Oscar Wilde as imagined by pixel artist Craig Robinson – look out for the Plaque in the Park

Merrion Square are delighted to be one of the new hotspots for free wifi in Dublin City.

Provided by Dublin City Council, in partnership with Gowex, there are 14 new wifi spots (see a map of them all here) provided, which will roll out over the coming weeks. Merrion Square Park is the recipient of one of the sites, meaning visitors to the area will shortly be able to avail of free wifi.

As signage for the project Dublin City Council enlisted the help of pixel artist Craig Robinson to create 14  icons of Dublin. These in turn will be made into mosaics and have been erected in designated areas. As you can see from the image above, the iconic statue of Oscar Wilde from Merrion Square Park is the designated character for the area.

The free Wi-Fi service is being provided to Dublin City Council by Spanish technology company Gowex. Free WiFi will be available 24/7 at a speed of 512kbps, according to the company, while higher speeds will require payment. Those who wish to use the free Wi-Fi will have to register with Gowex.

The full list of locations to be included are: Smithfield Square, Barnardo’s Square, Clarendon Street, St Patrick’s Park, O’Connell Street Plaza, Temple Bar Square, Wolfe Tone Square, the area in front of the Convention Centre Dublin, Merrion Park, Henry Street, Grafton Street and the outdoor amphitheatre located at Civic Offices

We’re still recovering from a wonderful burst of activity on Merrion Square this past year and want to thank you all for your support. While we might be a little quiet on news in the coming months, do please bookmark this site as The Merrion Square Innovation Network is continuing to work together and are making plans for collective programming in 2013 to bring you more cultural events and access to houses on the Square later in the year.  You can follow us on facebook or twitter and receive updates there too.

In the meantime, many of the organisations on the Square have a busy programme of talks, tours, concerts and family activity all year round, so do please check individual organisation’s websites for all the info. You’ll find links to all the organisations in the network on this site.

If you want to read about any of our previous events you can find an archive on the site, and we have a great gallery of photos on flickr.

Having kicked off the festive season with the Irish Design Pop-Up Shop at the Irish Architectural Archive on the 1st of December, Christmas continues to be celebrated in and around Merrion Square.

Thursday the 13th December sees a busy evening of Christmas shopping and events, starting with The National Gallery’s Annual Christmas Discount Day. The shop will open at its usual time of 9.30am and will close at 8pm, and shoppers can avail of a 10% discount or 15% upon display of a membership card. Full of beautiful books, notebooks, prints and unique gifts, you could make serious in-roads down your Christmas shopping list in one shop.

Also on the 13th of December, The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland at No 8 Merrion Square are holding a Christmas Sale in their bookshop opening at 9am and staying open late until 8pm so that you can indulge in some of their exquisite architectural and design books.

There is also a Christmas Concert in St Andrew’s Church on Westland Row at 7pm entitled “An Evening of Christmas Favourites”. Tickets are €15 (children under 12 go free) with all proceeds being donated to The National Maternity Hospital Foundation. Call 01-6373372 to book.

Finally on the 13th of December, the United Arts Club at No 3 Upper Fitzwilliam Street are hosting the launch of Sophie Parkin’s book “The Colony Room Club 1948 – 2008: A History of Bohemian Soho” at 6.30pm, followed by the opening of their annual Members’ Christmas Show at 8pm.

On Sunday the 16th of December, why not join the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History on Sunday the 16th of December at 3pm for a family tour about Hibernation – The Bear Necessities.

On Thursday the 13th of December, the National Gallery Shop will offer a 10% discount on all stock to shoppers. Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland will receive a 15% discount upon presentation of their membership card.

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland will host a special late opening of their bookshop on Thursday the 14th of December. They will also be launching the RIAI Irish Architecture Review Vol 3 2012/13. The bookshop will remain open until 8pm.

Join the United Arts Club as they celebrate the launch of Sophie Parkin’s book “The Colony Room Club 1948 – 2008: A History of Bohemian Soho” at 6.30pm on Thursday the 13th of December.

It’s winter and the animal are hibernating in the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History to avoid the cold weather. Join the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History on Sunday the 16th of December at 3pm for a family tour about Hibernation – The Bear Necessities. But whatever you do – DO NOT DISTURB THE ANIMALS!

The annual Christmas Family Art Holiday is coming back to The National Gallery between Thursday the 27th of December and Saturday the 29th of December between 3pm and 4.30pm. The event will include artist-led workshops with Don Conroy, Clare Henderson and Louise Neiland, as well as gallery tours and recitals by ‘Musical Trio.’

No booking is required and admission is free.

Drop in to The National Museum of Ireland – Natural History over the holidays and try out Winter Activity Trail. Copies of this activity sheet trail are available at the stand in the Irish Room. Don’t forget your pencils!