Demolition of Patrick Pearse Tower
Patrick Pearse Tower was the first Ballymun tower block to be demolished as part of the Ballymun regeneration programme.
The original plan was to demolish the tower block by implosion, however the new-build housing programme was delayed by planning objections. This created a situation whereby the house building and demolition programme was now running behind the private sector developments. Therefore, by the time that Patrick Pearse tower was decanted and prepared for demolition, a sizeable portion of private development had been built adjacent to the tower block. In this event it was deemed to be safer to demolish by mechanical means, rather than by implosion.
In honour of the occasion, the Axis Arts team were commisioned to organise a traditional Irish 'Wake' which in human terms is both a celebration of the former life and to mourn the passing away of the person.
The Ballymun flats was like a member of the family to thousands of Dublin Corporation (now Dublin City Council)tenants. The flats provided shelter and heat and many present and former tenants of the flats will tell you of the great pleasure in knowing that during the damp and cold autumn and winter time, you could 'feel' the warmth of your flat before you even arrived home.
While the majority of the tenants moved on to other 'Corpo' houses or purchase private dwellings, for a sizeable number of tenants, the flats were considered their lifetime homes.
So, it was natural therefore to celebrate in stories, songs and music, the rich history of Ballymun.
This page was updated on 5th May, 2005