William Murphy

THE GUINNESS CLOCK AT THE CLOCK PUB ON THOMAS STREET

February 18, 2023 by infomatique

WILL CEASE TRADING 18-19 FEBRUARY 2023

I photographed this pub back in December 2018 as I was in the process of photographing Guinness clocks around the city.

A few days ago I was in the Thomas Street area and a local who was interested in my camera and the history of the area mentioned that I will have my last chance the get the best pint in Dublin on the weekend as the Clock Pub [including the whole block] was to be demolished.

Today it was mentioned in some publications that the building in which the Clock is located has been sold and that the pub would close this weekend [18-13 February 2023] and that the future of the site as uncertain.

THE GUINNESS CLOCK AT THE CLOCK PUB ON THOMAS STREET

HOW IS IT GOING IN THE NEWMARKET AREA OF DUBLIN

February 18, 2023 by infomatique

I WILL LET YOU DECIDE

To some extent I have lost track of progress in the Newmarket Area of Dublin so I decided to visit a few days ago and take a few photographs using my iPhone 12 Pro Max. I will revisit the general area using a better camera within a few weeks.

The Newmarket area is currently undergoing significant change. As part of this change, redevelopment of the larger blocks should eventually contribute to the creation of a permeable, active network of pedestrian streets, as identified in the Guiding Principles Map produced by Dublin City Council. In particular, development should deliver active and animated frontages along the building edges, in particular, at the Cork St. and Newmarket Square interfaces. In this regard, development should respond to the emerging public realm improvements at Newmarket Square and surrounds.

In this area, base heights should be 6-8 storeys, where heritage, built form character and residential amenity considerations allow. However, along the Cork St. frontage, heights should respond to the prevailing heights on this part of the street. The opportunity for locally higher buildings up to 12-14 storeys to provide urban design and placemaking benefits to the emerging character of the Newmarket area exists at the identified locations.

Better integration of Newmarket with the Coombe and areas further to the north as part of any public realm works to Cork St. or as part of the BusConnects project will be pursued.

Community and cultural uses at Newmarket Square should be protected into the future.

WHERE IS THE BICYCLE LANE

February 17, 2023 by infomatique

WHY IS FRANCIS STREET STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS

SEE HIGH-RES SLIDE SHOW

The Street is on one way street but there is no sign of a bicycle lane despite the fact that there is a DublinBikes Docking Station at one end of the street. Here is an extract from the mission statement: “Francis Street Environmental Improvement Scheme aims to upgrade the public realm of this key part of Dublin’s street heritage through the realignment of the street and footpaths. The main aims and objectives of the Francis Street Environmental Improvement Scheme include providing a more pedestrian-friendly environment along the street, improving the environment for vulnerable road users (pedestrians and bike users) and providing a safe environment for people of all ages and all levels of physical ability, by providing designated crossing areas.”

I cannot that FrancisStreet has been, effectively, a building site for at least six years and while I was lead to believe that all work would be, according to the most recent updates, completed by completed by now but there has been little sign of progress since my last visit.

In July 2021 Dublin City Council published the following Tweet: “Work on the Francis St Environmental Improvement Scheme is set to start on Mon 5th July. When completed, the scheme will provide wider footpaths, new granite paved public spaces to the front of the Iveagh Market & St Nicholas de Myra Church. 20 new trees & landscaped areas, new street furniture, and the reorganisation of car parking and loading on the street. The project will take 10 months to complete. #Dublin #YourCouncilDay”.

Previously I read the following: “With a strong emphasis on pedestrians, the plan envisages widened pavements and new threshold spaces to the front of the Iveagh Market and St Nicholas de Myra Church. The current awkward widening and narrowing of the carriageway will give way to a consistent width and measures to reduce speeds and allow for more relaxed cycling and easier crossing. Changes to car parking and loading arrangements, 20 new street trees and landscaped areas, sustainable urban drainage measures (SUDs), new street lighting, street furniture and utilities will all serve to create a much improved street and establish Francis Street as a destination.” At the time I did not notice that there was no mention of bicycle lanes.

WOOD QUAY CIVIC OFFICES AND NEARBY

February 15, 2023 by infomatique

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL

The Wood Quay site was allocated as a proposed headquarters of Dublin City Council in the 1940s but construction did not begin until the early 1980s due to the discovery of the remains of the Viking city.

The monumental towers were built to a design by Sam Stephenson, whose original design included two more towers to the north-west. However the latter part of the design was shelved, with the later phase of the offices built to a design by Scott Tallon Walker in the late 1990s. A strong horizontal emphasis is created by recessed window strips, which articulate the facades.

The later connecting glass atrium to the centre provides a contrast to the solidity of the granite cladding, the combination of these materials characteristic of contemporary architecture. The building has continued in its original use and remains a controversial but focal point and landmark structure in the city.

LONELY BRONZE COW AT WOOD QUAY

February 14, 2023 by infomatique

EXILED FROM WOLFE TONE SQUARE

This bronze sculpture of a cow was relocated to Wood Quay while Wolfe Tone Park was being redeveloped and while this may be a more pleasant location I would prefer to have it at Wolfe Tone Park as it was very popular with local children and at its current location no one appears to notice it

Ag Crú na Gréine “Enjoying the Sun” (2003) by Jackie McKenna

Wolfe Tone Park & Street Environmental Improvement Scheme offers a new destination point for all, as an ever-changing civic space where daily life and spectacle collide. The contextual design offers a thriving and inviting multi-use urban space for all ages and abilities, to be treasured by residents, workers and visitors.