Former Lord Mayor says he will 'drink a pint in the Cobblestone' as iconic pub is saved

Cllr Ring described the news that the developer who wanted to construct a hotel on the site in Smithfield has withdrawn an appeal to An Bord Pleanála as a “great day for people power and our democracy”.

The developer had appealed Dublin City Council’s refusal of planning permission but the fact that this has now been withdrawn will be welcomed in many quarters, Cllr Ring said.

“Especially by the patrons of the pub, (and) the many hundreds of original objectors to the plan and those who sent observations/objections to An Bord Pleanála,” he said.

Cllr Ring, who objected to the original planning application and to the appeal to An Bord Pleanála, added: “The developer seems to have seen sense and the withdrawal of the appeal is very welcome.

“Hopefully, the developer has gotten the message loud and clear – our rich Dublin musical, historical and cultural heritage cannot be attacked in this way and we will do all in our power to ensure that it not only survives but flourishes” he added.

“For once the people have spoken and have been listened to, not only by Dublin City Council planners as one would expect, but also by the developer.

“It’s not only a great day for our rich musical culture, our language and our heritage but also a great day for people power and our democracy. I will drink a pint in the Cobblestone this weekend to celebrate this great victory.”

In November of last year, the owner of the Cobblestone said he was “blown away” by the support after a controversial plan to redevelop the site around the landmark traditional music pub in Dublin’s Smithfield was refused by Dublin City Council.

Thomas Mulligan, told Independent.ie that they are “blown away by the support of friends of the pub who went into overdrive in their opposition to the plan."

Marron Estates Ltd are the landlords of the site on which the pub has been operating for more than 30 years.

“The group ‘Dublin is Dying’, made up of artists and patrons of the pub, have been carrying out the opposition around us, and shielding us, so it’s an emotional day for us all. I’m sure the fight isn’t over but it’s a very significant victory in a battle that will probably be a long war,” said Mr Mulligan.

There was a public outcry when plans for a 114-bed hotel up to nine storeys high on the North King Street site were applied for, with the Arts Council saying that what was planned “would be a significant cultural loss to the city of Dublin”.

In its objection to the plan, the director of the Arts Council, Maureen Kennelly, told DCC that “the medium-term closure – during construction – and likely reduction in the physical and social footprint of the Cobblestone pub and live music venue on completion would be a significant cultural loss to the Smithfield area and the city of Dublin".