Dublin Inquirer

Fighting on O’Connell Street has never been so fun: The last few weeks, beneath the statue of Father Mathew, behind the Spire, groups of capoeristas have been practising their Brazillian martial art and game. https://www.dublininquirer.com/fighting-on-oconnell-street-has-never-been-so-fun/

What ever happened to the plan to transform Dorset Street? It included designating the street as an architectural conservation area, widening footpaths, installing a cycleway, and helping businesses transform their shopfronts. https://www.dublininquirer.com/what-ever-happened-to-the-plan-to-transform-dorset-street/

Mention of the “best interests of the child” was quietly dropped from the Department of Justice’s new family reunification policy. A spokesperson for Ireland’s Ombudsman for Children said it is “very concerned”. https://www.dublininquirer.com/mention-of-best-interests-of-the-child-quietly-dropped-from-department-of-justices-new-family-reunification-policy/

Works are to begin in August to make pedestrianisation of Malahide’s New Street permanent, a council engineer says. The expected timeline is the 18 months plus the breaks over the summer and winter months, said Shane McMorrow, at a recent council committee meeting. https://www.dublininquirer.com/works-to-begin-in-august-to-make-pedestrianisation-of-malahides-new-street-permanent-council-engineer-says/

Irish Water scaled back tests on Balbriggan drinking water. Does it matter? It still tests the water that comes out of the treatment plant and flows to taps, but not the "raw water" in the ground that feeds it. https://www.dublininquirer.com/irish-water-scaled-back-tests-on-balbriggan-drinking-water-does-it-matter/

A campaign to engage voters in Belmayne provides a model to learn from, says a new report. As voting turnout declines, the Belmayne Social Inclusion Voting Campaign looks to simple tools to mend the divide. https://www.dublininquirer.com/campaign-to-engage-voters-in-belmayne-provides-a-model-to-learn-from-says-a-new-report/

In Howth, an artist looks to blur the lines between the gallery and the sights on its doorstep: Róise McGagh’s exhibition “sticks and mountains and huge lone birds” is on now at the College Lane Gallery. https://www.dublininquirer.com/in-howth-an-artist-looks-to-blur-the-lines-between-the-gallery-and-the-sights-on-its-doorstep/

In radio in Ireland, the “accent ceiling” persists. On volunteer-run community radio, there’s room for people with all kinds of accents – but it’s rare to move beyond that. https://www.dublininquirer.com/in-radio-in-ireland-the-accent-ceiling-persists/

Works are to begin in August to make pedestrianisation of Malahide’s New Street permanent, a council engineer says. The expected timeline is the 18 months plus the breaks over the summer and winter months, said Shane McMorrow, at a recent council committee meeting. https://www.dublininquirer.com/works-to-begin-in-august-to-make-pedestrianisation-of-malahides-new-street-permanent-council-engineer-says/

In radio in Ireland, the “accent ceiling” persists. On volunteer-run community radio, there’s room for people with all kinds of accents – but it’s rare to move beyond that. https://www.dublininquirer.com/in-radio-in-ireland-the-accent-ceiling-persists/

The father of a disabled child has been refused access to a disabled car parking spot in his complex. He has a blue badge, he has offered to pay, but as a social tenant, he is shut out. https://www.dublininquirer.com/father-of-disabled-child-refused-access-to-a-disabled-car-parking-spot-in-his-complex/

Vacancy Watch: The site where Clontarf’s tragic Victorian mansion, Redcourt, once stood. Its story reads like a cheap pastiche of Edgar Allan Poe, a century-long streak of tragedy and misfortune, ending in a fire in 2007. https://www.dublininquirer.com/vacancy-watch-the-site-where-clontarfs-tragic-victorian-mansion-redcourt-once-stood/

Vacancy Watch: The site where Clontarf’s tragic Victorian mansion, Redcourt, once stood. Its story reads like a cheap pastiche of Edgar Allan Poe, a century-long streak of tragedy and misfortune, ending in a fire in 2007. https://www.dublininquirer.com/vacancy-watch-the-site-where-clontarfs-tragic-victorian-mansion-redcourt-once-stood/

Councillors say they are “baffled” by a lack of council plans to follow through on the revamp of Clonsilla. A year ago, after much work, the council published a plan for how to revitalise the village. “I’m wondering why we all went to the bother, to be honest.” https://www.dublininquirer.com/councillors-baffled-by-lack-of-council-plans-to-follow-through-on-revamp-of-clonsilla/

Councillors say they are “baffled” by a lack of council plans to follow through on the revamp of Clonsilla. A year ago, after much work, the council published a plan for how to revitalise the village. “I’m wondering why we all went to the bother, to be honest.” https://www.dublininquirer.com/councillors-baffled-by-lack-of-council-plans-to-follow-through-on-revamp-of-clonsilla/

With no plan for Kilmainham Mill, council’s restoration of it is “in abeyance”. The council bought the mill in 2018, and spent €2 million on stabilisation works. Lately, locals have noticed the project seems to have stalled. https://www.dublininquirer.com/with-no-plan-for-kilmainham-mill-councils-restoration-of-it-is-in-abeyance/

Parents are pleading for traffic dangers around Harold’s Cross Educate Together National School to be addressed. Changes to improve safety are part of the planning permission, while a walkability audit five years back made recommendations, too. https://www.dublininquirer.com/parents-plead-for-traffic-dangers-around-harolds-cross-educate-together-national-school-to-be-addressed/

A senior officer at housing charity Clúid said it wants to sell some social homes privately. But a spokesperson for the charity said the position articulated by its deputy chief operations officer at a council meeting recently is not its current policy. https://www.dublininquirer.com/a-senior-officer-at-housing-charity-cluid-said-that-it-wants-to-sell-some-social-homes-privately/

The council has a plan to push clampers to expand their hunt beyond the city centre, into the suburbs, councillors say. A new contract, with new terms, should kick in from August. https://www.dublininquirer.com/council-pushes-clampers-to-expand-their-hunt-beyond-the-city-centre-into-the-suburbs/

What happened to the Dublin City Taskforce’s promise of 1,000 extra Gardaí and the total regeneration of dilapidated social homes? https://www.dublininquirer.com/what-happened-to-the-dublin-city-taskforces-promise-of-1-000-extra-gardai-and-the-total-regeneration-of-dilapidated-social-homes/

On Curtisy’s boundlessly imaginative blog rap: “This singular eccentric is on an exciting trajectory,” writes Dean Van Nguyen. https://www.dublininquirer.com/dean-on-curtisys-boundlessly-imaginative-blog-rap/

Dozens of people from Gaza seeking visas to study in Ireland have been denied entry. It was Haneen Eshraim's only “realistic opportunity at this stage to leave Gaza safely and continue my education”, she said. https://www.dublininquirer.com/dozens-of-people-from-gaza-seeking-visas-to-study-in-ireland-are-denied-entry/

As locals wrestle with details of a big plan to eventually build 18,500 homes in Dunsink, many of them near Finglas, city councillors have been calling for more time to consult. But Fingal County Council, which is overseeing the project, says the consultation will end Friday. https://www.dublininquirer.com/as-locals-wrestle-with-detail-of-big-plan-for-dunsink-city-councillors-call-for-more-time-to-consult/

After the shock closure of the Axis café, Ballymun locals have got a sliver of hope that it may not be the end. In June, the arts and community centre put out an expression of interest for a new operator. https://www.dublininquirer.com/after-shock-closure-of-axis-cafe-ballymun-locals-get-a-sliver-of-hope-that-it-may-not-be-the-end/

Dublin City Council is grappling with how to meet a new government target for delivering social and affordable homes. The council's current pipeline shows about 11,000 new homes in the works from 2027 to 2030 so far, well short of the target of 19,400. https://www.dublininquirer.com/dublin-city-council-is-grappling-with-how-to-meet-new-government-target-for-delivering-social-and-affordable-homes/

In Howth, an artist looks to blur the lines between the gallery and the sights on its doorstep: Róise McGagh’s exhibition “sticks and mountains and huge lone birds” is on now at the College Lane Gallery. https://www.dublininquirer.com/in-howth-an-artist-looks-to-blur-the-lines-between-the-gallery-and-the-sights-on-its-doorstep/

Animation artists call for regulation of the industry as the AI transition looms large. “I wouldn't necessarily say we're looking at a looming full automation, but a really, really drastic shakeup is definitely on the horizon,” says Jen Wayne of Animation Workers of Ireland. https://www.dublininquirer.com/animation-artists-call-for-regulation-of-the-industry-as-the-ai-transition-looms-large/

In radio in Ireland, the “accent ceiling” persists. On volunteer-run community radio, there’s room for people with all kinds of accents – but it’s rare to move beyond that. https://www.dublininquirer.com/in-radio-in-ireland-the-accent-ceiling-persists/

What ever happened to the plan to transform Dorset Street? It included designating the street as an architectural conservation area, widening footpaths, installing a cycleway, and helping businesses transform their shopfronts. https://www.dublininquirer.com/what-ever-happened-to-the-plan-to-transform-dorset-street/

In Rathmines, the last hours of the old art-deco post office. What comes now? https://www.dublininquirer.com/in-rathmines-the-last-hours-of-the-old-art-deco-post-office/

Inmates still earn just 50 cents for a day’s work in Irish prisons. While costs of basic items have risen, including snacks bought from the prison shop to fill long gaps between meals. https://www.dublininquirer.com/inmates-still-earn-just-50-cents-for-a-days-work-in-irish-prisons/

Dublin City Council is grappling with how to meet a new government target for delivering social and affordable homes. The council's current pipeline shows about 11,000 new homes in the works from 2027 to 2030 so far, well short of the target of 19,400. https://www.dublininquirer.com/dublin-city-council-is-grappling-with-how-to-meet-new-government-target-for-delivering-social-and-affordable-homes/

Vacancy Watch: The site where Clontarf’s tragic Victorian mansion, Redcourt, once stood. Its story reads like a cheap pastiche of Edgar Allan Poe, a century-long streak of tragedy and misfortune, ending in a fire in 2007. https://www.dublininquirer.com/vacancy-watch-the-site-where-clontarfs-tragic-victorian-mansion-redcourt-once-stood/

Artists in the old Filmbase building in Temple Bar, owned by the council, say it really needs some visible upkeep. It isn't that clear to passersby that the building is being used at all, relayed councillors at a recent meeting. https://www.dublininquirer.com/artists-in-the-old-filmbase-building-owned-by-the-council-say-it-really-needs-some-visible-upkeep/

Dubliners are to get a bit more transparency around where some old clothes end up. Enable Ireland has the new contract to operate 56 clothes banks in the city. https://www.dublininquirer.com/dubliners-get-a-bit-more-transparency-around-where-some-old-clothes-end-up/

After the shock closure of the Axis café, Ballymun locals have got a sliver of hope that it may not be the end. In June, the arts and community centre put out an expression of interest for a new operator. https://www.dublininquirer.com/after-shock-closure-of-axis-cafe-ballymun-locals-get-a-sliver-of-hope-that-it-may-not-be-the-end/

The council is breaking its promise, again, of new homes for Travellers at Labre Park. After 30 years, the finish line for the project was supposed to be close. The cost of the u-turn will be even greater homelessness, said the coordinator of Ballyfermot Traveller Action Project. https://www.dublininquirer.com/council-breaks-promise-again-of-new-homes-for-travellers-at-labre-park/

A campaign to engage voters in Belmayne provides a model to learn from, says a new report. As voting turnout declines, the Belmayne Social Inclusion Voting Campaign looks to simple tools to mend the divide. https://www.dublininquirer.com/campaign-to-engage-voters-in-belmayne-provides-a-model-to-learn-from-says-a-new-report/

In Merrion Square, park-goers are frustrated as construction on a tearoom enters its third summer. Earlier this year, the council had said it would be done about now. But that's been pushed back again. https://www.dublininquirer.com/in-merrion-square-park-goers-are-frustrated-as-construction-on-tearoom-enters-its-third-summer/

Fearing its effort to build social homes in Howth will stall over costs, the council is preparing a backup plan. Fingal has been working for years towards building a small number of apartments on a long-vacant site at Tuckett’s Lane. https://www.dublininquirer.com/fearing-effort-to-build-social-homes-in-howth-will-stall-council-prepares-backup-plan/

Irish Water scaled back tests on Balbriggan drinking water. Does it matter? It still tests the water that comes out of the treatment plant and flows to taps, but not the "raw water" in the ground that feeds it. https://www.dublininquirer.com/irish-water-scaled-back-tests-on-balbriggan-drinking-water-does-it-matter/

In a new Irish-language film, a chance encounter leads a woman down a dark road of revenge, writes Luke Maxwell. The dread and discomfort build gradually in “An Mháthair”, from its mundane starting point to its clever reveal. https://www.dublininquirer.com/in-new-irish-language-film-a-chance-encounter-leads-woman-down-dark-road-of-revenge/