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.
James Joyce’s Ulysses was first published 100 years ago. For a century, it has been seen as an intimidating read, but I’d like to challenge that. It is surprisingly accessible.
Set in Dublin on a single day (June 16 1904), Ulysses commemorated Joyce’s first date with his life partner, Nora Barnacle. Nora herself never cared to read it. Jim, she said, should have stuck to the singing.
It isn’t hard to see why she was put off. The first three chapters focus on Stephen Dedalus, Joyce’s sardonic portrait of his younger self as a philosophising drifter prone to giving lectures on Hamlet over pints.
Chapter three opens with Stephen considering the implications of his short sight: “Ineluctable modality of the visible”. The line is where many stop reading. But to start at chapter four is to begin a different Ulysses altogether.
Joyce’s everyman
The plot of Ulysses, such as it is, involves Stephen’s eventual meeting with Joyce’s everyman hero, Leopold Bloom.
Bloom is a middle-aged Jewish advertising salesman, married to a singer, Molly, who is on the brink of an affair with her louche manager Blazes Boylan. They have a daughter, Milly, who has just turned 15 and is working away from home as a “Photo girl” – part sales assistant, part model – in a seaside photography studio. But their other child, “poor little Rudy”, died 11 days after birth. Bloom is a father in search of a son, and Stephen a son in search of a father.
Joyce waits until chapter four, known as “Calypso”, to introduce Bloom, but the rich intensity of his inner life quickly displaces Stephen’s as Ulysses’s emotional centre.
“Mr Leopold Bloom ate with relish the inner organs of beasts and fowls,” the episode begins. And his breakfast — a pork kidney fried in butter — breaks multiple kosher food rules. The detail is a keynote for Bloom’s outsider unconventionality, and it indicates how Joyce roots character in the body as much as in the mind. Bloom is intellectually curious but essentially self-educated, and his entrance into Ulysses punctures the cerebral seriousness of the previous chapters.
“Milk for the pussens”
While Bloom potters around the kitchen making breakfast, Molly remains in bed upstairs, and so he talks to the cat. Their conversation counterpoints Bloom’s familiar “Miaow” with the cat’s idiosyncratic cries “Mkgnao!”, “Mrkgnao!”, “Mrkrgnao!”, “Gurrhr!”
The moment is more than a bravura exercise in feline phonics. It summarises Joyce’s commitment to representing another’s voice — even a cat’s. Bloom’s “Miaow” can be compared to a more conventional mode of narration — logically, sequentially, in full sentences. But “Mrkgnao” catches the cat’s modulating cry with more nuance than “Miaow” ever could. It is precisely attentive to the cat’s individuality.
Bloom’s monologue, clipped and brief like telegraph messages, is similarly idiosyncratic. The flow of his thoughts is caught with eloquent brevity: “Wonder what I look like to her. Height of a tower? No, she can jump me.” It allows readers complete immersion in his consciousness. No thoughts are private. We even accompany Bloom to the outside toilet, where he “allowed his bowels to ease themselves quietly as he read, reading still patiently that slight constipation of yesterday quite gone”. The moment, profoundly shocking to readers a century ago, confirms Joyce’s commitment to creating a character who can be more intimately known than any other in fiction.
The result of starting at chapter four is to read a novel where gossip, humanity, tenderness, and rich comedy coexist alongside avant garde experimentation. The world of Ulysses is rooted in everyday feelings, from hunger, constipation and drunkenness, to infidelity, grief and love. Those feelings are at Ulysses’s heart and explain its beguiling appeal to a century of readers. If you’d like to join them, start with chapter four — you might be hooked.
– Púca festival returns with an extended programme and amazing locations
– For the first time Slane Castle will become a hub of mischief and magic this Samhain, the perfect experiential appetiser to an evening of comedy or live music in Trim or Drogheda
– Four festival hubs – Slane Castle, Athboy, Drogheda and Trim – play host to Ireland’s best established and up and coming names in music, comedy, performance and spectacle
– The walls of Trim Castle will come alive after dark and the grounds of Slane Castle will play host to breath-taking installations
– Drogheda will see a star line-up of award-winning musicians, world class comedians and internet sensations take to the stage
– In Athboy local pubs and restaurants come alive during Púca festival
Púca festival is a fun, otherworldly festival celebrating Ireland as the original birthplace of Halloween. In 2021 visitors from home and abroad will be welcomed back for a week of music and mythology, sideshows and standup, cabaret and cocktails, and everything else in between.
Vibrant and contemporary, yet strongly rooted in tradition, Púca festival will take place across County Meath and County Louth, from 23 – 31 October 2021 and for the first time Slane Castle is being added to the location lineup, alongside the existing festival hubs of Athboy, Trim and Drogheda, each steeped in Samhain legend and tradition.
Púca is typically a shape-shifting creature from Celtic folklore, a familiar character in Ireland’s narrative of Halloween, and in 2021 this mercurial spirit will turn the rock n’ roll surrounds of Slane Castle into a playground for the spirits.
As Samhain also marked the end of the harvest season, Púca festival embraces the enormous wealth and quality of the local produce on its doorstep, making food and drink another star in the show. From world class whisky, to award winning seafood, locally raised meat and natural honey, there is something to tickle every taste bud.
Púca festival has been developed by Fáilte Ireland (the National Tourism Development Authority of Ireland), in partnership with Meath and Louth County Councils, to claim ownership of this internationally celebrated event and to tell the story of the origins of Samhain, or Halloween as it is now known, in Irish and Celtic traditions, with a view to encouraging more international visitors to visit Ireland during October and November. Púca festival is produced by the award-winning festivals and events company, Curated Place.
Orla Carroll, Director Product Development in Fáilte Ireland said: “We are excited to welcome visitors back to Púca Festival this October to celebrate Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween. Festivals play a key role in delivering brilliant visitor experiences and providing visitors with a unique reason to choose a destination and with a distinctive programme of events from music and spectacle to food, there is something for everyone this year at Púca.”
Dublin City Council’s Family Friendly Halloween Events
#Dublin
#Halloween
Dublin City Council and Local Communities all over the city have organised a ghoulish programme of family friendly events for all ages to enjoy this Halloween.
Speaking about the Halloween events, Ardmhéara Mícheál MacDonncha said, “Halloween is an exciting time of year and to encourage young people to enjoy it safely, Dublin City Council organises family friendly events all around the capital. I encourage everyone to get involved in one of these organised events and to stay safe this Halloween. Attendance at these events increases year on year, while attendance at illegal bonfires is on a downward trend. Bí cúramach agus bainigí taitneamh as féile na Samhna.”
This new initiative in the Irishtown/Ringsend area connects the historic and cultural significance of ‘Oíche Samhna’ while providing fun, family friendly events for people of all ages to enjoy.
The programme will include a number of workshops on lantern making, stilt walking and juggling, musical gigs in local pubs, links with a ship in Grand Canal Dock and culminates in a very special Dockers and Demons Parade on October 31st which starts at Ringsend Community Centre at and ends on Thorncastle Street for a Halloween street party with music and entertainment, fortune tellers, fire eaters and fire artists, face painters, tricks and treats and much more.
Ballymun Otherworld Festival – October 31st
Get your zombie make up done in Ballymun Regional Youth Resource, Sillogue Road, from 4:00 p.m then come along to the Escape the Zombies Parade which starts at 5:30pm at the Aisling Project, Shangan Road, Ballymun D9.
The main event will take place from 6pm – 8:45pm on Ballymun Plaza and includes a circus gerbola, main stage events and music, trad tent, alternative tent, craft tent, Witches Brew Café, Pride of Place Café, kiddies rides, refreshments and a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m.
Finglas Fright Night Halloween Festival
The Annual Finglas Fright Night Halloween Festival will take place at the Civic Centre, Mellowes Road on Tuesday 31st October from 6pm to 9pm. All are welcome to attend this fun, safe, family event. This year we will have many attractions including the teenage terminator fun fair ride, mini roller coaster, cups, saucer and a carousel, magic show, bouncy castles, stalls and music by local bands and groups. The main attraction on the night will be the fireworks display.
The Cauldron of Smithfield – 31st October
The Cauldron of Smithfield is back! We have a very exciting addition – a new 300ft zipline and a daunting bungee jump for the bravest of participants along with the favourites from last year such as The Haunted House, the circus area, the Main Stage with some incredible performers, The Big Screen, Bouncy Castles, food stalls, face-painting and more. We’ve also got a new Silent-Disco tent and football freestylers coming this year and there will be even more opportunities to win prizes in our FIFA 18′, Just Dance & Singstar competitions on the big screen on Halloween Night!
The Big Scream
This event has been created by, and for the community, and is led by the Community and Youth Projects and Residents.
It brings the communities in Sheriff Street, Ballybough, Summerhill and Sean MacDermott Street areas together to create genuine alternative ways of celebrating Halloween in a safe and fun environment.
Among the many events which take place from October 26th – 31st are; playstation tournaments, a main stage with a mix of local, professional performers, bungee trampolines, world class street performers, best costume competitions and a haunted house.
Bram Stoker Park (Marino Crescent): ‘Bram Stoker Spooktacular’ interactive light and sound show with music and special effects on Monday 30th 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Donaghmede Park (Fireworks display): This will be run in with the Donaghmede Estate Residents Association in Donaghmede Park. Tuesday 31st at 6 p.m.
Kilbarrack (Fireworks display): This will be run in conjunction with the Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme (KCCP) and will take place at Roseglen Football Pitch Tuesday 31st at 7 p.m.
Edenmore Crescent Park: This will be run in conjunction with the Safety Association for Edenmore (SAFE) in Edenmore Park. Tuesday 31st at 8 p.m.
South East Area
Event
Venue
Date
Time
Terenure Halloween Market
Bushy Park
Oct 28th
11 am – 4 p.m
Sandymount Halloween Pumpkin & Scarecrow Festival
Sandymount Green
Oct 27th – 31st
Daily
Souls of Donnybrook
Donnybrook Plaza
Oct 29th & 31st
5 p.m – 8 p.m
Ballyfermot / Cherry Orchard
EVENT
VENUE
DATE
TIME
Puppet Show
Ballyfermot Library
Oct. 31st
11:30AM
Zombie Fun Run
Markievicz Park
Oct. 31st
11:30AM
Halloween Carn evil
Familibase Ballyfermot
Oct. 31st
3.00PM
Haunted House
Equine Centre, Cherry Orchard
Oct. 31st
4.30PM
Firework extravaganza
Cherry Orchard
Oct. 31st
6:15PM
Crumlin/Drimnagh
EVENT
VENUE
DATE
TIME
Fancy Dress Party for residents
in the Older persons complex
Stannaway Court
Oct 31st
2.00p.m
Zombie Fun Run
Brickfield Park
Oct. 31st
2:00PM
Puppet Show
Walkinstown Library
Oct. 31st
2:30PM
Magic show
Our Ladys Hall Mourne Road
Oct. 31st
5:00PM
Scare House
Dyce Club
St. John Bosco Youth Centre
St. John Bosco Youth Centre
Oct. 31st
Oct. 31st
6:00PM
8:00PM
South West Inner City Area
EVENT
VENUE
DATE
TIME
An evening of scary stories and classical music with harpist Sinead King followed by traditional Halloween colcannon and barn brack
St. Andrews Community Centre
South Circular Road, Rialto.
26/10/17
7.30PM-10PM
Halloween activities fancy dress, traditional games, and goody bags
School St FRC
School St. Dublin 8
Oct. 31st
3.30PM – 8PM
Halloween activities fancy dress, traditional games, and goody bags
Liberties After Schools
Oct. 31st
3.30PM – 7PM
Halloween activities fancy dress, traditional games, and goody bags
Oliver Bond Complex,
Bridgefoot St
Oct. 31st
3.30PM – 7PM
Halloween activities fancy dress, traditional games, and goody bags
Back of the Pipes – Flanagan’s Field
Rueben Street, Rialto.
Oct. 31st
3.30PM – 7PM
Halloween activities fancy dress, traditional games, and goody bags
Summer Street – Pimlico
Oct. 31st
3.30PM – 7PM
Halloween bingo for the older residents of Dolphin Park and Dolphin House
Dolphin Park
Oct 25th
2PM-5PM
Mid Term and Halloween activities for the children from the homework club a social event to engage the children to prevent anti social behaviour
Dolphin House
Oct. 31st
4 Days
The Rialto Youth Project will take young people on an offsite trip to view other options for Halloween and reduce anti-social behaviour
Rialto
Oct. 31st
Day long
AMAL Muslim Women’s group will hold a community clean up and celebrations on the Bank holiday Monday.
South Circular Road
Oct. 30th
Day long
Bram Stoker Festival 28th Oct. to 31st Oct. 2017
Dublin City Council & Fáilte Ireland Presents Bram Stoker Festival
This October Bank Holiday weekend Dublin is set to summon the supernatural as Bram Stoker Festival presents four days of Living Stories and four nights of Deadly Adventures in venues across the city from 27th – 30th October.
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.
To the surprise of many, Bob Dylan has become the first singer-songwriter to win the Nobel prize in literature.
As the news broke, I was in the middle of teaching James Joyce to some undergraduates – an author who did not win the Nobel, but is often considered a pinnacle of high literature. Many wouldn’t look to compare these two artists, not least those already protesting that Dylan’s win cheapens the award. But in many ways, they’re alike. I’m thrilled. Dylan’s win has been a slow train coming.
Meanwhile, Dylan will have been gearing up for another gig – much as he has been doing for more than half a century. On his Nobel-winning night he’s set to play Las Vegas, so it’s good to hear that he’s won a prize based on the reasonable judgement of a committee of high-minded enlightened experts and not just on the throw of the dice.
In terms of stamina alone, he’s a worthy winner but – more than that – it is the quality and the generosity of the achievement that it’s a pleasure to recognise. It’s great for his millions of fans around the world, old and young, great for the prize and great for the idea that popular music and serious literature aren’t necessarily so different after all.
Members of the media react to the news that Bob Dylan won the 2016 Nobel prize in literature. Jonas Ekstromer/EPA
The world of Dylan’s most distinctive lyrics is probably more Las Vegas than it is Stockholm – his songs are more often populated with gamblers than writers and academics. But his stature as the poet of rock and roll has never really been much in doubt. The significant presence of literary culture in what Variety magazine once mocked as the “deliberately iggerunt” vernacular language of his songs has increasingly been revealed.
The seriousness of the literary as well as musical achievement has gradually gained more and more respect and leading academic critics, such as Christopher Ricks, have been keen to recognise and to try to account for it. His autobiographical Chronicles are packed with references to and anecdotes about writers.
References and anecdotes are also something that filled Joyce’s pages. Curiously, Goddard Lieberson, president of Columbia Records at the time Dylan was beginning his recording career, gave him a first-edition copy of Joyce’s masterwork Ulysses. Dylan professed that “he couldn’t make hide nor hair of it”. He wanted the poet Archibald MacLeish to explain it to him but didn’t get around to asking in the end.
Readers of Joyce as well as Dylan might recognise that as just the kind of thing that happens to Joyce’s hero Leopold Bloom. Ulysses is full of snatches of songs and music – and if it had been written a few years later Bob Dylan would have been in there for sure.
Dylan performing in 1984. STR/EPA
What a lucky man to own a first edition of such a famous text – now one of the most prized and valuable of all collectable rare and vintage books (one sold in 2009 for £275,000) as well as one that is most valued by serious literary critics and readers all over the world. Not a bad insurance policy just in case the recording career didn’t take off.
But of course it did take off – and how. It’s hard to imagine a more prominent living figure in American culture – perhaps even world culture – than Bob Dylan, or one whose work combines a more richly poetic and surreal artistry in its vision of the contemporary world, a more iconoclastic sense of social justice, more notes of personal intimacy or such a dry and acute sense of humour. There is nobody better capable of provoking his huge and amazingly loyal audience with new challenges, at the same time as endearing himself to them all the more.
I hope the buskers and street singers in the subways and on the street corners around the world dust off their favourite Dylan standards and sing them out loud. It’s hard to imagine that there’s anyone with or without a guitar or harmonica who hasn’t tried to strum some Dylan chords or mimic that unmistakeable voice at some point in their lives – just to try to answer that great Dylan anthem question: “How does it feel?”
How does it feel for Dylan to win the Nobel? Let’s hope he tells us in the acceptance speech – or in song.
This month WILDE opens at The Westbury just off Grafton Street to add to the plethora of restaurant options in the area.
This is sure to be a hit with those of you who like to hark back to the past with 1930s interiors and a touch of elegance.
There will be dining here from morning to nigh for all occasions : Aperitivo on the terrace, long lunches, dinner dates and celebrations with friends.
The space will be opened up to become indoor-outdoor during the summer months and in the evening the terrace can be heated or closed in so that you can snuggle up with Donegal Woollen Mill Herringbone throws.
The chef Sandeep Singh’s menu includes a lot of seafood and beautiful Irish seafood at that with Carlingford Lough oysters and Lobster from Wrights of Marino in Dublin.
The business customer might be tempted by the Express Menu with three courses for €25 until 5pm Monday to Thursday.
The dessert menu at WILDE echoes the modern ethos of Sandeep Singh’s menu. Guests can enjoy signature options including a crème brûlée with honey madeleine; valrhona white chocolate and tonka bean panna cotta served with sour cherry jelly or a pear and praline cake. For those with less of a sweet tooth, a selection of Irish cheeses has been carefully selected for the perfect end to dinner.
“Our food philosophy at WILDE is about simplicity and respect for ingredients. We seek out the best artisan and local suppliers and create dishes that allow the quality of the ingredients to come together in exceptional dishes. Coupled with our approach to food, we want to offer a dining experience in a unique space that is beautiful and atmospheric. We’re in the heart of Dublin 2 and believe WILDE is the perfect viewpoint from which to take in everything the city has to offer.” said Sandeep Singh, WILDE Executive Chef.
In addition to the glamourous dining space, WILDE is home to a cocktail bar, with sumptuous button backed chairs, serving crafted aperitifs, signature gin & tonics and digestifs. The wide selection of gin includes Dingle Gin (Kerry), Blackwater Gin (Waterford), Gunpowder Irish Gin (Leitrim), Glendalough Spring Gin (Wicklow), Malfy Gin (Italy) and Hendrick’s Gin (Scotland). Each is served with a suggested tonic pairing including Poacher’s Well Irish tonic and Fever Tree Indian tonic.
The wine list at WILDE is thoughtful and centres on the Old World grape varieties, with 24 wine choices alone by the glass. Guests can also choose from the reserve cellar selection to accompany their meal.
WILDE is open from 7am – 11am and 12.30pm – late, seven days a week (Closed on Sunday evenings.)To book a table, call the reservations team on +353 1 646 3352. See www.wilde.ie for more information.
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.”
