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REMEMBER THE STEPHEN’S Green Christmas Market last year?
The project came in for harsh criticism from some quarters: independent councillor Mannix Flynn called it “diabolical” for instance, and the head of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said the the over-reliance on fast food operators was harming business for café owners in the area.
Brian Hayes MEP / TwitterAt Dublin Christmas market with Min Simon Harris - congrats to City Bid great project pic.twitter.com/P5JzAQVcYq
— Brian Hayes (@brianhayesBPFI) December 12, 2014
Despite the criticism, research carried out by business group DublinTown found there was strong approval for the market, with a whopping 100% of visitors agreeing that it was good for the city.
“The criticisms got far more coverage than they actually deserved,” CEO of DublinTown Richard Guiney said this morning, as the group launched its Christmas programme for 2015 in the centre of O’Connell Street.
“There’s always scope for improving and learning from experience, so it would be one that, if it was to come back, you could look at the composition of some of the stalls.”
Daragh Brophy / TwitterPolar bears, santa, Irish models... Christmas in Dublin being launched at the GPO pic.twitter.com/ryZGCXEr6o
— Daragh Brophy (@DaraghBroph) November 4, 2015
At any rate, because of Luas works the market won’t be back at Stephen’s Green this year.
The ‘I Believe’ Christmas Village at Custom House Quay will be the main festive market for the city this winter – but city centre retailers keen to have an attraction closer to the O’Connell Street area are also hoping to set up a smaller array of stalls outside the old Clerys shopfront.
“The people behind the ‘I Believe’ market are exploring the opportunities of having something at Clerys – because obviously Clerys is going to be closed this Christmas,” Guiney said.
“The logistics are actually quite good for that: you’d fit about 15 to 20 quality stalls there, which would be a satellite of the ‘I Believe’.”
There are still a number of “logistical hurdles” to be overcome before the Council can give the green light to the project, but organisers say they’re optimistic it will go ahead on or around Sunday 29 November (the Custom House Quay market begins on 26 November).
Here’s what else will be happening in the city, as Christmas season gets under way in Dublin:
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The market last year was a joke.. It was so narrow you couldn’t get through the crowds and was full of over priced food and drinks
Isn’t that the requirement for any Christmas-related event?
Sounds like every market ever.
If it was over-priced, why was it so crowded? They must have been doing something right.
It was over crowded because it was on a footpath.. What’s wrong with having it in Stephens Green park itself? Lots of space for everything and everybody.. Plus look at the events they have planned.. Henry St lights get turned on a Thursday night, Grafton Street lights get turned on the following Sunday. Two weeks later the O’Connell Street lights go on.. The bloody traffic is bad enough with all the Luas works as it is without having three separate light turning on ceremonies.. Just turn them all on together and get it over with it…
Are you talking about the Web Summit?
Markets are supposed to be crowded. It’s called atmosphere.
It was just st1t
Ah yes….Christmas markets on O’Connell Street. Mulled wine, mince pies and junkies. Makes me go all festive just thinking about it
You can kill two birds with one stone, get your family gifts and a line of coke and all in one outing.
Mulled Methadone anyone?
Lol @ thejournal closing comments on the traveller ethnicity article.
Agree and Marie cahill article
And closing the comments on the Maria Cahill article when in fact everyone knew she was a dissident
I can somewhat understand that as there is legal matters in play there is there not?
But if it’s acusations about Sinn Fein comments are left open journal is getting pathetic lately think il stick to boards.ie for how people feel on issues
Traveller article now open to comments.
Why lol ?
The journal isn’t news… It’s full of hand picked manipulated articles which themselves are then manipulated by a lot internet trolls and a few people with little knowledge in general.
The journal has an agenda anyone can see that.
It reports on news in its own way kinda like FOX in America.
It regularly claims racism is rife against travellers whilst ignoring statistics on crimes committed by said travellers.
Has a pro refugee stance even though it’s proved most people they speak about in these articles are in fact economic migrants. The same people risking their own children’s lives for better welfare benefits whilst fleeing war torn countries like Italy, Turkey and France.
Oh and the journal also think DOB is in line for a sainthood when he moves on.
I never get that one to be honest.
Oh and mentioning Christmas in November or even September annoys the life out of me !!!
Exactly Darragh, anything to with sinn fein comments wideeee open
Merry Christmas.
Is one of the logistical problems the junkies?
can’t wait. …so will be a cross between the walking dead and the grinch on o connel Street and the usual rip off merchants in the docks
Off to Germany to see a proper Christmas market this December. It probably wont compare to our hideous attempt.
I wonder will they have a Middle Eastern theme this year…
Jesus was born in the Middle East so it would be appropriate.
I’m sick of the Xmas markets in Dublin. Nothing in them is unique. Just food and drink at rip off prices. I’m off to Cologne Germany this year.
It was sheer crud and Rip Off. Typical Irish exploitation
Galway market is more festive and value for money.
“I Believe” that this a load of commercialised crap over an old pagan festival, hijacked by an unscrupulous cult and its mythical demigod!
More importantly, Anything to come actually from what happened the Clerys workers?
Deadly. A display in the windows of Clery’s…Should somebody tell them Clery’s is closed?
Mannix Flynn, the voice of no one
Will you feckin’ shut up about chrimbo until at least December 1, PLEASE!
Apres ski bar – 15 quid entrance fee. Nearly choked on my cornflakes.
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