In Praise Of The Sean O'Casey Centre
27 October 09

Nestled in what has been termed one of Dublin's roughest areas is a wee diamond. The Sean O'Casey Centre was opened in East Wall this past February and is a hub of activity in the Dublin 3 area. Known as "the cheese-grater" by the locals due to its unusual appearance, I found this community centre to be, well, just that. A centre for the community.
 
The Sean O'Casey can boast a wonderfully equipped theatre complete with retractable seating (of the plush, comfortable, red variety - no rickety chairs for us, thank you very much), a sizeable sports hall with the sundry equipment for aerobics and other sports, the charming 'Daisy Days' daycare centre for kids, and facilities for lunch and dinner services.
 
While there, I was witness to the entrance at lunchtime of a host of elderly men and women come to part-take of a meal in the centre. Cheerful banter between them and those working at the centre ensued, with one diner joking: "Haven't they let you go yet?" The reply to this jibe was shouted back a second later: "You haven't 'passed away' yet then I see."
 
An hour or so later, a huge number of kids from a nearby primary school strolled in supervised by their teachers for an educational matinee in the theatre and the centre was once again a scene of excitement and hustle and bustle.
 
The notice-board is crammed full of colourful ads for night classes open to all and sundry, of all walks, ages and dispositions.
 
The centre is welcoming, with people saying hello to everyone who walks in, regardless of whether you're acquainted.
 
The Sean O'Casey Centre is a real-live example of a building being more than bricks and mortar.

Alison Treacy