SEAFARING CELEBRATION





The seafaring traditions of Ringsend are deeply embedded in the folklore of our area.

Though the village itself is changing by the day, if the efforts of St. Patrick’s Girls School are anything to go by, the maritime history of our area will not be forgotten.

The recent unveiling of a seafaring mural painted by the pupils brought to fruition over six months hard work.

The help given by Dr. John de Courcy Ireland, who has been a good friend to Ringsend over many years, ensured that the girls were properly instructed on the seafaring history of our area. Lengthy correspondence had been entered into between himself and the pupils.
The artistic skills required for the project were developed with the assistance of Kilkenny artist and sculptor, Pauline O’ Connell.

The Principal of the school, Miss Campbell, paid great tribute to her colleague, Miss Gibbons, who was the main driving force
behind the venture.

The support given by the parents as well as that of the E.S.B, The Financial Services Centre, I.G.B and Crown Paints ensured that the project saw the light of day.

As well as the expression in paint, the girls also learned sea shanties which they sung in celebration of the occasion.

Miss Gibbons pointed out that there are further projects in hand to celebrate the children’s games of days gone by as well as an African Cultural week. These projects are planned for next year.

 

PORT ACCESS TUNNEL

In a rare cross-party effort to once and for all tackle the critical traffic problems of our area, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour have jointly proposed the building of a Southern Port Access Tunnel from Booterstown, under Sandymount Strand, into the South Port, finally linking with the Northern Port Access Tunnel already agreed by the City Council.

Following a suggestion from local Labour Councillor, Dermot Lacey, an amendment to the Draft City Development Plan was co-signed by Councillor Lacey, Councillor Eoin Ryan and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Senator Joe Doyle.

In a letter accompanying the amendment, the three Councillors stressed their concern that the original city plan “contained no proposals to reduce the excessive volume of traffic in the South Eastern sector of the City”.

They went on to observe that “the traffic problems in our area have grown to an unacceptable level in recent years due to the unprecedented increase in car and container lorry traffic. Dublin Port is also developing at a rapid pace. The major building programmes to take place in the Docklands Development will add further traffic congestion. The proposed tunnel will remove that increased traffic out of our area as well as the inner city.”

Environmental concerns are paramount for all three representatives. They are adamant that this will be a road under the strand. The possibility of a road over the strand is not an option under any circumstances.

The plan with the proposed amendments has been adopted and will go on public display early in the New Year in the Civic Offices, as well as in appropriate local venues. This will enable the public to make their views known to Dublin Corporation.