Kathleen Farrell has been running her florist business on the streets of The Liberties in Dublin for more than 50 years and she doesn't want to stop.
However, she worries that street traders such as herself are becoming less popular, not just with people but with the local authorities. Farrell tells us that the business on Dublin's streets has been going on for longer than the Liberties have been called the Liberties - 297 years.
"It was in the early 19th century. We done [sic] fruit and veg, fish, everything that Ireland produced, we sold here on the streets.
At one time there was 67 street traders, just on this street alone, but also there were street traders on Patrick Street and James' Street and up as far as Kilmainham and up as far as to Bluebell coming across to Dolphin's Barn."
READ MORE: Toddlers in back seat accidentally towed away in Dublin city centre
The helpful street trader
Farrell says she has regular customers and people have been coming to her for generations.
"I'm a grandmother myself and so are most of my customers, but I see them teaching their grandchildren and their great grandchildren and they come along and they're teaching them how to shop and what to ask for and what they like.
"And they're saying no matter what problems you have in life, it's people like us, that they can come and talk to.
She added: "Whatever way we can help them, we help them and you don't get that service in a concrete building".
Farrell stopped there as a customer asked her for help.
Kathleen Farrel at her stall on Meath Street
"People have different worries," Farrell said when she came back, "but I'm a person on the street that they are comfortable with to come and speak to.
For some people, Farrell said, they can feel claustrophobic inside walls and find her stall on the street more approachable.
"You have a small population of people that doesn't want to go to big shopping centres or even shops, they feel trapped ... so therefore this is ideal for them."
What Dublin street traders want
Although there's been street trading for nearly 300 years in the Liberties, attitudes are changing.
"If the council had their way, it would be completely gone and unfortunately as the years pass, it's getting less and less and less and it will eventually fade out."
Farrell said the council should work with traders and give them their own space. That way empty stalls wouldn't be on street corners at night time.
"Allocate it in an area where we can put them in ourselves," she said.
Farrell also said she'd like to be able to work outside but still have access to a toilet and facilities to make a hot drink and some food and have access to water."
READ MORE
- Pickle eating contest taking place this month in Dublin as part of Stoneybatter Festival
- Tourist searches for pair who took selfie on lost phone at Dublin Snoop Dogg gig
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
