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Dublin Bay landmark under threat They've become
known as Laurel and Hardy the landmark Poolbeg chimneys which tower over
Dublin Bay.
And now a campaign has been launched to make sure they stay a landmark.
The twin stacks were built in 1971 and are a famous feature on the Irish
capital’s skyline having been featured in postcards, films, TV adverts
and even a U2 music video.
But their future may be threatened by electricity company ESB’s
decision to close down the Poolbeg power station within the next three
years.
Dublin historian Pat Liddy says they should be saved for posterity.
He said: “The Poolbeg chimneys are a familiar and accepted feature
of the Dublin Bay landscape now Dublin people are actually fonder of them
than of the Spire.
“I think they should stay to provide a link with the past but they
must be properly maintained or else they will become a big eyesore.
“The chimneys may be declared protected structures if Dublin City
Council is convinced of their cultural heritage.”
The ESB announced last month it would close the Poolbeg station along
with other plants in counties Cork, Wexford and Kerry.
The deal was made with the energy regulator to reduce the firm’s
monopoly on the Irish electricity market.
The ESB said a decision on the Poolbeg stacks would not be made until
after the plant was shut down which is expected to be sometime in 2010.
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