Laneway Revamp: Construction Begins on New Community Park 

Work is now set to begin on a laneway in Dublin’s City Centre, which has been the scene of anti-social behaviour in recent years.

John’s Lane East is a narrow laneway behind Christ Church Cathedral. In 2023, Dublin City Council proposed a full renovation of the lane.

This area is generally safe throughout the day, but locals have brought up the concern that in the evening, anti-social behaviour (including drug use) does occur, making it an uncomfortable route to walk past.  

John’s Lane East has a rich history intertwined with the city’s medieval past. The lane derives its name from the original St. John’s Church, which once stood at its eastern end but was demolished in the early 1900s. 

The aim of this proposal was to open the space into a park to create a safer environment. The walls will be removed, ensuring more accessibility. 

With this initiative, there were concerns involving reserving the historic context and the speciality of the structure. 

Alongside these changes, in order to remove the wall and open the space, they must remove the trees beside the wall.  

Although the trees will be cut down, they will be planting new ones on site.  

A local had said that “Dublin is a city made of backstreets and dark areas so having an open space like a park can be a start to end the antisocial behaviour that happens in secluded laneways like John’s Lane East.” 

It goes without saying that the anti-social behaviour in this country doesn’t go unnoticed and the renovation set to begin immediately could be considered one step forward in improving the community.  

The renovation is set to be done by the end of this year.