Constituency Co-ordinator News: Dublin South Central

The Dublin South Central Constituency comprises Drimnagh, Walkinstown, Crumlin, Inchicore, Ballyfermot, Kimmage, Harold’s Cross West and Terenure West. It’s important to make that distinction.  Some denizens of this august suburb are in the Dublin South East constituency.  It’s only those in Terenure West who are lucky enough to be in this vibrant, diverse and historically working class electoral area.

Given this demographic, it’s no wonder that our constituency is regarded as being one of the country’s most left wing with four out of our five TDs from socialist or left-wing parties.

The Guinness Brewery and St. James’s Hospital are the largest employers in our area and we are home to many community arts initiatives, one national cultural institution, IMMA and to lots of people who work in or support the arts.

One of our TDs, Aeonghus O Snodaigh from Sinn  Fein, is the brother of the Ó Snodaigh brothers in the band Kíla and is the son of the writer and publisher Pádraig Ó Snodaigh and the sculptor Clioḋna Cussen. Our other TDs have voiced their interest in and support for the arts and particularly the arts at work in education and in the community.

In terms of our activity with regard to the NCFA, we are probably like most constituencies.  To be honest, I don’t have an efficient big database of NCFA supporters in the constituency. I know a good few people and when the NCFA asks us to rally for the cause, we do so.  We communicate regularly enough with our TDs, they know who we are and what we stand for. They reply to our emails and meet us when asked.  They take us seriously.

If you asked me, what our elected representatives have done for the arts though, I’m not sure. Mid writing this, I have just emailed them all with our pre-budget submission video.  I’ll be watching my inbox with interest…

Janice McAdam, Dublin South Central