Wetherspoons wins permission for Dublin sound barrier
JD Wetherspoon
for a 13 ft high acoustic glass screen that now allows it to reopen a court-yard at its Keaven's Port hotel on Dublin's Camden Street but had stirred local opposition.
The planning green light overturns a decision by Dublin City Council earlier this year to refuse permission after local residents objected, claiming that the application would turn a 'super-pub' into a 'mega-pub' by reopening the courtyard.
JD Wetherspoon closed its beer garden at the venue in April 2022 in response to locals' noise complaints.
In response to the JD Wetherspoon planning appeal, the planning commission has granted permission after concluding that the works are 'modest in scale and due to the sensitive design, do not detract from the setting of the protected structures'.
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The order stated that the commission was satisfied that the proposed works in combination with mitigation measures, would address the issue of noise and its impact on the amenity of the adjoining property.
In conditions attached to the permission, the planning commission states that the capacity of the courtyard will be limited to 135 persons and it will operate from 10am to 11pm 'to protect residential amenity'.
The planning commission has also ordered that there will be no outbreak of amplified music from any activities at nearby noise sensitive locations.
JD Wetherspoon will also be required to carry out further acoustic monitoring post commencement of the use of the beer garden to ensure that the patron noise levels projected within the acoustic report are being compiled with.
The 13 ft high acoustic glass screen is the firm's second bid to address the noise complaints - in 2023, Wetherspoons abandoned plans to erect a 43 ft high sound barrier, dubbed 'taller than the Berlin Wall' by one objector, after strong local opposition.
JD Wetherspoon spokesman, Eddie Gershon said on Wednesday: 'As you would expect, we are very pleased that An Bord Pleanala has granted the appeal.
He said: 'We do not yet have a date for the works to the garden to commence, but we hope to get started as soon as possible.
Mr Gershon said: 'We will endeavour to keep our neighbours and the relevant authorities fully briefed when we have more information'.
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But the speed and intensity of that was off the charts. 'And I remember him saying that at the start, in his first night with Donegal, they did the drills for whatever, 30 seconds flat out, and they're on their hands and knees, and he's like: 'Now we're going to do that for 70 odd minutes.' 'And just the fact that I saw that video recently just reminded me that that's the only thing that increases: 'Can you do it quicker? Can you do it faster, more and more and more intentionally and then execute the skill at the same time?' And that's exactly what they were doing in that warm-up.' McGuinness even helped Higgins during some of the more difficult periods when he was managing Derry. In 2023, when the Candystripes were on a bad run domestically, Higgins invited McGuinness into camp to present a psychology workshop for the players. 'He had the room in the palm of his hand,' Higgins recalls. 'And I'm not saying it was that alone, but there was an upturn in our form very soon after it. And people would [regularly] reference that meeting. But not only is he brilliant from a psychology point of view, as a coach, he is phenomenal as well, because he can see [the strengths and weakneesses] with every opposition, he comes up with a plan, very methodical, and you would have to say, in Gaelic terms, he is a bit of a genius.' Higgins continues: 'He's so into the collective. If anybody steps outside of the group, then it's all about the group and the team. 'No matter how talented you are as an individual, if you're not going in the direction of everyone else, then forget about it. The team will be successful. 'So, just the togetherness that he tries to create, and the culture and the work ethic are phenomenal.' Celtic coaches Tommy McIntyre (left) and Jim McGuinness pictured in 2016. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo It also says a lot that in one of his most difficult moments as Derry manager, it was McGuinness that Higgins turned to. 'I'll be honest with you. We were bottom of the league [at Derry] when I took over, and we ended up in Europe. But there was a pivotal game that year at home to St Pat's. I'll never forget it. 'I couldn't settle all day. Obviously, I was new to the job and a new manager. It was all new to me, and I was very anxious and worrying about everything. 'And I actually rang Jim, and I said: 'Jim, I'm on edge here. I'm really worried.' And then he started asking me questions: 'Have you covered this? Have you covered this? Have you covered this?' And basically, simplified it for me, just to reassure me that: 'No, you'll be alright. You've covered all the bases, all the angles.' 'And I felt a lot more settled after that conversation. He gave me 15-20 minutes of his time, and I was really settled. And after that, we ended up getting a great 1-0 win at home. He definitely had a part to play.' Despite all his coaching talents, the overriding perception from the outside, at least, is that McGuinness failed in the world of soccer. Was Ryan surprised that he did not make a greater impact? 'Yeah, and no. I'm surprised that he hasn't got a job, but there are so few jobs here in this country. And you know, he has a large family, a few kids, they're growing up. So that would be a factor in him travelling again, I suppose. 'I would think at some point he will go back to it, or he'll have a go. But obviously, he's having a successful time there with the GAA at the moment.' Higgins also wouldn't be surprised to see McGuinness return to the world of soccer eventually. 'I wouldn't rule it out. I know he's very passionate about it. I definitely wouldn't say that he's failed. I don't think he's had the opportunity that he would have liked. 'And there's no doubt, a lot of the stuff, so much of the stuff is transferable. 'I spoke to him one time about potentially helping me out at Derry as well. At one point, I met him, but he had a lot of other stuff going on. But I've absolutely no doubt that he could be a success, that he would make a really good manager. He's just a huge figure in Irish sport. And any sport would love to have him.' Ryan agrees: 'He has everything in the game from doing the [pro licence] course, and you can apply some of the principles to the GAA pitch. I would say he does. And there are certain aspects there — people going into a low block defensively or breaking. That probably originated from football, and it developed into the GAA, and the rules changed, because people went more tactical. So I'd say there are definitely [soccer] aspects he brings into it.'
