Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
IT HAS OFFICIALLY been 100 days since Dublin’s portal to New York opened.
Despite some rocky moments, the technological instalment on Dublin’s North Earl Street continues to prove popular with locals and tourists alike.
In its short history, the portal has seen the many sides of society.
One ambassador who has been working there for the last two months says the job is “chill” for the most part, but “it depends on the day”.
Ambassadors are tasked with minding the portal to deter troublemakers and manage over-enthusiastic onlookers.
“We sometimes have a lot of problems here,” she said, noting the many flashing incidents.
It’s been a lot of ass.
The portal began as a 24-hour livestream between Dublin and New York’s Flatiron South Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street.
But upon its opening in May, the more wholesome moments were eclipsed by some visitors engaging in “inappropriate” behaviour, as described by Dublin City Council.
The Journal sent a New York-based reporter to the other side, where similar problems arose.
After a short pause, the portal reopened with limited hours and a new feature that blurs the screen if people get too close.
Created by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys, similar portals are already installed in a number of other major cities.
Dublin City Council delivered the sculpture as part of its designation as the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024.
Ambassadors used to have to call the gardaí when there was trouble, but now a new feature they can access from their phones allows them to turn the portal on and off whenever they need.
Another ambassador said that those demonstrating anti-social behaviour usually get bored quite quickly once the screen turns off.
The portal is currently open between 1pm and 8pm. Rain or shine, the ambassadors keep guard. The weather is the worst part, according to the ambassador we spoke to yesterday.
There are nice moments too, she added. “It’s really amazing sometimes.”
Sisters Maureen and Trisha are from New York. They’re in Ireland to trace their Irish roots. They have a jam-packed multi-county itinerary, but they couldn’t miss the portal.
They think it’s “pretty neat,” said Trisha.
“We’re so glad we got to see this,” said Maureen.
Jenny and Colin, also visiting from New York, were excited to say hi to their friend Kathleen today. Kathleen made a sign especially for them. Jenny has now been on both sides of the portal now.
In a 30 minute time frame, there were about five heartwarming reunions – and no flashing.
Dubliners and New Yorkers can use the signs provided to communicate with those on the other side.
“Hey New York, you’re looking well,” one reads.
Another says: “Welcome to Dublin.”
When the portal is switched off, people still gather to take a look – and take a “mirror selfie” in the blank screen.
Perhaps one of the most practical features of the portal is the accidental seating it provides on the pedestrianised street.
Directly across from the busy Henry Street, shoppers rested on the concrete slab on which the portal sits.
Others perched on the planters surrounding it.
Perhaps they too had stepped through a portal – to a version of Dublin City that has outdoor public seating.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I’d say the coverage will be unreal and the customer service second to none, said the sarcastic priest.
Paddy Wackery
Some of you are obsessed with customer service, can’t remember the last time I had to call them.
I can’t stand 3. Worst shower I ever had to deal with in my life.
If you were getting terrible network coverage in an area that’s on their map as a good area and then their customer service didn’t care, then you would be worried about their customer service, I think this is a terrible move, they should have used Vodafone or Meteor’s infrastructure, nothing good will come of a Three partnership, mark my words
Been with 3 for 4 yrs not a problem
Maybe UPC should sort their customer service first! They’ve gone from the very best to one of the worst!
@Ruairi: When were they ever the very best? They were still awful when they were ntl and Cablelink before that!
I’m stuck with them as I live in an apartment but their digibox and channel line-up is very poor vs Sky. Their broadband is excellent though but that’s about all they have going for them.
its only gonna get worse. Three’s customer service is based overseas and is answered by some poor sods in Punjab earning 150 Rupees an hour (€1.85 an hour).
Ian, I have UPC and find them very good. You’re right about the NTL days but I have never hit a brick wall with their customer service since they became UPC. Certainly better than Eircom(unists) and Sky
Ruairi,
when was the last time you called their customer service?
they changed a number of years ago and are actually very good.
easily accessible by phone, email, twitter and boards.ie
Last 3 mths they continue to overcharge me & exspect me to pay & I’m talking overcharging €30 they are incompdent fools
Let me guess. They’ll sell “bundles” that give you your home phone, mobile, Internet, TV and cat food in one package, so it’ll be even more difficult to switch providers.
Yes, and they’ll hold a gun to your head and force you to subscribe to it.
A lack of competition and options is effectively a gun to your head if you want to partake in the 21st century.
There is a lot of competition, don’t be ridiculous.
I think the technical term for such bundles is a fourplay.
For a small market the competition is fierce.
Cpm, there is one Cable TV provider in most cities in Ireland.. One.
“Cpm, there is one Cable TV provider in most cities in Ireland.. One.”
You were talking about bundles a minute ago, now it’s just cable TV?
I think you’re losing track of your argument in an effort to have the last word.
@Jeremy Osborne: Actually the entire point is that the competition is NOT fierce ENOUGH – Ireland’s mobile networks have amongst the highest Average Revenues per User in the EU – which is why the European Commission is now forcing 3 to open it’s network to TWO more competitors.
@ Ben Gunn – its referred to as Quadplay. Fixed Telephony, Broadband, Cellular and TV.
@ Picasso….. I know, I know, but please allow me a little attempt at schoolboy humour on a friday afternoon.
Such negativity. I see UPC’s entry into the mobile market as a positive for UPC customers. I am with UPC 7 years and I have phoned them on at least thirty occasions and the customer service staff have always been helpful to me.
30 times in 7 years? Why would anybody need to call them every 2.8 months!?
Moving house, reporting faults, general enquiries and a load of calls trying to convince them to give me a Cisco 3925 so i could bridge it and use my own Router. I got the 3925 in the end :)
And at all times the staff were courteous and helpful.
after buying O2. three should use their customer service
That will hardly happen. They will go with whatever is cheapest.
Wonder will they bring in femtocells to boost indoor mobile coverage?
No, they are a MVNO, however they may integrate it with the UPC phone app. which lets you use your mobile as home phone over any broadband connection.
The could sell a booster that plugs into their modem.
They’ve been around a while & would tie in well with the rest of their business.
no need too, they have the hardware in place already just use the wifi signal.
Great so another price hike on the way!!! Ffs
What?
Every time UPC get a bright new idea it means they increase the price on their packages for everybody to pay for it. In the last 2 years there has been around 3 or 4 price increases.
I’ve just gone through 3 years of emails from them and there was one price increase.
I’m sure you did. My bill has gone from €63 to €75 in the last 2 years for same service.
I did, yes. one email on 21st January this year about a price increase (a price increase of €5 and a self-service discount of €3, so a total increase of €2.
Why don’t you switch to Freeview or Sky?
Yes that one of them which varied in different amounts depending on which package you were in. The largest increase was for people who were out of contract in order to force them to sign up for a new one. There have been many increases over the last 2 years including the one you just mentioned. There was also one last summer to pay for their on demand service.
every time they raise prices is a change to contract, just ring customer care tell them your leaving because the price increase. they’ll put you through to customer retention department and offer you big discounts, if they don’t then move. (not many people end up moving)
Freeview do broadband and phone service now?
“Freeview do broadband and phone service now?”
UPC are the only providers of these services so, are they?
True brian iv done this a few times now ring saying im switching to sky. They put to on to loyalty line got good deals to stay each time. But after so long there channels are boring compare to what sky can offer. And for a better price
I left Sky for a month and they offered me 75% off my bill for 9 months. Sweet deal.
Id prefere it if they sorted out the issues with the Horizon Box of Sh#te..Bring back the dodgey boxes thems were the days.
I have no doubt that there will be an awful advertising campaign for this. That’s one area where they excel at. The TV ads from UPC make me change channel. I was with UPC once and never again. Three coverage is rubbish too. Both companies are welcome to each other.
Dennis O Briens UPC
uh…..no.
I hate the fact that we are stuck with upc because we are in an apartment. The horizon box is the worst product to ever be produced ,nothing but trouble with tv and broadband since getting it in
I wonder if they will tie in a data bundle for existing broad band customers, much like the horizon free wifi from other horizon boxes….
The guy to the right looks constipated ( main photo)
You look like you just let off a sneaky fart ;)
Brilliant 2 company’s know for their excellent customer service!,,,,,
The 3G/ 4G would be second to none, but the buttons/ design would be all over the show, with any incorrect entries leading to channel 100, adverts.
Jayziz look at those yokes. Hold on to your wallets.
have your say