Weekly Update – Monday 26th May 2025

It’s been another busy and productive week across the North Inner City, with progress on key housing, education, community and regeneration issues.

Housing & Planning Progress

I began the week by meeting with individual constituents to discuss public housing applications and the new affordable housing scheme planned for Montpelier on the former O’Devaney Gardens site. Later that day, I joined fellow North Inner City Councillors for a briefing from the City Council’s Housing Department on two major redevelopment projects: Constitution Hill and Matt Talbot Court in Summerhill. While Constitution Hill is set to move to the construction phase this autumn, the tender process for Matt Talbot Court has been more challenging due to a lack of contractor interest and rising cost projections.

Separately, I was pleased to confirm that a contractor has now been appointed by Dublin City Council to undertake the long-awaited construction and conservation works on the historic Fruit & Vegetable Market. This is a major milestone for the North Inner City and will breathe new life into this iconic building.

I also provided an update on the delayed Ballybough LIDL redevelopment — I’m glad to report that recent engagement between Building Control and Lidl Ireland has been positive, and it now appears that the project is finally back on track.

Community, Learning & Local Leadership

On Tuesday, I attended the 4th Annual North Inner City Learning Neighbourhood Showcase in Croke Park — a fantastic event highlighting the transformative power of lifelong learning. Later that day, I joined the Lord Mayor, Emma Blain, at the Mansion House for the launch of Bohemian FC’s Social Impact Report — an important moment for the club and the city in recognising how sport can shape lives for the better. That evening, I met with Smithfield residents to discuss a planning application in their neighbourhood and how it may impact the community.

On Wednesday, I met with James Geoghegan TD, former Lord Mayor and now Fine Gael’s spokesperson on Dublin, to discuss city-wide challenges and opportunities. That afternoon, I returned to individual casework and met with the Chair of Ballybough Pride of Place to hear their plans for the year ahead and identify areas where I can offer support.

Announcements & Government Investment
This past week saw several positive announcements for our area:

• Sunflower Recycling, a long-established social enterprise in the North Inner City, was awarded €13,950 under the Government’s Social Enterprises Investment Fund — a well-deserved recognition of their community-led work.
• The Department of Further and Higher Education confirmed that the Cathal Brugha Street redevelopment, led by City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB), has now received approval to move to the next phase of development. This is a transformative investment, with tens of millions of euros to be delivered under the Government’s College of the Future programme, establishing a flagship Further Education and Training (FET) campus in the heart of Dublin.

Breaking Ground, Supporting Culture & Community

On Thursday morning, I joined the Lord Mayor and Minister James Browne TD in Cabra’s Blackbird Park for the sod-turning ceremony on a new housing development — 95 homes to be delivered by Focus Housing in partnership with Dublin City Council.

That afternoon, I popped into Merrion Square for the announcement of this year’s Dublin Literary Award. A huge congratulations to Michael Crummey, whose powerful novel The Innocents was honoured with one of the world’s most prestigious literary prizes.

I also visited the Sean O’Casey Community Centre in East Wall to meet new Centre Manager Annette Ryan and offer my full support for the centre’s continued work at the heart of the community.

Recognising Service & Celebrating Culture

Friday was spent in the office catching up on paperwork, calls and emails before heading to the Mansion House for the Annual Lord Mayor’s Awards — always a highlight of the civic year, recognising the incredible work of people right across our city.

On Sunday morning, I attended the Annual IUNVA Commemoration at Arbour Hill — a deeply important occasion to honour the men and women of our Defence Forces, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving on UN peacekeeping missions. Later that day, I joined the community in Smithfield Square for Day 2 of the Luke Kelly Festival — a joyous, inclusive and family-friendly event celebrating one of Dublin’s most iconic cultural figures. Huge credit is due to the Kelly family and the DCC staff who brought it to life.