It’s now more than twelve months since the final block was laid on refurbishing Ringsend. This article gives vent to anecdotal evidence of anger felt by many Ringsend residents– anger at the disgraceful layout of footpaths, roads and gullies that criss-cross Ringsend village.

Robert from South Lotts spoke of congestion outside St Patrick’s church during funeral services. The footpath has been widened he explained, leaving the road too narrow to accommodate the hearse and mourning coaches. The hearse now parks in the church driveway and the mourning coaches park on the footpath.

The situation at weddings is not much better with limos and the wedding bus causing congestion on what was once a fine, spacious street.

Inside the church grounds it’s a nightmare and for anyone who’s bad on their pins– it’s an accident waiting to happen. The slopes and inclines resemble the Sea of Tranquillity on the moon.
And as Robert explains it’s not so long since the church grounds were refurbished and wonders at the need to do it again.

Clearly defining the road from the footpath outside the church is also causing problems. At this point there is a “blurring of edges” between road and footpath and one of the Bollards here has been damaged (since removed).

However, one of the most notorious spots is the footpath, if it could be called that, outside the Carlisle Cleaners on Bridge Street. There is literally room for one person only at this point. I suggest we put a traffic light here so the pedestrians going in opposite directions can use the path alternatively. I’ve watched elderly people trying to negotiate the many inclines, gullies and steps, yes, steps at Patrick’s Villas, and had to applaud their courage and tenacity.

The designers– I wouldn’t give them Lego to play with– blew it again by widening the path at the bus stop outside Bunnit’s. Here, congestion reigns as traffic builds up behind the stationary bus. Rain retention on the road is also a big problem at the Bunnit’s bus stop. As the bus pulls in, commuters have to step back to allow the spraying water to subside.

Further traffic congestion is encountered when turning left from Thorncastle Street heading towards the library. Prior to refurbishment, a car could filter through on the left at the post office. The present situation means waiting for the car turning right and heading into town to move on. An ‘ornamental structure’ outside the Post office is the culprit here and need I say the trees that were planted in it have disappeared.

Concrete blocks make up the surface on half of Thorncastle Street. Very aesthetic and nice to gawk at when going by in the bus. However, these blocks have another purpose– butt collection. Lashings of cigarette butts lodged in between the blocks, just a little cosmetic decoration to help brighten your day.

To cross the road from either side of Thorncastle Street is a nightmare for those with walking sticks, Zimmer frames and in wheelchairs. Where Joe Soap would have made access easy for wheelchair users, some genius put in place an obstacle course for the disabled.

The library is another example of someone with an obsession with steps and with making life awkward for pedestrians. Sarah, a local resident says “it’s a gathering point for skateboarders and nothing else.” At night it lights up like an enormous spaceship ready to head off to another galaxy.

It’s amazing how authorities and councils can find monies– your money– to do things no one asked them to do. The maxim ‘if it ain’t broken why fix it’ does not apply to Ringsend. Get in there, boy, and cause mayhem seems more appropriate.

And finally where was An Taisce, usually so ready to examine new developments. No sign of them. Maybe an audit of the work done is needed at this stage.

Ah well, I’m off to Sportsco; I’m in training for negotiating the hills and valleys of my beloved Ringsend, see ye.

Above: Betty Kealy from Cambridge Court negotiates the man-made canyons of Ringsend.