While the streets are quiet the sense of community still remains
By Mary Dennehy
OVER The Echo’s 40 years many aspects of Tallaght have changed, evolved and progressed.
However, one aspect of local life that always remained was people, and the traffic.
The M50
As we celebrate our 40th birthday on Friday, May 1, the Tallaght area is a much quieter place, as people safely stay home due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Despite people not being out in our villages and streets, the sense of community still remains and is as strong as ever as people come together by staying apart – supporting each other and frontline staff.
One business still operating in Tallaght village is Macari’s chipper, which, after closing for two weeks, has re-opened for delivery and collection.
Francesco Macari told The Echo: “We’ve been based in Tallaght for around 50 years and have seen lots of change over the years but nothing like this.
“Things have gone very, very quiet, there’s hardly anyone around.”
Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght Village and The Square
Like other local businesses, Macari’s has had to adapt to keep staff and customers safe.
“We have screens at the front door now, nobody is allowed into the shop”, Franceso, who delivers free lunches to a local nursing home once a week, said.
“It’s sad looking at the Dragon across the road closed and I miss the buzz in the morning in the coffee shop [when the other businesses were open].
Tallaght (Image: Ciaran McArdle)
“I miss the banter with customers… but everybody has to keep safe.”
South Dublin County Council earlier this month thanked everybody for staying home, after their traffic cameras captured empty streets and roads across local areas.
Taking to Twitter, the council praised the “great community reaction” during these “extraordinary times”.
Across at The Square, which is normally the epi-centre of activity in Tallaght, two ducks this week managed to enjoy some time out on the Level 2 car park.
Greenhills Road, Dodder Bridge and the N81
While in Sean Walsh Park, just before 9am on Wednesday, the usual stream of people going to school and work was not to be seen in the scenic surroundings of the local park.
Emer Lamon, community policing sergeant in Tallaght, told The Echo: “The area is usually so busy and bustling so to see it so quiet is unbelievable.
“However, it’s great at the same time to see that people are staying home.
“We’d like to thank everybody for complying and staying inside, you’re keeping your family members safe and frontline workers as well.”
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