DID RTÉ's Fade Streetprompt Dublin Corporation to embark on a fairly ambitious scheme to improve the once-little known street off South Great George's Street?
Work is well underway on extensive works to reduce traffic and eliminate parking altogether on the street, noted not only for its restaurants and bars but also its Victorian façades and traditional streetscape.
The Corpo plans to make newly created recreational space available as a relaxing entertainment area complete with flower boxes, trees and street furniture as well as tables and chairs.
To help the project there will be a one-way single line of traffic and, though this is used predominantly by taxis, the expectation is that its use as a rat-run will eventually be eliminated altogether.
The real attraction in this short street, and what’s made it a hotspot in the past few years, are three bars and two restaurants which have been pulling in the crowds. The choice for diners will shortly be extended when businessman Ronan McNamee of Cuisine de France bread fame opens a large restaurant in a long-vacant office building at the junction of Drury Street and Fade Street.
The area from South Great George’s Street over to Grafton Street now rivals Temple Bar, which seems to be mainly dependent on overseas visitors for popularity at the weekends.
