The Office of Public Works undertakes review of events at The Iveagh Gardens

The Office of Public Works is undertaking a review of events taking place at The Iveagh Gardens in Dublin.

Arts and culture activists around Ireland are mounting a campaign to keep events running at the picturesque and popular Dublin venue.

According to event organisers in Dublin, a small group are campaigning against events being held in The Iveagh Gardens. And they have already had a negative impact on the use of the city-centre space.

During the summer, the annual festival, Live at The Iveagh Gardens, which is run by Aiken Promotions, lost the use of a part of the Gardens for the festival, resulting in a smaller footprint than usual, and a reduction in capacity.

The Office of Public Works, who manage the Iveagh Gardens, have now put up a request for public opinions about events in Tthe space, which can be seen on the sign below – posted on the entrance gates of the Gardens.

Festival organisers and supporters of the arts are looking for positive support to balance the campaign being pushed by those who are opposed to arts events taking place.

Those who are in favour of keeping Iveagh Gardens alive as a city centre venue are concerned that – while 'not in my back yard' style objectors will go out of their way to complain – the majority of people, who overwhelmingly support events, might not take the time to make a submission.

"Positive support is desperately needed," one source told Hot Press. "We've seen how easily cultural spaces can be abandoned, demolished or lost in a city like Dublin. Everybody in the cultural arena faces the same issues: we need places where the arts and music can flourish. The Iveagh Gardens is an oasis for the arts on those occasions that events happen. We don't want to see that being taken away from people who live in the city."

In the deadline set by the OPW, words of support must be sent to them by Friday, September 29 / Saturday, September 30.

"It's really important to have your voice heard," one artist manager said. "Fans of music, comedy and the arts should ideally write a personal email to the OPW. I'm certainly going to."

The address to which comments can be sent is: [email protected]

Meanwhile, a draft email has been circulated, which emphasises the importance of the Live at the Iveagh Gardens festival in particular. It is intended for use by people who can copy and paste it – and tweak if necessary. The full draft reads:

To Whom it May Concern

I’m writing to voice my support for the continuation of the Comedy and Music events every summer at Iveagh Gardens.

The Comedy Festival has become an important cultural event in Dublin’s calendar now for many years and one which contributes positively to the nighttime economy of the city and its culture. Ireland has a great history of producing some world leading stand-up comedians over the years who also project a positive, funny and likeable image of Ireland across the globe in recent times.

Comedy needs breeding grounds and international festivals like the Iveagh Gardens Comedy Festival are just that. Iveagh Gardens fosters new Irish talent alongside emerging and established international talent and has introduced international acts for the first time to Irish audiences for many years now.

The key to Iveagh Gardens is the location itself, instead of programming shows in venues scattered across the city, all shows are concentrated in one festival area over a short period of time giving an intense festival experience to its audiences and comedians alike – it is like no other comedy festival in that way. So while this festival helps the night time economy in Dublin which is still in recovery (where it hasn’t closed down altogether) post COVID, it also contributes strongly to the cultural life of the city by promoting Irish comedy and creating a space for international exchanges between Irish comedians and comics from all over the world, some of whom, like Trevor Noah have gone on to become international super stars.

I’ve always found this festival to be extremely well run, carefully curated, respectful of its beautiful surroundings and carefully managed by its promoters in terms of audiences both on site and on their way to and from the festival. In my view it would be a major loss to the city of Dublin and to its thriving comedy culture were it to be prevented from continuing at Iveagh Gardens.

Regards
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