Dublin City Council, in the days ahead, will initiate various upgrades to Talbot Street in Dublin, with enhancement of public lighting, footpaths, and the road’s quality in focus. The Council has set aside a sum of €2 million specifically for this-project.
Historically, Talbot Street has served as a pivotal conduit within the heart of the city, originally flanked on one end by Connolly Station’s Italianesque entrance and Nelson’s Pillar on the other. As pointed out by Dublin Civic Trust’s Graham Hickey, this particular street along with other regions of the north inner city, have recently been grappling with myriad adversities resulting in its gradual deterioration.
Hickey adds that a considerable number of marginalized individuals, residing in nearby streets in temporary and homeless shelters, can be noticed spending their daytimes on adjacent streets including Talbot Street, given that Dublin 1 accommodates an unfair share of such facilities.
One could distinctly observe the diversity of the inhabitants engaged in work or just a leisurely stroll on Talbot Street, on any bright weekday morning. One can hear a variety of languages being spoken, including Arabic, Romanian, Mandarin, Polish and Hindi, to name a few. The street is a food haven with a plethora of dining joints and takeaway joints serving delicacies from all around the world including Indian, Turkish, Asian street food, Eastern European, and Italian cuisine.
The street features a Tesco, a Lidl, a Spar, and a SuperValu, dedicated to making shopping more convenient to people living on Talbot Street. There are vape and phone shops, barbershops, tattoo parlors and massage parlors. Some outlets however, remain closed, while few are up for sale. The Independent Newspapers maintains a prominent place on the street alongside several long-standing independent businesses including hardware, shoe, paint, and wallpaper stores, not forgetting the cobblers.
Asked about working on the street, an anonymous employee of one of the establishments echoed a strongly negative sentiment, stating that he often witnesses brawls involving drug abusers and law enforcement. He describes the situation worsening as one moves further down the street towards the bridge, likening the experience to a war zone at any given time of day or night.
Billy Corr, a long-standing employee at Gerry Keane Paint and Wallpaper shop, has been earning his livelihood on this very site for over half a century. Corr, who witnessed the heinous 1974 Loyalist bombing, shares a sentiment of dissatisfaction over the unpleasant reputation his place of work and its surrounding precinct has acquired. His concern, largely stemming from what he sees as the degeneration of not only his street but also the neighbouring Henry Street, is primarily caused by anti-social activities that tend to intimidate their aging client base.
Despite the Council’s proposed development plans that include better lighting and well-maintained pavements, Corr believes it is ill-timed. In his view, the disruptions that it will cause to the traffic flow would potentially lead to a decrease in customers. Instead, he advocates for tactics like additional police force, advanced security cameras, and some aesthetically pleasing elements like flowers for the street.
Ladislaw Daczo from Tara Leathers echoes the need for a more habitable neighbourhood but differs on the necessity of increased lighting. Instead, he demands more street cleaners. But, surprisingly during the time spent there, not a single piece of litter is sighted throughout the whole stretch of the street. Meanwhile, jobless individuals are the concern for Daczo who feels disheartened at the sight of the street being so unimpressive, especially given it’s close proximity to the city centre.
The layout of Talbot Street, intersected by Gardiner Street, Moland Place and Store Street however, didn’t fail to highlight a rather peculiar observation. A seemingly collective disregard for jaywalking laws and traffic rules, even amidst the chaos of oncoming traffic and crossing lights, by the pedestrians frequently navigating these streets.
During the period I was there, I noticed only one patrolling Garda vehicle. Oddly enough, it passed by a clear cut example of unlawful behaviour without intervening. There were four individuals seated on the round granite bench, nestled beneath a charming lime tree on the street. One of them was a messy-looking woman missing a few front teeth, consuming vodka openly. Next to her was a man sipping something from a large covered bottle. The other pair seemed to be exchanging something covertly. From their erratic movements and interaction, it was evident that they were either intoxicated or under the influence of some substance. This was all in broad daylight, at half past one.
It’s this man’s opinion that such benches should be removed, as they serve as more of a hub for nefarious activities rather than adding any aesthetic appeal to the locale. He refers to the prevailing drug transactions, lending Talbot Street the unflattering moniker ‘Tablet Street’. In his opinion, law enforcement often falls short of taking action. He recalls a time when the Gardaí would seize the liquor bottles and discard the alcohol, but this he has not witnessed in recent times.
Vladimir Shugaliya runs a well-stocked eclectic antique shop named ‘Under The Bridge’, located under the railway overpass. Having resided in the city centre for two decades, and managing his shop on this particular street for half that time, he recounts witnessing a criminal act unfold in his vicinity on a weekly basis.
This avenue frequently descends into disorder largely due to drugs – witnessing substance abuse, altercations, and transactions. It feels like a continuous cycle of cat and mouse with the law enforcement. Officers arrive, inhabitants scatter, officers leave, and the inhabitants return. There were surveys distributed in the shop asking if I’d appreciate more live music on the avenue. I responded not wanting more music, but rather a heightened security presence.
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Can the €2 million provided by Dublin City Council help rectify the issues plaguing Talbot Street?
Hickey believes so, as the funds are allocated specifically for improving street facilities and illumination. Nevertheless, Hickey suggests a separate pool of money could be of use for the upkeep of store fronts.
Richard Guiney, serving as DublinTown’s CEO, heads a charitable sector representing 2,500 enterprises in the capital. He extends a warm welcome to the Talbot Street investment considering it’s a significant gateway into the city which he fears may have lost its unique character over time.
So, what does Guiney envision for Talbot Street?
His plan involves implementing certain alterations. The aim is to promote greater artistic activity, establish workshops and artists’ studios. He believes this would foster stronger interactions with tourists. In order for Talbot Street to appeal more to visitors, it should become a district that engages them directly. There are fantastic opportunities for more eateries. To maintain the street’s usage during nightfall, improved lighting is paramount and that is what the street will now receive. Talbot Street has seen a steady downfall over the years and it’s time to rejuvenate it.