A plan to pedestrianise a north Dublin street has the potential to "transform" the village, the Mayor of Fingal has said.
New Street in Malahide will be closed to traffic for an initial 10-week trial period starting early next month.
The move is part of Fingal County Council's plans to re-imagine public realm spaces across the county.
Mayor of Fingal Eoghan O'Brien said the move would "showcase what a different use of space can bring to a town centre".
"For so long everything has been centred around the private car and so much public space is dedicated to the private car," he told the Fingal Independent.
"I'm very hopeful that when people see these measures in effect and as they bed down, that people will say this is a far better use of this space and why not keep it. That would be my long-term hope."
The plan will also make it easier for pedestrians to observe social distancing guidelines.
"I think potentially it's very much a 'win-win'," said Councillor O'Brien
"We have to implement temporary measures throughout our towns and villages to allow easier passing of people on foot."
Provisions are being made to accommodate businesses and residents of the street with Councillor O'Brien adding that the pedestrianisation would "in no way" facilitate the serving of alcohol outdoors, which was one of the concerns raised about the plan.
He added: '"I really think it is an opportunity. We're in a time of crisis and as the saying goes, 'never waste a crisis', and I think if we implement this right and get buy-in from residents and businesses alike,
'I think we can probably transform the centre of Malahide Village and do so in a way that has a really, really positive knock-on effect for the future.'
