If you go down to the bridge today you’re in for a big surprise . . . not teddy bears but a free picnic for the unveiling of Street Feast on the Millennium Bridge in Dublin.
Organiser Clare Mulvany said: “It’s a very simple idea, to bring people out onto the street. We see Street Feast as a way to bridge communities and today is the day to kick it all off.”
Eating a menu of salads, lasagne, pizza and cupcakes donated by local restaurants, 40 lucky passers-by got an unusual view of the city centre.
“I was the first man here so I set out the tables,” said John Ward. “I read about it on Twitter, went to the wrong bridge first and then pelted down the quay to get here.”
Saumare Abdourahmane from France was baffled. “What’s going on here? Is it really free? That is very strange,” he said taking a seat at one of the six tables.
Organisation co-founder Peter O’Brien – who was also involved with the Upstart election poster campaign – said he thinks people are looking for a chance to come together and do something positive.
The narrow bridge just had room for the office workers on Dublin bikes to get by, most taking a leaflet for the main event on August 28th.
The idea behind Street Feast is for people around the country to organise their own party, asking neighbours to join in and bring a potluck lunch or just to come along for the craic.
Anyone interested in hosting a Street Feast can download a DIY kit with posters, flyers and ideas from streetfeast.ie. The website also has a map with event locations.