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"In the future it will be good, so I won't complain": Dubliners on the new Luas

Business owners are happy to put up with the noise and construction work in anticipation of more customers when the line finally opens.

DAWSON ST IN Dublin’s St centre is a busy thoroughfare that’s home to many hidden gems.

From upscale eateries to tiny pubs, with a smattering of cosy cafés and even the Lord Mayor’s residence, it’s a vibrant spot in the city.

From Tuesday of this week, if you find yourself near Dawson St you’ll hear it before you see it, thanks to the ongoing Luas utility works.

image

At a total cost of €368 million, the new lines will be operational in 2017.

But to get to that point, the construction work has to be done:

(Video TheJournal.ie/YouTube)

The works are the latest phase in the Luas Cross City project, which will eventually see the existing green and red Luas lines being linked up.

It’s a union that Luas users have wanted since the two lines were first installed, so it’s a long time coming for the city. Right now, the construction staff are working to put the utility works in the places where the lines are due to be laid.

Its intense work, so TheJournal.ie headed to Dawson St to see what impact it’s having on businesses there.

Celtic Whiskey Shop

At the Celtic Whiskey Shop, the staff were busy sorting out orders as the drilling work went on outside.

The work has meant changes to the traffic, parking, loading and taxi ranks on the street, which in turn impacts on businesses.

Al Higgins of the Celtic Whiskey Shop told us about how they’ve been getting on:

(Video TheJournal.ie/YouTube)

He added: “It’s not the worst at the moment but the worst is yet to come – but these things have to be done.”

He was happy with the interaction between the stakeholders involved in the Luas Cross City and the local business owners.

“So far it’s very good – they are working with everyone to make sure it all goes as smoothly as possible,” he said, adding that there are some new people on the street “who may be less aware of what’s going on”.

Overall, he thinks that there’s “a bit of a nice community spirit amongst everyone” on Dawson St.

What about the customers?

Jin Xu, manager of the coffee shop the Beanhive, said that the impact is “bad for now”- but she’s looking forward to the end result.

“You can see customers across the road won’t come in,” she said, pointing out the metal barriers protecting the public from the Luas works.

Overall, she welcomes the works, saying that “in the future it will be good, so I won’t complain”.

Xu also said that she hoped if the “shops look good”, people passing by on the Luas may be tempted in when the line is finally open.

Dawson Lounge

The Dawson Lounge is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tiny pub near the St Stephen’s Green end of the street.

Given its basement location, it’s not affected by the noise, but as barman Derek Duffy explained, the works are having another impact:

(Video TheJournal.ie/YouTube)

He said that he feels the completed Luas line will “open the street more”:

At the moment the street is basically traffic, and the traffic coming around there [the corner by St Stephen's Green] is a bit crazy. Hopefully with the Luas coming one way, the traffic flow might ease off a bit and then it will make it more people-friendly, there will be more people walking about.

Hodges Figgis

Tony Hayes is bookshop manager for Hodges Figgis, which is located at the end of Dawson St that meets Nassau St.

The works haven’t yet made their way down there, and he says that so far there has been “no impact at all” despite the changes to parking, loading bays and lanes.

(Video TheJournal.ie/YouTube)

Hayes described it as “a little inconvenience for the longterm good of the street itself”, and felt that the construction of the new line was “very exciting”.

We’re looking forward to the work being carried on to completion,” he said. “We’re very excited about the Luas coming down Dawson St.

He also mentioned how the stores on the street could benefit from the new people that will be using the Luas.

“It’s an opportunity for us to capitalise on their spending power and bring them to the oldest bookshop in Ireland and one of the biggest bookshops in Ireland,” he said.

Read: Here’s how Dawson St will be affected by the Luas works>

Read: Changes to roads, taxi ranks, as latest Luas Cross City works begin>

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60 Comments
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    Mute Prince of Burren
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    Feb 28th 2014, 8:48 AM

    What a bunch of morons out there this morning.I think ye are all jealous of our beautiful county with our great tradition of music,hurling,politics ,even Donald Trump likes us. Have a good day

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    Mute NAMApropertymarket
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    Feb 28th 2014, 2:06 PM

    LOL

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    Mute NAMApropertymarket
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    Feb 28th 2014, 2:07 PM

    I’d rather live in Syria or Ukraine than that little worthless bog you call Clare

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    Mute Jimmy Coonan
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    Mar 1st 2014, 1:54 PM

    Wow..Your uneducated and an idiot..that is some going…

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    Mute Eoin O'Hagan
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    Feb 28th 2014, 8:05 AM

    The Wild Atlantic Way has lived up to its name over the last couple of months. The winter storms have been reshaping the coastline all along the West coast. Here in Co. Clare the tourism infrastructure has been badly damaged, but that won’t stop Clare being open for visitors this year. Voted the best place to holiday in Ireland. Come see why ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Anftlby4gSE

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    Mute Anton de Buitlear
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    Feb 28th 2014, 11:22 AM

    If heavens not in clare its not any where, ….see ya soon,

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    Mute NAMApropertymarket
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    Feb 28th 2014, 2:08 PM

    With a bit of luck the Atlantic will swallow the kip up one day

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    Mute Jimmy Coonan
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    Mar 1st 2014, 1:55 PM

    I’m surprised you got the “Atlantic” bit right due to your lack of intelligence…your mammy must be by your side therefore

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    Mute Pete Cool
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    Feb 28th 2014, 8:06 AM

    Would it not be cheaper just to let Clare County go altogether. Move everyone out and house then in the ghost estates in other counties. Maybe just maintain two roads into the county – one that leads to the Aillwee Caves and the other to Shannon Airport. It could save a fortune on County Councillors. Plus the fantastic hurlers could improve hurling standards in their new counties. It’s a win-win really.

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    Mute Shanners
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    Feb 28th 2014, 8:23 AM

    Its basically co Limerick anyway

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    Mute johnodonoghue
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    Feb 28th 2014, 8:50 AM

    You are a clown

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    Mute Cpm
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    Feb 28th 2014, 12:27 PM

    Move them to Cork, detach Cork from the rest of the country, Bob’s your uncle.

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    Mute conor hickey
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    Feb 28th 2014, 8:00 AM

    I guess that’ll be an increase on LPT so.
    And a hike at the car park at the cliffs.

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    Mute Keith Fay
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    Feb 28th 2014, 7:55 AM

    Co County? Hahaha

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    Mute Matthew Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 28th 2014, 7:56 AM

    I wonder how the family family feel about this?

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    Mute Keith Fay
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    Feb 28th 2014, 8:00 AM

    Ahhh. They fixed it. The headline said Co County earlier.

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    Mute Angela Coll
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    Feb 28th 2014, 9:55 AM

    We need €36 million we get €16
    Oh yeah great job.. Not!
    If this was on the east coast it would be a different kettle if fish

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    Mute Keano
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    Feb 28th 2014, 10:54 AM

    I’m sure that €36m was over-stated to begin with – don’t forget the €16m doesn’t include a further €6m for Doolin.

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    Mute Jeremy Rammer
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    Feb 28th 2014, 1:48 PM

    @ Angela

    What do you expect there is nothing in that boring little town that is worth investing in

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    Mute Steve Bang
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    Feb 28th 2014, 7:58 AM

    The whole of Clare isn’t worth that much

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    Mute Jimmy Coonan
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    Mar 1st 2014, 1:57 PM

    Steve,your last name is bang..the mother jokes must have been good at school…:)

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    Mute Philip Cooper
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    Feb 28th 2014, 8:56 AM

    Just buy a million worth of sand and throw it around a bit. Sorted.

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    Mute ironman
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    Feb 28th 2014, 9:35 AM

    If there was no property tax there would be no funds for this work. Excellent planning by the government yet again :)

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    Mute Tom O Shaughnessy
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    Feb 28th 2014, 8:25 AM

    What a beautiful county. Well done
    Oval reps like Michael McNamara for fighting for decent allocation.

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    Mute Jeremy Rammer
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    Feb 28th 2014, 1:43 PM

    The place is a kip

    Has nothing going for it

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    Mute Jimmy Coonan
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    Mar 1st 2014, 1:58 PM

    Bit like you then

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 28th 2014, 12:00 PM

    Best bet would be to just write it off and get a new one.

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    Mute Jeremy Rammer
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    Feb 28th 2014, 1:43 PM

    Alot of money put in that you will never get back

    Leave the muck savages to fix it themselves

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    Mute ironman
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    Feb 28th 2014, 9:34 AM

    N

    3
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