The Liberties Community Project

25/05/2026

“This may be one of those rare occasions where we have more in common than we have to disagree about.”

Two weeks is a long time in politics. Over the last fortnight, there has been a significant shift in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's approach to the regeneration of Oliver Bond House with what had become a source of deep frustration and uncertainty for residents moving rapidly back to the centre of political attention and public debate.

This change is first and foremost a testament to the dignified, determined and solutions-focused approach taken by residents through the Oliver Bond Regeneration Forum, supported by elected representatives across political parties. Residents consistently presented not just the reality of the conditions they face, but also a clear and constructive vision for regeneration supported by expert opinion and academic reports.

Media coverage brought the realities of life in Oliver Bond House into public view and made the responsibilities and performance of various duty-bearing agencies- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Dublin City University- increasingly difficult to avoid or ignore. RTÉ News Prime Time coverage alone reached over one million viewers and ensured that issues which had long been experienced privately by residents and shared with James Browne TD directly became part of a national conversation and therefore, politically unavoidable.

This has moved the project from one where Minister James Browne TD was relatively unresponsive to one where he has publicly acknowledged that “people are living in a completely unacceptable situation” and where there is apparent agreement across political parties on the urgency of action.

Most significantly, Minister James Browne TD has now stated that Oliver Bond regeneration has become a “personal priority” and has recognised that regeneration cannot be reduced to a debate solely about unit numbers or technical processes with the discussion shifting towards the lived realities of residents, the role of duty bearing agencies in ensuring the rights of residents and the importance of developing a credible pathway towards safe and suitable homes.

There are grounds for cautious optimism and the real test now will be whether this shift in tone translates into concrete actions and a regeneration process capable of rebuilding trust after years of delay and disappointment- the next two months will tell a lot.

https://www.oireachtas.ie/ga/debates/question/2026-05-19/139/

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/housing-minister-says-oliver-bond-regeneration-now-personal-priority-following-meeting-with-residents/a/152393839.html

An update on the long-mooted regeneration is slated for July

24/05/2026

The Oliver Bond Regeneration Forum had a positive meeting this week with James Browne TD Minister for Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and his team resulting in the following commitments and acknowledgements:

•That the previously allocated €24 million funding for Phase 1 of the proposed regeneration project remains available, that €2.8 million in funding for public realm improvements remains in place, that funding for social regeneration suspended in October 2025 has been re-instated and an openness to providing additional funding for urgent interim repairs.

•A proposed development at Bridgefoot Street will be considered as contributing towards overall unit numbers as part of Phase 1

•Ongoing technical meetings between the Dept and Dublin City Council will include forum members

•That project phases can proceed concurrently rather than sequentially, helping to accelerate delivery, and that he expects construction will begin within 12 months

•That the conditions residents are currently living in are wholly unacceptable and that the ongoing engagement and coverage surrounding Oliver Bond House has changed the way he views regeneration projects generally

Well done to residents who presented their experiences to the Minister in such a dignified, powerful and articulate manner. It should never be necessary for people to lay bare the realities of their lives in order to access their basic rights.

Recognition is also due to local elected representatives Máire Devine TD, Aengus O Snodaigh TD, Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn, Darragh Moriarty, Lesley Byrne, Michael Pidgeon, Ciaran O Meachair as well as representatives from the Minister’s own party, Senator Catherine Ardagh and Cllr Ammar Ali, for continuing to push for progress and accountability.

The Liberties Community Project reminded the Minister of a number of significant findings already established through research and evidence via "Environmental Conditions in Oliver Bond House", "Causes of Surface Condensation and the Responsibility of Various Parties to Alleviate It" (Joseph Little, Technological University Dublin) & "Respiratory Health Among Residents of Oliver Bond House", (Noel McCarthy, Dylan Creane, Dr Darach Ó Ciardha Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine).

And that, taken together, these findings clearly demonstrate that housing conditions are substandard, that responsibility rests with relevant duty-bearing agencies; and that these conditions are having a serious and measurable negative impact on residents’ health and wellbeing.

The Minister was also reminded that these findings formed part of the FIDH v Ireland (Complaint No. 110/2014) case before the Council of the European Union, which found that Ireland has breached Article 16 of the Revised European Social Charter in relation to standards of social housing accommodation.

Progress now needs to be translated into action; The Liberties Community Project look forward to supporting residents of Oliver House on this journey.

23/05/2026

BOXING FOR ALL – Supportive & Inclusive Classes

The Liberties Community Project, in partnership with St. Catherine’s Boxing Club and supported through the Diageo Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund, is delighted to launch Boxing for All — a supportive and inclusive programme for young people with additional needs.

This FREE 10-week programme is designed to provide a welcoming and enjoyable environment where participants can:
- Build confidence and coordination
- Improve wellbeing and social connection
- Take part in fun, supportive sessions
- Enjoy a safe and inclusive experience

Expression of Interest deadline has now been extended to Tuesday, 2 June 2026, with classes expected to begin from mid-June onwards.
To register your interest:
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
The Liberties Community Project: 01 453 6098
St. Catherine’s Boxing Club: 085 190 0823
Please share with anyone who may benefit from this opportunity

21/05/2026

FREE Social Adult Boxing Classes – Expression of Interest Extended!
Looking to improve your fitness, build confidence, and be part of a fun and welcoming environment? Join our FREE 10-week Adult Social Boxing Programme at St. Catherine’s Boxing Club, Marrowbone Lane.

- 2 classes per week
- Open to all fitness levels
- Fun, supportive and welcoming atmosphere
- Improve fitness and wellbeing

Delivered by St Catherine’s Boxing Club and supported through the Diageo Guinness Dublin 8 Community Fund, in partnership with The Liberties Community Project.

St. Catherine’s Boxing Club, Marrowbone Lane
Expression of Interest deadline has now been extended to Tuesday, 2 June 2026

To register your interest:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: The Liberties Community Project: 01 453 6098
or
St. Catherines Boxing Club: 085 190 0823
Places are limited – register your interest today!

20/05/2026

On this World Bee Day, we want to thank Dole Ireland for partnering with The Liberties Community Project and Inner City Beekeeping Project - Bee8 to support biodiversity and community led environmental initiatives across Dublin.

Partnerships like this make a real difference. Through Dole Ireland’s support, we’ve been able to expand our community impact across Dublin — supporting six thriving beehives, developing biodiversity gardens, and delivering workshops that help locals learn practical ways to create and care for pollinator friendly spaces.

This collaboration has allowed us to grow existing projects, reach more people in the community, and continue building greener, healthier neighbourhoods where biodiversity and community wellbeing can thrive together.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone involved in helping make these initiatives possible and for recognising the importance of environmental education, sustainability, and community action.

19/05/2026

🌟 You’re Invited! 🌟

Come along to our Community Development Exhibition and explore inspiring projects and creative work from our classes and community groups.

📍 3 Usher Street, D08 T202
📅 3rd June 2026
⏰ 11 AM – 1 PM

☕ Refreshments provided.

Celebrate creativity, connection and community with us!

18/05/2026

Some stories remind you exactly why community development work matters.

We are very proud to see our colleague Anthony Freeman O’Brien featured in this weekends The Irish Times article on becoming “The accidental beekeeper” in one of Ireland’s most nature-deprived communities.

Anthony’s journey is remarkable—because it reflects something we see too often in inner city communities: enormous potential waiting for the right opportunity and belief.

Anthony grew up in Oliver Bond House, faced challenges, and through courage, creativity and determination transformed his own life. Today, through his work with The Liberties Community Project, he has supported the development of urban gardens and environmental initiatives, and reimagined what access to nature can look like for inner-city communities.

Communities that experience deprivation are too often defined by statistics: unemployment rates, health outcomes, educational disadvantage. But communities are built by people, relationships and opportunities.

Anthony’s work is showing what becomes possible when communities are trusted, supported and empowered to shape their own environment.

Thanks Catherine Cleary for writing such a thoughtful piece.

Taking on two beehives and tending to a community garden in The Liberties opened Anthony Freeman-O’Brien’s eyes and heart to the benefits of urban greening

15/05/2026

Last night, many people watched RTÉ News Prime Time coverage of the situation facing residents of Oliver Bond House. These stories are not new and it is deeply concerning that residents should have to repeatedly lay bare the realities of their lives on national television in order for action to be taken.

The conditions within Oliver Bond House have been extensively documented. Surveys previously shared with Dublin City Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage identified that 82.8% of residents reported damp and mould issues, while 73.7% reported drafts or poor insulation.

The impact of these substandard conditions on health has also been well evidenced. School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin’s Respiratory Health Among Residents of Oliver Bond House report identified a strong association between living conditions and respiratory illness, with asthma appearing in residents’ medical records at 2.4 times the rate of individuals living elsewhere. Housing conditions are not simply a housing issue; they are a public health issue with profound consequences for individuals, families, and communities.

Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act places a duty on public bodies to consider equality and human rights impacts in carrying out their functions, including impacts on health, dignity, and access to adequate housing. Decisions regarding the future of Oliver Bond House should be considered within that framework.

Minister James Browne TD focus on housing unit numbers within regeneration projects generally, and in the case of Oliver Bond House specifically, is neither realistic nor logical. The proposal that flats be “reconfigured for the appropriate bedspaces within the existing floor areas” shared to Dublin City Council on May 1st would, in practical terms, convert much of the existing 391-unit complex into one-bedroom apartments.

At a time when inner-city communities are already under pressure, serious questions must be asked about what this means for families, community sustainability, and the future of Oliver Bond House. Existing families could not be accommodated in one-bedroom units, while a concentration of accommodation at this scale risks contributing to future ghettoisation and undermining community stability. Yesterday, a letter co-signed by professionals from planning, health, and construction backgrounds was shared with the Minister outlining these concerns.

The people of Oliver Bond House are not variables within a financial or spatial calulation. They are individuals, children, older people, families and a long established community who have endured difficult and unhealthy living conditions for many years. The decision to regenerate Oliver Bond House must be evaluated in terms of health, equality, human rights, long term sustainability and the future viability of an established community.

A report from Oliver Bond Flats as residents face damp and stalled regeneration, the issue of rising evictions, and Keir Starmer faces pressure after a key resignation. Watch Prime Time 2026-05-14 on RTÉ Player for free

15/05/2026

A Dish To Remember is a series of free food and memory workshops in the Liberties this month on the evening of Monday May 25th and Thursday May 28th. It will result in the participants creating their individual dishes in clay, and exhibiting them at the Festival.

Emerging from our Open Call, artist invites a community, old and new, to come together to share stories about food memories, and engage in a clay-making workshop to make the dishes come to life. These memories will be captured by Jennie Moran and designed by

We have limited spaces available for those looking for participants to attend two workshops. You must be available to attend both.

Please drop us a mail by Wednesday May 21st - [email protected] with a few lines about you and why you would like to attend. Preference will be given to those who are either from or live in The Liberties.

15/05/2026

City of Dublin FET College will be hosting an Information Morning here in Kevin Street Library next Wednesday, 20th May, from 10:30am-12:30pm, to talk about their wide range of free part-time Adult Education courses.
Pop in for a quick chat with Bobby and Helen if you are interested in learning more about getting back to education 🎓📖🖋️

Dublin City Libraries Feel Great in Dublin 8 National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) Eastwall Men’s Shed Dublin 8 Men's Shed Fatima Groups United St Andrews Resource Centre St. Andrew's Community Centre Age Friendly Ireland Inner City Helping Homeless The Liberties Community Project Dublin Learning City

10/05/2026

The Liberties Community Project is disappointed by the decision of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to significantly scale back support for Dublin City Council to deliver an appropriate regeneration project at Oliver Bond House on the basis of unit numbers.

The Liberties is already experiencing a high level of residential development, with approximately 1,000 units delivered in recent years and a further estimated 3,500 units currently planned or under development across surrounding schemes. This is occurring within an area that already has an existing high concentration of housing, significant levels of deprivation, and longstanding deficits in supporting infrastructure and community resources.

Any decision regarding Oliver Bond House must therefore be considered within the broader social, planning, and demographic context of the area, including housing mix, family accommodation, deprivation, social cohesion, and long-term community sustainability.

For years, residents have highlighted serious housing conditions within the complex, including damp, mould, poor insulation, and associated health impacts. A 2020 report, Environmental Conditions in Oliver Bond House, found that:
• 82.8% of residents reported damp and mould issues
• 73.7% reported drafts or poor insulation
• 45% stated that a medical practitioner had linked housing conditions to poor health

The health implications of these conditions are significant. Research published in 2024 by Trinity College Dublin and Robert Emmet CDP found that residents of Oliver Bond House were 2.4 times more likely to have asthma than the wider GP practice population, a health outcome with a correlation to substandard physical conditions within the complex.

We are concerned that the recent government decision may be inconsistent with obligations under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, which places a legal duty on public bodies to eliminate discrimination, promote equality, and protect human rights in carrying out their functions.

We are calling on Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to reconsider its position and to engage meaningfully with residents, Dublin City Council, and the Oliver Bond Regeneration Forum regarding the future of the complex.

The regeneration of Oliver Bond House should not be viewed as an optional project. It is a necessary intervention to address acknowledged and long-standing housing failures affecting a community that has endured unacceptable conditions for decades.

Ninety-year-old complex has been plagued with social and structural problems for decades