Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Named after 1916 leaders, the flats in Ballymun have all been demolished Photocall Ireland

Rising again: New name for Ballymun Plaza commemorates 1916 leaders

The now-demolished block of flats in Ballymun bore the name of the revolutionary leaders.

THE PLAZA IN Ballymun town centre is set to be named in honour of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Lord Mayor Brendan Carr will unveil a special plaque naming the plaza “Cearnóg an tSeachtar Laoch” (Seven Heroes’ Square) at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Ballymun on Friday.

The infamous block of flats that bore the names of the revolutionary leaders may now be gone, but the newly-named Plaza will carry on that legacy.

Sinn Féin councillor Noeleen Reilly proposed naming the plaza after the Easter Rising leaders. She said: “The leaders were synonymous with Ballymun because of the seven tower blocks named after them.

Residents felt that during the regeneration an opportunity had been missed to name some of the new streets and roads after the leaders. I felt it was important to rectify that especially on the 100th Anniversary of the Rising.

The demolition of the tower blocks at Ballymun began in 2004, when Pearse tower was the first to go.

This was followed by blocks of flats named after Thomas MacDonagh, Eamonn Ceannt, James Connolly, Sean MacDermot and Thomas Clarke over the following few years.

Joseph Plunkett Tower was the last to go, when it was demolished in 2015. At the time, locals told TheJournal.ie that the demolition of the flats sucked the life out of the community.

23/9/2015. Ballymun Towers Being Demolished Joseph Plunkett Tower being demolished in 2015 Sam Boal / Rollingnews.ie Sam Boal / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

A school in the area, Scoil an tSeachtar Laoch, is also similarly named after the 1916 revolutionaries.

The Lord Mayor is set to unveil the plaque and turn on the Christmas lights at 5pm this Friday, with local choir The Northside Sensations ringing in the festive season.

Read: ‘Some people wanted to stay in the Ballymun flats and would go back now if they could’

Read: This is everything that went wrong with Ballymun

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
38 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Hickey
    Favourite Shane Hickey
    Report
    Dec 18th 2017, 11:59 AM

    It’s not much of a hunt if they haven’t named him

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ChuckE
    Favourite ChuckE
    Report
    Dec 18th 2017, 12:12 PM

    @Shane Hickey: I’m sure they have a name but it’s probably best to keep it out of the media

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane O Mahony
    Favourite Shane O Mahony
    Report
    Dec 18th 2017, 1:19 PM

    @Shane Hickey: according to local news over here the police have interviewed the Irish man who was the murdered woman’s x and he has been released without charge and they are now looking for a British man.

    13
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane O Mahony
    Favourite Shane O Mahony
    Report
    Dec 18th 2017, 1:27 PM
    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Cormican
    Favourite Shane Cormican
    Report
    Dec 18th 2017, 1:34 PM

    @Shane O Mahony: its always the Brits fault and we get blamed!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Dec 18th 2017, 8:32 PM

    @Shane O Mahony: it’s really bad when I’m not sure which source has the wrong nationality for the deceased, yours or the journal!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Misanthrope
    Favourite Misanthrope
    Report
    Dec 18th 2017, 1:15 PM

    Where’s Veronica?

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Dec 18th 2017, 1:31 PM

    @Misanthrope: Wasn’t she hoping to get on a Ryanair flight? Probably still stuck in an airport, keeping a wary eye out for murderers fleeing the country.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute eastsmer
    Favourite eastsmer
    Report
    Dec 18th 2017, 2:11 PM

    A 999 call ? – surely a 112 call

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Dec 18th 2017, 8:32 PM

    @eastsmer: in Spain?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Dec 19th 2017, 1:04 AM

    Only 46, and to have had only a couple of years there. RIP.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.