Thousands sign petition to halt Marlay’s large-scale gigs

A PETITION with the signatures of 2,500 people declaring that Marlay Park “is not a suitable venue for large-scale commercial concerts” was handed in to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council last week.

The signatures were collected in recent months by members of South Dublin Protect Our Parks (SDPOP) – a group of residents, market traders and visitors to the park who are concerned about the impact of the concerts.

The petition urges the council “to protect Marlay Park – its wildlife, habitats, flora and fauna”.

“The first large-scale concert in Marlay Park was 14 years ago and the number of concerts has gradually increased until last year when we had to put up with a total of eight concerts, which went on for over a month,” said SDPOP chairman Brian Murphy. “That’s a lot of disruption to put up with. Not only do we have to contend with traffic gridlock, noise pollution and anti-social behaviour as 40,000 people descend on the area for each gig, but the park is as good as out of bounds for weeks on end as the infrastructure for the concerts is put in place.”

SDPOP claim their members fear that the views of park users, local residents and market traders are not being taken into account. 

“We don’t feel we have been listened to by the council but we hope that might change with the 2,500 signatures we have collected,” Mr Murphy added. “It is time the council listened to all the anger and unhappiness that has built up over the years.”

Some SDPOP members would like to see a total ban on large-scale commercial concerts in Marlay Park while others would settle for smaller and fewer concerts.

A spokesperson for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council confirmed that a petition was received at County Hall in relation to the Marlay Park concert programme.

“However, the opportunity for members of the public to have their say is on each occasion that a concert licence is sought,” the spokesperson added. “Under planning law, the holding of concerts is always subject to obtaining a licence, the granting of which is subject to a public consultation process.”

The council spokesperson also confirmed that an agreement has been reached between Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and MCD Productions for a concert programme for the next five years.

This provides for a maximum of six concerts per annum with a total audience capacity of 210,000, subject to licence.

“In the event that licences are granted for future concerts, the council is committed to the continued development of a community-led plan for the management of the concerts and to reduce the negative impact that the concerts might have on residents living adjacent to Marlay Park and on park users,” the spokesperson added.

The council also pointed out that an assessment on the ecological impact of concerts on Marlay Park found “little or no” negative impact.

Cllr Neale Richmond (FG) welcomed the announcement that the council had agreed a new five-year contract with promoters MCD to stage concerts in Marlay Park.

“The new contract is a realistic and thorough one that will allow top class concerts to continue to be staged in Marlay Park while also imposing sensible restrictions to protect local residents,” he said. “This year the council received in the region of €450,000 in revenue from the concerts, and this money is ring-fenced for recreational use. Last year alone we saw huge investment in the footpaths in Marlay Park, the upgrade of Tamplin’s Cottage and the renovation of the Craft Courtyard, all thanks to funds raised through the concerts.”