Dublin's O’Connell Street has come under renewed international scrutiny after leading travel guide Lonely Planet described the capital's principal thoroughfare as a "troubled street", citing visible drug use, anti-social behaviour and urban decline.
In the latest edition of its Ireland guide, the publisher says the street has lost much of the prestige it once enjoyed, pointing to vacant properties, derelict upper floors and stalled redevelopment projects that have left parts of the city centre looking neglected.
“Once Dublin’s grand boulevard, O’Connell St has struggled with decline,” the guide states.
It adds that many traditional retailers have disappeared, replaced by fast-food outlets, while “safety concerns persist, with drug use, street drinking and theft affecting its reputation.” The publication also notes that heavy traffic, congestion and inconsistent public realm improvements have diminished the street's appeal for both locals and visitors.
Despite its criticism, Lonely Planet paints a far more positive picture of Dublin's north inner city overall, describing it as an authentic and multicultural neighbourhood rich in history and culture.
“Edgier and more lived-in than its southside counterpart, the area just north of the River Liffey blends faded Georgian elegance with classic Dublin grit and a vibrant multicultural edge,” it says.
The guide recommends attractions including EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, the Jeanie Johnston famine ship and the GPO Museum, while also praising the area's diverse food scene, ranging from Michelin-starred Irish cuisine to Palestinian, Filipino and Korean eateries.
The publication's assessment comes just days after the Government approved plans for one of the biggest investments ever made on O’Connell Street, with a €200 million to €500 million redevelopment of the historic General Post Office complex. The landmark project, now under the stewardship of the Office of Public Works, will transform the GPO into a mixed-use cultural, civic, retail and office destination while retaining a public post office. A nationwide public consultation is also due to begin later this year as part of the regeneration project.
Businessman Paul Gallagher, who operates Asics on O’Connell Street and Skechers on nearby Henry Street, said much of Lonely Planet's assessment reflected the reality facing businesses in the area.
“There's a tiny bit of poetic licence with the line describing low-rent stores, but there's quite a lot of it that's substantially true,” he said.
While stressing that O’Connell Street remains home to many successful retailers, Gallagher said persistent crime and anti-social behaviour continue to undermine confidence.
“We're trading well and footfall is strong, but O’Connell Street has issues that need to be dealt with. The Garda presence has fallen back, in my opinion. Shoplifting is a major issue and we've had staff being threatened. The shoplifters are getting much more aggressive.”
Gallagher, whose Asics store has been targeted repeatedly since the 2023 Dublin riots, argued that offenders have become increasingly emboldened.
“The penalties for shoplifting and anti-social behaviour need to be tougher, much tougher. These guys are flying around with their scooters, with their masks on, even in this weather. Something radical needs to be done long-term to combat O’Connell Street.”
He added that stronger enforcement was needed, calling for what he described as a “Mayor Giuliani approach” to tackling crime and restoring confidence in the city centre.
The comments are likely to add further pressure on policymakers as they seek to reverse years of decline along Dublin's most famous street. Supporters of the newly approved GPO redevelopment hope the multi-hundred-million-euro investment will act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of O’Connell Street, restoring the historic boulevard as both a cultural destination and a thriving commercial centre.
