THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

SPRING 2019

Dartmouth Square and the development that still looms adjoining ACA” (the Dartmouth Square Architectural Conservation Area).

The council’s grant of planning permission was appealed by both ULSARA and Dartmouth Square Residents amongst others to An Bord Pleanála (the Board). By letter dated December 5th 2018 the Board had invited observations from all appellants in response to revised proposals it had received from the The proposed developers. The revised submissions development at Dartmouth Square had been received by the Board by way of the developer’s response to Inside The saga of the proposed the appeals made. redevelopment of the Carroll’s MetroLink discussions In ULSARA’s detailed further Building at Grand Parade drags on. continue submission three overarching ULSARA members will recall that reasons were set out as to why the 50 years of preservation the association has been engaging association remains of the view and community with two successive developers and that planning permission should be development marked City Council (the council) refused: Appeal against about plans to redevelop this site which stretches from Grand Parade Wilton Park House 1. The proposed development back behind all the houses on the redevelopment by reason of its design, height, west side of Dartmouth Square. Heritage Trail app is massing, scale and location will materially and adversely affect open for business The association maintains a belief the character and setting of the that planners would be unwise to existing protected structure, Dodder Greenway authorise development on the site would have a detrimental effect plans afoot until the MetroLink routing/alignment on the designated Dartmouth issues are resolved, given the pivotal Square and Environs Architectural importance of the site in plans for Conservation Area and the Grand interconnection between the Metro ULSARA AGM Canal Conservation area and and Luas Green Line. Wednesday April 3rd 2019 would seriously injure the visual at 7.30 pm The current planning application amenities of the area and of property in the vicinity. Litton Hall, Wesley House, to “refurbish” the Carroll’s Building and add over 10,000 square metres Leeson Park 2. The proposed development by (100,000 square feet) of office reason of its, height, scale and Litton Hall is just south of accommodation to the rear of Christchurch on the corner of location in relation to adjoining the original building was granted Dartmouth Road and residential properties would by the council in January 2018. Upper Leeson Street result in severe overlooking Disappointingly, the council was of Please attend, to meet your and overshadowing that would the view that “it is not considered neighbours and the committee, seriously injure the residential that the massing and scale of the and to discuss local issues amenities of these properties. extension as now proposed will have GUEST SPEAKER a significant adverse impact on the Continued on page 6 James Kelly, Conservation Architect P.O. Box 8411, Ballsbridge Dublin 4. www.ulsara.ie ULSARA NEWS Spring 2019 1

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Chairman’s message WELCOME TO THE LATEST ISSUE OF OUR NEWSLETTER

2018 was a momentous year for be required for the years ahead as in ULSARA as we celebrated our 50th the past. Anniversary. It was wonderful to Our 2019 AGM will take place on meet so many of you at the launch Wednesday, 3rd April at 7.30 pm in of the publication ‘Cherishing Litton Hall (Leeson Park). We hope Heritage Preserving Communities’ you will be free to join us and take documenting the history of the the opportunity to meet and discuss association over the past fifty years. matters of mutual interest with fellow It was a particular pleasure to members. be joined on that occasion by Your comments and suggestions are Carmencita Hederman and Martin always welcome and can be sent to Reynolds, two of the founders of ULSARA, P.O. Box 8411, Ballsbridge, ULSARA, whose foresight was Carmen Neary Dublin 4. instrumental in protecting and preserving this special part of our Carmen Neary, Chairman city, despite many challenges from powerful individuals who sought Acknowledgements to alter the residential status of the Who we are area. The Upper Leeson Street Area Acknowledgement of DCC Vigilance is always necessary if Residents’ Association was founded Community Grant we are to continue to fulfil the in 1968. The Association draws its commitment of our founders. There members from the catchment area of ULSARA acknowledges with thanks the is never room for complacency streets, lanes and squares, extending support of Dublin City Council (Community as evidenced by the issues of the south from the Grand Canal, that are Grant Scheme) toward the publication of Carroll’s development and the adjacent to Upper Leeson Street. this and previous Newsletters. MetroLink, which are currently being The primary aim of the Association challenged, proving once again is to promote the conservation Newsletter printed, most generously at the truth of the old adage ‘plus ca and preservation of the residential a reduced cost, by Simon Hederman. change, plus c’est la meme chose’. character and amenities of the Hederman As we look forward to the next 50 neighbourhood, including the Graphic Media Solutions years, we continue to rely on the maintenance of green spaces, as support of local residents to maintain well as the distinctive Georgian and 92 Upper Leeson Street, our residential zoning and amenities Victorian architectural features of Dublin 4 and to foster community spirit. The this area of Dublin. 01-667 4747 effort and co-operation of many will www.hederman.ie

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ULSARA 2019 Final.indd 2 13/03/2019 11:58 THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER MetroLink discussions continue

In May last year Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority launched a non-statutory consultation process on MetroLink, the proposed 26 km high-frequency metro from Swords to Sandyford that is included in the government’s National Development Plan 2018-2027.

ULSARA was amongst those who made a submission within the consultation process. The major infrastructure proposal for an underground system in Dublin, Acknowledgement of DCC which understandably has many controversial elements, triggered particular concerns in the Dartmouth Upper Leeson Street Road/Dartmouth Square area, where support of Dublin City Council (Community it is proposed that the rail line would emerge from its tunnel and replace Communicating ULSARA the existing light-rail Luas with a heavy rail line through Ranelagh Newsletter printed, most generously at southbound to Dundrum and beyond. The association argued that MetroLink Newsletter should continue underground This newsletter has long been an important annual record of the association’s serving the most appropriate activities. The committee aims to continue to publish it and to deliver it population centres and that it should throughout the area. complement rather than replace the Luas green line. Twitter @ULSARADublin As this newsletter was going to print, Transport Infrastructure Ireland Follow us on Twitter (@ULSARAdublin) for regular and immediate news and confirmed that the next phase updates. Tweets are also posted on our website at www.ULSARA.ie. of public consultation would be announced imminently. Members are Members’ E-News advised to register on the MetroLink website to ensure they receive up The members who keep the association going through their annual to date information: www.metrolink. subscriptions are very much appreciated. Regular updates are now issued ie. Media reports suggest that via email newsletter and online surveys are used to gather views on current the main cause of delay is issues issues. We avoid inundating members with messages and endeavour to get identified by ULSARA last May – the balance right in terms of email volume. consideration of the optimal route south of Charlemont, the wisdom of Please let us have your email address if we do not already have it – please overlaying the Luas Green Line and send it to [email protected]. If, on the other hand, you would rather not the alternative of tunnelling further to receive email communication from us, please email [email protected] the south and west. with ‘No Email’ in the subject line. Whatever the outcome south of Website www.ulsara.ie Charlemont, it seems that phase 2 proposals still envisage an Please check www.ULSARA.ie for local information and up-to-date news underground frequent rail (metro) link on ULSARA activities. The site includes links to Dublin City Council services north from Charlemont. including Property Flood Protection and Planning Applications, further articles on the local area and an archive of newsletters dating back to the 1980s.

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ULSARA 2019 Final.indd 3 13/03/2019 11:58 THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER 50 Years of preservation and community development marked

The Upper Leeson Street Area The book launch Residents’ Association was On October 23rd the Chairman and committee of ULSARA welcomed over established in 1968 by a small group 200 guests to the Irish Architectural Archive at 45 for the of residents who came together launch of ‘Cherishing Heritage Preserving Community’. Guest speaker at the to oppose Dublin Corporation’s launch, architect and former Minister of Education Ruairi Quinn, highlighted proposal to rezone the area for ‘mixed the achievements of the association and the value of its work over the past half commercial/residential’ use. They century. Carmencita Hederman, former Lord Mayor of Dublin, former Senator succeeded in ensuring the area would and one of the founding members of ULSARA was, with many other former be rezoned for residential use only. committee members, among the honoured guests who came to celebrate the publication. Rather than rest on that first success, the association continued and for the past fifty years has battled with developers over the interpretation and implementation of the Dublin Development Plan and subsequent Planning and Development Acts.

Over the years the association has involved itself in a broad set of issues that have had implications for the social and environmental landscape, but the focus of ULSARA on the preservation of the area’s heritage and Fiona Slevin Geraldine Ann Cusack and Sue Scott environment and the development of community life have always endured.

While Bloomsday 2018 on June 16th was chosen as an opportunity for a celebratory event, the committee also decided to publish a major history of the association that would record the work and achievements of the countless individuals who have given time, energy and commitment to maintaining this neighbourhood as a pleasant place in which to live.

Five members of the committee Members of the committee brought the publication to fruition: Connie Dowling, Alistair Rowan, Terry Reid, Dermot Scott and Fiona Slevin.

Edited by Fiona Slevin, the 256- page book entitled ‘Cherishing Heritage Preserving Community’ includes informative essays by architects, historians and other Councillor Ruairi Quinn Dermot Lacey ULSARA members. It is illustrated with photographs from the ULSARA archive and with specially commissioned photographs taken by Andy Sheridan. 500 copies of the book were printed and sold out quickly.

ULSARA members

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Bloomsday

With the support of Dublin City Council, the James Joyce Centre and the Upper Leeson Street traders, the association organised an action- packed Bloomsday on June 16th. On a beautiful sunny day events got underway at the Leeson Barbers with readings from Ulysses by Ann Halliday, Ronan Sheehan, Paddy O’Dwyer and Ronan Kavanagh.

A Bloomsday Lunch had been organised in the Canal Bank Restaurant with entertainment from singer Truly DiVine, who sang melodies popular during the period in which Ulysses is set.

Eanna Ni Lamhna, one of Ireland’s foremost environmental experts, led a trip through Dartmouth Square with ‘Ulysses goes Wild’, explaining the various species of tree and shrub in her own inimitable fashion to the amusment of a large gathering who thoroughly enjoyed her presentation. Eanna Ni Lamhna and fans in Dartmouth Square Upper Leeson Street then provided the background to ‘Seven Scenes’ from Ulysses at various locations, concluding in O’Brien’s Bar where Michael Judd gave an excellent performance of Sceptre’s Ulysses.

A memorable Bloomsday concluded with Droolysses by Senan Molony in the Leeson Lounge.

The committee would like to thank all those who supported the 50 year celebration

Alan Hanna Books, Bloomsday Co-ordinators, Dublin City Council Community Grants Scheme, Gerard Byrne Gallery, Hampton Books, Irish Architectural Archive, Lisney, Litton Hall, Ranelagh Arts Centre, Simon Hederman, Upper Leeson Street traders (for Bloomsday and book sales) - in particular Leeson Barbers, Canal Bank Café, O’Brien’s Bar, The Leeson Lounge - all those who donated anonymously and all those who bought books. At O’Brien’s pub on Leeson Street

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ULSARA 2019 Final.indd 5 13/03/2019 11:58 THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER Dartmouth Square and the development that still looms (Continued From Cover Page)

3. It is considered that the additional traffic movements For each of these reasons ULSARA believes, as generated by the proposed development to the rear submitted to An Bord Pleanála, that the proposed of Dartmouth Square and onto Dartmouth Road development would be contrary to the proper planning would result in noise, disturbance and light pollution and sustainable development of the area. At the time of that would seriously injure the amenities of residents going to print a decision is awaited. in the vicinity and would result in traffic movement onto Dartmouth Road that would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard. Appeal against Wilton Park House redevelopment

The proposals to redesign the park, repositioning its iconic fountain and including a café, are considered particularly controversial with An Taisce, amongst others, urging that the fountain should not be moved.

ULSARA has drawn attention to the fact that the application did not include any assessment, undertaken by a suitably qualified historic landscape consultant, of the impact of the proposed development on the historic designed landscape of Wilton Park or on its relationship to Wilton Park House with the its context at Wilton Place and the protected terrace to the right side Grand Canal. The proposed development includes ULSARA has joined a number of The proposed seven-storey building changes to the layout, access other parties in appealing Dublin is designed to accommodate arrangements and the relocation or City Council’s recent approval of between 3,500 to 4,000 workers. An removal of historic features at Wilton the demolition and redevelopment illustration of the changing pattern Park which forms part of the original of Wilton Park House to An Bord of commuting in the area is that setting for the protected structures Pleanála. On Wilton Place, adjacent the new development is required at numbers 1 to 6 Wilton Place – an to the Grand Canal, and the to provide 500 parking spaces for attractive terrace of Georgian-style headquarters of the IDA since 1985, bicycles underground in addition to houses. the building was completed in 1985 70 visitor cycling spaces. to a design by Tyndall Hogan Hurley.

as if bombarding drivers, cyclists SpaceEngagers app from the Google Urban clutter and pedestrians with repetitive, and or Apple store and take an image of sometimes contradictory signs, will any street clutter seen in the area. enhance their safety. ‘Street furniture’: the term sounds What to do? ULSARA is initiating almost comfortable, as if its presence a campaign to record and remove should make our streets navigable, instances of urban clutter in our comfortable and aesthetically area. We want the Department of pleasing. Unfortunately for Dublin Transport and Dublin City Council and the Upper Leeson Street area, to take the 2013 Dublin City Public the term has become code for Realm Strategy seriously. It clearly a proliferation of disconnected stated that ‘It’s time to declutter’ and signage, poles and bollards – recognised that street clutter ‘has universally ugly and apparently negatively affected the accessibility uncontrolled. of spaces and their visual quality’. Most responsibility lies with a Members are asked to download the Too many signs Department of Transport that acts

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Lower Dodder flood defence works continue

The River Dodder is one of Dublin’s Ballsbridge, while current works three main rivers; it rises on the are now focussing upstream on northern slopes of Kippure in the the upgrading of the Anglesea Wicklow Mountains and flows down Road bank of the river and on the through West Dublin and through Smurfit Weir below Ashtons Pub in Ballsbridge, out to the River Liffey Clonskeagh. and the sea at . It has been subject to occasional As works have progressed, old flash flooding, with a large relatively embankment structures have been steep catchment in the Dublin evaluated and found wanting. The and Wicklow Mountains. The subsequent replacement flood Lower Dodder can also be subject defence walls are designed to a to tidal surges which have been 2100 AD structural standard. As known to reach the Smurfit Weir all of these works have had to at Clonskeagh. Keeping the Lower be developed within the national Dodder within its banks in extreme planning frameworks, sometimes flood conditions is a challenge and it progress seems painstakingly slow. is fortunate that the Lower Dodder Bridge capacities have also been Works were started in difficult increased where needed to cater economic times and will continue to for extreme flood conditions and completion. aspects of the Dodder Defence Works are being adapted to The flood defence works are now accommodate the Dodder Greenway Ballsbridge largely completed downstream of that is now being planned.

Dodder Greenway plans afoot

River Dodder, from its source in the include widening and upgrading Wicklow mountains to its mouth of existing paths as well as at the River Liffey at Grand Canal construction of new paths, bridges Dock. All three local authorities have and underpasses. The Greenway carried out extensive consultation will provide improved connectivity during last autumn on this proposed to communities, facilities and local ‘Dodder Greenway’ (the Greenway). business along the Dodder Valley Following the consultation, a revised corridor with a dedicated signage emerging preferred option was strategy. Landscaping will include presented to the Steering Group for ecological enhancements including the project. Dublin City Council have rich grassland management, the advised that they expect to be able planting of native trees, and the to share a confirmed route publicly provision of bat boxes. Bat friendly in early course. lighting will also be installed.

Details of the emerging preferred Currently walking groups use those route presented during the autumn Dodder pathways that exist, where it are available on Dublin City Council’s is very pleasant to note the remains website where maps 4, 5 and 6 of millraces, weirs and assorted show how the Greenway might route historic water works constructions. through Ballsbridge: consultation. dublincity.ie/traffic-and-transport/ For ULSARA residents with access community-engagement-on- to the proposed Greenway at Pedestrian and cycling paths at Milltown emerging-preferred-option/ Ballsbridge, soon Grand Canal Dock and Wicklow will be within walking South Dublin County Council, Dun Generally, it is proposed that the and cycling reach. Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Greenway will consist of a shared and Dublin City Council aim to 3-4 m wide bound surface on the provide a continuous high-quality off-road sections tying into suitable walking and cycling route along the bound road surfaces. The works will

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ULSARA 2019 Final.indd 7 13/03/2019 11:58 THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER Heritage Trail App is open Cheers for for business the city

In spring of last year committee area. It tells the history of Leeson council’s road’s member Fiona Slevin developed Street Bridge, the US Embassy, St department a new tool to provide heritage Bartholomew’s Church, Ranelagh information about the Upper Gardens and Carnac on Upper Leeson Street area. The Heritage Leeson Street. The biographical Trail mobile app was inspired by profiles include Patrick Kavanagh, Deirdre Kelly’s book ‘Four Roads Eoin MacNeill, Pamela Lyndon to Dublin’ published by O’Brien (Polly) Travers (creator of Mary Press in 2001 with content also Poppins) and Sarah Purser. from William Hederman’s Heritage Trail of the area. The app provides As well as content from ‘Four unusual insights and information on Roads to Dublin’ and from William the built environment and on past Hederman’s Heritage Trail, there is residents of the Upper Leeson Street content from the association’s 50th anniversary publication ‘Cherishing Heritage Preserving Community’ and from additional research and publications. The aim of the Heritage Trail App is to inform, enthuse and inspire the public to know more about and value the history of the area.

The Heritage Trail is available to download via the GuidiGo app in the iTunes or GooglePlay app store. See www.ulsara.ie for detailed instructions. The app will be updated regularly and a notification will appear when GuidiGo is opened. Carnac

Rent control and the demise of In January this year Dublin City Council’s Roads Department carried the area’s flatland out repairs to the brick pavement on the traffic island in Upper Leeson Long-time Upper Leeson Street area upshot is: houses still in flats and Street. The site is distinguished by residents will remember when large not upgraded; properties that have the granite sculpture ‘Carnac’, the Victorian houses in flats were home been emptied of tenants and lie idle work of Bob Mulcahy, purchased by to students, young Irish families while owners wait to sell; houses the association in 1979 and cleaned and new arrivals from overseas. once in flats that are being returned and restored by the city council in Such residences are now present in to use as single dwellings. By way 2015. At that time the association declining numbers. of example, of the eight Waterloo had pointed out that the roots of Road properties in flats listed as the trees flanking the sculpture had While increasingly onerous sold on the Property Price Register disrupted the pavement to such an residential tenancies legislation may (www.psr.ie) in the last five years, extent that it was no longer safe for not provide the full reason for this, seven have been returned to single pedestrians. Worse than that, the there is no doubt that it does explain dwellings. traffic island was intended partly as it in part. The Residential Tenancies a ‘staging post’ for two pedestrian Act 2016, aimed at providing rent From a conservation perspective, crossings, which would have predictability for tenants, has had when houses in flats are converted provided a ‘safe’ route by which to very particular effects. To each his sensitively to single beautiful cross the road but for the broken and or her own view of rent control, dwellings, this is excellent news distorted pavement that made the for this is what it is; it’s effect for the area. The supply of rental route un-useable for anyone using a however, on landlords is undeniable. accommodation is being decreased wheel chair or using a child’s buggy. Unable to increase rents to market however and the area loses an We are glad that the pavement has level at a time when the market interesting social mix. Arguably also, now been replaced by a tarmac is expanding, landlords are not the sale of investment properties at surface. motivated to upgrade and, where below market level has an effect on practical, are leaving the market. The property values overall.

8 ULSARA NEWS Spring 2018 P.O. Box 8411, Ballsbridge Dublin 4. www.ulsara.ie

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