Costello to host public meeting on sale of Drumcondra Church lands

Costello to host public meeting on sale of Church lands in Drumcondra and the potential for developing heritage and environmental trails.

Cllr Joe Costello, Labour’s Spokesperson on Urban Regeneration,  is holding a public meeting in the Croke Park Hotel at 8pm on Wednesday 31 July to discuss proposals for a nature and heritage North City Walk route. He said:

“Dublin is a city with breath taking waterways, nature trails and heritage sites—the Royal Canal and the River Tolka, Prospect and Glasnevin Cemetery, the Botanic Gardens, Croke Park,  Holy Cross College, Mountjoy Prison and Dalymount Park are a few on the north side.

“The imminent sale of the 20 acre Holy Cross College lands in Drumcondra the largest remaining portion of open space on the north side to the highest bidder, prompted the holding of this meeting.

“This site is bounded by the Tolka River between the Drumcondra Road and Distillery Road and contains some of the most unspoilt nature in Dublin along the Tolka and is full of trees, hedgerows and wildlife.

“The meeting will discuss how to ensure that public access to the River Tolka is maintained, how the wildlife is conserved and local amenities are enhanced.

“At the same time we will look at the broader picture of how best to link the nature and heritage sites of the north side so that they are accessible to the public to enjoy to the maximum.

Speakers include:

Derek Speirs, the renowned photographer and local resident.

Derek will give a PowerPoint presentation of the proposed walk with his wonderful photographs of the area.

Laura McQuaid, an organiser of the Royal Canal Clean-up Group and member of the Sub-Group which includes Waterways Ireland, Irish Rail, Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, the Royal Canal Amenity Group and Dublin City Council.

Laura will tell us about exciting new developments on and along the waterways.

Andrew Montague:  Former Lord Mayor of Dublin and Town Planner

Andrew initiated the Dublin Bikes programme in 2009 and will speak about planning cycleways in the City.

ENDS