William Murphy

TWO BOATS AND A BARGE

September 24, 2023 by infomatique

SAILING DOWN THE RIVER LIFFEY

The Liffey rises in the Liffey Head Bog between the mountains of Kippure 742 metres (2,434 ft) and Tonduff 642 metres (2,106 ft) in the northern section of the Wicklow Mountains, forming from many streamlets near the Sally Gap. It flows for 132 km (82 mi) through counties Wicklow, Kildare and Dublin before entering the Irish Sea at its mouth at the midpoint of Dublin Bay, on a line extending from the Baily lighthouse to the Muglin Rocks.[citation needed] It crosses from County Wicklow into County Kildare at Poulaphouca and from County Kildare into County Dublin at Leixlip, with the greatest part of its length being in Kildare.

The catchment area of the Liffey is 1,256 km2 (485 sq mi). The long term average flow rate of the river is 18.0 m3/s (640 cu ft/s).

THIS UNOCCUPIED BUILDING WAS A SCHOOL

September 23, 2023 by infomatique

23-28 PARNELL SQUARE

On the 5th October, 1931 a new All Irish Secondary School for boys was opened in No 6 Harcourt Street in Dublin.

This school was named Cólaiste Mhuire under the trusteeship of the Christian Brothers. The school retained in its temporary location for 2 years. In 1933 the school was relocated to no 25 Parnell Square and due to the rapid expansion of the school No 23-28 Parnell Square were occupied by the school over a period of time.

Due to the demand for places in the school a private preparatory school was established in 1938 to prepare boys for entry to Cólaiste Mhuire. This private preparatory school for boys aged 7-12 thrived until the late 1980’s. At this stage numbers dwindled due to a lesser demand for private primary education and a growing trend in the establishing of all Irish Primary Schools all over Dublin. At this stage the trustees (The Christian Brothers) decided to close the private preparatory school due to lack of funding. A group of parents in the school felt that this was a terrible blow to Irish and to the education being provided in the school. This group of parents set up a primary school for boys (aged 4-12) under the Department of Education and SKills in September 1988. The school was named Gaelscoil Cólaiste Mhuire.

Initially the school was granted temporary recognition but due to the demand for places in the school and its subsequent growth, the school was granted permanent recognition in 1991. In 1996 the school became co-educational.

Due to the poor condition of the buildings in 23-27 Parnell Square, the school was requested to relocate to temporary accommodation until a suitable permanent site could be identified. The primary school relocated to No 7 Parnell Square east in 2000 and awaits a suitable permanent location for the school.

There was a development plan which appears to have been abandoned and it listed the following elements:

The Architectural and Urban Heritage Impact Report states that the proposed development is to consist of:
“Refurbishment, alteration and adaptation of Nos 20-21 & 23-28 Parnell Square North – eight Georgian buildings, all protected structures last occupied by Dublin City Arts Office/The National Ballroom (Nos 20-21) and Colaiste Mhuire School (Nos 23-28).

Demolition of structures to the rear of Nos 23-28 Parnell Square North comprising the former Amharclann/Theatre building to the rear of Nos 26 & 27; boundary wall to Frederick Lane North and, the historic return structure to No 23, which were part of former school complex.

Development of a new part five storey over part basement building to the rear of Nos 23-28 which will be connected to Nos 23-28 to form a single library complex comprising the historic Georgian buildings and the new building.

Public Realm works to Parnell Square North comprising retention and repair of existing historic pavements with increased pavement widths in new stone; new street lighting, street furniture, tree planting and services infrastructure integrated within the ground and furniture elements to facilitate amenity uses associated with the cultural quarter and library.

Alterations to Frederick Lane North and Bethesda Place, both to the north of the proposed library complex, to allow for service and emergency vehicular access to the new library facility.

Relocation of existing Miami Showband memorial in front of Nos 20- 21.

HOLY CROSS AVENUE NO LONGER PROVIDES ACCESS TO HOLY CROSS COLLEGE

September 22, 2023 by infomatique

FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2023

The last time I visited the area I was able to access Holy Cross College site and parklands but today all entrances [except those to the Crosscare Hub and the Teen Counselling Service) were locked.

The college closed on 30 November 2016 when it was fully incorporated into the DCU Institute of Education, within which is The Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education (MDCCE) continuing its mission.

MY FIRST TIME TO WALK ALONG THIS SECTION OF THE SEAFRONT

September 21, 2023 by infomatique

ALONG THE DUBLIN ROAD IN SUTTON

I checked online and discovered that there are 130 properties for sale at the moment and yet I was told that it was difficult to find a property for sale in the area.

Sutton is a residential suburb on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. It occupies the tombolo which links Howth Head to the mainland, some of the lower slopes of Howth Hill, and a little of the adjacent coasts. The area lies within the jurisdiction of Fingal County Council. There is a small commercial core at the Sutton Cross road intersection.

Sutton lies in the ancient Barony of Coolock, within the traditional County Dublin.

Sutton is surrounded by many beaches. The Burrow Beach is particularly popular among locals and tourists. It is approximately 1.2 km and stretches from Sutton Golf Club to Howth, along one side of the tombolo connecting Howth Head to the mainland. Sutton Strand runs along the coast road and in front of St. Fintan’s church.

Sutton Park is a housing development formed within Kilbarrack lands, on the coastline of Dublin Bay, Ireland.

Built on the site of an old sand quarry and neighbouring fields, it was constructed in the 1960s, a decade prior to the Bayside streets to the west, with which it is usually grouped. Located between the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) line and the coastal Dublin Road, with access from Bayside Boulevard, Bayside Park and one external road link to the R105 coast road (itself a section of the Dublin-Howth-Holyhead-London road built by Thomas Telford in 1823). According to some accounts pedestrian access is also possible through Kilbarrack Cemetery, which stands between some of the Sutton Park streets and the sea [when I visited the cemetery today there was no passage through the cemetery as the only access was via the Dublin Road … there is only one gate].

THE AREA NEAR THE UPPER LAKE

September 18, 2023 by infomatique

I DID NOT REALISE THAT THERE ARE THREE LAKES ON THE UCD CAMPUS

I had an appointment on Roebuck Road but it was cancelled on my arrival for various reasons. As I had a camera with me I decided to take advantage of the recently upgraded Roebuck Road Entrance to the UCD Campus.

Developed in conjunction with the building of the Arts, Administration and Library buildings in the 1970s the main UCD Lake was the original focal point or the campus. It is now joined by the Upper Lake which forms a second focal point between the UCD Engineering and Materials Science Centre, UCD Sutherland School of Law, UCD Quinn School of Business, Gerald Manley Hopkins international Centre and Daedalus buildings.

The new Upper Lake acts as a natural rain water treatment facility and was built in conjunction with the UCD Sutherland School of Law Building. This constructed wetland, covering an area of 6,000m2, with a water body in excess of 9 million litres, will develop over time providing a wildlife corridor between the perimeter and central core of the campus. The length of the water body is specially designed to allow for colonisation by swans. The large selection of marginal planting includes food plants and vegetated islands for wildlife. In total approximately 22,000 new plants are being planted including 105 new trees, 2,500 woodland and hedging plants, 8,000 wetland plants and 11,500 spring bulbs.

The Upper Lake also completes the first section of the belt-walk landscape which forms part of the wider master plan for campus circulation.

The Lower or “Secret” Lakes are situated behind the UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre and UCD Conway Institute. They are part of an original water course that has been developed into reed beds and ponds to encourage biodiversity and forms part of the Millennium Oak Walk.