive program covering everything from visual arts to dance, music and theatre. There are plenty of imaginative and exciting year-round projects that take place, and it allows people to see all forms of art. The centre has two performance spaces and a gallery. The gallery space presents a series of free exhibitions throughout the year. It is usually Irish and International, solo and group shows. It utilizes a variety of media and is open daily to the public, Monday through Saturday. The performance spaces showcase productions from some of Ireland’s most successful companies alongside the work of new and emerging artists. The Centre also hosts to a number of productions from local and internationally focused festivals including Dublin Writers Festival, Dublin Theatre Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival and Dublin Dance Festival.

Edward Delaney is one of the most celebrated Irish sculptures of the second half of the twentieth century. The Irish sculptor who died aged 79, is best known for his two major public monuments in Dublin, the Thomas Davis and Wolfe Tone memorials, which were unveiled in 1966 and 1967. Trained in Germany in the 1950s Delaney’s work was imbued with an aesthetic tradition from the experience of living and studying in post war Germany.

It seized on vital and fundamental imagery.

Working in bronze in the lost wax method Delaney’s figures attempt a seamless union of form, material and content. The Thomas Davis and Wolfe Tone memorials both show a marked departure for their time.

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The Garden of Remembrance is a beautiful, peaceful garden in the heart of Dublin city. It is a Georgian square at the northern end of O’Connell Street and located in the northern fifth of the former Rotunda Gardens in Parnell Square. It was designed by Dáithí Hanly and dedicated to the memory of all who gave their lives in the cause of Irish Freedom. The Garden commemorates freedom fighters from various uprisings, including: - the 1798 rebellion of the Society of United Irishmen - the 1803 rebellion of Robert Emmet - the 1848 rebellion of Young Ireland - the 1867 rising of the Fenian Brotherhood - the 1916 Easter Rising of the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army - the 1919-21 Irish War of Independence of the “Old” IRA. The garden is in the form of a sunken cruciform water-feature. The central large sculpture was designed by Oisín Kelly and is based on the theme of the “Children of Lir” symbolizing rebirth and resurrection. The garden is intended as a place of quiet remembrance and reflection. Oisín Kelly also designed the statue of James Larkin on O’Connell Street.

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The site of the Garden is where the Irish Volunteers were founded in 1913 and where several leaders of the 1916 Rising were held overnight before being taken to Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison, located in Kilmainham in Dublin. The Garden was opened in 1966 by president Eamon de Valera on the fiftieth anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

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The Huge Lane Gallery in Dublin city presented one of the first large scale public theatre exhibitions in Dublin, and was created by internationally renowned artist Julian Opie. The exhibition was entitled Julian Opie: Walking on O’Connell Street and was curated by Barbara Dawson. It comprised of five animated LED installations on the central median of O’Connell Street and on the forecourt of the Hugh Lane Gallery on Parnell Square. The animations connected The Hugh Lane Gallery with its renowned collection of figurative art to Dublin’s O’ Connell street.

Four of Opie’s animated figures - Sara, Julian, Jack and Suzanne were displayed walking on O’Connell Street in the direction of Parnell Square where Sara danced outside the Gallery.

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Julian Opie is widely recognized as one of the pre-eminent artists working with public sculpture today. His images are elemental in appearance but amongst the most complex and sophisticated in contemporary art practice. His highly stylized work involves the reduction of photographs or short films into figurative reproductions. His unique portraitures are characterized by black outlines with flat areas of color and details are reduced to his linear elemental style that captures the subject’s entire personality.

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank my faculty committee; Ginger Sheridan, David Smith and Brian Frus, who helped me throughout this process. It was a great learning curve and a wonderful experience to take on such an extensive project. I thank you for your guidance and patience.

I would also like to thank our senior seminar co-coordinators; Jim Benedict and Dana Chapman, who made this somewhat grueling and challenging course, fun, light hearted and witty at the best of times.

now its off to the real world

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“Having begun international travel at the age of 8, I quickly learned the value of inside information. If I want to have a great experience, I get an intelligent and insightful native to show me the ropes. Using this measurement, Louise Kiernan’s book is the perfect guide to Dublin; witty, deep and practical with plenty of eye appeal. Kiernan’s grasp of history, eco-friendly living and innovative design conspires to create an irresistibly optimistic view of Dublin. Like fellow Dubliner William Butler Yeats who admonished “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking” Kiernan is heating up our desire to DEVOUR DUBLIN. If you would rather enjoy Dublin like a native instead of a tourist, this is the book for you.”

Ginger Sheridan, professor of photography & world traveler

Devour Dublin is a highly imaginative and powerfully illustrated coffee table book. It is a book of history, education and resources. It focuses on the events surrounding Irelands most recent recession, including the days of the Celtic tiger and the transition from a once prosperous and booming economy to the current more challenging times faced with typical Irish charm and determinism.

The Irish people have a compelling story. An economy, which struggled in the eighties, prospered and grew in the nineties, and now in economic ruin in 2011. The politics behind the boom years transformed a once simple Ireland into the fastest growing economy of Europe. It was a hot-spot for building, businesses, growth and prosperity. Then came worldwide collapse, leaving the Irish feeling isolated and despondent.

We, the Irish people will suffer the consequences. Foolish banking and investment has left the country in one of the deepest recessions it has ever experienced. House prices have dropped by nearly fifty percent, unemployment rate is soaring, emigration figures are increasing and social welfare is struggling to cope with the influx into their system.

Devour Dublin is a by-product of what is happening within Ireland. It is an emotional reaction to how it is affecting the people. It then offers a possible solution by lifestyle changes. It encourages the reader to look upon the recession with a new perspective, to consider exciting, alternative methods of living. It is a way to potentially transform an extremely negative situation into one that is positive, uplifting and eye opening.