North city’s purple patch

DUBLIN One, the area from O’Connell St to Capel Street and Parnell Street to the Quays, has been given a prestigious award marking it as a ‘gold standard’ district. 

It’s the second time Dublin has been awarded a Purple Flag, presented to towns and city centres that achieve a required standard of 30 criteria from 5pm-5am.

However, the last Purple Flag went to the Southside, with the Creative Quarter and Dame District picking up the accolade in 2013. 

At that time the Northside was considered not ready for a Purple Flag but thanks to significant progress in the district since then the latest award goes this side of the Liffey.

Dublin One has added to its evening time activity, especially on streets such as Capel and Liffey Street Lower. And public safety is being successfully addressed through Garda initiatives including Operation Spire and the Small Area Policing programme of community policing.

A team of independent assessors visited the area in December and recommended that the district be awarded Purple Flag status. Areas are judged under a number of criteria including the quality of the offering, ease of movement through the area and the safety and security of the location.

Dublin One will officially receive the Purple Flag accreditation at a ceremony taking place on February 8 in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Richard Guiney, CEO DublinTown said a Purple Flag award is hugely significant for areas that achieve it.

“Not only does it demonstrate excellence in the management of the evening and night-time economy, it adds a level of prestige to an area,” he explained.

“When we first applied for Purple Flag for the Creative Quarter, the Northside of the city was not ready. Since then there has been significant improvements to the area and it’s great to see that development gathering pace to the point where it can achieve a Purple Flag.”