OUR CAMPAIGN GROUP ENTERS ITS 9th YEAR ON ITS 433rd SATURDAY ON THE STREET.
AIMSIR
Bhí sé gaofar agus fuar and our leaflets and placards went flying more than once, but at least it didn’t rain. One of our flags is still crumpled after we packed it away wet a fortnight ago, even though Diarmuid took it home to wash, so Eileen is going to steam-iron it.
DAOINE
Bróna, Orla, Eileen and Diarmuid were the foireann today.
Bróna brought a tin of sweets which she placed on the table, goodies for volunteers and signers.
As usual, people from all over were signing the petition today and talking about the need to conserve the buildings and the market: not just Dubs but people from other counties and other countries even.
Although the street was not as busy as before Christmas it was noticeable how many were coming to the table to sign the petition, often with children or teens in tow. It was heart-warming to see fathers and mothers encouraging their children to sign too – it is of course for their future that we are trying to preserve the historic street market and 1916 battleground. Orla and Eileen do great work on the far side of the street, directing people towards us.
A man with a healthy group of youth stopped to sign the petition but were also happy to pose for a solidarity portrait: Holly, John, Stephen and Robert Scarff (Holly is from Ballybough and the rest from Priorswood).
One man who signed told us that he and his family had shops in the area around 20 years ago, including one in Moore Street selling phones (so not just a recent thing here).
Two unexpected blasts from the past were the brief appearances of Emily, who was for awhile a regular team member, visiting Ireland and accompanied by Brendan; then Bart, photographer and team member since the occupation and blockade days of 2016 until he got a job that has him working Saturdays (he finished early today). He maintains our website (which he set up) and lays out display for the printer when we’re having leaflets done.
Yet again today we met some people who said they thought the area had been saved, which is something we come across too often. You can help update people about the campaign on social media by sharing our posts from time. Our website is smsfd.ie
AN TSRÁID AGUS AN TRAIDISIÚN
Only a few stalls were open today and of course the tent stalls were gone by mid-December (as they all just for Christmas commercial promotion?)
None of the traditional stalls were open either and the street was much quieter than it has been. The street needs more stalls and varied goods for sale in order to keep it lively – the oldest surviving street market in Dublin.
Today is Nollaig na mBan (and there was only one male on our team today), also known as Little Christmas (also date celebrating the Three Mage Kings in some countries, for example Spain, when children receive their presents). In Moore Street this was traditionally a day for the stall holders to celebrate socially in pubs in the street (of which there were a number but all gone now). One of the traders told us that Little Christmas in England is on the 5th; however, digging into that a little we find that “In the late 19th Century, the day was also known as Little Christmas in some parts of England, such as Lancashire. In the Isle of Man, New Year’s Day on 1 January was formerly called Laa Nolick beg in Manx, or Little Christmas Day, while 6 January was referred to as Old Christmas Day.”
UASDÁTÚ
Well, after posting “No news expected or received” in our report last week, what but we received the news that Hammerson, the property speculator involved, has taken a case against Dublin City to the High Court. Hammerson are objecting to the decision of Dublin City Council last November to have six buildings in the 1916 Terrace designated as protected structures.
Hammerson are reported saying that this preservation status is interfering with the planning process. We might say that Hammerson are interfering with the conservation and historical memory process!
We need to investigate to what exactly it is that Hammerson are objecting, seeing as they said they don’t want to demolish the buildings (other than the two through which they plan a new road up to the ILAC shopping centre entrence; Hammerson own half that too, Irish Life the other half).
We’ll do some digging in order to update you all. Ath-Bhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir!
