Ballymun is a transforming district.

It is close to Dublin City University, IKEA, the new Decathlon flagship store, the M50, Dublin airport and not too far from the city centre, with future plans for the new Metro to stop in Ballymun, on the route from the city centre to the airport. It features an Axis drama theatre, the Rediscovery Centre and cafe, Silloge Park Golf Course, several hotels, a library and a Leisure Centre with a gym, swimming pool & sauna . It’s a stone’s throw from Northwood Park. It has lots of modern, new student apartment complexes being added to the landscape, with plans being explored for the grounds of the old shopping centre, which will add even more to the area. Many of the hugely successful Dublin GAA team hail from the Ballymun Kickams club.

However, people’s associations can often still drift towards the Ballymun of the past – the towers which have long been knocked down, and the original struggle the area went through without much funding.

DCC and StartUp Ballymun, along with the students of Trinity Comprehensive school, are working towards a changed perception of Ballymun with a campaign called ‘Better Ballymun’. It is an initiative focussing on the Ballymun of today and of the future; letting go of the Ballymun of the past – while still maintaining the amazing community spirit of people that has always been present, channeling it towards an improved district of tomorrow – with character, people, culture, start-up businesses, families, students, all living, working and playing together in a bright and positive suburb.

I have been working with them on collateral such as this event poster, lamppost banners, with possible plans to roll out the campaign further with a brochure highlighting the area’s resources and on hoarding in the area. It’s great to be involved in positive initiatives such as this, that inspire change and signify to the people of Ballymun that it’s an area to be proud of and an area changing, growing and improving by the day.