What's the Story, Dublin?

We speak to Andrew Devonport on the role our City Architect office in creating an attractive, liveability and sustainable built environment.

Cities are complex places with many stakeholders required to create a thriving and vibrant urban environment. Dublin's city co-ordination office helps to align the various businesses and organisations vested in the city's success.

Dig into the many levels of Dublin's fascinating past as we speak to Ruth Johnson on how the Council's archaeology section unearths the city's history. 

In this episode of What’s the Story, Dublin?, brought to you by Dublin City Council, we sit down with John Stack from the Nature-Based Surface Water Projects Unit to explore how the city is working to improve the health of its rivers. John explains the impact of the EU Water Framework Directive and outlines the challenges facing seven of Dublin’s key waterways — including the Liffey and Dodder — w...

In this episode of What’s the Story, Dublin? , brought to you by Dublin City Council, we sit down with Ray Yeates , Dublin’s City Arts Officer, to explore how the arts shape the life of the city. Ray talks about the role of the Arts Office as “an opportunity maker… a developmental job” and explains how Dublin supports practitioners, participants and audiences across every art form — from theatre a...

Sabrina Dekker explains some of the challenges and potentials solution to Dublin becoming a climate resilient city.

The recent Saint Patrick's Day parade brought over half a million revellers into the city which, as you can imagine produced a lot of rubbish. In this episode we talk to Sean Michael Larkin from our waste management section on how the streets were cleaned-up in the aftermath of all the festivities.

In this episode of What’s the Story, Dublin?, we speak to Reuben Hambakachere about his role as Integration Support Coordinator in Dublin City Council and the career path that led him there. The Local Authority Integration Team, or LAIT, works with refugees and others seeking international protection to help them integrate into communities and signposts them to additional means of support. Reuben...

Tá an-áthas orainn fáilte a chur roimh triúr ball foirne ón Aonad Forbartha Gaeilge i gComhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath sa chlár seo de What’s the Story, Dublin? Tá comhrá idir an tOifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge agus beirt intéirneach ó scoil Fiontar in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath atá ag obair léi sa Chomhairle. Pléann siad a gcaidreamh leis an nGaeilge, a gcúlraí oibre agus ollscoile a...

We are delighted to be joined by Chief Executive of Dublin City Council Richard Shakespeare on this episode of What’s the Story, Dublin? as he reflects on the career path that led to his role and delves into his focus on ‘Getting the Basics Right’ as Chief Executive. Richard Shakespeare also describes what a Chief Executive actually does, including what his day-to-day looks like, and reflects on c...

In this episode of What’s the Story, Dublin? we discuss the Area Offices of Dublin City Council. We look at why Dublin city is structured in this way and at services that locals can avail of from the Area Offices. Aoife Hannan tells us about her work in Community and Social Development and about Ballyfermot and Drimnagh, where she is based. Aoife also talks about challenges and future hopes for he...

There is a lot more to traffic management in Dublin citythan you would think, as this episode with Executive Manager of Traffic Brendan O’Brien reveals. Brendan speaks to us about how infrastructure, streetdesign, congestion etc. have factored into the historical layout of Dublin city, shaping how people live, work and travel there. He also talks about working with the public to make trafficand tr...

Jessica O’Donnell, who is the Head of Education at Hugh Lane Gallery, where she has worked for the past 25 years, joins us on the What’s the Story, Dublin? Podcast. We learn about the history of HLG and about the refurbishments that are currently in the works there. Their physical doors may be closed, but there is still lots happening at Hugh Lane Gallery through their offsite programme, which int...

In this special, festive episode of What’s the Story, Dublin? we are joined by Tony Smithers, Head of Events & Filming Unit, as we look at some of the exciting events in Dublin city for Christmas 2025. Join us as we go behind-the-scenes of the Dublin CityCouncil Dublin Winter Lights, including a sneak peek at what’s new in this year’s edition. You’ll also learn about new initiatives like Twink...

What is the Dublin City Council Culture Company, and in what ways has it contributed to culture and the arts in Dublin City? Iseult Dunne, who is CEO at Dublin City Council Culture Company, and Linda Devlin, who is Director of Creative Engagement at Dublin City Council Culture Company, answers these questions and more. We discuss the many activities and initiatives launched by Dublin City Council...

Have you ever wondered what exactly an Assistant Chief Executive does and what are they responsible for? In this latest episode of What’s the Story, Dublin? The Official Dublin City Council, we’re looking at this role of the ACE. Assistant Chief Executive Aidan Blighe tells us about the career path and variety of work experience he draws from in his current role. He also discusses the key qualitie...

A huge amount of work and organisation goes into keeping the streets of Dublin city clean. In today’s What’s the Story, Dublin? episode, we’re lookingat Dublin City Council’s waste management services. Sid Daly, Public Domain Officer, talks to us about howrecycling in Dublin city works, the challenges DCC faces in the management of waste, and what you can do from home to look after your waste and...

In our latest episode of What's the Story, Dublin? The Official Dublin City Council Podcast, we’re looking at the Biodiversity Artist in Residence programme, which is funded by Creative Ireland under the Creative Climate Action Fund. The original goal of the residency was to challenge the way staff think about biodiversity and how it impacts their work and day-to-day activities – but what was...

What kind of activities is Comhairle na nÓg (Youth Council) involved with and how can young people get involved? In this latest episode of What’s the Story, Dublin? we’re speaking with 14-year-old Chairperson Aaron Kiernan about the history of the Comhairle, the issues explored by its young members, and the benefits of participating. This podcast was recorded on 12 September 2025. Graphics are by...

The Dublin Festival of History is an annual free festival,brought to you by Dublin City Council and organised by Dublin City Libraries, in partnership with the Dublin City Council Culture Company. Now in its thirteenth year, the 2025 festival will run from26th September to 12th October, and there are so many events to look forward. We speak with Festival Founder and Deputy City Librarian Brendan T...

Welcome back for season 2 of What’s the Story, Dublin? In this first episode of the latest season of the officialDublin City Council podcast, we’re deep diving into the work of Dublin Fire Brigade. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Greg O’Dwyer speaks to us abouta variety of aspects related to the DFB, including the wide variety of services provided by them, how the Brigade began over 100 years ago, an...

In this special bonus episode of What’s the Story, Dublin?, we talk about the night-time economy and what makes Dublin night life different to its national and international counterparts. We discuss Ray O’Donoghue’s role as Night-Time Economy Advisor, including the factors that led to his position, and how he manages the balance of providing fun and entertainment while also prioritising safety and...

How far back does the Lord Mayor of Dublin role go? What changes have there been to the position over the years? What does the Lord Mayor do on a day-to-day basis? And where can we see the work of the Lord Mayor around Dublin City? In this special bonus episode of What’s the Story, Dublin? The Official Dublin City Council Podcast, The Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain tells us all this and more. As...

In this episode of What’s the Story, Dublin?, brought to youby Dublin City Council, we take a look at the Local Enterprise Office of Dublin City, aka LEO. As Grainne Denning, who is the Senior Enterprise Development Officer of LEO, tells us, the Local Enterprise Office is all about helping business to plan, start, sustain and grow. Discover the breadth of services offered by LEO, includinggrants,...

In this episode of What’s the Story, Dublin?, brought to youby Dublin City Council, we take a look at Parks, or to give the department its full title, Parks, Biodiversity and Landscape Services. As the head of this department, Leslie Moore offers insighton the different types of parks and green spaces that characterise Dublin city, and the services that the council provides to maintain and develop...