Frank O'Connor
@frankoconnor.bsky.social
art - design - activism
#DerelictIreland
visit ffud.art & anois.org
#DerelictIreland
visit ffud.art & anois.org
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Textbook market dynamics aren't kicking in
High supply (high vacancy) ≠ lower prices
Unlike other investments they don't go stale
Also if landlords dropped the rents, most likely the asset values would also drop
Whereas, keeping it empty = rising asset value
So hoarding becomes the business model
High supply (high vacancy) ≠ lower prices
Unlike other investments they don't go stale
Also if landlords dropped the rents, most likely the asset values would also drop
Whereas, keeping it empty = rising asset value
So hoarding becomes the business model
February 2, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Something I’ve been wondering for a while. There’s a development on NCR near Croke Park. Three ground units have been emblazoned with “LET” signs for months/years. Nothing ever moves in and now one is “TO LET” again. I presume they are just assets on a spreadsheet. #derelictireland
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our urban centres.
jrnl.ie/6941117
jrnl.ie/6941117
New apartments, empty shops: The quiet scandal of Ireland’s modern dereliction
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our cities.
jrnl.ie
February 2, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Something I’ve been wondering for a while. There’s a development on NCR near Croke Park. Three ground units have been emblazoned with “LET” signs for months/years. Nothing ever moves in and now one is “TO LET” again. I presume they are just assets on a spreadsheet. #derelictireland
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
I had been long-term renting a good apartment in Dublin until the mid-2010s, when it was sold off as part of a NAMA sale. Went unoccupied then for years after, clearly because 👆
February 2, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I had been long-term renting a good apartment in Dublin until the mid-2010s, when it was sold off as part of a NAMA sale. Went unoccupied then for years after, clearly because 👆
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Must-read.
"The recent shameful closure of The Complex arts centre in Dublin because of a commercial focus “exclusively on achieving vacant possession, to maximise the redevelopment value of the site”, is another example of how the cultural side of our cities suffers when vacancy is rewarded."
"The recent shameful closure of The Complex arts centre in Dublin because of a commercial focus “exclusively on achieving vacant possession, to maximise the redevelopment value of the site”, is another example of how the cultural side of our cities suffers when vacancy is rewarded."
"We’d make a confident bet that everyone knows at least one modern derelict ground floor commercial development.
Built but never used.
What would you like to see in there?
What would entice you out of your home/car to come visit these ground floor units"
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Built but never used.
What would you like to see in there?
What would entice you out of your home/car to come visit these ground floor units"
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
New apartments, empty shops: The quiet scandal of Ireland’s modern dereliction
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our urban centres.
www.thejournal.ie
February 2, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Must-read.
"The recent shameful closure of The Complex arts centre in Dublin because of a commercial focus “exclusively on achieving vacant possession, to maximise the redevelopment value of the site”, is another example of how the cultural side of our cities suffers when vacancy is rewarded."
"The recent shameful closure of The Complex arts centre in Dublin because of a commercial focus “exclusively on achieving vacant possession, to maximise the redevelopment value of the site”, is another example of how the cultural side of our cities suffers when vacancy is rewarded."
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
A good read. Instead of discount on rates, follow Manchester’s example and double rates on empty units, 4 times normal the following year, then 8 times- followed by CPOs if landlords do not pay. Rents drop, units, and houses get filled. Everyone benefits (except the existing institutional landlords
"We’d make a confident bet that everyone knows at least one modern derelict ground floor commercial development.
Built but never used.
What would you like to see in there?
What would entice you out of your home/car to come visit these ground floor units"
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Built but never used.
What would you like to see in there?
What would entice you out of your home/car to come visit these ground floor units"
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
New apartments, empty shops: The quiet scandal of Ireland’s modern dereliction
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our urban centres.
www.thejournal.ie
February 2, 2026 at 6:04 PM
A good read. Instead of discount on rates, follow Manchester’s example and double rates on empty units, 4 times normal the following year, then 8 times- followed by CPOs if landlords do not pay. Rents drop, units, and houses get filled. Everyone benefits (except the existing institutional landlords
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
The constitution limits property rights for the principles of social justice and for the common good? Why is that not happening in Ireland with so much dereliction and a housing crisis #housingcrisis #derelictireland #speirgorm
February 2, 2026 at 6:15 PM
The constitution limits property rights for the principles of social justice and for the common good? Why is that not happening in Ireland with so much dereliction and a housing crisis #housingcrisis #derelictireland #speirgorm
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
What’s up with the iconic Dublin Quays? The classic cityscape is being lost to redevelopment, due to neglect of existing buildings. Is this deliberate? DCC is definitely on the side of not valuing anything but the price.
February 3, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
You hate to see the dereliction but you love to see the awareness. This should be a home. Tralee. #spéirgorm #DerelictIreland
January 31, 2026 at 9:53 AM
The brilliant Martin Leahy being recorded for Italia 1 TV while singing his powerful song "everyone should have a home" in front of a longterm derelict home in historic Shandon, Cork city centre
You can see some of our ffud streetart #derelictireland billboards in background
#speirgorm
You can see some of our ffud streetart #derelictireland billboards in background
#speirgorm
February 3, 2026 at 10:03 PM
The brilliant Martin Leahy being recorded for Italia 1 TV while singing his powerful song "everyone should have a home" in front of a longterm derelict home in historic Shandon, Cork city centre
You can see some of our ffud streetart #derelictireland billboards in background
#speirgorm
You can see some of our ffud streetart #derelictireland billboards in background
#speirgorm
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Might be time for a little photo essay of all the dereliction around my way #LikeABombSite
February 3, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Might be time for a little photo essay of all the dereliction around my way #LikeABombSite
Right yeah, but the wealthy can sit on their property assets, letting them rot & crumble on top of you & that's no problem with Dublin City Council
We see you loud & clear
#DerelictIreland #speirgorm
We see you loud & clear
#DerelictIreland #speirgorm
He also spoke about the council's decision to suspend posting on X.
'The world doesn’t revolve around X. We can go on to Bluesky, we can go on to TikTok. We are on Instagram, we are on Facebook. We just decided that the values that X is clearly demonstrating that it has, do not align with ours'
'The world doesn’t revolve around X. We can go on to Bluesky, we can go on to TikTok. We are on Instagram, we are on Facebook. We just decided that the values that X is clearly demonstrating that it has, do not align with ours'
Bin ‘scavengers’ in search of Re-turn bottles are leaving Dublin ‘like a bomb site’, says council chief Richard Shakespeare
Two years into the role, Richard Shakespeare, the chief executive of Dublin City Council (DCC), has found his rhythm in straddling the tricky line between punter and politician.
www.independent.ie
February 3, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Right yeah, but the wealthy can sit on their property assets, letting them rot & crumble on top of you & that's no problem with Dublin City Council
We see you loud & clear
#DerelictIreland #speirgorm
We see you loud & clear
#DerelictIreland #speirgorm
Look its a positive step to see our policy recommendations on compulsory sales & rental get discussed at these Cork City Council meetings
These were a core part of our @oireachtasnews.bsky.social presentations in 2021 & 2025
Let's keep the pressure on #DerelictIreland so everyone has a home
2/
These were a core part of our @oireachtasnews.bsky.social presentations in 2021 & 2025
Let's keep the pressure on #DerelictIreland so everyone has a home
2/
February 3, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Look its a positive step to see our policy recommendations on compulsory sales & rental get discussed at these Cork City Council meetings
These were a core part of our @oireachtasnews.bsky.social presentations in 2021 & 2025
Let's keep the pressure on #DerelictIreland so everyone has a home
2/
These were a core part of our @oireachtasnews.bsky.social presentations in 2021 & 2025
Let's keep the pressure on #DerelictIreland so everyone has a home
2/
"the council is to collaborate with dereliction activists @judesherry.bsky.social & Frank O'Connor"
News to us until Cork Independent got in touch
As reminder we provided our data for 300+ derelict properties to Cork City Council for free in 2021, as well as our state of art report
#speirgorm
1/
News to us until Cork Independent got in touch
As reminder we provided our data for 300+ derelict properties to Cork City Council for free in 2021, as well as our state of art report
#speirgorm
1/
February 3, 2026 at 11:16 AM
"the council is to collaborate with dereliction activists @judesherry.bsky.social & Frank O'Connor"
News to us until Cork Independent got in touch
As reminder we provided our data for 300+ derelict properties to Cork City Council for free in 2021, as well as our state of art report
#speirgorm
1/
News to us until Cork Independent got in touch
As reminder we provided our data for 300+ derelict properties to Cork City Council for free in 2021, as well as our state of art report
#speirgorm
1/
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
The pattern repeats, across the country we see them everywhere. Empty unwanted retail units with apartments above them. #VacantIreland
"We’d make a confident bet that everyone knows at least one modern derelict ground floor commercial development.
Built but never used.
What would you like to see in there?
What would entice you out of your home/car to come visit these ground floor units"
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Built but never used.
What would you like to see in there?
What would entice you out of your home/car to come visit these ground floor units"
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
New apartments, empty shops: The quiet scandal of Ireland’s modern dereliction
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our urban centres.
www.thejournal.ie
February 2, 2026 at 3:16 PM
The pattern repeats, across the country we see them everywhere. Empty unwanted retail units with apartments above them. #VacantIreland
Important question which when explored provides massive insight into who are the major vandals of #DerelictIreland
Vandals enabled by the state while all around suffer from the negative impacts
#speirgorm
Vandals enabled by the state while all around suffer from the negative impacts
#speirgorm
That's from 2023. And nothing has happened since.
Why is Galway co co not willing to chase up the Comer brothers?
Why is Galway co co not willing to chase up the Comer brothers?
February 2, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Important question which when explored provides massive insight into who are the major vandals of #DerelictIreland
Vandals enabled by the state while all around suffer from the negative impacts
#speirgorm
Vandals enabled by the state while all around suffer from the negative impacts
#speirgorm
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
This is progress
West Midlands Trains and London Northwestern Railway are now under public ownership.
More than 8,500 nationalised rail services are running every day.
We are building a railway Britain can be proud of and rely on.🇬🇧🚄
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
More than 8,500 nationalised rail services are running every day.
We are building a railway Britain can be proud of and rely on.🇬🇧🚄
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
West Midlands Railway joins publicly owned Great British Railways
The transport secretary says thousands of rail passengers will be using public services from Sunday.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 11:44 AM
This is progress
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
What’s the story with all the empty shops below new apartment blocks?
Here's our latest article about the problem of Modern Dereliction
and
as always
We provide many solutions that will enrich all our towns and cities.
#VacantIreland gateway to #DerelictIreland
Here's our latest article about the problem of Modern Dereliction
and
as always
We provide many solutions that will enrich all our towns and cities.
#VacantIreland gateway to #DerelictIreland
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our urban centres.
jrnl.ie/6941117
jrnl.ie/6941117
New apartments, empty shops: The quiet scandal of Ireland’s modern dereliction
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our cities.
jrnl.ie
February 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
What’s the story with all the empty shops below new apartment blocks?
Here's our latest article about the problem of Modern Dereliction
and
as always
We provide many solutions that will enrich all our towns and cities.
#VacantIreland gateway to #DerelictIreland
Here's our latest article about the problem of Modern Dereliction
and
as always
We provide many solutions that will enrich all our towns and cities.
#VacantIreland gateway to #DerelictIreland
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our urban centres.
jrnl.ie/6941117
jrnl.ie/6941117
New apartments, empty shops: The quiet scandal of Ireland’s modern dereliction
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our cities.
jrnl.ie
February 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our urban centres.
jrnl.ie/6941117
jrnl.ie/6941117
Thats so unfair on the people of Oranmore
No surprise the Comer Group names come up
Sadly Government policies have enabled this vandalism
But there is another way
@judesherry.bsky.social & discuss it here in @thejournal.ie
#speirgrom #restplaywork
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
No surprise the Comer Group names come up
Sadly Government policies have enabled this vandalism
But there is another way
@judesherry.bsky.social & discuss it here in @thejournal.ie
#speirgrom #restplaywork
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
February 2, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Thats so unfair on the people of Oranmore
No surprise the Comer Group names come up
Sadly Government policies have enabled this vandalism
But there is another way
@judesherry.bsky.social & discuss it here in @thejournal.ie
#speirgrom #restplaywork
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
No surprise the Comer Group names come up
Sadly Government policies have enabled this vandalism
But there is another way
@judesherry.bsky.social & discuss it here in @thejournal.ie
#speirgrom #restplaywork
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
"We’d make a confident bet that everyone knows at least one modern derelict ground floor commercial development.
Built but never used.
What would you like to see in there?
What would entice you out of your home/car to come visit these ground floor units"
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Built but never used.
What would you like to see in there?
What would entice you out of your home/car to come visit these ground floor units"
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
New apartments, empty shops: The quiet scandal of Ireland’s modern dereliction
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our urban centres.
www.thejournal.ie
February 2, 2026 at 11:42 AM
"We’d make a confident bet that everyone knows at least one modern derelict ground floor commercial development.
Built but never used.
What would you like to see in there?
What would entice you out of your home/car to come visit these ground floor units"
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Built but never used.
What would you like to see in there?
What would entice you out of your home/car to come visit these ground floor units"
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
How many other jobs reward failure?
Are they all state funded?
Reminds me of bullshit job phenomenon David Graeber so brilliantly outlined, witnessed in state & private jobs
Could it be that these jobs are not only rewarded for failure, but they are also really just bullshit jobs?
You would wonder
Are they all state funded?
Reminds me of bullshit job phenomenon David Graeber so brilliantly outlined, witnessed in state & private jobs
Could it be that these jobs are not only rewarded for failure, but they are also really just bullshit jobs?
You would wonder
Rewarding failure is sadly how Ireland works
€100k salary rise for the Irish Water boss, yet estates like these 10 homes outside Cork city rot in a housing emergency because of a dysfunctional water system, whilst many live with dirty water every day
Welcome to #DerelictIreland
#speirgorm
€100k salary rise for the Irish Water boss, yet estates like these 10 homes outside Cork city rot in a housing emergency because of a dysfunctional water system, whilst many live with dirty water every day
Welcome to #DerelictIreland
#speirgorm
February 2, 2026 at 12:09 PM
How many other jobs reward failure?
Are they all state funded?
Reminds me of bullshit job phenomenon David Graeber so brilliantly outlined, witnessed in state & private jobs
Could it be that these jobs are not only rewarded for failure, but they are also really just bullshit jobs?
You would wonder
Are they all state funded?
Reminds me of bullshit job phenomenon David Graeber so brilliantly outlined, witnessed in state & private jobs
Could it be that these jobs are not only rewarded for failure, but they are also really just bullshit jobs?
You would wonder
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Our articles identifies many reasons why they've been built & left empty. Planning, tax avoidance etc.
They're needed here for Crèches, healthcare, community & creative spaces etc.
Currently its financial rewarding to leave these units empty & that needs to change
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
They're needed here for Crèches, healthcare, community & creative spaces etc.
Currently its financial rewarding to leave these units empty & that needs to change
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
New apartments, empty shops: The quiet scandal of Ireland’s modern dereliction
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our urban centres.
www.thejournal.ie
February 2, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Our articles identifies many reasons why they've been built & left empty. Planning, tax avoidance etc.
They're needed here for Crèches, healthcare, community & creative spaces etc.
Currently its financial rewarding to leave these units empty & that needs to change
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
They're needed here for Crèches, healthcare, community & creative spaces etc.
Currently its financial rewarding to leave these units empty & that needs to change
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Choosing decay over humanity is not a very Irish response
“…what abt the needs of local communities that have to live with the blight of this mdrn #dereliction
..their need to feel safe walking..along dead streets that facilitate…criminal activities?”
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
#spéirghorm
“…what abt the needs of local communities that have to live with the blight of this mdrn #dereliction
..their need to feel safe walking..along dead streets that facilitate…criminal activities?”
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
#spéirghorm
February 2, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Choosing decay over humanity is not a very Irish response
“…what abt the needs of local communities that have to live with the blight of this mdrn #dereliction
..their need to feel safe walking..along dead streets that facilitate…criminal activities?”
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
#spéirghorm
“…what abt the needs of local communities that have to live with the blight of this mdrn #dereliction
..their need to feel safe walking..along dead streets that facilitate…criminal activities?”
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
#spéirghorm
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Whether its bad planning, design or market dynamics, there are many solutions to rid our towns and cities of these newly constructed seemly abandoned ground level retail units.
Check out our latest article for some of these solutions
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Check out our latest article for some of these solutions
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
February 2, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Whether its bad planning, design or market dynamics, there are many solutions to rid our towns and cities of these newly constructed seemly abandoned ground level retail units.
Check out our latest article for some of these solutions
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Check out our latest article for some of these solutions
#Speirgorm
www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Whether its bad planning, design or market dynamics, there are many solutions to rid our towns and cities of these newly constructed seemly abandoned ground level retail units.
Check out our latest article for some of these solutions www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Check out our latest article for some of these solutions www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
New apartments, empty shops: The quiet scandal of Ireland’s modern dereliction
Jude Sherry and Dr Frank O’Connor look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming the newest blight on our urban centres.
www.thejournal.ie
February 2, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Whether its bad planning, design or market dynamics, there are many solutions to rid our towns and cities of these newly constructed seemly abandoned ground level retail units.
Check out our latest article for some of these solutions www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...
Check out our latest article for some of these solutions www.thejournal.ie/readme/empty...