PHOENIX PARK APRIL 2024
It was very wet when I visited the Phoenix Park April 10 2024 and after sheltering under some trees that provided little or no protection I decided to go home and then this appeared.
Original Images By A Real Street Photographer
by infomatique
by infomatique
AS I WAS INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF GLENMAROON HOUSE
Today, I visited Knockmaroon Hill, intrigued by the history of Glenmaroon House.
Knockmaroon Hill, a historical gem in Dublin, is home to the grand estate of Glenmaroon House. This magnificent Edwardian house, with its Tudor-style architecture, was once the residence of Arthur Guinness, a member of the renowned Guinness brewing family. Originally built in 1905 and later extended, Glenmaroon House boasts luxurious features like wood panelling, stained glass windows, and even a swimming pool – all testaments to the grandeur of a bygone era.
Glenmaroon House is a complex of two halves – the North House and the South House – located on either side of Knockmaroon Hill. The South House, formerly known as ‘Knockmaroon Lodge,’ is on the River Liffey side of the road and predates the 1850s. The North House, on the Phoenix Park side of the road, was built early in the 20th century by the Honourable (Arthur) Ernest Guinness.
Two pedestrian bridges that connected Glenmaroon House and Knockmaroon House were planned to be removed. These bridges, which crossed over the roadway on Knockmaroon Hill, connected what are now two large old vacant houses. One of the bridges, dating back more than 100 years, had intricate and attractive wrought iron features and a spiral staircase. It had not been used for at least 60 years. The other structure was a covered bridge that replaced an earlier covered bridge damaged in traffic collisions.
Fingal County Council granted permission to developers Dun Ardagh Holdings Ltd to remove the bridges. The stipulation was that the older footbridge and its spiral staircase be refurbished and re-erected elsewhere on the property. However, the Chapelizod Old Village Association appealed the decision, claiming the council did not adequately consider the conservation, road safety, and amenity aspects of their removal.
Despite the appeal, it appears that the decision to remove the bridges was upheld. The developers argued that there is a current ban on vehicles over three tonnes using the road and transport planning advice had declared removing the bridges would have “no negative transport impact”. The council stated that removing the bridges would facilitate the re-use of the vacant houses.
The Knockmaroon Estate was bought by a member of the Guinness family, Lord Moyne, in 1884; the Guinness family have occupied it ever since. The last Lord Moyne was married twice. His first wife, Lady Diana Mosley, bore him two sons – Jonathan Guinness, the present Lord Moyne, and the Honourable Desmond Guinness, of Leixlip Castle, who was key to establishing the Irish Georgian Society in 1958. The present occupant of Knockmaroon is the Honourable Kieran Guinness, part of the second family.
The Knockmaroon estate is bounded by Farmleigh, Castleknock College, the Lower Road and The Glen. A lodge in a similar style to the main gate lodge stands on the Tower road, opposite Farmleigh’s Clocktower, although that entrance was never used.
The history of Glenmaroon House doesn’t end with the Guinness family. Over time, it transitioned into an important part of the local community. The house, along with the interconnected Knockmaroon Lodge, became incorporated into the Holy Angels Convent School. Additionally, it was linked with the adjacent St. Louise’s Care Centre, likely providing a place of residence and support for those associated with the centre.
The information provided to me indicates that Glenmaroon House and associated buildings are now vacant. This raises the question of why the Holy Angels Convent School and St. Louise’s Care Centre may have closed or relocated.
Here are some potential factors to consider:
Changing Demographics and Needs: Dublin, like many cities, has experienced shifts in population and social requirements. The original purposes of these institutions may no longer align with current community needs.
Financial Considerations: Operating large historical buildings and providing care services can be costly. Financial challenges may have forced a change.
Alternative Facilities: More modern, purpose-built schools and care centres may have been developed elsewhere.
Update: St. Louise’s Care Centre, at a new location, now comprises nine specially designed bungalows providing 54 private bedrooms, a Day Care Centre, and a Restaurant.
by infomatique
PHOTOGRAPHED USING A SONY FX30
I have already published photographs of what I described as Rhododendrons but I now suspect that my photographs included magnificent magnolias in the Mill Field. I mention this because on the following day I was watching Country File and there was a short section where Magnolias were discussed and I learned a lot that really surprised me.
A Splash Of Colour At The Botanic Gardens April 2024
Ancient Allure: Magnolias Through the Ages
Magnolias are an incredibly ancient lineage of flowering plants. Fossil evidence suggests they predate bees by millions of years, emerging during the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth. This long history explains a striking characteristic of magnolia flowers:
Built for Beetles: Unlike many flowers that evolved to attract bees, magnolias bear large, sturdy blooms with tough carpels (female reproductive parts). This structure evolved to withstand the weight and feeding habits of beetles, their primary pollinators. Today, beetles still play a role in magnolia pollination, along with other insects that visit the fragrant flowers.
Botanical Legacy: Pierre Magnol’s Contribution
It’s fitting the magnolia carries the name of Pierre Magnol, a true pioneer of botany. He revolutionised the way we think about plants by organising them into families based on shared characteristics. This concept underlies our entire modern system of plant classification! It’s a testament to the magnolia’s importance that it lent its name to an entire, extremely diverse family of plants, Magnoliaceae.
Magnolia Stars: Highlighting Featured Plants
Let’s shine a spotlight on the specific magnolias on view at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin:
Magnolia kobus (Kobus Magnolia): A native of Japan and Korea, this species boasts elegant, white star-shaped blooms in early spring, often before its leaves unfurl. It’s a smaller magnolia variety ideal for gardens.
Magnolia ‘Galaxy’: This hybrid magnolia is renowned for its stunning, large, goblet-shaped flowers that unfurl in a deep purplish-pink hue. ‘Galaxy’ is a vigorous grower, creating a dramatic spring display.
Magnolia x soulangeana ‘Alexandrina’: A classic saucer magnolia, ‘Alexandrina’ is beloved for its large, fragrant blooms. These emerge white and slowly develop a beautiful blush of pink as they mature.
Beyond the Blooms: Why Magnolias Matter
Magnolias captivate us with their breathtaking blooms, but their value extends far beyond their beauty:
Garden Gems: With varieties offering vibrant colours, a range of sizes, and differing bloom times, magnolias are stars of gardens and landscapes all over the world.
Ecological Importance: Magnolias attract pollinators, and their seeds provide food for birds and small mammals.
Cultural Significance: In many Asian cultures, magnolias symbolise nobility, strength, and perseverance.
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.
by infomatique
DURING STORM KATHLEEN 6 APRIL 2024
Despite a storm warning, I decided to visit the Botanic Gardens. Keeping my lens dry was a significant challenge, and this greatly impacted nearly all of the images I captured.
I have photographed this sculpture many times as it is one of my favorites.
It’s worth noting that I have encountered another copy of this sculpture in City West. Unfortunately, the last time I tried to photograph the one in City West, I was informed by security, who shadowed me for about fifteen minutes, that I was on private property and that photography was prohibited. I was asked to leave immediately, and my policy is not to argue.
Born in 1948, Bob Quinn enjoyed a long career in the Irish advertising business as a commercial artist, designer, and the head of a successful design and production company. He now works full time as a sculptor in Blackrock, Co Dublin, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.
Over the weekend, Storm Kathleen swept across Ireland, leaving a trail of disruption in its wake. With its powerful gusts and heavy rainfall, the storm caused widespread power outages and travel chaos throughout the country, but it was at its worst in the South and the West.
Storm Kathleen made landfall with potent winds, reaching speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour along coastal regions. Counties Galway and Mayo bore the brunt of its impact, facing a Status Orange wind warning. The rest of Ireland was under a Yellow wind warning, still experiencing significant disruptions. Fallen trees and power lines were widespread, leaving approximately 34,000 homes and businesses without electricity. ESB Networks scrambled to restore power, but many areas remained in the dark for extended periods.
The storm’s potent winds caused significant disruptions to transportation networks. Rail services in and out of Dublin’s Heuston Station were suspended due to a fallen tree obstructing the line. Flights, particularly those to and from Belfast City Airport, faced cancellations. Ferry crossings were also affected, with choppy seas causing delays and cancellations.
Authorities issued warnings urging people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. The ESB emphasized the danger of downed power lines, advising the public to never approach them and instead report incidents immediately. The Irish Coast Guard also warned of dangerous coastal conditions.