Street Photography

RAILWAY WATER TOWER -236591-1

July 15, 2024 by infomatique

UPPER SHERIFF STREET AND ABERCORN ROAD DUBLIN DOCKLANDS

This freestanding railway water tower, built circa 1875, boasts a square plan and a cast-iron tank atop red brick walls laid in English Bond. The disused tower features recessed panels on each elevation, a cut masonry plinth course, a cast-iron water spout on the east elevation, and a pumping mechanism atop the tank.

The tower’s simple form and well-executed brickwork exemplify the good-quality design often employed for utilitarian railway structures. The high standard of both brick and cast-ironwork, as well as the contrast between the materials, contribute to its visual appeal. Together with the adjacent railway lines and signal box, also built for the London and North Western Railway Company, the tower serves as an important reminder of the North Wall area’s industrial past and a testament to the high-quality craftsmanship of the Victorian railway age.

THE COACH HOUSE @STEWARTS

April 30, 2024 by infomatique

EXPLORING PALMERSTOWN VILLAGE

THE PARK AND THE FOOTBALL CLUB

Palmerstown Village, a Dublin suburb, boasts a rich industrial, historical, and architectural heritage. Unfortunately, some significant sites remain privately owned and inaccessible to the public. One intriguing exception is The Coach House @Stewarts, a fascinating blend of historic charm and modern purpose, which proved surprisingly difficult to find information about online.

History of The Coach House

Originally a genuine coaching inn along the primary Dublin to Galway road, The Coach House offers a glimpse into the village’s past. After an extensive renovation in 2004, and a brief closure in 2023, it now proudly showcases a crafts and coffee shop while importantly providing sheltered employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Stewarts Care: A Cornerstone of Palmerstown

The Coach House @Stewarts has strong ties with Stewarts Care, formerly known as Stewarts Hospital. Founded in 1869 by Dr. Henry Hutchinson Stewart, Stewarts Care originally specialised in education and support for children with mental handicaps. Today, it’s a leading voluntary organisation that provides a wide array of community-based services for people with intellectual disabilities, championing their dignity, well-being, and pursuit of happiness.

Stewarts Care and Palmerstown Village enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship. As a prominent local employer and service provider, Stewarts Care deeply enriches the community, which in turn has steadfastly supported its work over the years.

The Coach House: Social Enterprise in Action

The Coach House @Stewarts on Mill Lane exemplifies social enterprise, providing impactful training opportunities for people with learning disabilities. This initiative underscores the close relationship between Stewarts Care and Palmerstown Village, reflecting their shared commitment to fostering inclusion and community development.

The Significance of Coach Houses in Ireland

Historically, coach houses played a vital role on Irish estates during the 18th and 19th centuries, serving as stables, coach storage, and occasionally living quarters for staff. Figures like Charles Bianconi, an Italian immigrant, revolutionised Irish transport in the early 19th century with his vast network of open carriages, outcompeting many existing mail coaches.

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.

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.

IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO USE A FULL FRAME LENSE ON A CROP SENSOR BODY

March 16, 2024 by infomatique

RECENTLY I USED A SIGMA 14mm FULL FRAME LENS ON A SONY FX30 BODY

A follower asked me why was I using a full frame Sigma 14mm on a Sony FX30 camera body. She claims that she was advised not to use full frame lenses on a crop sensor body as it presents many quality issues.

Using full-frame lenses on crop sensor bodies is a common practice and it’s not inherently problematic. However, there are a few factors to consider:

Image Quality: Full-frame lenses are designed to cover a larger sensor area, so when used on a crop sensor camera, only the centre portion of the image circle is used. This can actually result in better image quality because any distortion or vignetting that occurs at the edges of the lens will not affect the image.

Field of View: A full-frame lens on a crop sensor camera will have a narrower field of view compared to when it’s used on a full-frame camera. This is due to the crop factor of the sensor. For example, a 14mm lens on a camera with a 1.5x crop factor will have an effective focal length of 21mm.

Cost and Versatility: Full-frame lenses are generally more expensive than their crop sensor counterparts. However, if you plan on upgrading to a full-frame camera in the future, investing in full-frame lenses can be a good idea as you can continue to use them on the new camera.

Weight and Size: Full-frame lenses are typically larger and heavier than lenses designed for crop sensor cameras. This might make the camera-lens combination unbalanced and harder to handle, especially for prolonged periods.

Resolution: Some people argue that full-frame lenses resolve more detail when used on crop sensor cameras. This is because the pixels on the crop sensor are effectively ‘zoomed in’ on the centre portion of the image projected by the lens. However, the difference is often negligible and may not be noticeable in real-world shooting scenarios.

In conclusion, while there are considerations to keep in mind, using full-frame lenses on crop sensor bodies does not inherently lead to quality issues. It can even offer advantages in certain situations. It ultimately depends on your specific needs and shooting style.