D-Light’s Uncertainty is Symptomatic of DCC’s Cultural Neglect

The vast, wildly versatile, ex-industrial warehouse is a beating cultural heart in the north inner-city. It’s been host to fashion shows, photography exhibitions, gigs, youth community outreach programs, film showings, dance workshops and much more for over 15 years. However, D-Light is much more than just an empty space for people to rent out, it’s a creative network with a team who puts their profits from rentals back into the community by putting on gigs and subsidising artists. Now, looks like closure is on the cards.

As D-Light’s landlord, Dublin City Council has a lot to answer for. DCC plans to renovate the building to bring it up to fire and safety standards (something D-Light say they have been requesting for over 4 years). The council say D-Light need to move out, but won’t guarantee their continued tenancy with a lease. The implications of this stalemate are clear: the end of D-Light and subsequent removal of a cherished creative space, without replacement.

“D-Light Studios has been a support for artists and creatives in the north inner city for more than a decade thanks to the vision, dedication and persistence of a group of admirable people who have committed themselves totally to its success.”

Luke McManus, director and producer

Director and producer Luke McManus had a 6 month residency at D-Light while making his feature documentary ‘North Circular’. The film won eight awards, including prizes at Dublin IFF and IndieCork Film Festival, but McManus says that success would not have been possible without the support and opportunity the residency offered him. “D-Light Studios has been a support for artists and creatives in the north inner city for more than a decade thanks to the vision, dedication and persistence of a group of admirable people who have committed themselves totally to its success.”

Supporting art and culture in Ireland becomes futile if there is no space for creatives to work, or present their work to the public. “Bricks and mortar are certainly important, particularly in a city where spaces are in such short supply”, said McManus. “But what is more important is that the commitment and investment of time by the people who made D-Light happen is recognised by giving them a lease to remain in the space after the proposed renovations happen.”

It’s unclear why DCC are refusing to grant D-Light an extension on their lease – but the closure of third spaces is becoming a tale as old as time… well, at least as old as Dublin’s slimy love affair with hotels and office blocks. We saw it in 2018, when one of Dublin’s largest clubs, Hangar, was replaced with a hotel, and more recently, we’ve seen communal spaces like Portobello Plaza shrinking to accommodate for a vast, concrete (you guessed it)… hotel – despite protests.

“I’ve photographed so many people within those walls & to see it get swallowed up into another generic short-sighted development would be a disgrace. Wake up Dublin City Council!”

Rich Gilligan, photographer

Rich Gilligan has worked on various photography projects in D-Light, and recognises how unique and special the space is. “The building has within it a raw creative energy that is severely lacking across the landscape of inner city Dublin. I’ve photographed so many people within those walls & to see it get swallowed up into another generic short-sighted development would be a disgrace. Wake up Dublin City Council! Without its culture, this place is just another place. Save D-Light studios.”

The uncertainty of D-Light’s future is symbolic of wider cultural neglect, in favour of extortionate hotels and barren office blocks. Over the past 15 years, D-Light has redirected all profits back into program such as artists’ residencies, exhibitions, music gigs, and subsidising creatives. Nobody wants to book a hotel, or work, in a city with nothing to do outside the office or hotel room.

Sign the to save D-Light petition here