If it is possible to feel sorry at all for property developers, one would have to feel sorry for those who are currently undertaking the development of Clancy Barracks in Islandbridge.
For years, property developers have salivated openly at the thought of developing the site of the now derelict barracks. Situated a few minutes from the city centre and spitting distance from the park, the former Army barracks were acres of prime real estate - except that there are a number of protected structures on the site, which can't be demolished.
So for years Clancy Barracks were put to a number of uses. It was often used for exteriors in film shoots: I worked as an extra out there a couple of times, and there was always bits and bobs from other film sets lying around the place. One particularly quiet may, a few of us wandered around the whole complex. The place is vast, though abominably smelly in places, as one expect toilets that haven't received any attention for twenty years to be. It was kind of cool seeing some of the graffiti that soldiers had left before departing for Lebanon or the Balkans.
The government wanted to build a prison there at one stage, but in the end it wasn't feasible. Then, in 2004, (or 2005, not sure) some developer was granted his wet-dream of planning permission to build on the 5.6 hectares of the then prime real estate.
Then, in 2007, the property market went to shit.
And the building is still ongoing, but they may have scaled back the amount of units under construction. Much as I am loathe to wish property developers success in any of their endeavours, I do hope that people decide to move into Clancy Quay, as it is now known, as it will make that part of Dublin a bit nicer. Clancy Barracks always had an aura of decrepitude about the place, so hopefully the area will be a little more vibrant. read more