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The Stephen's Green market is no more ... but there's a Christmas plan for the Clerys shopfront

The Christmas plan for Dublin city has been confirmed. Here’s what’s going on…

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.

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.”

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’.”

21/11/2013. Clerys Shop Reopens 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.

Read: An Post are trying to make Christmas shopping less painful this year

Read: Looking for a job this Christmas? These places are hiring

 

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34 Comments
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    Mute Cosmo Kramer
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:24 PM

    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

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    Mute Al Fonso
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:25 PM

    Isn’t that the requirement for any Christmas-related event?

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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:59 PM

    Sounds like every market ever.

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    Mute Kevin Denny
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    Nov 4th 2015, 2:00 PM

    If it was over-priced, why was it so crowded? They must have been doing something right.

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    Mute Cosmo Kramer
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    Nov 4th 2015, 2:16 PM

    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…

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    Mute Stuart
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    Nov 4th 2015, 3:58 PM

    Are you talking about the Web Summit?

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Nov 4th 2015, 4:22 PM

    Markets are supposed to be crowded. It’s called atmosphere.

    11
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    Mute Always Right!
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    Nov 5th 2015, 3:02 PM

    It was just st1t

    1
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    Mute Beano
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:28 PM

    Ah yes….Christmas markets on O’Connell Street. Mulled wine, mince pies and junkies. Makes me go all festive just thinking about it

    206
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:58 PM

    You can kill two birds with one stone, get your family gifts and a line of coke and all in one outing.

    44
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    Mute Conor Sweeney
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    Nov 4th 2015, 4:06 PM

    Mulled Methadone anyone?

    50
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    Mute Wrath of Cheney
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:29 PM

    Lol @ thejournal closing comments on the traveller ethnicity article.

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    Mute Darren Mulligan
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:32 PM

    Agree and Marie cahill article

    29
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    Mute Supernova
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:32 PM

    And closing the comments on the Maria Cahill article when in fact everyone knew she was a dissident

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    Mute Wrath of Cheney
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:33 PM

    I can somewhat understand that as there is legal matters in play there is there not?

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    Mute Darren Mulligan
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:41 PM

    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

    26
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    Mute Wrath of Cheney
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:44 PM

    Traveller article now open to comments.

    4
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    Mute f m
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:44 PM

    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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    Mute Supernova
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:45 PM

    Exactly Darragh, anything to with sinn fein comments wideeee open

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Nov 4th 2015, 4:24 PM

    Merry Christmas.

    3
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    Mute sam 987123
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:32 PM

    Is one of the logistical problems the junkies?

    46
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    Mute Marc Power
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    Nov 4th 2015, 1:37 PM

    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

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    Mute Danny Nash
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    Nov 4th 2015, 3:15 PM

    Off to Germany to see a proper Christmas market this December. It probably wont compare to our hideous attempt.

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    Mute Cal Cryton
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    Nov 4th 2015, 3:45 PM

    I wonder will they have a Middle Eastern theme this year…

    14
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    Mute Derek Walsh
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    Nov 4th 2015, 4:43 PM

    Jesus was born in the Middle East so it would be appropriate.

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    Mute Niall Donnelly
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    Nov 4th 2015, 5:57 PM

    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.

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    Mute Garwig
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    Nov 4th 2015, 7:10 PM

    It was sheer crud and Rip Off. Typical Irish exploitation

    9
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    Mute Diogenes
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    Nov 4th 2015, 8:59 PM

    Galway market is more festive and value for money.

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    Mute John Ward
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    Nov 4th 2015, 5:56 PM

    “I Believe” that this a load of commercialised crap over an old pagan festival, hijacked by an unscrupulous cult and its mythical demigod!

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    Mute Seán O'Sullivan
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    Nov 4th 2015, 7:26 PM

    More importantly, Anything to come actually from what happened the Clerys workers?

    6
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    Mute Fintan C Hennessy
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    Nov 4th 2015, 7:16 PM

    Deadly. A display in the windows of Clery’s…Should somebody tell them Clery’s is closed?

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    Mute The Dublin Cynic
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    Nov 5th 2015, 1:57 AM

    Mannix Flynn, the voice of no one

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    Mute Todd Hebert
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    Nov 4th 2015, 10:37 PM

    Will you feckin’ shut up about chrimbo until at least December 1, PLEASE!

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    Mute Shane Gleeson
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    Nov 5th 2015, 6:52 AM

    Apres ski bar – 15 quid entrance fee. Nearly choked on my cornflakes.

    1
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