William Murphy

HAD A VERY GOOD SUNDAY LUNCH AT GLEESONS

January 30, 2023 by infomatique

BOOTERSTOWN AVENUE 30 JANUARY 2023

My mother will be 103 years old in May 2023 but for various reasons we have had cancel any celebrations planned for 2020, 2021 and 2022. To compensate we had planned a large event this year but once again it had to be cancelled so my sister and myself decided to organise a meal at Gleesons on Booterstown Avenue but life got a bit confused as the staff thought that it was a birthday party. However, we had a wonderful time and my mother really enjoyed herself.

“Located in the leafy suburb of Booterstown, Co Dublin, Gleesons of Booterstown is an award-winning family run boutique hotel, restaurant and bar. Home to 16 luxurious en suites, which compliment the multi award-winning Bar, Pub, Restaurant, deli and off license.”

SANDYMOUNT OPEN AIR SWIMMING BATHS

January 29, 2023 by infomatique

DERELICT FOR ABOUT 100 YEARS

Designed by Frederick Morley, the Merrion Pier, Promenade and Baths in 1863. The baths did not operate all year round but were usually open from late May until September. A national publication noted in 1863 that the cost of admittance was well beyond what a labourer could afford, particularly if accompanied by his wife and children.

The baths measured approximately 40 by 40 metres, with a 75-metre pier added in 1884. The pier featured a bandstand halfway along it and summer concerts were regularly held there for many years. By 1920, the pier had deteriorated so much that it had to be demolished. The concrete baths section, which resembles a small harbour, remains.

THE WHITE MOOSE CAFE IS DUE TO CLOSE NEXT TUESDAY

January 28, 2023 by infomatique

CHARLEVILLE LODGE

Sadly this restaurant had no option other than to close next Tuesday (31 January 2023) as the building where they operate from has been sold. I believe that it is their intention to reopen at some later date if they can find a suitable location.

Here is the statement:

It is with both sadness and delight that I announce that our family business Charleville Lodge Dublin has been sold.

My parents bought the business in 1994 and I joined in 2003, 20 years ago. My folks are now getting to the point in their lives that they would like to retire and I have no interest in being in Dublin anymore. Several months ago, we were made an offer we couldn’t refuse, and so, on 31st Jan 2023, Charleville Lodge will be changing hands.

We wish the new owners every success in what they do. We made it very clear that all staff be retained so we are pleased to say that all of the team, some of whom have been with us for over 20 years (Chris, Irina), will be kept on by the new owners.

As for The White Moose Café, the new owners have no interest in retaining a café, so the White Moose HQ is now on the lookout for a new home too.

However, I am now at the point in my life where I think my days working in food are over. I was never really cut out for working in hospitality. My strengths are in entertainment/writing/acting the clown. As such, I am willing to sell the White Moose brand to anyone mad enough to carry it on. I will only sell it to someone who will be able to continue the White Moose story well into the future and keep our customers smiling.

There are so many people that I’d like to thank for making Charleville Lodge / White Moose Café the success that it is, but the word count won’t allow me. I am grateful to every customer who walked in our door. Even the vegans, the gluten intolerant and the review writers (the bloggers can still piss off).

Thank you to every staff member, even those of you who thought I was a right bollox, for your incredible service and loyalty. Thank you to my ex partner (in crime) Jason for setting up the White Moose with me. Most importantly, thank you to Mom and Dad for giving me a platform to create a name for myself.

What happens next is still uncertain, but one thing’s for sure, my antics will continue in whatever I do. Charleville Lodge/White Moose Cafe may be gone, but Paul Stenson isn’t going anywhere.

Much love always,

I have never eaten at the White Moose but few friends told me that it is the place to go for breakfast. Anyway, this restaurant became famous for their response to an online reviewer seeking a free meal and accommodation which you can read here https://www.facebook.com/WhiteMooseCafe/posts/dear-social-influencer-i-know-your-name-but-apparently-its-not-important-to-use-/2048406742106598/

WHEN WILL CLERYS REOPEN

January 21, 2023 by infomatique

I HAVE NO IDEA

Clerys is being redeveloped into a mixed-use development of offices, retail and leisure called Clerys Quarter. Press Up Entertainment (run by Paddy McKillen Jr and Matt Ryan, and known for a number of pubs, bars and hotels as well as Wowburger and Tower Records Ireland) will operate a boutique hotel which will be called The Clery, with the hotel also including a rooftop bar and a restaurant.

Clerys was a long-established department store on O’Connell Street in Dublin, Ireland, a focal point of the street. The business dates from 1853, however the current building dates from 1922, having been completely destroyed in the 1916 Easter Rising. Clerys completed a five-year restoration programme in 2004 at a cost of €24 million. A renovation project is currently underway to restore the building and will include converting the layout from that of a department store to that of various businesses operating under the same roof.

The group also included three “At Home With Clerys” homewares stores in out-of-town retail parks at Blanchardstown, Leopardstown and Naas; and the discount department store Guiney and Co (a different company to the Guineys chain) at 79-80 Talbot Street; all of which closed during the 2012 receivership. There had formerly been a fashion-only outlet in The Square, Tallaght but this had already closed by the time of the receivership.

THE LATEST AND LARGEST STAYCITY APARTHOTEL IN DUBLIN

January 21, 2023 by infomatique

LITTLE MARY STREET

As the street is very narrow it is difficult to photograph this new building. The laneway at the side of the building is Anglesea Row and to the best of my knowledge a former mill was located was located here and it has been completely rebuilt to provide modern office space.

Two or three years ago the Irish Times reported that there about 100 new hotels or similar accommodation developments under construction or in the planning process and that there were already more than 250 hotels in Dublin.

Staycity was established in Dublin in 2004 and to the best of my knowledge the largest and most recent is located on the site of a Keelings owned fresh fruit and veg distribution depot on Little Mary Street. Back when planning permission was applied for However, the potential for human remains on the site had placed a question mark over the development. A City Council archaeologist report found that given that the site is located near to a medieval abbey and that human remains were found nearby, “I consider that it to have high potential for in situ structural remains of medieval date and for burials”.

An apartment hotel or aparthotel (also residential hotel, or extended-stay hotel) is a serviced apartment complex that uses a hotel-style booking system. It is similar to renting an apartment, but with no fixed contracts and occupants can “check out” whenever they wish, subject to the applicable minimum length of stay imposed by the company.

An apartment hotel complex usually offers a complete fully fitted apartment. These complexes are usually custom built, and similar to a hotel complex containing a varied amount of apartments. The length of stay in these apartment hotels is varied with anywhere from a few days to months or even years. The people who stay in apartment hotels use them as long-term accommodation; therefore, the hotels are often fitted with most things the average home would require.