“In order to protect the historic bandstand from any further damage, a decision was taken to erect fencing to protect the structure.”
St Stephen’s Green’s popular Victorian Bandstand has been fenced off after damage from “vandalism and anti-social behaviour”.
After images of the Dublin city park’s bandstand cordoned off from the public began circulating on social media on Wednesday, JOE reached out to the Office of Public Works (OPW) to ask why the measures were taken.
In response, the OPW told JOE: “The Green encompasses a number of important features including the Victorian Bandstand. We want visitors to enjoy the Green but OPW must also protect vulnerable historic features from vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
“In order to protect the historic bandstand from any further damage, a decision was taken to erect fencing to protect the structure.”
The statement added: “We hope visitors will continue to enjoy the beautiful surrounds of the park this weekend. The OPW appeals to the public to respect this important heritage site and its historic features, to respect our staff and fellow visitors, to bring their waste home with them and to behave responsibly when in the park.
“The OPW is liaising with An Garda Síochána in relation to the policing of St Stephen’s Green on an ongoing basis and will respond to any incidents should they arise.”
After the fencing off of the bandstand – which is a popular area for teenagers in the capital to congregate outdoors – was criticised by some people on social media, Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu said she would be in contact with the OPW regarding the closure.
She wrote: “Guess I’ll be asking the OPW about this too as well as asking if they can keep longer opening hours in St Stephen’s green. Some DCC parks close at 10pm, no reason why we couldn’t keep the green open until then.”
Guess I’ll be asking the OPW about this too as well as asking if they can keep longer opening hours in St Stephen’s green. Some DCC parks closes at 10pm, no reason why we couldn’t keep the green open until then. https://t.co/jDdJX0eE0O
— Hazel Chu (@hazechu) June 2, 2021
The closure comes following an ongoing discussion regarding large crowds gathering in Dublin city amidst the recent sunny weather.
Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan described the large gatherings which occurred in Dublin’s city centre around South William Street on Saturday evening as looking like “Jones’ Road on a day of an All-Ireland.”
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