GPO to be Shopping Centre

[BohsPartisan]

Surprised it has't been mentioned on here but it was in the Mirror today that there is a plan to turn the GPO into a shopping mall to "open it up to the public" in time for the centenary of the rising! Is nothing sacred in this country? To commemorate the sacrifice of the people who died in the rising, they are going to turn the building into a corporate bordello?
I seem to be quoting this stanza from Yeats's September 1913 a lot recently and once again its relevent.

What need you, being come to sense,
But fumble in a greasy till
And add the halfpence to the pence
And prayer to shivering prayer, until
You have dried the marrow from the bone?
For men were born to pray and save:
Romantic Ireland's dead and gone,
It's with O'Leary in the grave.

[soccerc]

Surprised it has't been mentioned on here but it was in the Mirror today that there is a plan to turn the GPO into a shopping mall to "open it up to the public" in time for the centenary of the rising! Is nothing sacred in this country? To commemorate the sacrifice of the people who died in the rising, they are going to turn the building into a corporate bordello?

Considering the public office will remain a post office and of that, only the facade is from the original building.

The remainder of the extensive office space (four floors and basement) was built during its reconstrcution in 1929 and has no connection with any event of 1916.

[GavinZac]

More like "its with yeats in the grave".

the man had a great imagination, ill give him that.

[Macy]

What better way to make an post ready for privatisation than to turn it into a property development company?

[Peadar]

There's already an arcade at the back of the GPO. Did you rise up in protest, when that was opened by Fergal Quinn!?

[noby]

From what I saw on the News last night it's more of a restaurant/cafe/museum type plan than a shopping centre.

[Erstwhile Bóz]

Yeah it's not going to be a corporate bordello as far as I gathered.

They showed the overhead shots of it on the news; I never knew they had that dinky little quadrangle-type thing inside it.

Hope they do a good job (and put in f*cking IRISH shops).

[galwayhoop]

From what I saw on the News last night it's more of a restaurant/cafe/museum type plan than a shopping centre.

i would have no problem whatsoever with this.... so long as it's not a shopping centre.

the restaurant/cafe/museum idea would at least allow people to walk through it all the time and make use of the building which in fairness is recognised as the plymoth rock of modern ireland.

if it was a shopping centre all we would do is allow every multi-national another opportunity to parade their wares to the hoardes of 'hooded-warriors' who march up and down every public space we have!

[soccerc]

What better way to make an post ready for privatisation than to turn it into a property development company?

An Post already have a number of property development companies. Princes Street Property and Arcade property IIRC.

[DaveyCakes]

there is a plan to turn the GPO into a shopping mall to "open it up to the public"

And there was me thinking that post offices are open to the public. As ever, it takes property developers to show us the eroor of our ways.

[the 12 th man]

Talk about changing Dublin/Ireland
The following from the Times 24th June

--------------
Last week, Guinness executives announced a review of its historic St James’s Gate brewery in central Dublin. This is only just getting under way but many believe that it will lead to the closure of the site, which makes more than 40% of the world’s Guinness, and that brewing will be moved to a purpose-built facility outside the city centre.

Some observers worry that if St James’s Gate closes, the loss of a large slice of Guinness history could hurt sales.

“Relocating a brewery is always a risk. We’ve seen it many times with a brand that is closely associated with a particular location,” said Andrew Holland, analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort.

[gufcfan]

Some observers worry that if St James’s Gate closes, the loss of a large slice of Guinness history could hurt sales.

“Relocating a brewery is always a risk. We’ve seen it many times with a brand that is closely associated with a particular location,”

As long as I get my Guinness!

[osarusan]

Talk about changing Dublin/Ireland
The following from the Times 24th June

--------------
Last week, Guinness executives announced a review of its historic St James’s Gate brewery in central Dublin. This is only just getting under way but many believe that it will lead to the closure of the site, which makes more than 40% of the world’s Guinness, and that brewing will be moved to a purpose-built facility outside the city centre.

Some observers worry that if St James’s Gate closes, the loss of a large slice of Guinness history could hurt sales.

“Relocating a brewery is always a risk. We’ve seen it many times with a brand that is closely associated with a particular location,” said Andrew Holland, analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort.

Surely part of St. James' Gate would stay open as a museum of some kind?

[Dodge]

The Guinness Plant is about 1,000 times the size of the current Storehouse museam

[osarusan]

The Guinness Plant is about 1,000 times the size of the current Storehouse museam
I dont think you read my post properly, as I edited it after your reply to include the words "part of" and make my original post seem more sensible.

[Dodge]

I understood. I was just saying that the tinny little museam that would be left couldn't really be compared to the working brewery that's there now

[galwayhoop]

I understood. I was just saying that the tinny little museam that would be left couldn't really be compared to the working brewery that's there now

true, however it should help to ease the fears of the man who said:

"Relocating a brewery is always a risk. We’ve seen it many times with a brand that is closely associated with a particular location"

[noby]

The Storehouse has no connection to the working brewery.
That'll stay there, the brewery will move, some die-hards will moan, but the beer will taste the exact same.

[Dodge]

The Storehouse has no connection to the working brewery.
That'll stay there, the brewery will move, some die-hards will moan, but the beer will taste the exact same.

But the Storehouse won't be half the attraction it is if the brewery is gone

[soccerc]

The brewery will move, but the beer will taste the exact same.

Grange Castle anyone?:cool:

[the 12 th man]

, some die-hards will moan, but the beer will taste the exact same.


The "die hards" will be saying that the Guinness doesn't travel well.:D

[BohsPartisan]

There's already an arcade at the back of the GPO. Did you rise up in protest, when that was opened by Fergal Quinn!?

Hardly part of the GPO though is it? :rolleyes:
So you're happy with this historic building to be filled with Zara, A Wear, Oasis and all the same sh1te that is replicated accross the city ad nauseum?

[Dodge]

Hardly part of the GPO though is it? :rolleyes:
So you're happy with this historic building to be filled with Zara, A Wear, Oasis and all the same sh1te that is replicated accross the city ad nauseum?

You realise that won't be the case?!

[BohsPartisan]

You realise that won't be the case?!

No I don't. Don't believe anything property types say.

[Dodge]

You believed they'd put a shopping centre in there...

[soccerc]

Hardly part of the GPO though is it? :rolleyes:
So you're happy with this historic building to be filled with Zara, A Wear, Oasis and all the same sh1te that is replicated accross the city ad nauseum?

It already is, the shops as far as Arnotts are all part of the GPO Building. as is the arcade.

See my original post, the public office will remain a post office

[BohsPartisan]

You believed they'd put a shopping centre in there...

Stop messing with my mind! :D

[Peadar]

Hardly part of the GPO though is it? :rolleyes:

What is it then?
It was part of the GPO, until they made it an arcade.
I've worked in the GPO and there isn't much of significance, besides the public shop & the fascade.
Whether the remainder of the building houses An Post employees or Zara sales assistants, doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'd be more likely to get a decent level of service from the latter.

[SolitudeRed]

Is this for real or is this a late April fools story! sounds like an absolute joke of an idea can't see many people going for it!

[soccerc]

I've worked in the GPO and there isn't much of significance, besides the public shop & the fascade.

Having spent ten years working in the offices upstairs I can safely say there is nothing of historical significance apart from the Public Letter Office.

The arcade always had shops in it including the side entrance to Woolworths, a jewellers and Government Publications Office.. It was redeveloped in 1989 to its present condition.

[BohsPartisan]

Whether the remainder of the building houses An Post employees or Zara sales assistants, doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'd be more likely to get a decent level of service from the latter.

I'm glad the girls in Zara are open minded about transvestisism but that notwithstanding, I always find the level of service at the GPO to be of a good standard.

[Peadar]

I'm glad the girls in Zara are open minded about transvestisism ...

You've completely lost me here.
I have to put this idiotic comment down to ignorance, on your part.

[noby]

But the Storehouse won't be half the attraction it is if the brewery is gone
I'm not so sure. A lot of tourists are more interested in the contents of the Storehouse (the old ads etc.) and the gravity bar than the fact that there's a working brewery around them.
Doesn't the Jameson storehouse work on the same basis; ie the distillery is somewhere else?

[Dodge]

And it doesn't have anywhere near the same pull as the Storehouse.

The couple I went with were very impressed by the idea of the brewery working around them and the smell definitely added to the event

[noby]

I'm sure they could pipe the smell in.
I was impressed with the working brewery too. I would have been more impressed if a tour of some of the actual brewery was part of the deal. Because it wasn't, it just amounted to a Guinness museum. A rather good one at that, but the brewery isn't crucial to the enjoyment of it.

[BohsPartisan]

I'm not so sure. A lot of tourists are more interested in the contents of the Storehouse (the old ads etc.) and the gravity bar than the fact that there's a working brewery around them.
Doesn't the Jameson storehouse work on the same basis; ie the distillery is somewhere else?

Jameson is distilled in Middleton and bottled in Bushmills

[BohsPartisan]

You've completely lost me here.
I have to put this idiotic comment down to ignorance, on your part.

Zara sells womens clothes. You expect a good level of service there, 2+2= :p

[Peadar]

Zara sells womens clothes. You expect a good level of service there, 2+2= :p

Just as I suspected, pure ignorance! :rolleyes:

[BohsPartisan]

Just as I suspected, pure ignorance! :rolleyes:

Yeah thats what it is alright Paeder. Pure ignorance. You made a stupid remark about the staff of the GPO, now thats pure ignorance. :rolleyes:

[Peadar]

Yeah thats what it is alright Paeder. Pure ignorance. You made a stupid remark about the staff of the GPO, now thats pure ignorance. :rolleyes:

My remark was based on my own experience, it's valid & would probably reflect the experiences of many others.

You, on the other hand, are ignorant to the fact that Zara sell clothes for men, women & children.

[BohsPartisan]

You, on the other hand, are ignorant to the fact that Zara sell clothes for men, women & children.


If thats true I'm guilty as charged. Though I'm not too ashamed that shopping is not one of my specialist subjects.

[hoops1]

If thats true I'm guilty as charged. Though I'm not too ashamed that shopping is not one of my specialist subjects.

Bohs Partisan isnt a expert in something Shocker.:eek:

[BohsPartisan]

Bohs Partisan isnt a expert in something Shocker.:eek:

I know, I know, sorry to dissapoint my fans but I like to keep it real! ;)

[jebus]

Is this for real or is this a late April fools story! sounds like an absolute joke of an idea can't see many people going for it!

You're joking right, you are talking about the same country that has allowed historic sites and castles to be torn apart in the interest of consumerism and backhanders (St. John's Castle, Viking sites in Dublin, etc.), and are currently allowing Tara to be destroyed. Turning the GPO into a shopping centre, whilst a disgrace, is hardly the least of the Irish people's sins

[Boh_So_Good]

From what I saw on the News last night it's more of a restaurant/cafe/museum type plan than a shopping centre.

Yes. I have seen the plans and they are along the lines of the Melenium Wing of the National Gallery. Looks beautiful too.

[Magicme]

Well in consumer fanatic Ireland what else would be an appropriate way to honour the site?

I dont think its a biggy as long as they maintain the front bit as a memorial.

[Lim till i die]

I dont think its a biggy as long as they maintain the front bit as a memorial.

A memorial to what??

Carnage?? Hopeless Failure?? The Hijacking of this countries history by the Church??

Tear it down to fcuk. One more spin in the grave wont make much difference for James Connolly

[Boh_So_Good]

One more spin in the grave wont make much difference for James Connolly

Connolly was a soviet agent anyways. His only agenda was to get the Brits out so he could take orders from Lenin and Trotsky in the Irish Soviet. If 1916 was a success Connolly and Larkin would have taken over had the other leaders liquidated, built gulags in Donegal and had gigantic bronze statues of themselves made.

[SligoBrewer]

Connolly was a soviet agent anyways. His only agenda was to get the Brits out so he could take orders from Lenin and Trotsky in the Irish Soviet. If 1916 was a success Connolly and Larkin would have taken over had the other leaders liquidated, built gulags in Donegal and had gigantic bronze statues of themselves made.
and thats a bad thing?:eek:

[BohsPartisan]

Connolly was a soviet agent anyways.

The Russian revolution and the establishment of Soviet Power occured in 1917 over a year after the execution of James Connolly. At the time of his death, Connolly had no reason to believe there would be a Socialist revolution anywhere in the world so soon, for if he had he would never have got involved in the Easter adventure. At this time the Socialist international had collapsed due to the capitulation to belligerence on the part of the leading parties of the international. Only a few of the major players opposed the war. Lenin, Trotsky and the Bolsheviks, Connolly in Ireland, Luxemburg and Liebknecht in Germany, MacClean and his followers in Scotland and the Left in the SPUSA. But communication was difficult due to the war and there was no organisation linking them together as the comintern had not yet been established.