THE 2025 PHOTONIQUE BLOG -

MY FIRST VISIT TO NORTHWOOD SANTRY DUBLIN 9

February 2, 2025 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 31 JANUARY 2025

Northwood is a large development located in Santry, Dublin 9. It comprises a mix of residential, commercial, and leisure facilities, all set within a 90-acre public park.

The development is conveniently located close to Dublin Airport and the city centre, with easy access to the M50 and other major roads. It is also well-served by public transportation, with several bus routes passing through the area.

Northwood is a popular place to live and work, offering a high quality of life and a wide range of amenities. The park provides a great space for recreation and relaxation, while the commercial and retail areas offer a variety of shops, restaurants, and businesses.

Some of the key features of Northwood include:

Northwood Park: A large public park with a playground, walking trails, and a lake.

Northwood Business Campus: A commercial area with offices, shops, and restaurants.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel: A 4-star hotel with a restaurant, bar, and fitness centre.

The Sports Surgery Clinic: A private hospital specialising in sports medicine.

Residential areas: A variety of apartments and houses

Overall, Northwood is a well-planned and well-maintained development that offers a great place to live, work, and visit.

SANTRY DEMESNE PUBLIC PARK – I HAD NOT REALISED THE EXTENT OF THIS PUBLIC PARK UNTIL THIS VISIT

February 1, 2025 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 31 JANUARY 2025

My exploration of Santry Demesne Public Park began with a ride on the new E1 bus to Northwood. Intrigued by this terminus, I ventured into the area and, trusting my sense of direction, soon found myself near Morton Stadium and the adjacent park. (As an aside, during my time at B+I Shipping, I shared an office with Billy Morton’s brother – whose name escapes me, though he always introduced himself by his famous sibling).

The park proved far larger than I’d imagined. Santry Demesne occupies the grounds of a once-grand house and gardens, originally built in 1703 on the site of a medieval dwelling. The house fell into disrepair around the turn of the 20th century, with local stories offering various explanations. A devastating fire in 1947 sealed its fate, and the house was finally demolished in 1959.

Despite its destruction, traces of the house’s former splendour remain. Visitors can still see the foundations, front steps, tree avenue, and walled garden. In June 2003, Fingal County Council took over Santry Demesne, transforming it into a valuable public amenity.

Today, the park offers a children’s playground, a network of paths for walkers, joggers, and dog walkers, and free car parking just inside the main gates. The Community Garden, within the Walled Garden, is flourishing, boasting a Kitchen Garden and Heritage Orchard established for over two years. The front section is currently being developed into a Recreational Garden, soon to be open to the public more regularly.

While the original stone temple from the Domvile family’s Templeogue residence (moved to Luggala in County Wicklow in 1858) is no longer in Santry, a facsimile stands in its place. The original Phoenix Folly, however, remains a key feature, echoing the more famous Phoenix Column in Phoenix Park.

The Phoenix Folly draws inspiration from the 1747 monument in Phoenix Park, commissioned by the 4th Earl of Chesterfield. This column, topped with a mythical phoenix, was a prominent feature on the park’s main avenue, though later moved. It is thought to have commemorated the park’s opening to the public, symbolising a new era of access for Dubliners.

Santry Demesne’s Phoenix Folly faithfully recreates the original column’s key architectural elements, showcasing neoclassical elegance. The Corinthian column, with its fluted shaft and intricately carved capital, exemplifies this style, while the ornate base and sculpted phoenix enhance its aesthetic appeal.

TUCANO OPENS TOMORROW REPLACING EATOKYO AT 11 CAPEL STREET

January 31, 2025 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 2025

As already mentioned Eatokyo on Capel Street closed last Sunday [26 January 2025]. Tomorrow, less than a week later, Tucano opens at the same location and hopefully they will be a major addition to Capel Street which is developing as the best alternative to Temple Bar. As I have a policy of supporting local restaurants I plan to visit Tucano over the weekend.

THE INSTITUTE OF ART, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY DUN LAOGHAIRE

January 30, 2025 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 30 JANUARY 2025

The Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire (IADT) is a leading higher education institution in Ireland, specialising in the creative, cultural, and digital technology sectors. It has a strong reputation for fostering creativity and innovation, and its programmes are designed to equip graduates with the skills needed to succeed in these dynamic industries.

History:

IADT’s origins can be traced back to the late 1960s with the establishment of an art foundation course at the Dún Laoghaire College of Art and Design (DLCAD). Over the years, DLCAD expanded its offerings and gained recognition for its excellence in art and design education. In 1997, it was granted institute of technology status and became the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire. This marked a significant milestone in its development, allowing it to further broaden its range of programmes and establish itself as a prominent player in the Irish higher education landscape.

Today, IADT offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across various disciplines, including:

Film and Media: IADT is home to the National Film School, a renowned institution that has produced Oscar, BAFTA, and IFTA-winning alumni. It offers programmes in film and television production, animation, photography, and more.

Art and Design: IADT has a strong tradition in art and design education, with programmes in visual arts, design for film, graphic design, and user experience design.
Technology and Humanities: IADT recognises the importance of technology and humanities in the creative industries. It offers programmes in creative computing, applied psychology, business and digital technology, and arts management.

IADT is committed to providing its students with a cutting-edge learning environment, fostering collaboration and innovation. It has strong links with industry, ensuring that its programmes are relevant and meet the needs of the creative and technology sectors. The institute also places a strong emphasis on research and development, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in its fields of expertise.

IADT has grown significantly since its establishment, with a student population of over 2,500. It continues to evolve and expand its offerings, adapting to the changing demands of the creative and technology industries.

EATOKYO ON WELLINGTON QUAY – TEMPLE BAR AREA OF DUBLIN

January 29, 2025 by infomatique

WEDNESDAY 29 JANUARY 2025

I first visited Eatokyo on Wellington Quay on the 27th December 2018 as all of my favourite restaurants were closed for Christmas. For various reasons I did not visit again but I began visiting their restaurant on Capel Street as soon as the Covid restrictions were relaxed and I became a regular customer and met with a few friends every Wednesday for lunch – we were referred to as the “Wednesday Table”. Also as they were one of the few restaurants to open on New Year’s day it was there that I had my birthday celebration.

Anyway, I had lunch here today and was more than pleased. The food is the same, the staff are equally friendly and professional but the prices are somewhat more expensive and the clientele is different as they do not appear to depend on local workers and shop owners. The be fair I had expected that Eatokyo on Capel Street would increase their prices in 2025 but instead they closed on Sunday 26th January.

Going forward – the “Wednesday Table” has become the “Thursday Table” but the members have decided to relocate to a different restaurant on Capel Street rather than a restaurant in Temple Bar on the South Side of the river, mainly because they all use the Luas Red Line service. Myself, I will be visiting Eatokyo in Temple Bar at least once a week (all going well).