LATEST DUBLIN CITY NEWS

• “Proposed changes to retail guidelines will cost jobs, compromise main streets and cause more dereliction - An Taisce”

  03-01-2012

  Jobs will be lost and main streets will suffer if Forfas gets its way on Retail Planning  according to a recent An Taisce  Press Release

• Rejuvenating Dublin's Tourism Product

  23-12-2011

  Dublin City Business Association commissioned Jerome Casey and Felim O’Rourke to undertake a study of tourism in Dublin and to make least-cost recommendations for its rejuvenation. The World Tourism Organisation concluded (in relation to Ireland) that "there appears to be very little correlation between marketing spending by National Tourism Organisations and international arrivals". 
  

  Within Ireland, there is a mismatch between the Irish tourism market and the public resources devoted to it. 

  33 existing tourist attractions in Dublin were reviewed, and low-cost initiatives suggested for their improvement.

  From 2000 – 2010 Ireland’s share of world tourism visitors has fallen sharply. In 2004, Ireland changed from being a destination country for incoming tourists to an origin country for Irish, outgoing tourists.

  Dublin must move from passive approval of tourist activities to an active development of tourism as a priority industry in regenerating the city’s economy. 

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

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Dublin City Centre's New Energy Efficient Christmas Tree - The Facts

Monday the 1st of December 2008

The new energy-efficient Christmas tree on O'Connell Street was a gift to the people of Dublin from the city centre business community in partnership with Dublin City Council.
 
The City Council's contribution to the tree was 1/3 only of the total cost at €100,000. Contrary to some reports - over its lifespan the tree will actually save the City Council €100,000 euro in comparison to purchasing a traditional tree annually. The life-span of the tree is 10 years and it is now owned by Dublin City Council.
 
Footfall on O'Connell Street has increased over 11%, on its highest point in recent years, since the erection of the tree. Opinions on it are varied but like all comment on art is subjective. Throughout each day people can be seen photographing the tree and getting photographed in front of the tree. Like the Spire it has become an attraction in itself for the people in the city.
 
Those involved in erecting the tree anticipated that the tree would become a "modern beacon of hope" in pessimistic times. The concept for the tree came from a proposal from an individual who had seen a similar one and thought it would add to the magical atmosphere of the city centre at Christmas time.
It also meets with new health and safety regulations in this area.
 
The traditional tree had been sourced from Coillte for the last 30 years and not from Norway as some mistakenly believe. It cost the City Council €20,000 annually to erect. (2007 prices)
 
The new energy efficient tree was designed and built by a French company - Blachere Illumination - who are the world leaders in energy efficient LED technology and who patented a design for the white LED in 1992. It is their company policy only to use energy efficient lighting. They are also world-leaders in festive light design.
 
In terms of its location the tree is in exactly the same place as in any other year, in front of the GPO on the Northside of the city.
 
The illustrative design at the base is to promote the magic of the city centre at Christmas time and nothing else. Credit for sponsorship and supply of the tree is given to relevant parties as is normal and traditional practice. There is not any advertising on the base of the tree. The area at the base of the tree houses the mechanical and electrical material to illuminate and erect the tree.