TheCity

Tag: photojournalism

  • O’Connell Street’s Decline: Iconic Dublin Landmark Faces Neglect and Urban Decay 

    O’Connell Street’s Decline: Iconic Dublin Landmark Faces Neglect and Urban Decay 

    By Jason Quigley  

    O’Connell Street, once the heart of Dublin’s city centre and a vibrant hub of activity, has seen noticeable neglect and signs of urban decay in recent years. 

    This iconic thoroughfare, known for its historic monuments and central location, is now marred by a range of issues including vacant and derelict buildings, deteriorating facades, and an increase in anti-social behaviour.  

    The lack of consistent investment and urban management has allowed the street’s architecture and infrastructure to fall into disrepair, which has contributed to a feeling of abandonment and insecurity among visitors and locals alike. 

    The following images capture the true extent of this decline. From damaged facades and boarded-up windows to graffiti-covered walls and poorly maintained shop fronts, these photographs reveal the scale of neglect that has impacted O’Connell Street. 

    They highlight the deteriorated state of once-vibrant buildings, showing how years of minimal upkeep and insufficient investment have led to visible decay. These images serve as a stark reminder of how urban neglect can transform even the most historically significant areas into spaces that feel unwelcoming.  

    The following images give a compelling case for an urgent need to restore and revitalise this once-proud avenue in Dublin’s city centre. 

    The Bachelor Inn Pub failed to reopen after closing during the Covid-19 pandemic. The building remains empty with visible exterior damage.  
    An empty shop at O’Connell Street lower with extremely damaged windows and façade in a grave condition.  
    Facing The GPO, the roof top of this large empty retail unit shows no visible signs of care, with roof titles damaged and rotting away. Weeds can be seen growing from the roof titles.  

    The previous 3 images show 3 empty and derelict buildings all within 300 metres of each other, with cracked and damaged concrete on the facades. 

    The final 4 images are at O’Connell Street upper and show the true dark colours of this capital’s Main Street. Major neglect with no proper treatment of structural integrity.  

  • In Photos: Thousands take to the streets for Dublin’s largest Palestine protest to date 

    In Photos: Thousands take to the streets for Dublin’s largest Palestine protest to date 

    By Liam Murphy

    On Saturday, October 5, thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin to mark one year of Israeli escalation in Gaza. 

    The march, the biggest of its kind to date in Ireland, called for an end to Israel’s occupation, an end to the use of Irish airspace for transporting weapons, and for the Irish Government to act in holding Israel accountable.  

    Several chants were also heard supporting Lebanon, following recent attacks there, also by Israel. 

    The national march, titled ‘GAZA: One Year of Israel’s Genocide’, began at the Garden of Remembrance and made its way to Molesworth Street, where a stage had been set up. 

    Speakers on the stage included Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning Palestinian filmmaker Farah Nabulsi, Palestinian photojournalist Eman Mohammed, Zak Hania, who recently returned home from Gaza after seven months, and Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s chairperson Zoë Lawlor. 

    Music on the day came from renowned Irish singer-songwriter John Spillane, Palestinian-Irish singer Roisin El Cherif, and Palestinian rapper Talha Alali.   

    All photos taken by Liam Murphy

    Protestors gather at Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance with signs and banners. 
    A group gathers with signs; Some with donation QR codes, others with song lyrics, others with art – Each with meaning. 
    Supporters gather around a 30ft Palestinian flag, as the crowd prepares to march. 
    A young girl wearing a keffiyeh poses as the march makes its way down O’Connell Street. 
    ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free’ – chants are heard across the capital city. 
    Protestors feel the heat as one bloc light up flares as the march moves down O’Connell Street 
    A masked up keffiyeh-wearing group stand roadside on O’Connell Bridge holding a red Hezbollah flag. 
    A woman holds up a scarf, branded with the Keffiyeh pattern and the Palestinian flag and Irish tricolour flag. 
    ‘You’d care if it was Cork!’ – A protestor holds up a sign on Molesworth Street, calling out the Irish Government 
    The march makes its way around the corner from Dawson Street, now heading up towards Leinster House. 
    Cork singer songwriter John Spillane tuning up before taking to the stage to perform his song ‘Palestinian Sunbird’ 
    Zak Hania smiles as crowds applaud his entrance. Hania spent seven months in Gaza unable to return home. 
    Palestinian rapper Talha AlAli (known as Wise Wolf) performs his newest single ‘Inshallah’ with Irish artist Blue Niall 

  • Apple Day-Harvest Festival

    Apple Day-Harvest Festival

    By Luke Hurson

    The Organic Centre in Rossinver Co. Leitrim hosted its Apple Day-Harvest Festival on 29 September and The City went to check it out. 

    The festival had a great turnout with lots of activities and stalls for the visitors. The highlight of the day was the apple pressing, where festival goers were shown how apple juice was made and could sample the finished product.  

    The stalls were full of sustainable crafts both inside and outside the building. There were craft demos, stone carving, weaving and wool spinning to keep the crowds entertained. 

    Talks and tours were on throughout the day by experts including The Organic Centre’s resident apple expert Phil Wheal and Botanist Maria Cullen. The Grass Roof Cafe provided all diverse kinds of apple tastes for the people to enjoy.

    All photos by Luke Hurson

    The crowds were shown apple pressing techniques
    The grass-roofed Organic Centre
    The Apple Day Harvest festival drew good numbers
    The greenhouses were full of organically-grown fruit and vegetables 
    The inside of one of the greenhouses
    The craft tent was a popular attraction
    The Grass Roots Cafe kept the visitors going throughout the day
    A different angle of the apple pressing where pressure is put on the apples to squeeze the juice out of them 
    Some beautiful wildlife paintings were on display 
    One of the many craft stalls with handcrafted goods 

  • ‘Winter Lights’ return to illuminate Dublin City

    ‘Winter Lights’ return to illuminate Dublin City

    As the month-long festival returns, Eric Ryan captures some of the inner-city locations that have been lit up by festive projections.

    For the third consecutive year, Dublin’s Winter Lights festival has returned to restore some much-needed brightness and festive cheer to the people of Dublin.

    [The Custom House, North Dock, Dublin 1]

    Marking the beginning of the Christmas season, the project organised by the Dublin City Council will be running from December 1st to January 1st and will project festive lights across 17 different locations.

    The eco-friendly projections feature 157,800 LEDs, 15,780 metres of cable and 100 tonnes of equipment. Some of the lights that power the projections run on 80% of their traditional predecessors.

    The projection that covers City Hall uses the same amount of electrical power as two dishwashers and the display at the Hugh Lane Gallery uses the equivalent of a vacuum cleaner. 

    [City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2]

    [The Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1]

    This year’s festival has several new locations as well as new artworks from a range of artists. These locations include the Triumphal Arch at the CHQ, the Mater Hospital, Capital Dock, the Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship.

    Perhaps the most imaginative and captivating piece of them all is the Samuel Beckett Bridge. Named ‘Keep on Moving’ it’s a four-minute dance routine by Richmond Barracks Over-55s Movement Group that captures themes of strength, resilience and fun.

    [Samuel Beckett Bridge, North Wall Quay]

    Smithfield’s display has been improved and will feature photos of frontline workers to commemorate their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic and the projections at the Civic Offices plays a three minute shadow puppet animation. 

    The Dublin City Culture Company worked with community groups and artists to create the new displays. These groups include Croft Nursing Home, Hollybrook Nursing Home and Henrietta Street Adult & Community Education Service (HACE). They collaborated with artists Steve MacDevitt, Alan Dunne, Helen Barry, Ben Redmond and Aoife McAtamney. 

    [Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8]

    [The GPO, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1]

    [The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2]

    [Parliament Street, Dublin 2]

    [Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2]

    [Samuel Beckett Bridge, North Wall Quay]

    Full list of projection locations:

    • The Custom House, North Dock, Dublin 1
    • The GPO, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
    • The Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
    • The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
    • The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
    • Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2
    • City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2
    • Covanta Dublin Waste to Energy Plant, Poolbeg, Dublin 4
    • Smithfield Square, Dublin 7
    • The Mater Hospital

    Full list of lighting locations:

    • Millennium Bridge
    • O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
    • Parliament Street, Dublin 2
    • Samuel Beckett Bridge 
    • Capital Dock
    • The Jeanie Johnston Ship
    • CHQ Triumphal Arch