07/05/2014

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Rathfarnham Village becomes free ‘Wi-Fi Zone’ as part of South Dublin County Council’s Villages Initiative

Mayor Dermot Looney was in Rathfarnham Village on Wednesday 7th May to officially launch the introduction of free public Wi-Fi in Rathfarnham Village.

Rathfarnham is the latest village in South Dublin County to offer free Wi-Fi to the public after the very successful launch of this initiative in Lucan and Templeogue Villages. The Wi-Fi initiative in the villages is averaging 1,000 users per day and steadily increasing. The introduction of free Wi-Fi in Rathfarnham Village arises from the support and co-operation of local businesses and is one of the key objectives of the Council’s new ‘Villages Initiative’. Work on the installation of the wireless network is now complete and went live on the 2nd April 2014.

Speaking at the launch, the Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr. Dermot Looney said “the provision of free access to the internet will make it easier and more convenient for our citizens to access local services and businesses on-line. The availability of this service means that locals and visitors to the historic village of Rathfarnham can now browse the internet or interact through social media when out and about in the village. I have been a keen promoter of municipal Wi-Fi across South Dublin County Council and, with the support of local residents and businesses; I know we can replicate the success of Rathfarnham elsewhere. It is important that our villages and towns are recognised as hubs of economic and social activity”.

The Council’s 'Villages Initiative' aims to improve the retail experience for local businesses and shoppers. In recent months much credit must go to the Rathfarnham Tidy Towns Group and local traders who, in partnership with the council have worked tirelessly to improve the aesthetic appearance of their village. The availability of free Wi-Fi will compliment the new public realm schemes and encourage more people to do business and visit Rathfarnham village.

In conclusion, Mayor Dermot Looney stated the elected members of South Dublin County Council in partnership with the local community and businesses have been strongly advocating the roll out of free Wi-Fi as one of the essential elements of the new ‘Villages Initiative’. This innovative initiative will form an integral part of the Council’s budget focus for 2014 and will facilitate the delivery of a wide range of objectives across a number of key areas: including economic development, business support, tourism and heritage promotion and community development here in South Dublin County.”

Ends

Images

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  Anthony Kavanagh, Rubber Print Design,Andrew Kennedy Enigma Grill, Maria King, Studio Cafe, Mayor Dermot Looney, Michelle Galvin, Assistant Head of Computer Services, SDCC
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  Michelle Galvin, Assistant Head of Computer Services, Andrew Kennedy, Enigma Grill, Mayor Dermot Looney, Maria King, Studio Cafe, Anthony Kavanagh, Rubber Print Design