Max HeyraudBuskers on Grafton Street are concerned that Dublin City Council’s approval of plans for apartments on the street will impact street performances. The issue highlights a broader concern in Dublin, culture is eroding under noise complaints—but at what cost?
Despite rising concerns from buskers and supporters, Dublin City Council has approved the Winthrop co-ownership entity’s plans to convert the second, third, and fourth floors of 4 and 5 Grafton Street into four apartments.
John Spain Associates, the planning consultant for the Winthrop co-ownership entity, assured the council that the proposed development would prevent “further inefficient and unsustainable sprawl whilst helping to meet an identified need for quality residential accommodation.”
A number of street musicians, including Andrew Kavanagh, Jacob Koopman, Francesco Parodi, and Ryu Uehara Dias, have objected to the development.
Sunil Sharpe shared his thoughts via X, stating, “This is a topic we’ve discussed a lot in recent years, more so in relation to venues rather than buskers. ‘Living Above The Shop’ is a concept everyone loves, and we need to see more of it, but it shouldn’t come at another cost.”
He continued, “Without strong rules/protections in place, a tiny group of new residents will kill culture in the city (which is well underway). Granted we’ve established an agent of change type policy (see Noise Impacts in city development plan), we need to go further again. I hope adequate noise insulation is put in place here, at the very least, with checks in advance by DCC to ensure they are of the best spec and more.”
Photo Credit: beardedarsenal
