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Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘Continental feel' as Dublin's Parliament Street is pedestrianised permanently
While a busker's notes of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac rung out on the street, businesses and pedestrians alike enjoyed the newly pedestrianised street. The street is now permanently reallocated as a walking and cycling space, with the road between Essex Quay and Essex Gate a no-go for cars. The section of Parliament Street between Essex Gate and Lord Edward Street will be traffic-free with deliveries allowed between 6am and 11am daily. Two pedestrians who happened upon the street, just learning of its pedestrianisation, were Rachel Coffey and Donal Milton from Terenure. Ms Coffey said: 'It's lovely, less traffic, you can meander the street now. It has quite a continental feel. 'I think it will make the city a lot safer. The amount of pedestrians around versus taxis, it's definitely a benefit.' With bunting set up and stalls selling arts and crafts and jewellery, both locals and tourists wandered around taking pictures and enjoying the atmosphere. Francis Leavy, artist and owner of Fab Cow on Exchange Street, just parallel to Parliament Street, anticipates the move giving a boost to business. He said: "I hope this will bring more people to the centre of town. I hope over time there will be more streets to follow suit, especially if more public transport infrastructure is put in place. 'The pedestrianisation will add time on to journeys for sure, it's a main thoroughfare. Although hopefully, over time, that will work itself out.' Another happy businessman is Martin Hart, CEO of the Temple Bar Company. He has worked in partnership with Dublin City Council to organise the market as well as the Summer in Dublin Festival series, which will take place every weekend in July on Parliament Street. "It's lovely to stand in the middle of Parliament Street in front of City Hall on a Friday afternoon in July and take in the city, we're very happy', he said. Another pedestrian enjoying the street was Donal Ewj Robinson-Ryan who is based in the city centre. He said: 'Hopefully this will be good for businesses. 'Currently, I go down to Capel Street very warily, I hope this street will mean more police will be on duty. 'Hopefully, the city planners will have managed the traffic correctly too. People need access to get in and to shop, or else the people in the city will lose out to the centres outside of the city like Blanchardstown and Kildare. They've lost a lot of business because people don't have access, they can't get in.' There is concern from taxi drivers that the newly pedestrianised street will limit access to the city centre from the south side and add to traffic. A taxi driver who wished to remain anonymous said that it will 'definitely add to congestion in the city'. "It will be fine at the moment with all the schools closed, but the minute schools open on the 28th of August, cars won't be able to move in the city centre.' Dublin City Council senior executive engineer Claire French said there are a number of existing routes in place which will manage the traffic flow. She said: 'We trialled this back in 2021, and we did Capel Street in 2022, and then businesses and residents wanted to see it here. We had a number of things to work through traffic management-wise - we had to remove the bus route that was on the street, and now that's all fallen into place, its the right time. 'The volume of traffic had drastically reduced after we pedestrianised Capel Street anyway, so now we're not allowing traffic through at all during the day. "There are alternative routes around the quays, Fishamble Street and back around, and local access is maintained throughout, so it shouldn't be a big change for motorists', she added. From 7 July, works will begin to add seating and plants and to resurface the road. Also, two-way cycling will now be permitted on Parliament Street, and a new two-way cycling link will be created on the east side of Grattan Bridge. The traffic lanes will be reduced to one right turn lane only on the bridge. A two-way cycling link will also be created on the east side of Capel St between the quays and Strand Street Little. Northbound cycling will also be permitted on Capel Street to complete a full two-way cycling link between Dame Street and Bolton Street. Meanwhile, the current west-to-east traffic flow between Essex Gate and Essex Street East will remain open for all vehicles at all times. In a survey by Dublin City Council in May 90pc of respondents were in favour of the plan and the option for two-way cycling. The South East Area committee reported positive engagement from businesses and residents, with the majority in support of fewer cars and more space for pedestrians.
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Opinions split as Parliament Street pedestrianised permanently
While a busker's notes of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac rung out on the street, businesses and pedestrians alike enjoyed the newly pedestrianised street. The street is now permanently reallocated as a walking and cycling space, with the road between Essex Quay and Essex Gate a no-go for cars. The section of Parliament Street between Essex Gate and Lord Edward Street will be traffic-free with deliveries allowed between 6am and 11am daily. Two pedestrians who happened upon the street, just learning of its pedestrianisation, were Rachel Coffey and Donal Milton from Terenure. Ms Coffey said: 'It's lovely, less traffic, you can meander the street now. It has quite a continental feel. 'I think it will make the city a lot safer. The amount of pedestrians around versus taxis, it's definitely a benefit.' With bunting set up and stalls selling arts and crafts and jewellery, both locals and tourists wandered around taking pictures and enjoying the atmosphere. Francis Leavy, artist and owner of Fab Cow on Exchange Street, just parallel to Parliament Street, anticipates the move giving a boost to business. He said: "I hope this will bring more people to the centre of town. I hope over time there will be more streets to follow suit, especially if more public transport infrastructure is put in place. 'The pedestrianisation will add time on to journeys for sure, it's a main thoroughfare. Although hopefully, over time, that will work itself out.' ADVERTISEMENT Another happy businessman is Martin Hart, CEO of the Temple Bar Company. He has worked in partnership with Dublin City Council to organise the market as well as the Summer in Dublin Festival series, which will take place every weekend in July on Parliament Street. "It's lovely to stand in the middle of Parliament Street in front of City Hall on a Friday afternoon in July and take in the city, we're very happy', he said. Another pedestrian enjoying the street was Donal Ewj Robinson-Ryan who is based in the city centre. He said: 'Hopefully this will be good for businesses. 'Currently, I go down to Capel Street very warily, I hope this street will mean more police will be on duty. 'Hopefully, the city planners will have managed the traffic correctly too. People need access to get in and to shop, or else the people in the city will lose out to the centres outside of the city like Blanchardstown and Kildare. They've lost a lot of business because people don't have access, they can't get in.' There is concern from taxi drivers that the newly pedestrianised street will limit access to the city centre from the south side and add to traffic. A taxi driver who wished to remain anonymous said that it will 'definitely add to congestion in the city'. "It will be fine at the moment with all the schools closed, but the minute schools open on the 28th of August, cars won't be able to move in the city centre.' Dublin City Council senior executive engineer Claire French said there are a number of existing routes in place which will manage the traffic flow. She said: 'We trialled this back in 2021, and we did Capel Street in 2022, and then businesses and residents wanted to see it here. We had a number of things to work through traffic management-wise - we had to remove the bus route that was on the street, and now that's all fallen into place, its the right time. 'The volume of traffic had drastically reduced after we pedestrianised Capel Street anyway, so now we're not allowing traffic through at all during the day. "There are alternative routes around the quays, Fishamble Street and back around, and local access is maintained throughout, so it shouldn't be a big change for motorists', she added. From 7 July, works will begin to add seating and plants and to resurface the road. Also, two-way cycling will now be permitted on Parliament Street, and a new two-way cycling link will be created on the east side of Grattan Bridge. The traffic lanes will be reduced to one right turn lane only on the bridge. A two-way cycling link will also be created on the east side of Capel St between the quays and Strand Street Little. Northbound cycling will also be permitted on Capel Street to complete a full two-way cycling link between Dame Street and Bolton Street. Meanwhile, the current west-to-east traffic flow between Essex Gate and Essex Street East will remain open for all vehicles at all times. In a survey by Dublin City Council in May 90pc of respondents were in favour of the plan and the option for two-way cycling. The South East Area committee reported positive engagement from businesses and residents, with the majority in support of fewer cars and more space for pedestrians.
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Tots to Teens: Choose sustainability with these plantable pencils that grow into herbs
Imagine if there were something you could do with your pencils after they had been worn down to stubs other than chucking them in the bin. MJ Jacob, the Waterford-based artist behind has a suggestion — Plantable Pencils. These are graphite pencils that can be planted once you finish using them. They come in packs of four, and you can choose either herbs or flowers. If you opt for herbs, you will receive a pack containing thyme, sage, coriander, and cherry tomato seeds. And if you select flowers, your pencils will grow in to forget-me-nots, daisies, carnations and sunflowers. The pencils are on sale for €14 from Family rules This list of family rules by Dublin-based Fab Cow has us feeling all warm and fuzzy. The award-winning business, run by artist Francis Leavey and his partner, Bernie Cryan, celebrates the kindness, respect, affection, acceptance, and love that make having a family so special. It's one of a range of prints, cards, and paintings created by Leavey and sold at It costs €29.95. Making memories Children have the funniest thoughts and ideas. It's worth taking the time to jot them down for posterity, as they will inevitably lose some of their quirkiness as they get older. This 3-Year Journal for Kids allows you to preserve those memories for years to come. Two pages are devoted to each week of the year. One asks children to answer a question. For example, they might be asked to name a favourite song. The other page sets them an activity or task. They could be asked to draw or describe their dream meal and then try to cook it with an adult. The following year, they will be asked to answer the same questions and complete the same activities and tasks. This allows parents to observe their children's evolution over the three years. The journal will inevitably become a cherished memento for parents and children. It's designed by Emma Jane Leeson, an Irish mum who has written a range of books, which are available from The journal is sold through the website, alongside other gift ideas, and costs €24.99. Festival of creativity If you're looking for family-friendly fun this May bank holiday weekend, you'll find it in Glenbower Woods in East Cork. Greywood Arts, the organisation that runs community and educational programmes in Killeagh, is hosting its May Sunday Festival, which celebrates local creativity, history, and ecology. The festival runs from Friday to Monday, May 2 to 5, and will feature lots of free events. There will be nature walks in the woods, interactive art performances, children's yoga sessions, live music, children's workshops in art and creative writing, an opportunity to build dens in the woods, bike rides, and more. Visit for the full lineup. Books galore Lismore Castle and town will provide the enchanting setting for a celebration of books, stories, illustration, and imagination this Saturday, May 2. The Co Waterford annual Towers and Tales Children's Book Festival will feature a range of readings, workshops, and other events with some of the most popular Irish and international writers and book illustrators. These include Sarah Bowie, the author of the bestselling Nina Peanut is Amazing; Leona Forde, writer of the Milly McCarthy book series; and Chris Judge, the author of the popular Evil Duck and the Feather of Fortune. Other events include book swaps, doodle walls, circus performers, and book clinics, which involve children talking to the book doctor about their favourite reads and being given a prescription recommending other books to explore. Visit Read More Tots to teens: Learn the simple signs parents can use to communicate with their babies
