The Cobblestone: John Francis Flynn, Ispíní na hÉireann and more denounce plans to build hotel around the iconic pub

Several Irish artists artists have taken to social media to publicly condemn plans to demolish part of The Cobblestone on North King Street, Dublin 7, in order to build a new 114-bedroom hotel.

Although the original building is a Protected Structure, Dublin folk artist John Francis Flynn, who has played at the iconic pub regularly over the years, notes that the demolition will involve "the backroom venue, the smoking area, and the rooms upstairs where music and Irish language classes were held, leaving only the main bar swallowed up by a 9 story hotel... essentially turning the leftovers into a residents bar."

In a post shared to his Instagram, Flynn – who released his debut album, I Would Not Leave Always, on Rough Trade's River Lea imprint earlier this year – stresses that "we really need people to oppose this."

"The Cobblestone is far more than just a pub," he resumes. "It is a bastion of Irish culture. People come from all over the world to share and learn Irish music, song, dance, language and storytelling.

"It is at the centre of this 'folk revival' we're seeing in Ireland," he continues. "The scene developed within those walls. Any fans of Lankum, Landless, Skipper's Alley, Lisa O'Neill, Ye Vagabonds, The Bonny Men, need to know how important The Cobblestone is for this community.

"Beyond that, and more importantly, the Cobblestone is the main hub for the broader traditional Irish Music community in the country. I have played with and learned from some of the very best musicians in the sessions. I have listened to some amazing music at The Night Before Larry Got Stretched sessions and Pipers Clubs gigs from musicians and singers you otherwise might never get a chance to hear. I have watched younger musicians develop into great musicians. I've watched dancers dance, singers sing, story tellers recite stories. There is nowhere else that can match the cobblestone for any of this and theres no place that promotes Irish culture to the same level as The Cobblestone. This is an attack on our culture in a city that's getting swallowed up by blind greed. We need as many people to oppose this as possible."

Other artists, including Ispíní na hÉireann, have also denounced the decision – urging people to submit objections to Dublin City Council, and write to their local TD.

Very real danger of losing @CobblestoneDub to progress. Another soulless hotel at the expense of Dublin's cultural heartbeat.
A month to submit objections to @DubCityCouncil
Write to your local TD
Don't let this happen@MaryLouMcDonald@neasa_neasa @Paschald @GaryGannonTD pic.twitter.com/fUSaFZLbVX

— Ispíní na hÉireann (@sausagemusic) October 6, 2021

Planning reference: 3617/21
https://t.co/qAdf3q083R

— Ispíní na hÉireann (@sausagemusic) October 6, 2021

See more reactions to the news below:

In that sense this strikes me as similiar to the abysmal Merchant's Arch proposal. Arch itself is saved, but surrounding fabric lost forever. The Cobblestone could become, like The Tenters, a pub swallowed up by an awful development. It is worth fighting for.

— Donal Fallon (@fallon_donal) October 6, 2021

How does the proposal to build a 114 bed hotel on top of The Cobblestone in Smithfield fit with the policy of DCC to "lead the cultural development of the city & to enhance & protect its cultural institutions"? The Cobblestone is a centre of culture in the north inner city.

— Stewart Reddin (@StewR) October 6, 2021

With the plan to maintain original Cobblestone building while gutting the smoking area/BackBar, my bet is the plan is to force it to be financially unsustainable, let the building fall to further disrepair, then appeal its protected status on the grounds of health and safety

— Ispíní na hÉireann (@sausagemusic) October 6, 2021