Dublin's Drury Street: Ciss Maddens' Outdoor License Revoked Amidst Pedestrianization Debate

Dublin City Council recently revoked the outdoor license for Ciss Maddens pub on Drury Street, removing its terrace. This decision sparked public irritation, as Drury Street is a vibrant pedestrianized area known for shopping, dining, and socializing, often referred to as «Drury Duty» by locals.

Paul Keaveny, owner of Ciss Maddens, expressed sadness and disappointment but declined to comment on the specific reason for the revocation, citing ongoing engagement with the council for a resolution. He emphasized Drury Street's heritage as a mixed market area since the 1880s, now 50% hospitality and 50% retail, comprising independent, Irish-owned businesses. He stressed the need for stakeholders to collaborate to maintain the street's sociability.

While Drury Street is a success, some retailers are frustrated by street drinking. Dublin City Council stated it is actively working with Drury Street businesses through a dedicated group to improve the street for all. Ray O’Donoghue, Dublin’s Night-Time Economy Adviser, advocates for more pedestrianization, noting that Drury Street's issues stem from insufficient pedestrianized surrounding streets, creating bottlenecks. He highlighted the decline in footfall on nearby South William Street (down 54% from the previous year) due to persistent car traffic, suggesting that pedestrianizing parallel streets like South William Street and Clarendon Street would significantly enhance the entire area. O’Donoghue also launched «Dublin By Dusk» on May 28th, an initiative for galleries to open later monthly, aiming to leverage existing city assets. The article concludes that Drury Street's success should be replicated, not seen as a problem.