Olivia O'Leary: Let’s fall in love with living in our towns again

In an evocative piece for The Irish Times, Olivia O'Leary calls for a revival of the vibrant tradition of living above shops, lamenting the current emptiness of upper floors in many Irish town centers. She contrasts this with a past where such spaces were filled with life, music, and community, citing personal anecdotes and literary references like James Joyce's 'The Dead' to illustrate this bygone era.

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Living and partying over the shop is something we know how to do.

O'Leary observes that while Ireland faces a housing crisis, the potential of these unused spaces above businesses is being overlooked. She highlights examples like Graiguenamanagh and Kilkenny, where individuals and families are choosing to live above their businesses, thereby injecting life and activity back into the heart of these towns. These residents, like Pat Doyle and Pat Crotty, emphasize the benefits of proximity to their businesses and the community atmosphere that living centrally provides.

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I can’t imagine living out the road. Small business people have to be close by, have to be on site.

The piece serves as a gentle but firm reminder of what has been lost and what could be regained. By encouraging a return to living above the shop, O'Leary suggests a pathway to revitalizing town centers, strengthening local economies, and fostering a greater sense of community. It's a perspective that values local character and connection over the often-isolating sprawl of suburban living, urging a rediscovery of the charm and practicality of urban-centric life.

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When we were all young families, everybody knew one anoth