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SAINT CONLETH’S STATUE AND GARDEN

August 18, 2024 by infomatique

NAAS ROAD NEWBRIDGE COUNTY KILDARE

Within the serene grounds of St Conleth’s Church in Newbridge, a tranquil garden and a poignant statue honour Saint Conleth. The statue portrays the saint with a child perched upon his shoulders, holding aloft a St Bridget’s Cross.

Saint Conleth, a man of many talents, was an Irish hermit, metalworker, and reputed copyist and illuminator of manuscripts. It is believed that he hailed from the picturesque Wicklow area.

While leading a solitary life at Old Connell on the River Liffey, in what is now Newbridge, he was persuaded by the revered Saint Brigid to serve as a priest for her monastic community in Kildare. Around 490 AD, he became the first Bishop of Kildare. Cogitosus, in his insightful “Life of Brigid,” refers to him as the esteemed “bishop and abbot of the monks of Kildare”.

Tragically, Conleth’s life was cut short in 519 AD when he was attacked by wolves in the dense forests of Leinster while on a pilgrimage to Rome. He was laid to rest nearby. In 799 AD, his relics were transported and placed beside Brigid’s in the grand cathedral in Kildare. Finally, in 835 AD, his relics were returned to their final resting place in Connell.

Saint Conleth is the revered patron saint of the Catholic St Conleth’s Parish, encompassing Newbridge and its surrounding areas. Old Connell, the site of Conleth’s original cell, now a peaceful graveyard, lies within the parish boundaries.

A testament to Saint Conleth’s renowned metalwork skills is the crozier that he crafted for Saint Finbarr of Termonbarry.

THE YOUNGER PERFORMERS – NEPAL IRELAND DAY CELEBRATION

July 10, 2024 by infomatique

7 JULY 2024

I WALKED ALONG MARTIN’S ROW TO CHAPELIZOD

April 9, 2024 by infomatique

KNOCKMAROON HILL TO CHURCH LANE

Derelict Buildings and Changing Traditions in Chapelizod

A walk along Martin’s Row in Chapelizod, from the base of Knockmaroon Hill towards Church Lane, reveals a fascinating mix of architectural styles and, sadly, several derelict buildings. Among these are the Mulberry Cottages, many of which were added to the Dublin City Derelict Sites Register in 2022 despite being abandoned for over 15 years.

Chapelizod’s Market Square: Heart of the Village

Martin’s Row forms part of the traditional commercial centre of Chapelizod, an elongated Y-shaped plan where it widens into the historic market square. Reflecting its role as a central meeting place, the square has undergone recent improvements and is a key public space within the village. Its strong historical character is evident in the varying heights and periods of the buildings lining its eastern edge.

While once dominated by an industrial complex on its southern side (now mostly replaced by apartment developments), the market square retains a feeling of transition as it narrows towards the northwest.

Martin’s Row: A Tapestry of History

Along Martin’s Row, leading up Knockmaroon Hill, a mix of architectural styles reflects Chapelizod’s development over time. You’ll find rural cottages, two-story houses, and gated country homes, hinting at its history as a route into the village. St. Mary’s Terrace, with its fine Victorian red-brick houses, is another visual highlight, while the Phoenix Park wall borders the north side of Knockmaroon Hill.

Challenges and Opportunities

Like many historic areas, Chapelizod faces the issue of derelict buildings. Factors contributing to this include the age of structures, ownership complexities, economic shifts, and the need to balance conservation with redevelopment.

The seemingly limited number of shops in Chapelizod is likely due to its proximity to Dublin city centre, the impact of online shopping, and perhaps a stronger focus on pubs and restaurants catering to visitors. However, there are initiatives to address derelict sites and potential to attract businesses that complement Chapelizod’s unique charm.

A DISPLAY OF SPRING FLOWERS

April 8, 2024 by infomatique

THE MILL FIELD IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Typical Irish Spring Blooms

Ireland’s mild, maritime climate encourages a delightful display of spring flowers, including:

Daffodils: Cheerful symbols of spring, their bright yellow trumpets are iconic.
Primroses: These delicate, pale yellow flowers are often among the first to appear.
Bluebells: Carpets of vibrant bluebells create magical woodland scenes.
Snowdrops: These dainty white flowers symbolize hope and the end of winter.
Crocuses: Their vibrant colours add a pop of cheer to gardens and roadsides.
Early Flowering: Causes and Trends

There is strong evidence suggesting that many of Ireland’s spring flowers are blooming significantly earlier than in past decades. Here’s what might be happening:

Climate Change: Warmer average temperatures, particularly milder winters, disrupt plants’ natural cycles. This can trigger earlier flowering as plants misinterpret warmer weather as the start of spring.

Data Tracking: Detailed record-keeping by organisations like the National Biodiversity Data Centre helps track these changes compared to historical trends.

Local Variability: Weather patterns differ across Ireland, so the extent of early blooming varies. Urban areas might experience more pronounced effects due to the “heat island” effect.

Upsides and Downsides of Early Blooming

The consequences of these shifts are complex:

Positives:

Longer display of spring flowers for people to enjoy.
Potentially a head start for some pollinators, particularly if insects emerge earlier alongside blooms.

Negatives:

Mismatch with pollinators: If flowers bloom much earlier than insects emerge, there’s a risk of food shortages for pollinators and pollination failure for plants.

Vulnerability to Frost: Early buds and flowers may be damaged by late frosts, which are still possible in spring.

Ecosystem Disruption: The delicate balance of nature depends on timing. Changes in flowering can disrupt food chains and the interactions between species.

The Bigger Picture

Early-blooming spring flowers are one indicator of a changing climate. While these shifts might seem subtle at first, they could have cascading effects on Ireland’s ecosystems over time. Continued monitoring and research are essential to understand the long-term consequences and potential ways to help wildlife adapt.

As the were strong winds during my visit as and as the flowers were in constant motion I had to use very high shutter speeds and as a result the images contain a lot of noise.

A SPLASH OF COLOUR AT THE BOTANIC GARDENS DURING STORM KATHLEEN

April 6, 2024 by infomatique

6 APRIL 2024 WAS A VERY WINDY DAY

Battling the Wind at the Botanic Gardens

Storm Kathleen’s winds were whipping through Dublin today, and even the National Botanic Gardens weren’t immune. I’d ventured out with dreams of capturing the beauty of the spring blooms – flowering trees, bushes, and shrubs in all their glory. The Botanic Gardens are renowned for their Rhododendrons, and I was particularly eager to photograph these vibrant flowers.

It should be mentioned that there is an ongoing debate surrounding Rhododendrons, especially their invasive nature in areas like Killarney National Park. Putting that aside for the moment, my main obstacle became the weather itself. The wind was fierce, making the branches and flowers dance so wildly that photographing them clearly became an almost impossible feat. The persistent rain didn’t help matters either!

Despite the challenges I am reasonably happy with the resulting images.