2. UNDERSTANDING THE PLACE
Quayside Laneways The area features gateways from the quays into Shandon, offering views of St Anne’s and the Dominican Priory, and is known for its stone walls. Widderlings Lane, leading up from the Quay, has become a hub for mural and public art. However, there are security and safety issues in the laneways, with anti-social behaviour like graffiti and drug use. Gating these lanes reduces evening footfall, and there is a lack of active frontage. The gradient and anti-slip surface on Widderlings Lane pose a slip hazard in wet and cold conditions. Around Dominick Street, limited bin storage leads to bins blocking the footway. There is also a gradual loss of historic fabric and vacant plots. The IUS will consider enhancing laneway surfaces and lighting to boost footfall, providing development guidelines to improve passive surveillance, and reviewing gated provisions. It also involves removing sand-cement render to restore stone walls and implementing a refuse strategy
The Quays The Quays feature a mix of new apartment buildings and older structures, maintaining a consistent scale and vibrant facade colours. Several landmark heritage buildings, including the Dominican Church and Civic Trust House, are located at the eastern end. The area connects to the south of the city via Shandon footbridge and a segregated cycle lane. It has become a popular spot for people to sit by the river, both day and night, with several cafés and bars opening near a key crossing point from the footbridge towards Widderling Lane, which links north into Shandon. The riverbank offers a riparian habitat supporting diverse plant and animal species, with interpretative information along Pope’s Quay highlighting the local wildlife. However, improvements are needed, such as addressing vacancy and dereliction, particularly near the bottom of Ferry Lane, and realizing the potential for more active businesses with a waterfront connection. The IUS will consider enhancing the connection between businesses and the waterfront, greening and public realm enhancements, reducing car dominance, and improving laneway entrances as routes into the Historic Heart.
B
C
Night Walk A night walk was conducted on September 12th, 2024, involving local guards and internal council officers. The route included Quayside laneways, particularly Ferry Lane identified during the engagement event as having safety and security concerns. Considering solutions around lighting and ways to encourage more activity/footfall.
D
Dominick Street
A
A
C
E
Widderlings Lane
Ferry Lane
Pope’s Quay
E
Dominican Church
B
Civic Trust House
Shandon Bridge
D
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