Ballymun Boiler House shuts down

A famous landmark to Dubliners – The Boiler House, Ballymun – has been decommissioned and has quietly come to a standstill after over 40 years of service.

Built in the 1960’s the Boiler House in Ballymun provided the district heating system for all of the 36 newly built flat complexes in Ballymun plus 450 new houses in the Garden Estates. At the time, the new residents were delighted with a central heating system, where heating and hot water was supplied to over 2,800 families. This was the largest district heating system of its size in the British Isles when built.

The potable (drinking) water supply to the flats and houses also fed from the Boiler House. The method of supplying water to the flats was also of unusual interest in that it was pumped directly from a nearby central reservoir to the taps in the individual flats replacing the need for large storage tanks in the roofs of the blocks and associated booster pumps.

On the 29th July 2010 the Boiler House shut down for the last time and the new localised heating system came on line to cater for the energy needs of the remaining flats. The decommissioning of the Boiler House has been necessary to facilitate the demolition of the remaining flat blocks in Ballymun and the new installation provides a more reliable and improved heating system for the residents of the flats.

The Boiler House has been the subject of many artistic projects since the Regeneration began due no doubt to its iconic status in the community. One such project, that will not be forgotten, was that of Andrew Kearney’s memorable ‘Illumination of the Boiler House’ which ran for two years in 2002 and heralded the beginning of ‘Breaking Grounds’ commissions, an innovative project, that brought numerous art installations to Ballymun.

Early in 2010, the Boiler House site was put forward for an international competition – the Europan 10 architectural competition – to attract young talent to find an innovative architectural and urban solution for the site. Boiler-House Art Studios’ by Ross Lambe Architect (UK) won the award for the Ballymun site.

Maser Mural at Silloge Road

You may have noticed the large mural painted on the side of 1-93 Silloge Road. This mural is the last in a series of urban drawings completed by graffiti artist Maser in collaboration with musician Damien Dempsey. ‘They Are Us’ is a tribute to Dublin north and south side.

‘They Are Us’ was initially conceived by Maser, which developed from of a previous art project ‘Maser Loves You’. The project involved a series of displays, with positive messages, being placed around the city. This theme of hope led to an alliance with musician Damian Dempsey, Maser selecting the sites and Damian Dempsey supplying the words. The mural will remain on the block until its demolition which will take place in approximately two months time.

All proceeds raised by the sale of a number of limited edition screen prints of works from ‘They Are Us’ will go to the Simon Community. The aim of the project is to raise funds to purchase a medical van to provide assistance to people affected by homelessness. You can find more information on this project by logging onto www.theyareus.ie.

Redicover Fashion

Rediscover Fashion is now recruiting for the following courses and workshops:

Design & create you own cushion workshop.

This evening workshop is open to everyone at all levels, participants will be shown how to make two cushions and accessorise them. All materials will be provided and the best part is you can take them home.

Cost: €45.00
Deposit: €20.00
Date:Thursday September 2nd 2010
Time: 6.30pm – 9pm

Fashion Skills for Beginners – 1 day crash course.

This one day course has been designed for beginners but all are welcome. Participants will learn to use sewing machines, understand and develop skills in dressmaking and basic pattern drafting along with basic skills to upstyle and alter clothing.

Cost: €75.00
Deposit: €20.00
Date: Saturday September 11th 2010
Time: 10am – 5pm

Tea and coffee facilities are provided.

For further information on the courses and workshops, please log onto www.rediscoverycentre.ie or contact Carrie Ann Tel: 01 842 7848 email: carrie-ann@rediscoverycentre.ie

2010 Ballymun Tidy Towns local area competitions

The Ballymun Tidy Towns Committee would like to congratulate all individuals and groups that have taken part in or supported this summer’s Tidy Towns competitions in Ballymun. Each year the committee runs competitions such as the youth competition ‘Beautiful Spaces’, a Best Garden and Best Kept Area competition and a special nomination of Best Contribution to Ballymun as a Tidy Town, to encourage greater participation.

The overall goal of the Ballymun Tidy Towns Committee is to keep improving Ballymun’s performance in the National Tidy Towns competition and make Ballymun a Cleaner, Greener and Safer place to live. This year’s Ballymun Tidy Towns awards ceremony will take place on the evening of Tuesday 28th September 2010 in the Ballymun Civic Centre atrium and we welcome all competitors, business & community groups and residents. If you are interested in attending the awards ceremony or would like to find out more information about Tidy Towns, please contact Jonathan on 01 222 5608.

The Ballymun Tidy Towns committee would like to thank :

• Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL)
  
• Dublin City Council (DCC)
• Global Action Plan (GAP)
• Supervalu, Ballymun
• Travelodge, Ballymun
• IKEA
• National Botanic Gardens
• Ballymun Shopping Centre

for their support in this year’s competition.

Ballymun Social Regeneration Strategy – Public Consultation Process

Ballymun Regeneration Ltd, in collaboration with other local agencies and residents, is leading the development of a five year plan to enhance social development in Ballymun.

Working with a range of stakeholders, including the Ballymun Partnership, Young Ballymun, Dublin City Council and the HSE, BRL will develop this work plan, and each stakeholder will have responsibility for developing and delivering actions in their area of expertise.

To make sure that residents and community groups have a say in the development of the plan, BRL will consult widely with the public in Ballymun, to decide upon priorities for the next five years and further into the future. The consultation process will be carried out in two ways. Researchers will call to a large number of homes in the area with a questionnaire and this will give interested people an opportunity to have their say. This will be followed by a public consultation day in October where people can participate in workshops with themes including Education, Community Safety, Recreation, Child development, Citizenship, Arts & Culture and Health & Well-being. This is an opportunity for you to shape the future social development of Ballymun, and your opinion is important.

For further information contact Trish Flynn @ 01 222 5723 or trish.Flynn@dublincity.ie or log on to www.brl.ie for updates on public consultation events.

Why not try the native Tree Trail in Poppintree Park

The brand new Native Tree Trail in Poppintree Park is a great way to spend time in one of Dublin’s newest and most impressive parks, whilst learning about our native trees. This is the third tree trail of its kind in the city and the first on the Northside. This project stems from an action within the Ballymun Biodiversity Action Plan and is a partnership between Ballymun Regeneration Ltd and Dublin City Council.

The Native Tree Trail introduces park users to a selection of Ireland’s native trees. It is a fun and interactive way for people, and in particular young people, to learn about the trees that surround us, the history and folklore they invoke and the homes they create for wildlife, not to mention the air they clean.

The native tree trail information and booklet is available to download from the BRL website http://www.brl.ie/Tree_trail.htm

axis, Ballymun

axis are coming to the end of a very successful summer, after touring their new show ‘The Parting Glass’ all around Ireland, they took it to New York where it received standing ovations nightly and the largest audience figures for any event taking part in the Underground Zero Festival. Adding to the top class reviews already in Ireland, they received another outstanding review from nytheatre.com “Presented by Irish company axis: Ballymun… This is the sort of work that cuts through to the heart of human experience, across all boundaries”.

axis’ new programme of events is due out the first week in September, so watch out for it as it will keep you informed of all the upcoming events and projects planned for the rest of 2010. See below for a sneak preview of two of their upcoming events as part of the autumn ’10 season:

LIPSTICK SERVICE
As part of Absolute Dublin Fringe Festival 2010
Dates: 22nd – 25th September
Preview: 21st September
Time: 8pm
Tickets: €9/7 (Preview: €7)
Company: La-di-da Theatre Company

LIPSTICK SERVICE, THE RIDE WE’RE SURE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IN DISNEYLAND!
Turn off your phone, put out your cigarette. These three women demand your full attention. No one ever believes a junkie. No one ever trusts a murderer, and everyone forgets the weak. Ever wonder about what goes on behind Dublin’s Prison Walls? Ever wonder how the females cope? Getting to the heart of an unseen community, La-di-da are a new theatre company that will give it to you raw and leave you asking for seconds.

Contains material of an adult nature 16+

AN EVENING OF CLAIRVOYANCE WITH SHAUN DENNIS
Dates: 27th September
Time: 8pm
Tickets: €18
Company: Psychic Frontier

INTERNATIONAL STAGE PSYCHIC MEDIUM
Taught by a Western Mystery School over 30 years ago, Shaun is a Professional Stage Psychic Medium capable of providing staggering levels of accurate clairvoyance including names, areas, roads of residence, special dates and house numbers. It is Shaun’s wish during the show, to help to put hope and reassurance into the lives of audience members by providing messages and evidence of the continued survival of spirit loved ones and makes people realise how they are still part of our lives.

May contain material of an adult nature recommended for 16+ or 14-16 if accommpanied by an adult.