Lost Ciss Maddens Seats On Drury Street: Summer’s Defeat?
“If Dublin’s urban planning were better, I’d prefer a courtyard, like any other major European city, but this is what we have so this is what we have to make do with … we should be given the time to enjoy the outside world.”
Dubliner interviewed by The Irish Times.
Dublin City Council has torn out a part of Dublin, ripped out a part of summer and has tried again to de-pedestrianise one of our only pedestrianised, belongingness streets: DCC has revoked and robbed Drury Street’s Ciss Maddens’ seats.
Since Covid, Drury Street has been so much more than just a space to consume alcohol. Rather, it’s been a way for Dubliners to simply be together, to sit and stand and stagger and dance and people-watch and wander all without being boxed into a smoking area or booth after having been boxed into an office.
Debates have been raging about this street since it is actually different from any other capitalist street in Dublin. Last year, a bunch of ironic love heart patterned signs were placed down onto the street, asking nobody to sit down on the curb. Sitting down on summer ground was made into an offense but at least love hearts and pleases were added!
Now, people are basically forced to sit on the curbs if they want to enjoy the street because one of the primary and largest outdoor seating areas has been taken away. Interviewed by District Magazine, Ciss Maden’s response was: “we are very disappointed ourselves … our customers are no longer allowed to bring their drinks outside to enjoy these lovely sunny days. Isn’t that a shame”. A shame it is, drury duty is in danger.
When interviewed by The Irish Times, a spokesman for the council said it welcomed “the vibrancy and energy that Drury Street brings to our city centre and we recognise how important it is as a social space, particularly for younger Dubliners”, but it had a responsibility “to ensure that all public spaces remain safe, accessible and enjoyable for everyone – businesses, residents and visitors alike”.
This is a fair response, as there have been cases of litter and bottles being left on the street and a fair bit of noise; but as many online and in-person Dubliners have reflected, they have never felt intimidated by the crowds, there has never been vandalism or disturbing of the peace. And if one doesn’t want any noise, perhaps it might be better not to find an abode in Dublin’s very city centre.
Sun and social activity is crucial to our wellbeing. Social activity has been under constant pressure since the pandemic and rise of technology and in Dublin, the sunshine is only here for a while. Therefore, it is a great tragedy when licenses and seating gets revoked on one of the only streets that allows for people to bask in the sun and social activity. It is a street full of visitors, locals and international residents so making friends really is so facilitated.
Business has to stop being prioritised in a city of humans. Things have been feeling dark lately with Stephen Green’s Georgian Facade being stripped and now this but we Dubliners are not going to let it ruin our summer. We will protest, we will be, we will belong. The street is still pedestrianised, so let's all be pedestrians, sit on the comfy curb and have a laugh together. Is summer defeated? The drury is still out, but it's our duty to make it count.
“The government is sort of just ruining the vibe…”
Dubliner interviewed by District Magazine.
Written By: Ben Lynch, @ben_lynch__
Edited By: Kirsten Baldwin, @teddys_bookshelf
