Blowing off the pandemic blues
NEVER was it imagined that a small flats complex in inner-city Dublin could be turned into a world-famous sensation. In 20 years from now, the residents of Canon Mooney Gardens, Ringsend will still be talking about how their tight-knit community became a beacon of positivity during the worst pandemic in living history.
For more than a month now, the complex’s 300 residents have lifted each other’s spirits by holding charity bingo events, singsongs, games and many other activities while still maintaining social distancing.
The flats are now a sight to behold, with bunting and tricoloured flags hanging everywhere, with messages that read ‘Up the Flats’, ‘Thank You, Frontline Workers’ and ‘Love, Hope and Courage’.
In the pleasant warmth of yesterday afternoon, the residents took part in another series of activities to get them through the crisis.
While sitting outside their front door, the spectators watched their neighbours sing their hearts out in a karaoke-styled rendition of Stars In Your Eyes.
Locals dressed as famous stars, such as Freddie Mercury and Ed Sheeran, walked to the centre of the complex and rocked out to their cheering fans.
Another event involved children popping balloons to reveal prizes such as €50 notes – or less welcome surprises like teabags and water.
Canon Mooney Gardens first came to fame following its isolation bingo game which has since amassed tens of thousands of views online.
Amusing footage featured a bingo caller perched on a wall facing the flats with a speaker system, calling out numbers while the players stood on their balconies checking off their cards.
The community was also lauded for raising €20,000 for mental health charity Pieta House.
The idea to hold the weekly activities was the brainchild of resident Michael Larkin.
Speaking to the Irish Daily Mail, he said after the bingo game went viral across the world, the community kept coming up with new ways to lift each other’s spirits.
‘I just couldn’t believe how famous our bingo game got,’ Mr Larkin laughed.
‘One of the girls here recorded it on her phone and it just blew up overnight.
‘I knew we struck big when I got a phone call from my brother in Australia who wanted to know what I was doing on his telly.
‘It even got across to America and is still continuing to get even more hits across the world.’ And only last week, the south-inner city neighbourhood went viral again after they showed off their dance moves to Danish pop singer Whigfield’s Saturday Night.
The residents blared the tune while standing two metres apart on marked spots to take part in the dance routine.
Children and adults alike could be seen joining in on the fun, both down on the ground and from their balconies up above.
‘It took a whole lot of planning, but I’m delighted how that dance
‘I couldn’t believe how famous our bingo game got’
routine worked out,’ continued Mr Larkin.
‘We even got the attention of Whigfield, who thought what we were doing was just fantastic.
‘But we made sure that keeping our distance from one another was paramount. There are a lot of elderly people who live in Canon Mooney Gardens and the last thing we would want is to put them at risk.’
The Ringsend locals also took part in a mammoth challenge of climbing the equivalent of Mount
Everest to raise money for Pieta House.
Dublin man Keith O’Brien embarked on the challenge of climbing to the top of O’Rahilly house in Ringsend 880 times to reach his goal of 29,029 feet, the height of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest, by May 21.
Beginning with Keith alone, the campaign had grown to involve 30 people, all of whom had set their own personal climbing challenges, some aiming at the 29,029 feet mark like Keith, others looking to complete the climb 25 or 30 times.
Altogether, the community is said to have raised about €20,000.
Pat McGuinness, 62, told the Irish Daily Mail that seeing his community come together in recent weeks makes the pandemic a lot easier to bear.
‘My wife and I have 13 grandkids and it’s been really tough not being able to see them,’ he said.
‘It’s definitely taken a toll on our mental health, but these community events have really lifted our spirits.
‘Many families in Ringsend have been left badly affected by mental health and suicide in recent years, which is why I’m sure so many people are getting involved.
‘I’ve lived here most of my life and have never seen anything like this before,’ he said.
Resident Carmel Roche, 83, also said that she’s never been prouder of her locality.
‘I grew up in Ringsend and thought I had seen everything, but this is something else altogether,’ she said.
‘You don’t realise how precious your freedom is until you lose it, but my neighbours and family here are making these few weeks an absolute joy.’
Grandfather Pat O’Keeffe said his two grandchildren are observing the Government’s restrictions by playing outside their front door.
‘They have all their dolls lined up across the balcony and are making the most of the restrictions in their own little way.
‘They’re having the time of their lives with all the music and entertainment; it almost feels like they’re on their holidays.’
Even Ringsend’s most famous resident, Casey Walsh, from Irish rap group Versatile, said he was ‘blown away’ by it all.
The 22-year-old told the Mail that Canon Mooney Gardens has become more like a holiday destination in Santa Ponsa.
‘Everything about it is just lethal – all we’re missing is a pool in the middle of the flats,’ he said.
‘The pandemic isn’t getting us down at all even though we’ve had all our shows postponed until next year.
‘I was meant to be performing with Snoop Dog last month, which is something I was really looking forward to. But at least I have plenty of more time to work on my music.’
‘You don’t realise how precious your freedom is until you lose it ‘ ‘The grandkids are having the time of their lives’