URBAN EXPRESSION BY THE URBAN CARTOGRAPHER

There Is Much To See Here

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MURAL BY CLAIRE PROUVOST AT OLD UNUSED MOVING WALKWAY ENTRANCE TO THE ORIGINAL SHOPPING CENTRE IN DUNDRUM

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JANUARY 2025

A Mural in Dundrum: A Glimpse into the Past

A striking mural by French artist Claire Prouvost now adorns the former moving walkway of the original Dundrum Shopping Centre, built in 1971. This vibrant artwork, featuring Prouvost’s signature bold style inspired by Cubism, adds a contemporary artistic touch to a piece of Dundrum’s history.

Prouvost is renowned for her work with prominent brands like Gucci and Guinness, and her art often explores themes of human interaction and celebrates diversity. She is also a member of the Minaw Collective, an all-female Irish street art group.

The original Dundrum Shopping Centre, while facing challenges like design flaws, served the community for decades. However, with the rise of the much larger modern shopping center in the late 2000s, it gradually fell into disuse. The old center, a relic of a bygone era, stood vacant for a time, a testament to the evolving landscape of retail.

Today, the revitalized space houses Lidl and other retailers, welcomed by the community as a positive transformation of a previously derelict structure. The mural by Claire Prouvost, situated near an EV charging station, adds a contemporary artistic perspective on the area’s history, reminding us of the past while embracing the present.

MURALS – DOMINICK STREET DREAMS

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A REAL DUB STANDING BESIDE ME AT THE TRAM STOP DESCRIBED IT AS THE DOMINICK STREET NIGHTMARE

I have a suspicion that the whole redevelopment proposal is aspirational – I say this because for decades the City Council has promised that the Social Flats complexes on Dominick Street were to be redeveloped. To be fair the blocks across the street have been demolished and redeveloped but it took decades. In my opinion, the apartments that are current scheduled to be refurbished are in no way suitable.

Dominick Street Lower: A Model for Climate-Resilient Social Housing

In line with Dublin City Council’s ambitious climate action plan, Climate Neutral Dublin 2030, three blocks of flats on Dominick Street Lower are undergoing a deep retrofit. This project aims to showcase how older social housing can be transformed into low-carbon, climate-resilient homes while maintaining high quality and comfort for residents.

More Than Just Bricks and Mortar

This initiative goes beyond simply improving energy efficiency. It’s about creating a sustainable and vibrant community. Here’s how:

“Your Back Garden”: The vacant car park in Dominick Lane is being transformed into a temporary communal garden for residents to enjoy during the retrofit process. This green space provides a much-needed oasis in the urban landscape and fosters a sense of community.

Celebrating Sustainability Through Art: To highlight the project’s commitment to climate action, DCC commissioned a striking mural on the construction hoarding. This vibrant artwork animates the street and raises awareness about sustainable living.

The Mural and Artists

The mural, titled “Dominick Street Dreams”, is a collaborative creation by four talented artists:

Kathrina Rupit: Known for her bold graphic style and vibrant colours, often incorporating elements of nature and fantasy.
Claire Prouvost: A Dublin-based French artist specialising in large-scale murals that celebrate diversity and human connection, with a distinctive Cubist influence.
Friz: A street artist whose work explores themes of social justice and environmentalism, often using stencils and spray paint.
Emily Robyn Archer: An illustrator and muralist with a whimsical style, known for creating playful characters and imaginative scenes.
Together, these artists have produced a captivating mural that reflects the spirit of community, sustainability, and renewal. It’s a testament to Dublin City Council’s commitment to integrating art into urban regeneration projects.

The Original Vision: A Public-Private Partnership

The initial plan for Dominick Street’s regeneration involved a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). This meant the Dublin City Council would collaborate with a private developer to overhaul the entire area, including the social housing flats.

The Developer’s Exit

The private developer involved in the PPP was Bernard McNamara. Unfortunately, his company ran into significant financial difficulties during the Irish property crash in the late 2000s. This led to:

Project Stall: The Dominick Street regeneration project stalled as McNamara’s company struggled.
PPP Collapse: Ultimately, the PPP collapsed, leaving the project in limbo.

The Aftermath and New Approach

Following the collapse of the PPP, Dublin City Council had to reassess its approach to the Dominick Street regeneration. This led to:

Phased Redevelopment: Instead of a single, large-scale project, the Council opted for a phased approach, tackling different parts of Dominick Street separately.  
Focus on Social Housing: The initial focus shifted to redeveloping the social housing complexes on the east side of Dominick Street Lower, which had been vacated due to their poor condition.

New Partnerships: The Council sought new partnerships and funding sources to move forward with the regeneration.
Delays and Challenges

Even with this revised approach, the Dominick Street regeneration faced further delays and challenges:

Funding Constraints: Securing adequate funding for social housing projects remained a challenge in the post-crash economic climate.
Planning and Design: The planning and design process for complex urban regeneration projects can be time-consuming, involving consultations, approvals, and revisions.

Relocating Residents: Finding suitable alternative accommodation for residents of the existing flats was a crucial step that sometimes caused delays.

Current Status

As of now, the east side of Dominick Street Lower has been successfully redeveloped, with new social housing units, a community centre, and commercial spaces. However, the original vision for a comprehensive regeneration of the entire Dominick Street area, including the refurbishment of the remaining flats, remains unfulfilled.   It should be noted that the commercial spaces are vacant.

The Future of Dominick Street Lower Flats

The future of the flats on the west side of Dominick Street Lower remains uncertain. While the Dublin City Development Plan 2016-2022 mentions their refurbishment, the lack of recent concrete information raises concerns about the timeline and feasibility of this project.

ST PETERS LANE IN PHIBSBOROUGH LEGACY PHOTO COLLECTION

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BACK IN JULY 2022 IT HOSTED SOME MURALS BUT THE QUALITY WAS IN DECLINE

I visited the area about an hour later and someone had dumped a office furniture and a number of old televisions in one of the lanes.

St Peter’s Lane is a small, somewhat forgotten lane in Phibsborough, Dublin 7. Connecting Cabra Park and St. Peter’s Road, it’s tucked away in a network of similar lanes, which can make it a bit tricky to find.

For a time, the lack of clear signage led to some confusion about its actual name. Many locals, myself included, referred to it as Cabra Lane. However, recently installed signs have confirmed its official name as St Peter’s Lane.

Unfortunately, this little lane has faced persistent challenges with fly-tipping. Despite various attempts to combat this issue, including community clean-ups, street art competitions, and the creation of impressive murals, the problem seems to return in a frustratingly cyclical manner.

It’s a real shame because the street art initiatives have brought moments of colour and vibrancy to the lane. Some truly talented artists have contributed their skills to create high-quality murals, temporarily transforming the area. But, sadly, the illegal dumping often reappears, undermining these positive efforts.

STREET ART ON CENTAUR STREET IN CARLOW

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AN UNUSUAL NAME FOR A STREET IN IRELAND

Centaur Street in Carlow: A Curious Name with a Storied Past, Divided by Haymarket

Centaur Street, nestled in the heart of Carlow town, is a thoroughfare that piques curiosity with its unusual name and distinctive layout. The street is divided into two sections by the triangular Haymarket, a central open space that adds a unique character to the area.

While the exact origin of the street’s name remains shrouded in some mystery, local lore and historical records offer tantalising clues. One prevailing theory links the street’s name to the Browne family, prominent landowners in Carlow during the 18th century. Their coat of arms featured a centaur, a mythical creature combining the upper body of a human with the lower body of a horse. It is believed that the street, once part of the Browne estate, was named in honour of this heraldic symbol.

Another intriguing possibility stems from the ancient Greek myth of the centaurs, who were renowned for their wild and untamed nature. Some speculate that the street’s name might allude to the area’s lively atmosphere or perhaps to its location near the River Barrow, which could have been perceived as a somewhat untamed natural force in earlier times.

Regardless of its precise origin, the name Centaur Street has endured for centuries, adding a touch of mystique to this historic Carlow thoroughfare. Today, it is home to a mix of businesses and residences, each contributing to the town’s vibrant tapestry. Haymarket, with its central location, serves as a gathering place and a visual marker dividing the street into two distinct sections.

As you stroll along Centaur Street, take a moment to ponder its enigmatic name and the stories it might hold. Whether it echoes the legacy of a noble family or whispers of ancient myths, it serves as a reminder of Carlow’s rich history and the enduring power of names to capture our imagination.

THE UPRIGHT MEADOW ON COLLEGE STREET IN CARLOW

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BY SAIDHBHIN GIBSON

When I visited in August 2024 there was little sign of living plants and I do not know why, maybe it is no longer maintained?

Saidhbhín Gibson’s work explores the framing of the non-human environment for and by contemporary society. She employs multifarious methods of production in the manufacture of the work. Video, photography, drawing, sculpture and needlepoint lace are used to examine the interference by humans of the Natural world.

The Upright Meadow is a living art installation located on College Street in Carlow Town, Ireland. It was created by artist Saidhbhín Gibson in 2017 as part of a town-wide project commissioning artists to respond to chosen wall spaces.

Here’s what makes it unique:

Living wall: Instead of traditional art materials, the “canvas” is a wall populated with wildflowers commonly found growing in the crevices of stone walls.
Plant Diversity: The installation showcases a variety of wild plants, highlighting the biodiversity often overlooked in urban environments.
Evolving Artwork: The Upright Meadow changes throughout the year as the plants grow, flower, and seed, creating an ever-evolving display.
Inspiration from Nature: The artwork was inspired by a nearby pocket of land rich in wildflowers, grasses, and wildlife.
Additional details:

The plants used were collected over eight months before being implanted into the wall.
The installation contrasts with the more manicured, commercial bedding plants often seen in urban planters.
It aims to draw attention to the beauty and resilience of wild plants.

Pure Thinking Community Group’s art project in Carlow. It seems they were involved in at least two projects:

Larger-Than-Life Portraits Project (2015)
 
This project was part of the lead-up to the Carlow Arts Festival in 2015.  
Artists from the Pure Thinking Community created oversized portraits of inspirational people from Carlow.  
These portraits were displayed on the exterior panels of the Carlow County Post Office during the festival.
The project involved workshops facilitated by artist Iwona Nartowska O’Reilly, with 29 artists participating.  
The portraits showcased a diverse range of individuals, reflecting the vibrant Carlow community.  

Wall Space Art Project (2017)
This project commissioned artists to respond to chosen wall spaces throughout Carlow Town.
It aimed to enhance the visual appeal of the town and promote local artists.
Saidhbhín Gibson’s “The Upright Meadow” was one of the artworks created for this project.
Other artists also contributed to the project, creating a variety of artworks in different locations.
It seems Pure Thinking Community Group played a key role in facilitating both of these projects, bringing together artists and creating opportunities for them to showcase their work and contribute to the cultural landscape of Carlow.

TEMPLE BAR WAS VERY COLOURFUL TODAY

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IMMEDIATELY AFTER SOME REALLY INTENSE RAIN

Temple Bar was very colourful today, immediately after some really intense rain. The light reflecting off the cobblestones made everything look bright and colourful, especially the street art by Shane Sutton on the builders’ hoarding. Shane Sutton is a well-known Irish street artist known for his vibrant and often humorous murals.

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