It has taken the best part of a decade, but this week’s announcement of plans for the Grow College Green civic plaza is a significant moment for the capital. If all goes to plan – and given the tortuous history of this project, that caveat is necessary – Dublin will finally have the elegant civic space it deserves. Dublin City Council first sought planning permission for a College Green plaza in 2017. But it must also be noted that Dublin now lags well behind comparable European cities in reclaiming its historic centre from traffic. The transformation of College Green and Dame Street, when completed, will arguably be the single most important contribution to making the city centre fit for the 21st century.

Source: The Irish Times February 14, 2026 13:00 UTC