Lord Mayor: Let’s Celebrate Dublin — Together

This week, I launched Fáilte Ireland’s new 5-year tourism development plan for Dublin City.

It was a great privilege to attend my first official engagement as Lord Mayor of Dublin — the launch of Fáilte Ireland’s Dublin City Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) at Bewley’s Café on Grafton Street.

To begin this mayoralty by supporting a plan that captures the very essence of Dublin — its culture, creativity, neighbourhoods and people — felt deeply meaningful. Because this year, above all else, I want to Celebrate Dublin.

That’s the theme of my mayoralty: shining a light on everything that makes Dublin extraordinary — not just our famous landmarks and festivals, but the everyday rhythm of city life in places like the Liberties, the Docklands, Stoneybatter, and Sandymount. This is a year for championing our communities, our civic pride, and our ambition for the future.

The DEDP is more than a tourism strategy. It’s a shared commitment to building a world-class capital city that is vibrant, welcoming and liveable for everyone — residents and visitors alike.

The plan reflects the values I hope to promote during my term as Lord Mayor:

• Pride of place, where every neighbourhood is valued.
• Civic partnership, where progress is built through collaboration.
• Long-term vision, where we plan boldly and sustainably for the Dublin of tomorrow.

Tourism and local life are not separate tracks — the best visitor experience starts with a city that works for its citizens. This plan embraces that ethos by investing in our parks, public spaces, cultural sites, and local villages. It supports creativity, inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability — the qualities that make Dublin more than just a destination, but a story worth sharing.

As Lord Mayor, I am committed to ensuring that we continue to think big, act boldly, and place people at the heart of everything we do.

Let’s take inspiration from this plan — and from each other — as we shape a city that honours its past, lives fully in the present, and welcomes the world with confidence.

Let us Celebrate Dublin — together.

You can view a copy of the Dublin City Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) at https://www.failteireland.ie/Utility/News-Library/Failte-Ireland-launches-new-5-year-tourism-dev-(4).aspx.