April 2024

MONSTER HASHTAG SHORT VIDEO

May 31, 2024 by infomatique

I SAW THIS WHILE STROLLING ALONG CAPEL STREET

CAPEL STREET IN MAY 2024

Today (30 April) the city unveild a giant hashtag sculpture on Capel Street to recognise the award. This EU initiative will involve facilitating various events, engagements, and activities that will focus on best practices in sustainable tourism

I only noticed this structure a few days ago and by the following day someone had painted over the QR panel.

Dublin: A Shining Example of Smart Tourism in 2024

Dublin, Ireland is leading the way in the development of innovative, sustainable, and inclusive tourism practices. The European Commission recognised this commitment by awarding the city the designation of European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024. This honour highlights Dublin’s success in utilising technology and community collaboration to enhance the experience of both visitors and residents.

What is Smart Tourism?

Smart tourism goes beyond simple digitisation. It’s a philosophy that focuses on:

Sustainability: Reducing environmental impact through initiatives like promoting green transportation and supporting eco-friendly businesses.
Accessibility: Ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can comfortably explore and enjoy what the city has to offer.
Innovation: Using technology to improve visitor experiences, streamline services, and gather data to guide future tourism development.
Inclusivity: Involving local communities in tourism planning and ensuring that the benefits of tourism are shared across Dublin’s diverse neighbourhoods.

Dublin’s Smart Tourism Initiatives

Dublin’s journey to becoming a smart tourism leader has involved numerous impactful projects:

The Smart Dublin Initiative: This collaborative program brings together the city council, businesses, and universities to develop innovative solutions for urban challenges, including those related to tourism.

Dublin Dashboard: Residents and visitors alike can access real-time data about traffic, public transport, air quality, footfall, and more to make informed travel decisions.

Sustainable Tourism Practices: The city has committed to ambitious carbon reduction targets and actively promotes eco-conscious tourism options.

Accessible Dublin: Dublin works to continuously improve accessibility across its attractions, transportation systems, and accommodations.

Why Visit Dublin in 2024

As the European Capital of Smart Tourism, Dublin offers visitors a unique and enriching experience in 2024:

Engaging with Technology: Interactive displays, augmented reality experiences, and smart signage enhance visits to museums, historical sites, and throughout the city.
Green Exploration: Dublin offers easy access to cycling paths, e-bike rentals, electric public transport, and walking tours – all promoting environmentally-friendly movement.
Celebrating Community: The city puts a spotlight on local neighbourhoods and businesses, encouraging visitors to discover Dublin’s unique and diverse character.
Events and Programs: 2024 brings a special calendar of events, conferences, and initiatives focused on smart tourism, sustainability, and innovation.
Dublin’s Legacy

Dublin’s efforts not only make for a fantastic 2024 visitor experience, but also pave the way for the future of tourism:

Sharing Best Practices: Dublin openly shares its successful smart tourism strategies, encouraging collaboration with and inspiring other cities across Europe.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Dublin demonstrates how data collection on visitor trends and behaviours can lead to more informed and effective tourism management.
A Model for Change: Dublin acts as a beacon, proving that sustainable, accessible, and tech-driven tourism can be both beneficial and forward-thinking.

Plan Your Visit

To plan your smart tourism trip to Dublin, visit the European Capital of Smart Tourism – Dublin.ie website. Discover innovative experiences, sustainable accommodations, and accessible travel options throughout this vibrant European capital.

OLD DERELICT COTTAGES AND STACGORY CHURCHYARD

April 30, 2024 by infomatique

MILL LANE IN PALMERSTOWN 28 APRIL 2024

EXPLORE THE FULL LENGTH OF MILL LANE

Hidden History: Old Derelict Cottages and Stacgory Churchyard, Palmerstown

Step back in time on Mill Lane, Palmerstown, where a row of derelict cottages whispers tales of the village’s past. Dating back to the 1880s, it’s believed these were once part of the bustling village heart, with one perhaps serving as the local tavern.

Intriguing Mysteries

Two plaques on the end house, marked “MAY AND” and “SHANKS WAY,” pose a fascinating puzzle. What secrets do they hold? Perhaps they are linked to past residents or hidden byways of the old village.

Speaking of secrets, a hidden right of way near these cottages is rumoured to lead to a historic gem: Stacgory Church and its ancient graveyard. Legend has it this path once connected villagers to a ferry crossing the River Liffey, offering a scenic path to the Strawberry Beds.

Uncovering Stacgory Churchyard

While you may encounter restricted access on Mill Lane, Stacgory Churchyard paints a captivating scene on Google Maps. Sadly, enhancing access to this treasure is currently stalled, as the land isn’t publicly owned. However, there may be a way to catch a glimpse…

This site, steeped in local lore, is said to trace its origins to Princess Isolt, and boasts Latin inscriptions within its aged walls. Even from afar, it evokes a sense of mystery and echoes of the past.

[UPDATE 29 APRIL] Today I came across the following information:

Stacgory, located in Palmerstown, Dublin, is a place steeped in history and quiet contemplation. The site features the remnants of an ancient church and a sprawling, atmospheric graveyard that provides a fascinating glimpse into the past.

The ruins of Stacgory church date as far back as the 11th or 12th century, possibly even earlier. While time has worn away much of the structure, the remaining stone walls evoke a sense of the site’s historical significance. You can imagine the generations of worship that took place within those ancient walls.

Surrounding the church ruins is a sprawling graveyard that was in active use until the mid-1700s. The weathered headstones display diverse styles and inscriptions, transporting visitors back through centuries of Irish history. Some graves are adorned with intricate carvings and symbols, providing insight into the funerary traditions of the time.

Stacgory possesses a uniquely tranquil and reflective atmosphere. The quiet whisper of the wind passing through the aged headstones and the gentle rustling of leaves in the surrounding trees create a sense of serene timelessness. It’s a place to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life, to connect with history, and to consider the passage of time.

Location: Stacgory is situated off Mill Lane in Redcowfarm, Palmerstown. It’s accessible on foot or by car [I am not convinced by this claim].

Photography: The site is a popular spot for photographers interested in history and atmospheric settings.

Here are the directions to the Stacgory Church, also known as the Old Palmerstown Church in Dublin:

Take the N4 exit for Palmerstown .
At the first set of traffic lights, take a left turn into the Village.
At the T-junction in the Village, turn right.
Then take the left-hand turn onto Mill Lane.
You can park at the sharp right elbow turn at the top of this road and you will see the fence to your left.

Please note that the site is owned by a developer and there is a sign saying “Trespassers will be prosecuted”. However, the state of the fence and sign indicates that the site may be overgrown and not actively monitored.

There is a kind of access gate in the left-hand corner of the fence. A short walk along a sort of trail leads to the ruin.

PALMERSTOWN VILLAGE [THE CORE]

April 30, 2024 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 28 APRIL 2024

VISIT MILL LANE IN PALMERSTOWN

Today I took a bus at random and selected a stop at random and I ended up at the Oval in Palmerstown an area that I had never before visited. I crossed the Chapelizod Bypass and followed the Old Lucan Road which passes through Palmerstown Village.

Palmerstown is a suburb located in western Dublin, Ireland, sitting on the banks of the River Liffey. It’s a vibrant area with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. The village centre retains a charming old-world feel, providing a delightful contrast to the modern developments in surrounding areas.

Palmerstown is strategically situated. It lies off the old N4 road (now the R148), which once acted as the main route out of Dublin city to the west of Ireland. Palmerstown borders the areas of Lucan, Clondalkin, Ballyfermot, and Chapelizod. It’s also conveniently close to the M50 motorway, providing easy access to other parts of Dublin and beyond.

The Spelling: Palmerstown vs. Palmerston

The official spelling of the area is Palmerstown. However, the historical spelling ‘Palmerston’ remains evident in places like Palmerston Park in Rathmines. This spelling difference reflects historical changes and the Irish language influence.

Origin of the Name: Both ‘Palmerstown’ and ‘Palmerston’ derive from Aelred the Palmer, a 12th-century pilgrim who founded a monastery in the area. ‘Palmer’ was a term referring to a pilgrim who had traveled to the Holy Land, often carrying a palm branch as a symbol.

The Irish version of the name is ‘Baile Phámar’, which translates directly as ‘Palmer’s Town’. Over time, the official English spelling shifted closer to reflect this Irish name, resulting in ‘Palmerstown.’

Palmerston Park in Rathmines was named after Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston. He was a prominent British statesman in the 19th century who owned land in the area. While the park shares a similar name origin, it’s important to note its distinct location and historical connection to a different figure.

THE RIVER LIFFEY AT PALMERSTOWN -231985-1

April 30, 2024 by infomatique

28 APRIL 2024

MORE ABOUT PALMERSTOWN

Exploring Palmerstown: History, the Liffey, and the Tale of the Ferry

My first visit to Palmerstown left me eager to return, despite only having my iPhone for photos. This suburb on Dublin’s western edge holds historical surprises, especially along the River Liffey, which charts its own course through Dublin’s story.

Palmerstown Through the Ages

“Old Palmerstown” refers to the village’s historic heart at the end of Mill Lane, predating the 20th century by a long stretch. Its history traces back to at least the 12th century, when a pilgrim known as Ailred the Palmer founded a religious institution, lending the area its name.

Over time, Palmerstown bustled with mills powered by the River Liffey. The 18th century alone saw the French, Linen, Plating, Longwood, and Skin Mills thriving along its banks. In the mid-20th century, further development resulted in the division often referred to as “Old” and “New” Palmerstown.

The Intriguing Ferry to the Strawberry Beds

Across the Liffey lies the Strawberry Beds, an area known for its sun-drenched slopes once bursting with the sweet fruit. For centuries, a ferry service linked Palmerstown to this charming destination – or did it?

My curiosity piqued by the claim of a 320-year-old ferry, I decided to investigate. While some accounts might be conflating the Palmerstown-Strawberry Beds crossing with broader Liffey services, there’s compelling evidence for a dedicated ferry.

1836 maps reveal two ferries near Palmerstown – one likely served the prominent Guinness family, who owned land in the area. Eventually, this crossing was replaced by an iron bridge. Interestingly, a ford usable in favourable conditions is also marked, located near today’s Strawberry Hall pub. The cobblestones laid to assist horses and carts remain visible on the riverbed!

Even into the 1960s, ferries offered reliable passage during floods, their operators deeply familiar with the river’s currents. Many local families also kept their own boats for crossing.

Palmerstown Today

Palmerstown and the Strawberry Beds hold echoes of the past within their modern setting. Whether you stroll the Liffey’s banks or delve into historical records, a fascinating journey awaits. I look forward to returning, this time with a proper camera!

GRATTAN BRIDGE AND NEARBY

April 18, 2024 by infomatique

ON A REALLY WET DAY IN APRIL 2024

Grattan Bridge in Dublin

History

Essex Bridge (1676): Grattan Bridge’s predecessor was Essex Bridge, the first bridge constructed at this location. Built by Sir Humphrey Jervis, it opened in 1676, connecting Capel Street’s Dutch-style mansions to the south of the River Liffey.

Collapse and Reconstruction (1751-55): Essex Bridge was prone to flooding and partially collapsed in 1751. George Semple, a renowned architect, designed a new five-arched masonry bridge completed in 1755.

Widening and Renaming (1872-74): In the 1870s, the bridge was remodeled to accommodate wider roadways and footpaths. Designed by Parke Neville and Bindon Blood Stoney, cast-iron supports extended the bridge outward, creating space for pavements, ornate lamp standards, and wrought iron parapets. It reopened as Grattan Bridge in 1874, named after the Irish parliamentarian Henry Grattan.

20th Century Refurbishments: The bridge underwent further upgrades throughout the 20th century, with major refurbishment in 2002 to improve structural integrity and upgrade pedestrian walkways.

Features

Architectural Style: Grattan Bridge blends elements of its 18th-century origins with the Victorian-era additions. This includes the original masonry arches combined with the later cast-iron extensions.

Ornate Lamp Standards: One of the bridge’s most distinctive features is the series of cast-iron lampposts that line the exterior. Some of these posts feature decorative mythical hippocampus figures (part horse, part fish).

River View: The bridge offers scenic views of the River Liffey, showcasing both the historic Dublin cityscape and its more modern developments.

Significance

Historical Landmark: Grattan Bridge is one of the oldest bridges spanning the Liffey, embodying the architectural changes Dublin has seen over centuries.

Central Location: Connecting Capel Street to Parliament Street and the southside, Grattan Bridge sits at a bustling point in Dublin’s heart.

Symbol of Irish Independence: Its renaming honors Henry Grattan, a prominent politician who advocated for greater Irish legislative independence in the 18th century.

Visiting Grattan Bridge

Grattan Bridge is a busy artery in the heart of Dublin:

Walk Across: Experience it as part of a stroll along the Liffey or while exploring central Dublin.
Appreciate the Architecture: Take a moment to admire the lamp standards, ironwork, and blend of architectural styles.
Nearby Landmarks: Combine your visit with exploring Capel Street, City Hall (just across the river), or Dublin Castle a short distance south.