Travel guide warns of 'visible drug use' on O'Connell Street
A high-profile travel guide has warned tourists interested in visiting Ireland that they may see ‘visible drug use’ on Dublin’s ‘troubled’ O’Connell Street.
The piece, which was featured on Lonely Planet, delved into crime and dilapidation on the street, while mentioning traditional retailers being replaced by fast-food restaurants.
It said that the generic eateries on O’Connell Street ‘dilute its character’, while ‘safety concerns persist, with drug use, street drinking and theft affecting its reputation’.
A travel guide has warned tourists that they may see ‘visible drug use’ on O’Connell Street. Pic: Shutterstock
The piece was written by Fionn Davenport, who defended his comments during an appearance on Newstalk’s Claire Byrne Show.
The author remarked that he believes locals share his concerns and issues with Dublin’s iconic street.
He said: ‘I think it’s what most Dubliners have been concerned about for, unfortunately, quite a long time. I think it’s a city that during the day is a hive of activity; there’s loads of stuff going on.
The piece delved into crime and dilapidation on the street.. Pic: Roy Harris/Shutterstock
‘But then if you look around, you look up and there’s a little partial dereliction.
‘There’s undeveloped buildings, there’s a sense that O’Connell Street has lost that faded grandeur – once upon a time, this was Dublin’s grandest boulevard.’
Davenport continued by saying that the street has ‘struggled’ in recent years, before revealing what he sees when he walks through it.
The author said that the street has ‘struggled’ in recent years. Pic: Mirelaro/Shutterstock
He added: ‘I have on more than one occasion seen open drug use in the middle of the day, in the little alleys or the little side streets of O’Connell Street.
‘I appreciate Dublin isn’t alone in this; most cities have their problems. But this is my city and I think it’s jarring to see.’
The writer went on to explain that he was not trying to put Dublin down, but was rather attempting to be as accurate as he could be for the piece.
He remarked: ‘Lonely Planet is a guidebook for visitors to Dublin – it’s not a forensic social analysis of Dublin, the city.
‘What I try to do is I try to give an overall impression and try to be as accurate and as fair as I possibly can.
‘I owe a responsibility to my readers to try and reflect exactly what kind of experience they might have when they come to Dublin.’
