Frank O'Connor
banner
frankoconnor.bsky.social
Frank O'Connor
@frankoconnor.bsky.social
art - design - activism

#DerelictIreland

visit ffud.art & anois.org
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...
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
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
That's from 2023. And nothing has happened since.
Why is Galway co co not willing to chase up the Comer brothers?
February 2, 2026 at 4:17 PM
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...
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
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
February 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
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
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
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...
February 2, 2026 at 12:13 PM
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...
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
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
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
February 2, 2026 at 12:09 PM
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...
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
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
February 2, 2026 at 10:28 AM
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...
February 2, 2026 at 10:21 AM
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...
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
"New apartments, empty shops
The quiet scandal of Ireland’s modern dereliction"

Sound familiar?

Me & @judesherry.bsky.social look at how empty ground-floor retail units are becoming newest blight on our urban centres & what can be done in @thejournal.ie

#VacantIreland #DerelictIreland
February 2, 2026 at 10:14 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 9:44 AM
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
We get poisoned
The boyos get a pay rise
#HowIrelandWorks #spéirgorm
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
February 1, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Gosh.
Those who fought for Irish independence must be so proud of what their heirs in Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have wrought.

We might be treated like shit by our 'betters' but it's pure Irish shit bai. No foreign* boots on our necks

*unless they belong to 'investors'.
February 1, 2026 at 10:07 AM
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
February 1, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Solidarity is beautiful ❤️
Cork City Ireland now

#speirgorm
January 31, 2026 at 1:43 PM
In Solidarity 🙏

Again today 1pm
Grand Parade, Cork City, Ireland
January 31, 2026 at 11:53 AM
This is down to government policy
Nobody should be without a home in Ireland
There are enough homes
In fact a recent government study found 65,000 homes empty for over 2 years, all connected to electricity & other services
We urgently need use it or lose it so everyone has a home

#speirgorm
January 30, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
Celtic Tiger crony capitalism.
The gift that keeps taking and taking - from the taxpayer.
Developers to face 'zero consequences'

But f*ck the tax payers

Anyone surprised
January 30, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Great to see some new visualisations of what we could have in Cork city, so much potential wasted, particularly love ones with restored brickwork
Its also great to see more people speaking up, & encouraging others to speak up too

People have the power but we need to use it

#peoplepower #speirgorm
January 30, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Developers to face 'zero consequences'

But f*ck the tax payers

Anyone surprised
January 30, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Time for more tax breaks so
January 30, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Frank O'Connor
This reminds me of the energy @frankoconnor.bsky.social and @judesherry.bsky.social bring to the #DerelictIreland campaign. Kev has questions, and answers.

youtu.be/YFT8XlJ-tq8?...
The Provincial City
YouTube video by Kev Collins
youtu.be
January 30, 2026 at 2:55 AM