Cllr Donoghue calls on Minister to tackle threat to arts and culture in Dublin
Responding to the announcement the Bernard Shaw is set to close at the end of October. Newly elected Labour Party Councillor for the area Kevin Donoghue, has called on the Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan, to urgently establish a consultative forum to recommend ways to protect and revitalise Dublin’s famous arts and culture tradition.
Cllr Donoghue said:
“The Bernard Shaw closing at the end of October, highlights the threat facing Dublin’s arts and cultural spaces. The Bernard Shaw is a cultural institution in the city, where many up and coming artists can perform and display their work. Dublin has a proud history of contributing significantly to the arts and culture world. However, in recent months key iconic cultural venues across the city such as Hangar and District 8 have closed their doors.
“I am therefore calling on the Minister for Culture, to urgently intervene and establish a consultative forum with key stakeholders from the arts and culture community, to recommend ways in which the city’s famous arts and culture tradition can be protected and revitalised.
“Our city cannot become one full of trendy boutique hotels and fancy student apartments. Dublin is world-renowned as a hub for arts and culture, where artistic talent can flourish. However, that reputation is at stake, if we continue to allow our arts and culture landscape to fade away.
“As well as a consultative forum, It is time for the Government and Dublin City Council to prioritise the delivery of a night mayor as outlined in the Dublin Agreement to help ensure night life and the night time economy doesn’t die in our capital city. With the closure of venues like the Tivoli and Hangar and now the Bernard Shaw the ability for Dubliners to enjoy late nights way from the main tourist centres is decreasing.
“If Dublin was to have our own night mayor, they would be able to liaise between venues and the courts when it comes to licensing, they would also be able to work with transport companies such as Dublin Bus to develop a better strategy around late night routes.
“I hope the Minister will respond positively to my call for a consultative forum to be set to up to address the growing threat facing the arts and culture tradition in our capital city.”