Rock For Culture holds second protest in Dublin to "save Fibbers"

Yesterday, Rock For Culture held their second protest in objection of the Holiday Inn expansion that would close Fibbers' O'Connell Street beer garden. Fibbers has been home to alternative arts and culture for 43 years, and is considered an important Dublin institution to many.

A petition to save the beer garden has already garnered over 10,000 signatures.

The first protest was held in August outside of the Holiday Inn itself. Yesterday, the protest was taken directly to the doorstep of An Bord Pleanála, to voice their concerns about the immediate future of Dublin's arts and nightlife sectors.

The rain impacted the turnout, but those who showed up had more than enough energy to fill the space. With loud blaring music DJ'd by Colleen Heavey and chants, Rock For Culture grabbed the attention of almost every passerby.

Chairperson of Labour Youth, James Kearney, spoke about how difficult it is to find a space like Fibbers, and how consistently they are being shut down. He emphasised the importance of creating more artistic spaces instead of taking away the few Dublin has left.

Rock for Culture #2 at An Bord Pleanála. September 2022. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Organiser Saturn WölfflöW stated that Ireland does not protect or offer sufficient supports to the arts, although it pretends to care. "Ireland is one of the lowest funding countries of the arts in the EU," she explained. "We should be soaring ahead of the rest, considering the size of our country and population."

Rock for Culture 2 at An Bord Pleanala. September 2022. Copyright Abigail Ring.

To "showcase the talent that is being eroded" by closing down cultural institutions like Fibbers, Drag King Dan the Man performed a religion themed performance (while dressed as a priest) to 'This Hell' by Rina Sawayama. The rain only elevated his highly engaging performance.

Rock for Culture #2 at An Bord Pleanála. September 2022. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Next, WölfflöW as artist nnothersday performed a 20-year history of Dublin's alternative cultural venues on the keyboard. She's been involved in the scene since she was 12 years old, and has an unmatched passion for protecting Fibbers as a home for herself and many others. She proclaimed her outrage at An Bord Pleanála for ignoring Fibbers' cultural significance in approving the Holiday Inn's plans.

It is clear Rock For Culture is not going away anytime soon, and will stop at nothing to save their beloved Fibbers.

You can sign the petition to save the O'Connell Street Beer garden here.