Dublin City has launched its strategy to revitalise nightlife in an 10-page report.
Ray O’Donoghue, previously known for his work in music events and the Sea Sessions festival was appointed in April as Night-Time Economy Advisor for Dublin City.
Today, DCC shared its Night-Time Economy Strategy – “a comprehensive plan designed to cultivate a thriving night-time culture in our city”, spearheaded by Ray O’Donoghue supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media.
The Strategy builds on the work of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce in 2021.
So what’s in the report?
The Night-Time Economy Advisor’s plan
As Dublin City’s first “night mayor”, Ray O’Donoghue has set out some key objectives in his two-year role.
They include:
- Meeting key night-time economy stakeholders in person to engage and gather feedback on plans for the strategy.
- Co-ordinating between venues and cultural institutions for more diverse evening programming, including multi-cultural festivals, music events and cultural performances.
- To activate monitored night-time safe zones where people can rest and seek assistance late at night, echoing the recent implementation in clubs of a space to allow people a space away from the noise.
- Oversee and promote pilot schemes such as late-night transportation options, extended cultural venue hours, extended retail hours, and temporary street closures for night markets or outdoor performances.
- Gather feedback from neighbourhoods, residents and diverse communities in the city through various gatherings such as community forums and pop-up events.
- Secure additional funding for night-time events.
- Host diversity and accessibility workshops, with aim of fostering best practices and inclusivity in the relevant industries.
Cultural Activity
The strategy emphasises collaboration with local artists, cultural teams and venues to pilot new, engaging, and inclusive cultural programming, including existing programming. This includes public art installations,and film screenings collaboration between night-time economy groups, communities and trails.
The recent Nocturnal Beats Music Trail on Culture Night is an example.
Mobility and Transport
Advocating for increased public transport and frequency thereof at night. Accessibility at venues and transport to be promoted, alongside advocating to the public for use of such services. Taking feedback from local businesses, cultural organisations and groups in this regard.
Safety
Improving safety at night through aforementioned monitored safe spaces and transport safe waiting spaces, support HSE-led harm reduction practices, An Garda Siochana engagement, upgrade lighting in high-traffic areas to improve visibility and deter criminal activity, and safety training and awareness programmes around diversity, inclusion and discrimination.
Dubliners support changes
Results of the recent Your Dublin Your Voice survey indicated a stronger support than the previous survey in 2020 for Dublin city’s safety to be addressed.
- Females: 50% report feeling unsafe at night
- Males: 43% report feeling unsafe at night
92% of respondents agreed that “The night-time economy is important to the overall Dublin economy.”
88% agreed that “The night-time economy makes a positive contribution to Dublin’s cultural life.”
If service was available from 12 midnight to 3am, the percentages of respondents who indicated they would be somewhat or very likely to use each venue are as follows:
- Music venues: 62%
- Bars: 57%
- Cultural venues: 53%
- Performance spaces: 53%
- Cafes: 49%
- Restaurants: 46%
A newly established night-time economy steering and advisory group will oversee and ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives.
You can read the strategy report in full here.
