THE 2024 PHOTO BLOG

FROM CORSETS TO HOTEL ROOMS OR THE TRANSFORMATION OF TWILFIT HOUSE

February 29, 2024 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED FEBRUARY 2024

A familiar building complex on Jervis Street and Abbey Street in Dublin, once home to a Ben Dunne Gym and the National Leprechaun Museum, has recently been demolished. Unbeknownst to many, the building held a piece of Dublin’s history as Twilfit House. This demolition to make way for a new Premier Inn hotel highlights the ever changing landscape of Dublin.

Twilfit House History

Twilfit House, a three-story, early 20th-century building, was completed around 1930. It was named after the popular corset brand “Twilfit,” manufactured by Leethems. The building served as the company’s Irish headquarters, featuring spacious, well-lit factory floors. Twilfit House represented a shift in Irish industry, moving from home-based production to larger, dedicated workspaces.

Architecturally, the building showcased late Art Deco style, with geometric lines, curved accents, and large windows for ample manufacturing light. While the corset factory is long gone, the building remained until its recent demolition.

The New Development

UK-based Premier Inn developers and owners, Whitebread, purchased Twilfit House and adjacent buildings with the intent to demolish them for a new hotel development. This has sparked debate about preserving Dublin’s historic buildings. Whitebread received planning permission for a 7-story, 180-bedroom hotel and intends to follow the original design by The O’Toole Partnership. While initial projections suggested a 2022 opening, it’s likely the project has faced delays.

Twilfit House’s prime location near O’Connell Street, Temple Bar, Trinity College, and the Jervis Street Luas stop makes it highly attractive for this development.

Contextualising the Change

The Capel Street area is experiencing a surge in hotel development due to factors like its strategic location, increased tourism, revitalization efforts, and developer interest. This rapid growth will impact the area, increasing visitor capacity, potentially boosting the economy, but also possibly altering the streetscape and raising concerns about balancing tourist needs with those of long-term residents.

The Fate of the Leprechaun Museum

Sadly, the National Leprechaun Museum, also housed in the demolished complex, permanently closed in June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on tourism. While there were hopes of finding a new location, no concrete reopening plans exist at this time.

Wikipedia currently includes the following description:

The National Leprechaun Museum is a privately owned museum dedicated to Irish folklore and mythology, through the oral tradition of storytelling. It is located on Jervis Street in Dublin, Ireland, since 10 March 2010. It claims to be the first leprechaun museum in the world.[1] The Irish Times has referred to it as the “Louvre of leprechauns”.

Tom O’Rahilly designed the museum (with the collaboration of two Italian designers, Elena Micheli and Walter Scipioni) and is its director. O’Rahilly began working on his museum in 2003.

He views it as a “story-telling” tourist attraction designed to give visitors “the leprechaun experience” and introduce visitors to Ireland’s rich storytelling history.

Visitors to the museum follow a guided tour involving several different rooms; each serving as sets for the stories and information. The basics of Leprechaun folklore are explained, including what it is that defines a leprechaun. A history of leprechaun references in popular culture is included, such as Walt Disney’s visit to Ireland which led to his 1959 film Darby O’Gill and the Little People.

There is a tunnel full of optical illusions, a wooden replica of the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and a room where items such as furniture become unusually large to give the effect that the visitor has become smaller in size.

References to other creatures are included in the tour such as the púca, fairies, banshee and many more. At the end of the tour visitors arrive at a shop where they can purchase souvenirs and merchandise.

Final Thoughts

The demolition of Twilfit House marks a significant transformation for this Dublin corner. It highlights the tension between preserving history and accommodating the city’s evolving needs.

EXPLORING CHANCERY STREET

February 29, 2024 by infomatique

A QUICK HISTORY AND A FEW GEMS

Dublin’s Chancery Street holds a wealth of history, from its origins as Pill Lane to its current mix of old and new. Recently, I explored this fascinating street on foot, uncovering its stories and observing some changes along the way.

Chancery Street’s original name was Pill Lane, with some sources suggesting the name could relate to a waterway called “The Pill” or could be a reference to apothecaries and physicians once situated nearby. The street was renamed Chancery Street in the late 1800s, reflecting its proximity to the Court of Chancery, a significant legal institution located in the adjacent Four Courts complex.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Chancery Street was primarily residential. You’d find homes of merchants, professionals, and some grander townhouses. During the 19th century, as Dublin faced population growth and housing shortages, many original houses on Chancery Street were subdivided into tenements. This led to overcrowded living conditions and a decline in the area’s status. In the early 20th century, Dublin Corporation initiated social housing programs. This led to the demolition of some of the old tenements and the construction of new apartment blocks, like Chancery House in the 1930s.

Like many inner-city areas, Chancery Street has faced its share of challenges with urban decay and social issues. However, efforts towards heritage preservation and recent investment in the broader Smithfield area signal a potential for positive transformations in the future.

Sadly, it seems Fegan’s 1924 Cafe, a unique cash-free establishment, is no longer operating. While there’s no official confirmation, online listings suggest it’s permanently closed. Another change is the apparent closure of the longstanding Hughes Bar. It’s a recent development, with limited information available. The arrival of the Hampton by Hilton Hotel signals a shift for the area, replacing a less aesthetically pleasing building. Just across from the former Hughes Bar lies the delightful Chancery Park, a haven worth exploring in more detail (see the dedicated section below).

My walk continued along the tram tracks, bringing me to the Four Courts stop. Beyond the iconic Four Courts building, I found the Dublin District Court County Office with its rather long name, as well as the historic Bridewell Garda Station. Housed in a grand Georgian building, the Bridewell is a fascinating landmark. It opened in 1802 as a prison and carries the historically significant name “Bridewell.” Its Latin inscription, “Fiat justitia ruat caelum” (“Let justice be done though the heavens fall”) adds an intriguing touch.

Further along, the striking tower of St. Michan’s Church caught my eye. This 11th-century church stands as a testament to the deep history embedded in Dublin’s streets. As I approached Smithfield, the atmosphere shifted. The cobbled expanse of Smithfield Square, a former horse market, opened up, showcasing its rich past. The old Jameson Distillery chimney, along with modern additions like the Light House Cinema, highlight the area’s blend of history and vibrancy.

Chancery Park is a relatively small, enclosed park located off of Chancery Street. It provides a welcome green space and a respite from the urban surroundings. The park was designed in the Art Deco style, popular in the 1920s and 1930s. This is evident in its geometric layout, stylised design elements, and the use of materials like brick and concrete. Notable features include a weighbridge “kiosk” building (now used as a community resource), ornamental gates, and a central grassy area with benches.

Chancery Park was built in the 1930s, along with the adjacent Chancery House apartment complex as part of a Dublin Corporation social housing initiative. The park and housing complex were designed by Herbert George Simms, a prominent architect who served as Dublin Corporation’s Housing Architect (1932-1948). Both Chancery Park and Chancery House are considered notable examples of Dublin’s Art Deco heritage, providing a glimpse into Dublin’s social history and the architectural trends of the early 20th century.

THE O’DEVANEY GARDENS AREA AS IT WAS THREE YEARS AGO

February 26, 2024 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 25 FEBRUARY 2021 – PUBLISHED 26 FEBRUARY 2024

On the 24th February 2024 I visited the O’Devaney Gardens area of Dublin and was surprised when I realised that I last visited the area on the 25th February 2021. Below I have included my comments from the 2021 visit:

This is a road that I never walked along before and I must admit that I did not know that it is in Stoneybatter. When I was much younger the No. 10 bus went down this road on its way to Dublin Zoo and my father always insisted that I got off the bus one stop before the bus went down the street so in fact I never actually visited the street before today, let alone walk along it. Note: The No. 10 bus has since been replaced by the 46A.

O’Devaney Gardens dated from the 1950s, named in honour of Bishop Conor O’Devaney, martyred in 1612. My understanding is that the majority of those moved into the new scheme came from Dominick Street which is very close to where I now live.

O’Devaney Gardens – once home to 272 social houses – was originally scheduled to be redeveloped in 2008 by means of a public-private partnership between a well known developer and Dublin City Council. However, the project was terminated by the developer because of the economic crash. In 2012, the council claimed it could no longer afford the cost of redeveloping O’Devaney. By that stage a number of blocks had been demolished but no new units had been built.

The story is way to complicated to explain herts so here is a link that may provide the necessary background

www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/what-s-the-deal-wi…

dublingazette.com/news/news-city-edition/odevaney-units-9…

www.dublininquirer.com/2020/08/12/two-approved-housing-bo…

I USED TO SIGMA DP1 QUATTRO TODAY

The battery life is rather poor, and you’re essentially limited to ISO 100 for the best results. Additionally, working with the native Sigma RAW images can be tricky. In practice, DNG is often the most viable option.

The Sigma DP1 Quattro: A unique compact camera

Sensor and Resolution:

The DP1 Quattro stands out with its unique 39-megapixel APS-C sized Foveon X3 Quattro sensor. Unlike the ubiquitous Bayer sensors found in most cameras, this sensor boasts a four-layer design dedicating three layers to capturing red, green, and blue information. This results in raw images at a maximum resolution of 5424×3616 pixels.

Foveon technology uses stacked layers where each photodiode captures full RGB data. The Quattro sensor dedicates 20 megapixels to the top layer (recording blue colour and luminance) and 4.9 megapixels to the other two layers (capturing green and red colour information).

Design and Build:

The DP1 Quattro’s design is unconventional and eye-catching. It measures 161.4mm (W) x 67mm (H) x 87.1mm (D) and weighs 425 grams.
Unlike its predecessor, the DP1 Merrill, its wider form factor prevents easy pocketing. The lens housing protrudes roughly 4 centimetres from the front of the camera body.

The camera features a sturdy aluminium alloy body, ensuring a robust build.

Lens and Optics:

The DP1 Quattro comes equipped with a fixed 19mm lens (28mm equivalent) with a bright f/2.8 aperture. The lens construction comprises 8 elements in 6 groups and includes a 9-bladed diaphragm. For those who prefer them, you can add the optional VF-41 optical viewfinder (which I use) or the LH4-01 lens hood, though these will make the camera bulkier.

Image Quality and Processing:

The Foveon sensor’s unique approach delivers exceptional image quality. Sigma asserts that the 3-layer design produces more visually pleasing colour images straight out of the camera compared to CCD/CMOS sensors.
However, bear in mind that the maximum image size is 5424×3616 pixels, which may constrain your ability to make large prints or heavily crop images without using interpolation.

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL OPENED 56 AWARD WINNING HOMES IN DECEMBER 2023

February 26, 2024 by infomatique

MONTPELIER AVENUE AND CLOSE

Today I visited an area known as O’Devaney Gardens and was somewhat surprised by the amount of redevelopment that has taken place since my last visit. I checked my catalogue and discovered that I last visited the area on the 25th February 2021, exactly three years ago, when Covid-19 restrictions still applied.

The development recently won the ‘Living-Housing’ category award at RIAI Awards 2023 for its contribution to high quality housing design. The homes types which consist of 22 houses, 14 duplex and 20 apartments are a varied mix of homes consisting of one, two and three bedrooms that cater to differing living requirements which supports a rich and sustainable community.

The layout of the homes in Montpelier Avenue and Montpelier Close are intended to improve the connectivity with surrounding neighbourhoods, amenities and public transport hubs. The design of the buildings has created a varied streetscape with a rich mix of dwelling types providing high quality housing, inviting public spaces and a walkable neighbourhood.

This new development stands in stark contrast to the area’s previous history and reputation.

Historical Context

The O’Devaney Gardens flat complex was built in the 1950s in Dublin’s North Inner City as a solution to the housing crisis of that period. However, over time the flats fell into disrepair, and the area became known for social problems like crime, poverty, and substance abuse. This legacy created long-term challenges within the community even as other parts of Dublin underwent regeneration.

Challenges and Stigma

The decline of O’Devaney Gardens was a multi-faceted issue. Socioeconomic disadvantage, lack of opportunities, and limited investment compounded challenges like inadequate housing quality. These factors, unfortunately, led to a degree of stigma associated with the area despite many residents being ordinary, hardworking citizens.

The Decision to Regenerate

In recent decades, Dublin City Council made the decision to completely rejuvenate the O’Devaney Gardens area. This was driven by the recognition that simply replacing the flats wasn’t enough – holistic transformation including social supports and modern, mixed-income housing was required to break cycles of disadvantage.

The Redevelopment Plan

The current O’Devaney Gardens redevelopment is an ambitious project. It involves the demolition of the old flats and the construction of over 1,000 new homes, including a significant proportion of affordable and social housing. The plan also includes community facilities, retail spaces, and improved public areas to create a more vibrant and sustainable neighbourhood.

Social Considerations

A key goal of the redevelopment is to foster better social integration and break down negative perceptions of the area. The mix of housing types aims to attract a more diverse population, while community facilities and public space improvements seek to enhance a sense of belonging and opportunity.

Controversy and Concerns

Like any major urban project, the O’Devaney Gardens redevelopment hasn’t been without controversy. Some concerns persist about existing residents being displaced and whether social supports will be adequate to prevent a repeat of past problems. Time will tell how effectively these concerns are addressed and the extent to which the new O’Devaney Gardens will be a success story.

LUAS TRAM STOP AT LOWER DOMINICK STREET

February 26, 2024 by infomatique

AT THE MOMENT THE AREA DOES FEEL SAFER

As already mentioned there are two tram stops equally convenient to my apartment but I am/was inclined to use the Broadstone option rather than the Lower Dominick stop and this was especially true at night.

In the 1960s, Dublin Corporation cleared Dominick Street of a number of Georgian terraced houses that were in use as tenement buildings and replaced them with eight blocks of five-storey flats. Unfortunately , Lower Dominick Street has grappled with anti-social behaviour for a significant time. This includes issues like drug dealing, public intoxication, littering, and acts of vandalism. This behaviour creates an unsafe and unpleasant environment for residents and businesses, lowering quality of life and discouraging investment in the area.

The root causes are multifaceted, including socioeconomic disadvantage, lack of opportunities, substance abuse issues, and sometimes (very frequently) mental health problems.

The New Social Housing Complex (discussed below) has attracted mixed reactions, as does everything in Dublin. I have seen some people claim that the introduction of new social housing can be a double-edged sword. It provides much-needed affordable housing for those in need. However, concerns exist about whether proper support and integration measures are in place to prevent exacerbating existing anti-social behaviour problems. however, it should noted that the new complex actually replaced flats that were in very poor condition and in my opinion the street is much better place than it was.

Just before Christmas I met a friend, from my apartment block, and he asked if I knew why Dublin City Council Boarding a large number of housing units located at the tram stop. My friend never mentioned that he had sold his apartment and that he was moving out of Dublin during Christmas week. According to some mutual friends he had decided to move because of the riot that took place a few weeks earlier.

There are several reasons DCC might board up social housing units:

Units might be uninhabitable due to vandalism or neglect, necessitating repairs that were too expensive and ineffective.
If anti-social behaviour is severely concentrated in a specific building, boarding up units can disrupt disruptive activity patterns.
It could be part of a broader plan to relocate existing tenants to other areas or newly developed social housing with better support structures.

The recent riot in the Dublin North Inner City (November 2023) was a complex and disturbing event. Here’s a breakdown of what happened, the possible factors contributing to it, and the aftermath:

The riot was sparked by a violent knife attack outside a primary school on Parnell Square. A man badly injured a young child and seriously injured several others.
Initial public outrage over the attack morphed into widespread violence. Gardaí (Irish police), vehicles, and businesses were targeted.
LUAS tram carriages were damaged and set alight, and there was looting of shops. The riot was widely condemned by political leaders and community figures.
There were calls for calm and a focus on justice and support for the victims of the initial attack.

The riot caused significant damage to property and infrastructure, with businesses suffering losses. One restaurant that I visit on a regular basis claimed that all his bookings for December were cancelled and that walk in business dropped by about 40% compared with the same month in 2022.

The event has further exacerbated anxieties about safety in the city centre, and potentially reduced confidence in the Gardaí.

Investigations are ongoing to identify and prosecute those responsible, including probing the potential role of extremist groups in inciting violence.

Dominick Street Regeneration Project

Objective: The complex is part of a larger Dominick Street regeneration project to revitalise the area and replace outdated social housing units.
Development: Built by Dublin City Council, it includes a mix of apartments and townhouses designed around a central courtyard.
Features: The development boasts modern living spaces, ground-floor community facilities, commercial spaces, and improved public areas along the street.
Capacity: Provides 72 new social housing units.
Sustainability: Focus on energy efficiency and visually appealing design to blend in with the surrounding area.
Goals: Aims to foster a sense of community and address prior concerns surrounding the older housing complexes.
Significance: Represents an important investment in affordable housing and improving the area’s overall quality of life.