The Dublin-New York livestream was temporarily closed after some “inappropriate behaviour” in the Irish capital, leading to changes in the visual link operation.
The council said a few people were culpable in incidents amplified on social media. Videos have shown some people in the Irish capital flashing body parts, displaying swear words on phone screens, and images of the Twin Towers on 9/11.
Police escorted away one woman after she was seen grinding against the portal.
A spokesman for Dublin City Council said: “The Portals artwork facilitates a wide range of human interactions and engagements.
“Within days of the launch, the Dublin and NYC Portals have received hundreds of millions of positive impressions on social media and widespread global coverage in the press including CNN, BBC, USA Today.
“We have also seen a significant increase in footfall to the Portal since its launch around North Earl Street and O’Connell Street.
“The overwhelming majority of interactions are positive. We have seen families and friends unite, dancing moves being shared as well as new friendships being made. There was even a successful marriage proposal.
“The Portal offers a window to other cities and is connecting people and cultures in a unique manner — what we are seeing between Dublin and NY is reflective of a wider narrative of cultural behaviour.
“Unfortunately, we have also been witnessing a very small minority of people engaged in inappropriate behaviour, which has been amplified through social media.
“While we cannot control all of these actions, we are implementing some technical solutions to address this and these will go live in the next 24 hours."
So what is the Dublin-New York livestream portal? Here’s what you need to know
What is the Dublin-New York livestream portal?
The Dublin-New York livestream is a real-time visual link between Dublin and New York. It was launched in May 2024 as part of Dublin’s European City of Smart Tourism designation.
It means that people in the Irish capital can see what is happening in New York all day — and vice versa.
The project was created to unite citizens via technology on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.
“We are delighted to connect Dublin with New York which we share a deep historical and cultural bond with,” said Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste, after the portal launched to hundreds of people in Dublin on May 8.
“From July, the Dublin Portal will also connect to other global city destinations in Poland, Brazil, and Lithuania.”
How does it work?
The livestream is on a big, circular screen off the junction where North Earl Street runs onto Dublin's main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street.
In New York, it is located on the Flatiron South Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street, next to the Flatiron Building.
When did it reopen?
The livestream reopened at noon on Monday, May 13.
A Portals Organisation spokeswoman said it briefly paused the livestream to “update the software used on the portal”.
“It’s not broken,” she said.
“Our goal is to provide a “window” between different locations, but the nature of this being a livestream sometimes requires us to pause, for updates, maintenance or to fix technical glitches.”
