The first one...
The Sunday Times today featured an excellent article from Neil Callanan and Ciara Kenny around a developing storm in Temple Bar, over a submission to Dublin City Council from McDonalds for a proposed three-storey outlet at Frankie’s Steakhouse and Bar in Temple Bar, noting that they believe a branch would “…add to the vitality of the area by attracting foot-fall”
Having a keen interest in the social history of the area, and the massive regeneration of Temple Bar in the 80’s, something that has always irked me is the presence of multinationals like the Hard Rock Cafe and Urban Outfitters in what began as a sort of cultural or (dare I say) almost bohemian quarter. The beauty of Temple Bar is the unusual mix of shops, restaurants and the like within it. It is hardly the ideal location for the Golden Arches, and like the tourist-trap public houses opposite Frankies, it would only contribute to the decline of the area.
Tommy Graham of History Ireland is quoted in the piece as stating “Temple Bar has been over-developed. There are far too many pubs and clubs. The original spirit of it was lost long ago.” It is difficult to disagree.
The story of Temple Bar is such a great one almost as much because of what Temple Bar didn’t become as for what it did. It should not be forgotten that the genius plan of CIE in the 1980s involved demolishing property in the area and to build a bus terminus in its place. Today, this area is home to the Irish Film Institute, the National Photographic Archive and more besides.
For all that is wrong with the area today (and we all know a lot is), surely adding a McDonalds to this corner of Dublin isn’t quite the solution?
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
First Tesco now this. Compare Crow Lane to most of Temple Bar though and you can see why this will happen.
Too late, alas
http://photopol.com/signs/bray_th.html
This made me throw up a little in my mouth. Temple bar has so much potential as a cultural quarter, and the tourists can be a part of that, but I don’t even think the tourists would want a mc’ds next to their ol’irish pubs.
Don’t panic; it will be a Bohemian McDonalds. It’s option number 34 in their franchise catalogue….
I’ve been in the one in Manhattan, NY.
The authorities there forced them to abandon their standard (garish) format, including the fronting, and it is a sort of art deco place.
Any ideas for packing An Bord Pleanála now that we are in an age of open government?
Shit, pass me that empty chip carton. Oh, it’s got holes in it and I’ve just puked all over my new (southside) trousers. 🙂
Temple Bar should be preserved as a cultural centre where people can dance freely on a sunny afternoon…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcRhit4VA5c
(sponsored by Dutch Gold)
Eh… surely that’s the Dublin Experimental Dance Company strutting their stuff?
Blood Hell Archi I never thought of that! There must be loads of them doing hit and run guerilla dances all over Dublin.
I think this guy must be the ring leader….