Infomatique

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.

EXPLORING AUGHRIM STREET AND AUGHRIM LANE

February 26, 2024 by infomatique

IN THE STONEYBATTER AREA OF DUBLIN

The parish history says that Cardinal Paul Cullen blessed the foundation stone of the Church of the Holy Family in April 1874. The first Mass was celebrated on the 8th of December 1876. The Church of the Holy Family is home to the Italian Catholic Community in Dublin.

The origin of the name “Aughrim Street” is directly connected to the Battle of Aughrim, a decisive battle fought in 1691 during the Williamite War in Ireland. Apparently the street was part of Blackhorse Lane.

The Battle of Aughrim was the decisive clash within the wider Williamite War in Ireland (1689-1691). This conflict stemmed from England’s Glorious Revolution of 1688, where the Catholic King James II was deposed and replaced by the Protestant William of Orange.

Opposing Forces: James II sought to regain his throne with French support, forming the Jacobite army (mostly Irish Catholics). William of Orange and his allies, the Williamites, fought to maintain Protestant control over England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Aughrim, in County Galway, was strategically critical. The Jacobite army, under the French General St. Ruth, held a strong defensive position on Kilcommodon Hill. Capturing this location would allow the Williamites to control Connacht, the last major Jacobite stronghold.

Bloody Struggle: The battle was one of the bloodiest fought on Irish soil. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, with estimates ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 dead.

The battle was closely fought, with the sides see-sawing for advantage. The climax came when the Jacobite commander, St. Ruth, was decapitated by a cannonball, causing disarray in their ranks.

The Williamites pressed their advantage and broke through the Jacobite lines. The Irish forces retreated in disarray, suffering terrible losses.

Aughrim was a crushing defeat for the Jacobites. Jacobite resistance in Ireland largely crumbled soon after. The city of Limerick held out for a short while but ultimately surrendered in late 1691.

Consequences for Ireland: The war solidified the power of the Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland. Catholics faced land confiscations and harsh penal laws that severely limited their rights and opportunities for centuries to come.

The battle also had wider implications for Europe. It strengthened William of Orange’s position and confirmed England’s place as a major Protestant power, while weakening the influence of France under Louis XIV.

NORTH BRUNSWICK STREET WAS ORIGINALLY NAMED CHANNEL ROW

February 23, 2024 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 22 FEBRUARY

Many months have passed since I last visited North Brunswick Street but as I was in the area I decided to photograph the street using my iPhone 12 Pro Max which I use as a camera and a GPS device.

As a matter of interest Pearse Street, on the south side of the river Liffey, was originally named Great Brunswick Street. I know this because I checked to see if there was a South Brunswick Street in Dublin.

The first recorded reference of the Dominican sisters in Ireland is 1644 in Galway. The sisters arrived in Dublin, first establishing themselves in Channel Row (Brunswick Street) in 1717 and later moving to Clontarf in 1808.

Brunswick Street North in Dublin boasts a unique architectural heritage, with buildings spanning various eras and styles. It was named Great Brunswick Street for the House of Brunswick, holders of the British and Irish crown from 1714 to 1901.

Until recently Dublin District Court (No. 100): Formerly the Richmond Hospital, this imposing Victorian structure dates back to 1890 and served as a medical facility for almost a century. Its grand facade and red-brick exterior exude a sense of history and gravitas. Today, it functions as a busy courthouse, adding to the character of the streetscape.

Carmichael Centre (No. 35-37): Originally built as St. John’s Convent in the 1860s, this Gothic Revival building served as a religious institution for many years. Later, it housed a medical clinic and offices. Today, it’s a vibrant cultural centre offering arts events, workshops, and community initiatives.

40A Brunswick Street North: This modest Georgian terrace house from around 1800 stands out for its elegant elliptical-arched doorway and well-preserved brickwork. It served as a residence and bakery in the past and currently functions as apartments. Its presence reflects the street’s historical evolution from primarily residential to a mix of uses.

98 Brunswick Street North: This detached two-storey house from the mid-19th century is a rare survivor of its kind on the street. With its Flemish bond brickwork, six-over-six pane sash windows, and bracketed cornice doorway, it embodies the architectural style of the era and offers a glimpse into the street’s past residential character.

Block E, Blackhall Square: This contemporary apartment building stands in contrast to the historical structures. Its sleek design and glass facade reflect modern architectural trends and contribute to the diverse streetscape.

KING’S INNS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VIEW

February 21, 2024 by infomatique

I USED A ZEISS BATIS 135mm LENS

I can see part of King’s Inns from my bedroom which is great and I am lucky to have a pleasant little park on my doorstep.

Today I use a Zeiss Batis 135mm lens which does impose some limitations. However a 135mm lens is good for a surprisingly broad variety of shots, as this telephoto range tends to include a wide aperture. This makes 135mm a great choice for portraits of people and pets, landscapes, street photography and products. There are also specialised 135mm macro and tilt shift lenses available.

King’s Inns is one of the most important examples of Ireland’s Georgian architectural heritage. The eminent architect James Gandon, who had earlier designed the Custom House and the Four Courts in Dublin, was commissioned by the benchers in 1800 to design a new building for the Society on Henrietta Street. This followed the decline of the original premises that belonged to the Inns on the site of the present Four Courts.

On 1 August 1800, the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Clare laid the first stone of the hall and library. By 1804 the structure of the hall was almost complete.

In 1813 it was agreed that the unfurnished library wing should be sold to the Office of Public Works for use as a record office. Francis Johnston, architect, supervised this work and also completed the cupola (to Gandon’s design). It was he who designed and erected the entrance archway from Henrietta Street.

The Library Building, also in Henrietta Street, was erected between 1826 and 1832 to a design by Frederick Darley. This building is a good example of Greek revival architecture. It contains a magnificent reading room with a splendid balcony.

The Society also owns one of the fine Georgian houses on Henrietta Street and within the parkland there are seven cottages, six of which have been refurbished for rental purposes.

The properties of King’s inns are listed buildings and are registered with the Charities Regulators of Ireland. Great care is taken to ensure that they are conserved in accordance with the standards laid down by architectural historians, conservationists and other professional advisers.

NEWS – VIEWS – UPDATES

I will not be buying and equipment during 2024 even though I am very interested in the new Sony A9III. As I have decided not to upgrade from my current Sony A7RIV to the A7RV I may try to hold out until the Sony A1 MkII becomes available.

I am considering the possibility of getting Fujifilm GFX 100 Mark II Camera Body but I will not be in a position to do so until the second half of 2025 and if I do I hope get the Fujifilm GF 30mm F5.6 T/S Tilt&Shift Lens.

Sony Electronics Announces a New Compact FE 24-50mm F2.8 G Standard Zoom Lens Designed for High Performance and Portability
A large-aperture, constant F2.8 standard zoom full-frame E-mount lens that delivers outstanding end-to-end image quality in a compact and lightweight form facto
February 21, 2024

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 21, 2024 – Sony Electronics is pleased to announce the release of the FE 24-50mm F2.8 G standard zoom lens (SEL2450G), which is compatible with Sony’s α™ (Alpha™) cameras. The 72nd addition to the full-frame E-mount lens lineup is extremely compact and lightweight yet maintains high-resolution performance synonymous with Sony’s G lens series. With a constant F2.8 maximum aperture, it produces stunning bokeh and enables creative flexibility across the entire zoom range. The versatile 24mm to 50mm focal range, coupled with its compact form, enables users to capture a myriad of scenes including portraits, everyday snapshots, landscapes, and video.

“The demand for light and compact standard zoom lenses is increasing, and our new FE 24-50mm F2.8 G lens offers a F2.8 standard zoom option for creators seeking portability, without a sacrifice. It is a lens option ready to go anywhere,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “The FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is our first-ever full-frame F2.8 standard zoom lens in the G series lens lineup. Bringing the ever-popular F2.8 aperture from our G Master series into the G series is yet another example of our dedication to building lens options for every level of creator.”

Outstanding Optical Performance in a Compact Form Factor

The FE 24-50mm F2.8 G’s design is compact with a filter diameter of φ67 mm, maximum diameter of 74.8 mm (about 2.94 in), length of 92.3 mm (about 3.63 in), and weight of approximately 440 g (about 15.52 oz). Despite its compact size, the lens maintains exceptional image quality throughout all focal lengths. This is made possible by the incorporation of four aspherical lenses and two elements of Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass. These advanced elements effectively minimize chromatic aberrations, resulting in high-resolution performance that remains consistent from the center to the corners of the frame.

The FE 24-50mm F2.8 G’s 11-blade circular aperture and well-controlled spherical aberration creates the beautiful, smooth bokeh known to the G lens series. Painstaking optical optimization has achieved impressive close-up performance at all focal lengths. It has a minimum shooting distance of 0.19 m (AF) at the wide end, and a maximum magnification of 0.30 x (AF) for detailed shooting.

Fast and Precise Autofocus Capabilities for Both Stills and Video

The FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is equipped with two linear motors to achieve extremely fast, precise, and quiet focusing with AF (autofocus). It also supports high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking of up to 120 frames per second, a feature offered on Sony’s newest full-frame mirrorless camera, the Alpha 9 IIIi.

The FE 24-50mm F2.8 G’s AF capabilities make it advantageous for video production, especially when shooting in high frame rates like 4K 120p or FHD 240p movie recordingii. It supports in-camera Active Mode Image Stabilizationiii for fast paced shooting and is compatible with the Focus Breathing Compensation feature native to select Sony Alpha camerasiv. In addition, the Linear Response MF offers intuitive and precise manual focus adjustments, a feature beneficial for filmmakingiv.

Enhanced Controllability and Reliability

The FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is equipped with intuitive controls designed to offer ultimate operability. These features include a customizable focus hold button, aperture ring, aperture click ON/OFF switch, and focus mode switch.

Additionally, the lens’ front element is fluorine coated, which effectively repels and effortlessly eliminates fingerprints, dust, water, oil, and other contaminants. This dust and moisture resistant design makes it a reliable option for any environment.

Pricing and Availability

The new FE 24-50mm F2.8 G will be available in May 2024 for approximately $1,099.99 USD and $1,499.99 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

A product video on the FE 24-50mm F2.8 G can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/pC0shkwJ7b0

For more information about FE 24-50mm F2.8 G, please visit: https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/lenses/all-e-mount/p/sel2450g

Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new FE 24-50mm F2.8 G and Sony’s other imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony α – Alpha brand

Today, Sigma introduced two groundbreaking new lenses: the 15mm F1.4 DG DN DIAGONAL FISHEYE | Art, the world’s first full-frame F1.4 fisheye, and the amazingly compact and lightweight 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports. Both lenses set new bars for performance and image quality on Sony E-mount and L-Mount cameras, empowering photographers to explore creative frontiers far and wide.

THE SCIENCE GALLERY

February 19, 2024 by infomatique

LOCATED AT THE NAUGHTON INSTITUTE AT TRINITY COLLEGE ON PEARSE STREET

The site was constrained by the railway tracks so it is like the bow (sharp end) of a ship and in the past I have had difficulty photographing the building mainly because of traffic or poor weather conditions.

Science Gallery is an international group of public science centres, developed from a concept by a group connected to Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. The first Science Gallery was opened in 2008 and housed in the Naughton Institute at Trinity College.

Each gallery is operated by a major academic institution in partnership with Science Gallery International and each holds various artistic exhibitions and lectures with a view to science outreach and art-science collaborations. Unlike most science centres, they have no permanent collections, but rather a series of three to four temporary exhibitions each year.

Five galleries were established by the end of 2020, with several more planned.

In 2022, the Science Gallery, in Dublin, faced significant financial challenges and was even forced to close temporarily. This was primarily due to several factors:

Accumulated deficits: The gallery had experienced financial losses for several years, leading to a deficit of around €2 million.

Impact of the pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic further affected its income through reduced ticket sales and event revenue.

Funding model concerns: There were questions about the long-term sustainability of the gallery’s existing funding model, which relied heavily on private donations and grants.

The closure triggered public outcry and calls for its preservation. While it didn’t permanently shut down, it led to a period of uncertainty and restructuring. Here’s what happened next:

Discussions and negotiations: Discussions ensued between Trinity College Dublin (which manages the gallery) and the Irish government regarding long-term funding solutions.
New funding secured: Trinity College secured additional funding from various sources, including private donors and foundations.

Focus on sustainability: The gallery actively worked on developing a more sustainable operating model, potentially involving changes to its structure and programming.

Reopening plan: In 2023, Trinity College announced plans to reopen the Science Gallery later that year with a renewed focus on financial stability and public engagement. While the future of the Science Gallery remains in flux, it’s currently operating and showcasing exhibitions. This comeback story demonstrates the ongoing effort to secure its future and continue its mission of fostering public engagement with science through art and innovation.

The Naughton Institute, also known as CRANN (Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices), is a state-of-the-art research facility located on the main campus of Trinity College Dublin in Ireland.

Building Details:

Location: Pearse Street side of the Trinity College Dublin main campus.
Year Built: 2007
Architect: Wilson Architects and RKD
Floors: 5 above ground, 2 basement levels
Facilities:
Environmentally controlled, vibration-free laboratories specifically designed for nanoscience research.
Clean rooms for research requiring minimal dust contamination.
Theatre for presentations and lectures.
Science Gallery, a public exhibition space showcasing science-themed art and installations.
Reception, cafe, offices, and staff amenities.
Image of Naughton Institute, Trinity College Dublin

Purpose:

The Naughton Institute’s primary purpose is to conduct cutting-edge research in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. This involves studying and manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular level, with potential applications in various fields such as:

Materials science: Developing new materials with improved properties, such as strength, conductivity, or biocompatibility.
Electronics: Creating smaller, faster, and more efficient electronic devices.
Biotechnology: Designing new drugs, diagnostics, and therapies.
Energy: Developing cleaner and more efficient energy sources.