Madam, - While I respect Garret Shanley's view and knowledge of Dundrum (March 16th), the term "shopping centre" does not accurately reflect the new Town Centre development.
When completed, the Dundrum Town Centre will include a community theatre, cinemas, an adult education centre, restaurants, pedestrianised streets, a library, a public square, a hotel, offices and apartments among other features, all of this in keeping with the criteria of the county development plan as outlined by the local authority.
The businesses in the centre already include many Irish retailers of various types and all of this will sit alongside the many established local businesses and services on the main street.
The River Slang referred to by Mr Shanley, previously inaccessible to most people, runs into the restored 400-year-old Mill Pond which is overlooked by the old Mill House and the new bandstand and is the centrepiece of the new town square. The river then runs out of the Mill Pond and flows openly down the side of the centre.
While we believe we have a different concept from what some might expect to find, we have had over a million visitors since opening two weeks ago, so perhaps we are providing a service to a great many people. I would be delighted to meet Mr Shanley to discuss our concept and how we believe it succeeds in rejuvenating the old village of Dundrum. - Yours, etc.,
DON NUGENT, Centre Director, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 14.