After a two year break everyone was anxious to get out and about in the city centre to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Dublin City centre this year.
The parade was part of the St Patrick’s Festival which runs until 20 March uniting Ireland and the world in celebrating Irish arts, culture and heritage.
Broadcast on RTÉ the parade was the culmination of six months of preparation with some of Ireland’s most dynamic performers and musicians. Also included in the parade were some marching bands, one of which was all the way from Texas.
The promise was of something new, fresh and ambitious. Certainly there were some boldly coloured costumes and many, many hundreds involved in the parade, but sadly before the very end of the route most participants in the parade had finished playing music or singing.
Dublin City Council has had it last Crisis Management of the day at 7.30pm tonight. While the city did not suffer the same damage as other parts of the country, there have been more 150 incidents which were mostly minor in nature.
Dublin City Council is still dealing with 70 felled trees and other debris.
Dublin Fire Brigade, along with Roads, Traffic, Drainage and Waste Management Crews will continue to work throughout the night.
As of 7:30pm all major roads in the city remain open.
We expect all Dublin City Council Offices and Services open to be open tomorrow as normal as well as the Just Eat dublinbike stations.
We would request people continue to exercise caution as there is a lot of debris still on the streets.
Owen Keegan thanked all Dublin City Council and Dublin Fire Brigade staff who worked today in difficult conditions to minimise the impact of the Storm on the city.
In case of emergencies the public are advised to contact;
The council issued a warning at 2.00pm this afternoon.
As the storm is now beginning to hit Dublin City, the advice from the Council is that people should stay indoors where they are at present and not travel until the storm is over in Dublin. People are advised to stay away from coastal areas and other water bodies during the storm.
There are trees down across the city and Dublin City Council crews are dealing with these and other issues as they are notified.
Dublin City Council Crisis management team met again today at 1:30pm and were updated by the DCC Flood Assessment Group and The Principle Response Agencies Local Co-ordination Group. Dublin City Council operational crews and housing services remain on standby to deal with expected issues.
Dublin City Council crisis team will reconvene at 17:00pm. Further information will be issued at this stage.
In case of emergencies the public are advised to contact;
Scientists protest against proposed cuts against science in the UK in 2010. Shane/Flickr, CC BY-SA
Scientists around the world are facing a dilemma. A March for Science took place in Washington DC on 22 April 2017, with solidarity marches in more than 500 other locations around the world. Scientists in cities from London in the UK to Tokyo in Japan, Accra in Ghana and Hyderabad in India are all looking to defend the vital role that science plays in society.
The campaign – which calls for science to be robustly funded and publicly communicated as a “pillar of human freedom and prosperity” – is probably the largest ever mass demonstration by the scientific community. But every scientist who decides to march will know that, while they are taking part in a powerful movement to protect their discipline, they could also be helping to politicise a field that might be better off remaining as apolitical as possible.
The idea for the march was first raised on a Reddit thread in reaction to the White House deleting references to climate change from its website in late January. The administration’s decision to prohibit Environmental Protection Agency staff from communicating with the media contributed to the general feeling that expertise is being taken less seriously, with Oxford Dictionaries declaring “post-truth” to be its international word of 2016.
Events such as these led to the March for Science idea rapidly becoming a global movement, inspired by the Women’s March in Washington. The organisation is calling for scientists to stand up against what it interprets as being a threat to academic freedom, evidence-based policy and inclusivity.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the whirlwind growth of the initiative has led to some organisational difficulties. Sometimes the march appears to be focused on safeguarding science and evidence-based policy. But at other times, it aspires to tackle the wider challenges facing science – such as issues of equality and diversity. This has resulted in the committee of organisers struggling to present a united front. It has also led to uncertainty surrounding the actual goals of the march.
Strong opposition
The concept of a march for science has become a divisive topic among scientists. The sheer number of solidarity marches and supporters highlight the widespread support for the grassroots movement. There is a danger, however, that the march could see scientists portrayed as an interest group with their own agenda.
This has led to warnings about the repercussions of political activism – that science itself could be reduced to just another policy issue. If that were to happen, scientific topics could be pushed to one side of a partisan divide rather than being an overarching concern for all political parties.
Others argue that science has deeper problems, such as the shortcomings of the peer review process, that they deem outweigh those caused by the current US administration. They feel that activism would be better placed trying to overhaul the foundations of modern science itself.
Scientific progress relies on varied ideas and perspectives, and at its core it has a simple rule – inclusive science is better science. Any discrimination over race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background is a threat to scientific progress. Although safeguarding the future of science has already been the motivation for open letters, rallies
and pledges to become more involved in politics, scientists have also been engaging in political activism to object to discrimination.
Last year, the Citizen Science Association, which represents the largest group of nonprofessional scientists in the world, pulled its annual conference from North Carolina in protest against a law that removed nondiscrimination protections. House Bill 2, as it came to be known, effectively legalised gender discrimination by stating that individuals may only use restrooms that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates in government buildings.
Scientists also protested against the US president’s attempts to launch a “travel ban” on immigration from certain Muslim-majority countries. This ban would have had a direct impact on the ability of scientists to travel and work, as well as depriving the US of the contributions of immigrants. While this shows that scientists in the US are already engaging in the type of advocacy that will politicise science, the March for Science will likely speed up that process.
Predicting the consequences
It is hard to know exactly what the repercussions will be. A new study, published in February in the journal Environmental Communication, has suggested that engaging in advocacy might not compromise scientists’ credibility. The researchers tested public reactions to a range of different advocacy statements and found that advocacy won’t necessarily harm general trust in the scientific community.
Nevertheless, the dilemma of marching for science is down to the challenge of determining an appropriate level of political activism. This will be harder for some people than others. In a letter published in the Journal of Science Communication recently, I noted that, while senior scientists with secure jobs may be willing to engage in some degree of activism, it may be more difficult for early career scientists.
The date of the march is also significant. April 22 is “Earth Day” which, since 1970, has marked an annual celebration of support for environmental protection. It is our yearly reminder that, despite our differences, we all have to share this planet and its resources. Trying to keep that bigger picture in mind might be something that many scientists find themselves doing as they make their decision on whether or not to march for science.
My research area is the role of science in society so, for me, it is not a difficult decision. On Saturday, I will take the risk of further politicising my field because the stakes are too high to do nothing. I believe that the continued survival of our species is dependent on science and, as long as it is under threat, we must march for it.
Dublin City Council, the National Transport Authority, Coca-Cola and JCDecaux have announced that the Coca-Cola Zero dublinbikes scheme will enable new and existing bike share members to use the service using just one smart card – their LEAP Card.
While this initiative won’t allow people to pay for their Coca-Cola Zero dublinbikes trips from their LEAP Card account, it will allow them to hold their registration details for both schemes on the one card, cutting back on the requirement to carry an additional card in their wallets or purses. The customer account for Coca-Cola Zero dublinbikes will continue to be the source for payment for annual memberships and 3-day ticketing and for each bike trip taken which incurs a cost.
Associating a LEAP Card so that it can be used with Coca-Cola Zero dublinbikes is very simple for both an existing or new member of the bike share scheme:
Existing bike-share members just need to log in to their account at dublinbikes.ie and follow the on-screen instructions to associate a LEAP Card with their existing account;
New members simply log on to dublinbikes.ie where they will be requested to choose either LEAP Card or Coca-Cola Zero dublinbikes membership card. They will be taken through a number of easy to follow steps after which, their LEAP Card needs to be validated for use at any one of the 101 stations across the city.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Brendan Carr said, “this will make it very easy and convenient for new and existing bike share members, to easily link with other modes of public transport. I have no doubt this will prove to be an attractive feature for commuters who want to use the one card to link their bike journeys with other sustainable public transport services, at various connection points across the city.”
Anne Graham, Chief Executive NTA said : “Being able to use LEAP Card across multiple transport modes has proved to be a big draw for commuters with over one million cards sold since its launch five years ago. Adding the customer ID for Coca-Cola Zero dublinbikes to the LEAP Card should make people’s journeys around town a little easier; with the bike scheme accessible on the Leap Card, people will have one less card to carry around.”
Ronan Farren, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Ireland said, “We’re delighted to be joining Dublin City Council, the National Transport Authority and JCDecaux to make this announcement today. The Coca-Cola Zero dublinbikes scheme continues to enjoy huge popularity and is one of the most successful bike schemes in the world, with more than 64,000 subscribers and 16.3 million journeys taken since the scheme came into being in 2009. Innovations that make using the scheme easier and more convenient for people are to be welcomed. We hope that this move, which further integrates the city’s public transport system, will enable those who haven’t tried the scheme yet to give it a go.”
Joanne Grant, Managing Director JCDecaux said, “Coca-Cola Zero dublinbikes is already an overwhelming success and an excellent demonstration of the JCDecaux city partnership model. We are very pleased to have worked with the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council to deliver this initiative which will broaden the appeal of the scheme and make it accessible to more people.”
The second RTÉ MoJocon takes place in Ireland this weekend. What is this MoJoCon we hear you ask? It is the conference where mobile journalists gather to talk and discuss work methods, the latest apps and gear, but also where everyone uses the smartphone to tell their stories. And that is the important thing for the 500 journalists who will gather at the Aviva this weekend. It is all about the story telling.
Filming with apps such as the ‘industry standard’ Filmic Pro and editing with iMovie is one aspect, but using a variety of other apps and techniques to send the story straight to social media was a central part of the coverage produced by RTÉ journalist Philip Bromwell and his ‘mojo’ team during the recent Irish election and the centenary of the 1916 Rising. Here are a couple of examples:
For #GE16 results, live streams, rolling blogs, analysis, images, videos and social media, we’ve got you covered pic.twitter.com/H3gFaGzak8
These may be breaking news stories such as those told by AJ+ journalist Shadi Rahimi and her crew when they reported from Ferguson on the night that the Grand Jury decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson over the shooting of Michael Brown. It was safer, Shadi explained to us last year, simply to use mobile phones. The situation was so explosive that if they had used TV cameras then they could have been putting themselves in danger. By using phones they just looked like anyone else in the crowd.
The story might be made into a film such as Tangerine which was lauded at Sundance.
The director Sean Baker will also be in Dublin this weekend to explain how he made the whole award-winning film on an iPhone.
Last year filmmaker Conrad Mess told the delegates at this popular conference that he had made a couple of films using just the iPhone. When the Dublin Reporter spoke to him after the conference, it turned out that he did not actually own an iPhone – he just borrowed one from whoever happened to be around!
Advertising has also been revolutionised by the adoption of mobile filmmaking. This lovely film, for example, was commissioned to show off the attributes of a luxury car:
This afternoon at 3 p.m. an tArdmhéara Críona Ní Dhálaigh welcomes the latest addition to the 1916 Centenary Commemorations Exhibition in City Hall, Dublin 2. The ‘Gal Gréine’ banner, owned by Countess Markievicz during the Rising of 1916, goes on public display by kind permission of the Royal Collection Trust.
The banner of Na Fianna Éireann, known as the ‘Gal Gréine’ (Sunburst) was seized by the British Army, as a war trophy, from the home of Countess Markievicz in May 1916. The banner became the property of the Royal Collection Trust at Windsor Castle and was loaned to the British Imperial War Museum in 1936. Dublin City Council passed a resolution in 2009 seeking a loan of the banner. In late 2014, the Council’s Office for International Relations commenced negotiations which have resulted in the loan being agreed as an element within the 1916 Centenary Celebrations.
The Royal Collection Trust are also loaning items in this Centenary Year to the National Gallery of Ireland and the National Museum at Collins Barracks. The loan to the National Gallery is a touring exhibition of Leondardo Da Vinci drawings. The National Gallery is one of four Museums/Galleries across Britain and Ireland which will host this touring exhibition.
An tArdmhéara Críona Ní Dhálaigh said, “Tá mé thar a bheith sásta An Gal Gréine a fháiltiú ar ais chuig Baile Átha Cliath. I am delighted to formally welcome the ‘Gal Gréine’ back to Dublin. It is very appropriate that this historical artifact forms part of the 1916 Exhibition in City Hall. The banner was the property of Countess Markievicz who played a key leadership role in the foundation of the Irish Republic. I want to thank the Royal Collection Trust for facilitating our request for the loan of the banner for this exhibition.”
The 1916 Exhibition will also contain an original copy of the Proclamation – one of only 30 in existence.
An tArdmhéara Críona Ní Dhalaigh added “I would like to thank the family of Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell for presenting Dublin City Council with her original copy of the Proclamation which is now on permanent display here in City Hall. Nurse O’Farrell played a major part in the Rising and was garrisoned in the GPO with Pádraig Pearse, accompanying him when the surrender was presented to General Lowe. Molaim díobh an deis a thapú agus cuairt a thabhairt ar an Taispeántas 1916 i Hall na Cathrach, chun na hiarsmaí seo a thugann léiriú dúinn ar thréimhse thábhachtach i stair na cathrach seo. I encourage people to take this opportunity to visit the 1916 Exhibition in City Hall to view these artifacts which reflect an important period in the life of this city.”
The support of the British Ambassador, Dominic Chilcott, and the Director of the British War Museum are acknowledged in securing the loan of the ‘Gal Gréine’ from the Royal Collection Trust.
The ‘Gal Gréine’ banner and the Proclamation will be on public display for viewing, free of charge, from 1st March, 2016 until the end of August 2016 in the Exhibition Centre, City Hall, Dublin 2.
Dublin City Council has issued a statement on the proposed new rules on busking in the city. What do you think?
Currently no regulation exists to control Busking and Street Performance in Dublin City and the Council has been actively pursuing this issue over the last two years, it was agreed that bye laws were necessary.
Following a public consultation process for the Draft Bye Laws, a total of 88 submissions were received from performers, residents, business owners and city workers. The vast majority welcomed regulation with the main problem cited as noise. A lot of people visiting and working in the City find the noise levels very invasive.
At a special meeting of its Strategic Policy Committee for Arts, Culture, Recreation and Community held earlier this week, Dublin City Council considered these draft Bye Laws to regulate street performance in the City and the various suggestions and responses received from the public.
The Committee agreed to recommend the proposed bye laws to the full City Council for final ratification at its upcoming meeting in February.
Cllr Mary Freehill, Chairperson of the Strategic Policy Committee , “I welcome this proposed regulation that will make for a more balanced, fair and level playing pitch both for performers and City Centre dwellers, business and workers. I am very pleased that we also agreed that the Bye Laws will be reviewed six months after implementation. We will invite public comment in September and responses will be reviewed by this Strategic Policy Committee in October. The review will particularly focus on the management and workability of the sound levels proposed.”
The draft bye laws propose the following (revisions to previous draft bye laws)
Issuing of permits for performing, maximum noise level of 80 decibels – performance time frame 11am to 11p.m.
A person may only perform for a maximum of two hours on the same site and not perform twice in the same location within a 24 hour period
Performers must be 3 meters away from business entrances/dwellings.
Compliance will be monitored by Dublin City Council on a regular basis
Ban on dangerous props has been removed and a requirement to hold public liability insurance has been included.
The report submitted to the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) can be obtained by emailing cra@dublincity.ie A copy of the draft bye laws which will now be amended to reflect the recommendation of the SPC and submitted to the February meeting of the City Council can also be obtained by emailing cra@dublincity.ie
If ratified by the City Council the bye laws will take legal effect in March.
Children in Dublin went on high danger alert today as Dublin City Council’s Public Libraries launched this year’s Citywide Reading Campaign for Children.
This year’s book choice is ‘Danger is Everywhere’ by comedian and children’s author David O’Doherty. It’s a fun take on the real and imagined ‘dangers’ that lurk in everyday places and features illustrations by Chris Judge. The book’s style will be familiar to the many fans of the ‘Wimpy Kid’ series.
‘Danger is Everywhere’ gives a humorous insight into the dangers that confront children everywhere – from packing their school bag to brushing their teeth and is sure to appeal to boys and girls aged 7 to 11 years.
Margaret Hayes, Dublin City Librarian, says “the Citywide Reading Campaign has one simple aim – to get children reading for pleasure. I encourage children and their parents to go to their local Dublin City library this spring to find out more about the fun events taking place.” There will be author and illustrator visits to libraries, storytelling sessions and art workshops.
The Citywide Reading Campaign is organised by Dublin City Council’s Public Library Service as part of its Dublin UNESCO City of Literature programme and this year’s event is in partnership with publishers Puffin Books.
The book’s author David O’Doherty joined illustrator Chris Judge and school children for today’s launch at the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Kildare St at 9am. David says, “I’m really pleased that ‘Danger is Everywhere’ has been picked for this year’s Citywide Reading Campaign. I tried to write a book that would appeal to committed readers but also kids who find books a bit intimidating, and I’ve done that by filling it full of very, very, very silly jokes. I can’t wait to try it out at Citywide Reading events over the next two months!”
‘Danger is Everywhere’ is available to borrow from all Dublin City Library branches and to buy from all good book shops. Details on all events are on www.dublincityofliterature.ie #citywideread.
Key Citywide Reading Campaign for Children events
Tuesday 20th January 2015 3.30pm
Join author David O’Doherty and illustrator Chris Judge for some Danger is Everywhere fun.
Cabra Library, Navan Road, Dublin 7.
Free. Suitable for children 7+
Booking essential at 8691414
Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Children’s Art Workshops – Danger is Everywhere
Saturday 24th January at 2pm,
Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane, Parnell Square
Open to children of all ages and costs €5, all materials are provided.
Booking essential at 2228883
Family Sketching – Danger is Everywhere
Sunday 8 February at 2pm
Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane, Parnell Square
Free! All Materials are included. Open to all ages. Families welcome!
Book essential at 2228883
Danger is Everywhere Storytelling Session – join storyteller Paul Timoney for a fun-filled hour of mayhem based on Danger is Everywhere
