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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.
At Dublin Christmas market with Min Simon Harris - congrats to City Bid great project pic.twitter.com/P5JzAQVcYq
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.”
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Polar bears, santa, Irish models... Christmas in Dublin being launched at the GPO pic.twitter.com/ryZGCXEr6o
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’.”
The Clerys shopfront in 2013. Sam Boal
Sam Boal
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:
Thursday 12 November, 5.00pm: Lights on Henry Street to be switched on. ‘A mix of family entertainment’ promised before ceremony.
Sunday 15 November, 4.30pm: Grafton Street Christmas lights to be turned on by ‘a very special surprise guest’.
Thursday 19 November, 12pm: ’Shop and Drop’ service begins in two locations, on Liffey Street next to Arnotts and in St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre (according to DublinTown: “shoppers can safely and securely leave their shopping haul with our staff in these locations while they go off and take full advantage of what the city has to offer”).
Thursday 26 November, 5.30pm – 8.00pm: Free open-air concert and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Smithfield Plaza.
Thursday 26 November, 5.30pm: Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh lights the ‘I Believe’ ‘Rockefeller style’ Christmas Tree at Custom House Quarter and officially opens the ‘I Believe’ Christmas market.
Sunday 29 November 2015, 3.30pm – 6.00pm: Switching on of O’Connell Street Christmas Tree lights by Lord Mayor. Annual world record Christmas jumper attempt to be held.
Tuesday 8 December 2015: Live Animal Crib opens at the Mansion House.
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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…
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
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 !!!
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