A splash through medieval Dublin

Summer slides: Carol St John on the 98FM’s Big Slide on Winetavern Street next to Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. Photo: Fergal Phillips

Rachel Lavin

It was the street where medieval Dubliners went for a dram and a fun night out 1,000 years ago.

But yesterday Winetavern Street (the clue is in the name) was transformed into a theme park as one of the world's biggest water slides provided thrills and spills aplenty.

Broadcaster 98FM's Big Slide Home, with HB Ice Cream and Dublin City Council, will also be in situ today, with the 260-foot slide stretching from the arch of Christ Church Cathedral down to the base of the Winetavern Street's hill.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Brendan Carr said: "Dublin City Council is delighted to be supporting this free family friendly event.

"It is the first time that this water slide attraction has come to the city, and I hope that Dubliners and visitors to the capital will really enjoy it."

The Big Ride Home presenter Dara Quilty said: "I am so excited to be launching this event this summer. Dublin has been screaming out for this kind of attraction for years so I'm so glad 98FM are doing it."

The radio station was inundated with calls, emails, texts, WhatApps and Snapchats requesting the wristbands which give automatic entry to the water slide.