IT MAY be Dublin's first skyscraper towering above the capital by a whopping 37 storeys, but for Carolvians it's not the height that matters but the man who's behind it.
Never forgetting one of our own, almost 20 Carlovians have lodged their support for Tullow native Sean Dunne's ambitious plans for a 37-storey tower in Ballsbridge.
Dublin City Council received a record number of submissions - 774 in total - in relation to the site of the former Jurys and Berkeley Court hotels but surprisingly, it's not just Dubliners who have been commenting on Mr Dunne's proposals.
Among those who lodged submissions from County Carlow all backing Mr Dunne's proposal are Monsignor Brendan Byrne PP Tullow, Br Camillus Regan, auctioneers George Sothern, John Dawson and Bryan O'Doherty, Cllr John Pender, solicitor Len Roche, former principal of Tullow Community School Christopher McQuinn and his wife Mary, publican Sean Furey and Tullow residents such as Jacqueline Bailey, Harry King and Ned Morrissey.
Mr Dunne's family have also lent their support, his father Tom Dunne, Dublin Road, Tullow and his sister Mary, The Laurels, Carlow.
Monsignor Byrne said, "the proposed tower, which I believe is a great architectural beauty in itself would become a distinctive landmark surrounded by offices, shopping, leisure and cultural activities. The availability of these facilities along with crèches would mean that this could become a reasonably self-contained quarter with very little need for the usual enormous volume of vehicles, which has caused us so many headaches and has been so detrimental to our capital city"
Cllr John Pender remarked: "Mountbrook Homes and in particular, its owner Se·n Dunne, is to be commended for presenting such a compelling vision for modern urban living. Such ambitions and thoughtful approach deserves to be recognised."
Former President of the IAVI John Dawson described Mr Dunne's proposal as "world class, innovative and practical" while solicitor Len Roche said: "I hope the planning department can see the big picture and resist the temptation of tinkering with a very fine plan and I feel every encouragement should be given to the developers to press on with this courageous venture which will set a new benchmark for intelligent environmentally sensitive" people-friendly development in the city of Dublin".
Christopher McQuinn stated: "Se·n Dunne never forgets his roots in Tullow, he has been a generous benefactor to worthy projects in the area.
"Urban sprawl has gone on for far too long in Dublin. It has spilled into the surrounding counties including Carlow. This has meant more and more roads and ribbon development."
The great and the good of Irish business, entertainment and sporting worlds have also told Dublin City Council that the Tullow man's plans are a vision for 21st century.
Kilkenny hurling star DJ Carey, theatre impresario Michael Colgan, former Irish rugby international Mick Galway and ex-Boyzone member Keith Duffy are also among his most ardent backers.
The most high-profile objector is businessman Dermot Desmond who warns that plans to develop and "embassy tower" on the site would be a "sitting duck" for a terrorist attack.
Mr Dunne purchased the Jurys Hotel/Berkeley Court site for .379m.
If his development plan is approved, 536 apartments, a 232 --bedroom hotel, two office blocks - including the embassy complex and 294,661sq ft of retail space including bars and restaurants will be constructed at a cost of .1bn.
Suzanne Pender
Carlow Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
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