‘Rock for Culture’ protest to save Fibber’s set to take place tomorrow

A protest is set to be held tomorrow to try to protect a much-loved inner city beer garden from closure.

Titled ‘Rock for Culture’, the event will take place outside the Holiday Inn on O’Connell Street Upper tomorrow at 6pm.

Organisers say they are protesting to save the beer garden which is used by Fibbers, Murrays Pub and the Living Room from being lost to hotel expansion.

Saturn WölfflöW explained the reasons behind tomorrows protest.

“I have curated Rock For Culture in name of defending Fibber’s from a needless hotel extension by the multi billion dollar Holiday Inn & the multi million hotelier with the JMK Group who are looking to build a 103 room extension into the infamous and diversified ‘O Connell Street Beer Garden.’

“JMK own four hotels and are building several others and they are still happy to destroy a beloved and shared space that is unique to Dublin’s social infrastructure as here, the three pubs, Fibber’s, Murray’s & the Living Room patrons and A LOT of tourist congregate peaceful to enjoy socializing and watching sports on a giant screen.

“It’s one of, if not the best and well kept beer garden’s in the city and is free to enter at all times.

“Ireland has a track record of letting venues, clubs and social spaces collapse to archaic noise laws that exist in no other developed city, the Voodoo Lounge and the Gypsy Rose are two prime examples of venues to be lost to such ill faith and if this extension gets built right over Fibber’s it is evidently inevitable it will die a death and for what, some very rich people to get a little richer at ease due to the loss of something so integral to Dublin.

“DCC have stated “there’s and over saturation of hotels” and Catherine Martin has specifically mentioned the need for more beer garden’s, so why An Bord Pleanalá let this go ahead we will never know? Many, including members of the Labour party have sent in submissions to appeal this decision which closed on Aug 2nd.

“Fibbers is 43 years old and is our longest standing non traditional venue that has been untouched by gentrification or corporatization, it is an iconic landmark for thousands and now many parents who played on this stage and called it a home are seeing their kids do just that.

“We have lost 4/5 venues since 2000 and right now there is still no protection for our history or culture.

“We cannot lose another stage, especially to a needless and currently insanely overpriced hotel which is having a huge impact on the housing crisis as well as the homeless one and the government are specifically subsidizing this private company to provide beds for. This doesn’t solve or cure homelessness, its just keeps it alive but that is not our fight  just a side effect.

“On the day we will have a live band, Ireland’s top drag & burlesque performers as well as a resident DJ all showcasing what will be rendered homeless if this goes ahead.

“A petition to save the beer garden has received over 10K+ petition signatures, anyone who wishes to sign it please go to https://www.change.org/p/save-the-o-connell-street-beer-garden”