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SAD NEWS DPReview TO CLOSE 10 APRIL 2023
Dear readers,
After nearly 25 years of operation, DPReview will be closing in the near future. This difficult decision is part of the annual operating plan review that our parent company shared earlier this year.
The site will remain active until April 10, and the editorial team is still working on reviews and looking forward to delivering some of our best-ever content.
Everyone on our staff was a reader and fan of DPReview before working here, and we’re grateful for the communities that formed around the site.
Thank you for your support over the years, and we hope you’ll join us in the coming weeks as we celebrate this journey.
Sincerely,
Scott Everett
General Manager
10 APRIL UPDATE FROM DPREVIEW
Dear readers,
We’ve received a lot of questions about what's next for the site. We hear your concerns about losing the content that has been carefully curated over the years, and want to assure you that the content will remain available as an archive.
We’ve also heard that you need more time to access the site, so we’re going to keep publishing some more stories while we work on archiving.
Thank you to this community and the support you’ve shown us over the years.
Scott Everett
General Manager - DPReview.com
WHERE OLD GHOSTS MEET BY ANDREW McCARTHY DARTMOUTH ROAD - LEESON STREET
This artwork depicts the late poet Patrick Kavanagh and the beautiful Hilda Moriarty for which his poem ‘On Raglan Road’ is about. The poem originally named "Dark Haired Miriam Ran Away” laments for his love for Hilda which was not reciprocated by her - She became a Doctor and married Donogh O’Malley. "I will immortalise you in poetry, Hilda." - Kavanagh once said and so he did. The poem has had many versions, most famous of which was sung by Luke Kelly of The Dubliners after Patrick Kavanagh requested he do so.
THE CORTEN STEEL SIGN LOOKS LIKE A SHIPDUBLIN THE DOCKLANDS 30 APRIL 2023
Weathering steel, often referred to by the genericised trademark COR-TEN steel and sometimes written without the hyphen as corten steel, is a group of steel alloys which were developed to eliminate the need for painting, and form a stable rust-like appearance after several years' exposure to weather.
LUKE KELLY'S HEAD AT GUILD STREET DUBLIN THE DOCKLANDS 30 APRIL 2023
The Statue of Luke Kelly is a large marble sculpted head of Irish folk singer Luke Kelly, with metal wire for hair. The statue is located at the north end of Linear Park, near the junction of Sheriff Street Upper and Guild Street, Dublin 1.
The statue, designed by Vera Klute, was unveiled along with another statue of Luke Kelly on South King Street on 30 January 2019 by President Michael D. Higgins.
The statue, designed by Vera Klute, was unveiled along with another statue of Luke Kelly on South King Street on 30 January 2019 by President Michael D. Higgins.
THE BICYCLE YARD AT RYDER'S ROW IS GONE IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE SITE IS BING REDEVELOPED AS A PUBLIC SPACE
The Ryder’s Row end of Capel Street to the north has been very ugly and unattractive for as long as I have lived in the area and the bicycle yard just made the area even worse. Recently the bicycle lot was demolished and it would appear that it is being developed as a public space.
WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY EVENT AT THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE 28 APRIL 2023
A national commemorative event has been held in Dublin by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to mark Workers' Memorial Day, an international day of remembrance for those who have been killed or seriously injured in work-related incidents.
In Ireland, 481 people were killed in such incidents over a 10-year period from 2012 to 2021, and so far seven people have died in incidents at work this year.
In Ireland, 481 people were killed in such incidents over a 10-year period from 2012 to 2021, and so far seven people have died in incidents at work this year.
DUBLINBIKES DOCKING STATION 01 PLUS A WATER-BOTTLE REFILL STATIONCLARENDON ROW
In December 2021 Dublin City Council announced that the first water-bottle refill station would be installed on Clarendon Row and at the DublinBikes docking station would return to the street. I was aware that the Docking Station had been installed but I did not notice the water refill station until today.
MR SQUIRREL WAS DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE I DID NOT GIVE HIM ANY FOOD
A few years ago, while visiting the Botanic Gardens, I overheard a woman complaining a member of staff that she had been bitten by a squirrel.
Until recently they often had red squirrels feeding on the ground, especially around Pine Hill. Since 2005, however, they have not been seen. Red squirrels are displaced by the introduced grey squirrels, which are able to eat unripe nuts, thus outcompeting the red squirrels by eating most of the food resources before they are palatable to the reds. The spread of pine martens across the country is often a forerunner of red squirrels successfully making a comeback so they may return from the populations on Howth Head and Killiney Hill. Although the grey squirrels are delightful to watch, please remember that they are wild animals – not pets, they often bite.
Until recently they often had red squirrels feeding on the ground, especially around Pine Hill. Since 2005, however, they have not been seen. Red squirrels are displaced by the introduced grey squirrels, which are able to eat unripe nuts, thus outcompeting the red squirrels by eating most of the food resources before they are palatable to the reds. The spread of pine martens across the country is often a forerunner of red squirrels successfully making a comeback so they may return from the populations on Howth Head and Killiney Hill. Although the grey squirrels are delightful to watch, please remember that they are wild animals – not pets, they often bite.
RYANS ARBOUR HOUSEA PUB IN THE VILLAGE OF WINDY ARBOUR
[update] According to Google Maps this pub has ceased trading []
When I first photographed this back in August 2020 a gentleman objected to me photographing the building but he was unwilling to offer any identity or explain what his interest was. He was the second person in the same area to object to my activity on that particular day.
When I first photographed this back in August 2020 a gentleman objected to me photographing the building but he was unwilling to offer any identity or explain what his interest was. He was the second person in the same area to object to my activity on that particular day.
GREEN SPACES AT WINDY ARBOURTODAY I DECIDED TO USE AN OLD SIGMA CAMERA
Windy Arbour, historically called Glassons, is a small suburban village in the Dundrum area of Dublin, Ireland. Situated between Dundrum and Milltown, along the banks of the Slang River (also Dundrum or Slann River).
The River Slang (Irish: Abhainn na Stéille), also known as the Dundrum Slang or the Dundrum River, a tributary of the River Dodder, is a stream which rises on Three Rock Mountain, County Dublin. It is in the jurisdiction of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The River Slang (Irish: Abhainn na Stéille), also known as the Dundrum Slang or the Dundrum River, a tributary of the River Dodder, is a stream which rises on Three Rock Mountain, County Dublin. It is in the jurisdiction of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
UNUSED CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCH TODAY I DECIDED TO USE AN OLD SIGMA CAMERA
The Church of Ireland was built in 1860, just south of its Roman Catholic counterpart – St. Laurence’s Church. It was designed by George Wilkinson. As of yet, it has not been refurbished but TU Dublin has plans to recover the building in the future and hopes to put it into use as a student event space. The Church presides over its own significant open space with an existing grove of trees and the plans for this protected site are for it to be refurbished for a variety of cultural uses.
THE CLOCK TOWER IN GRANGEGORMAN ORIGINALLY THE RICHMOND PENITENTIARY
Originally opened in 1816 as the Richmond Penitentiary, this iconic tower is one of the most well-known of the 11 protected structures on the Grangegorman site. Built to the designs of Francis Johnston, also known for the Lower House on site and for the GPO on O’Connell St, the Richmond Penitentiary was the first of the penitentiary style in Britain and Ireland. The front facade, which overlooks Grangegorman Lower and the western side of the site, is all that remains of the original structure. The Grangegorman Masterplan shows the building’s final use as academic space for the College of Engineering & Built Environment.
LUAS TRAM STOP AT BROADSTONE I USED A SIGMA DP1 QUATTRO
In the "Lotus-Eaters" episode of James Joyce's Ulysses Bloom imagines that the couple leaving the Grosvenor Hotel are "Off to the country: Broadstone probably," and in Wandering Rocks Mr. Dudley White stands on Array Quay "undecided whether he should arrive at Phibsborough more quickly by a triple change of tram or by hailing a car or on foot through Smithfield, Constitution hill and Broadstone terminus." Both passages refer to a railway station in the northwest part of inner Dublin, at the top of Constitution Hill between Smithfield and Phibsborough. In 1904 it served as the terminus of the Midland Great Western Railway Company, whose trains went to the west of Ireland.
MY FIRST TIME TO VISIT EAMON CEANNT PUBLIC PARK IN CRUMLINSUNDAY 23 APRIL 2023
Eamonn Ceannt Park is located between Sundrive Road and Clogher Road, in the Crumlin area of South Dublin City. It includes numerous mature trees, an athletic track, playing fields, tennis courts, basketball court, children's playground and a state of the art cycling velodrome.
PHIL LYNNOT BY AINE MACKENPAINT-A-BOX STREET ART ON SUNDRIVE ROAD IN CRUMLIN
Philip Parris Lynott ( 20 August 1949 – 4 January 1986) was an Irish singer, bassist and songwriter. His most commercially successful group was Thin Lizzy, of which he was a founding member, the principal songwriter, lead vocalist and bassist. He was known for his distinctive plectrum-based style on the bass and for his imaginative lyrical contributions, including working class tales and numerous characters drawn from personal influences and Celtic culture.
NOW THE TIA MARIA BRAZILIAN RESTAURANTWAS THE EL PATRON
The Docking Station is outside Bolton Street College which is in the process of moving to the new University Campus at Grangegorman.
NOW THE TIA MARIA BRAZILIAN RESTAURANTWAS THE EL PATRON
The Docking Station is outside Bolton Street College which is in the process of moving to the new University Campus at Grangegorman.
DUBLINBIKES DOCKING STATION 03 ON BOLTON STREETI USED A SIGMA DP3 MERRILL
The Docking Station is outside Bolton Street College which is in the process of moving to the new University Campus at Grangegorman.
DUBLINBIKES DOCKING STATION 29 ON ORMOND QUAYI USED A SIGMA DP3 MERRILL
Ormond Quay was the first of the quays to be built on the north bank side of the River Liffey and to be honest it is rather ugly especially as there is a large uncompleted site where the Ormond Hotel was located. However, the docking station is well located as it is at the end of Capel Street whic is a unique street featuring many small shops and restaurants.
CABRA TRAM STOPPHOTOGRAPHED 19 APRIL 2023
abra Luas stop is located at the northern end of the Broadstone railway cutting, immediately to the north of Connaught Street, which crosses the line on the Liam Whelan bridge, which was rebuilt as part of the construction of the stop. The main entrance is a long ramp leading from the eastern side of the bridge to the middle of the southbound platform (there are also stairs which lead from the middle of the ramp to the end of the platform). A second entrance consists of a pathway leading from the northern end of the stop to the nearby Mount Bernard Park.
THE DUBLIN UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE SHOW GARDEN IS IN BETTER CONDITION THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR
Juliette Viode is a mural artist and illustrator based in and working in Dublin. Her work is character-focused, bright and cheerful. To date she painted many murals for disadvantaged communities and for children with disabilities. Her approach is to design artwork closely with communities to help re-take pride in their area.
JULIETTE VIODE IS A MURAL ARTIST BASED IN DUBLINPHOTOGRAPHED 16 APRIL 2023
Juliette Viode is a mural artist and illustrator based in and working in Dublin. Her work is character-focused, bright and cheerful. To date she painted many murals for disadvantaged communities and for children with disabilities. Her approach is to design artwork closely with communities to help re-take pride in their area.
THE SHANDON AREA OF DUBLIN NEAR THE ROYAL CANAL AND THE CABRA TRAM STOP
Shandon is a small collection of roads on Dublin's Northside within the district of Phibsboro. It consists of three terraces of Edwardian (Victorian style) houses along the banks of the Royal Canal, built around 1926.
ICONIC MAYES PUB CEASED TRADINGNOW A CENTRA - AT LEAST THEY KEPT THE CLOCK
Late in May 2021 is was announced that the iconic Mayes Pub on Dorset would cease trading. Since then I was not paying attention so I was really surprised to discover that the building was now home the a Centra. I suppose that the good news is that they retained the clock.
GEORGE COSGRAVE CAR SALES WAS BASED HERE WAS IN BUSINESS FOR 37 YEARS
I live near Dorset Street and I believe it to be one of the ugliest streets in Dublin and the George Cosgrave Car Sales building was, and still is, one of the worst examples of how bad the street can be.
SHOULD FAIRVIEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE BE NAMED BRAM STOKER BRIDGEPHOTOGRAPHED 16 APRIL 2023
Back in 2015 there was a proposal to remove the Fairview Footbridge and replace it with a pedestrian crossing. The good news is - the pedestrian bridge has survived.
The footbridge in my photographs replaced an older one that connected the new Fairvew playground and park to the businesses and bus stops on the North side of Fairview Road. And I must say that I like it.
This bridge appears to be popular with locals so I was surprised to come across the following by a local politician known as Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: “I am interested in hearing your views in relation to recent suggestions from Dublin City Council that they will remove the Fairview Footbridge, and replace it with a pedestrian crossing, to make way for the Clontarf – Amien Street cycle lane. Over 3 years ago I successfully lobbied for the Bridge to be refurbished, and €500,000 was invested by the council at the time” [dated July 6 2015].
According to a survey conducted by Dublin City Council: Fairview Footbridgegenerated mixed views and opinions although many commended the recent improvements made to the footbridge, requests for improvement to the appearance and accessibility of the Bridge were made. It was mentioned that access to the bridge for prams, bicycles and those with limited mobility is an issue. Naming the footbridge was a common request with the most popular suggestion being the ‘Bram Stoker Bridge’.
The footbridge in my photographs replaced an older one that connected the new Fairvew playground and park to the businesses and bus stops on the North side of Fairview Road. And I must say that I like it.
This bridge appears to be popular with locals so I was surprised to come across the following by a local politician known as Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: “I am interested in hearing your views in relation to recent suggestions from Dublin City Council that they will remove the Fairview Footbridge, and replace it with a pedestrian crossing, to make way for the Clontarf – Amien Street cycle lane. Over 3 years ago I successfully lobbied for the Bridge to be refurbished, and €500,000 was invested by the council at the time” [dated July 6 2015].
According to a survey conducted by Dublin City Council: Fairview Footbridgegenerated mixed views and opinions although many commended the recent improvements made to the footbridge, requests for improvement to the appearance and accessibility of the Bridge were made. It was mentioned that access to the bridge for prams, bicycles and those with limited mobility is an issue. Naming the footbridge was a common request with the most popular suggestion being the ‘Bram Stoker Bridge’.
CLONTURK PARK AND NEARBYTHIS IS AN AREA THAT I HAVE YET TO EXPLORE IN DETAIL
A number of neighbouring streets bear the name Clonturk, including Clonturk Park, Clonturk Gardens, and Clonturk Avenue, probably as a result of their proximity to Clonturk House. There is also Clonturk Community College, further north on the Swords Road at Whitehall.
THE TREE LINED SECTION OF LOWER DRUMCONDRA ROAD I USED A CANON 5D MkIII
I have been a big fan of the Asia Market ever since they established on Drury Street in Dublin.
Asia Market’s history can be traced back to a time when digital technology had not yet emerged. It started as a single entity in Dublin’s Drury Street in 1981 offering ethnic food to the growing Asian population in the Republic of Ireland. It became a supermarket where customers could come and pick their desired food items, pay at the counter and drive back to home ... now they can but online, but I will continue to visit the actual shop.
Asia Market’s history can be traced back to a time when digital technology had not yet emerged. It started as a single entity in Dublin’s Drury Street in 1981 offering ethnic food to the growing Asian population in the Republic of Ireland. It became a supermarket where customers could come and pick their desired food items, pay at the counter and drive back to home ... now they can but online, but I will continue to visit the actual shop.
THE ASIA MARKETDRURY STREET IN DUBLIN
I have been a big fan of the Asia Market ever since they established on Drury Street in Dublin.
Asia Market’s history can be traced back to a time when digital technology had not yet emerged. It started as a single entity in Dublin’s Drury Street in 1981 offering ethnic food to the growing Asian population in the Republic of Ireland. It became a supermarket where customers could come and pick their desired food items, pay at the counter and drive back to home ... now they can but online, but I will continue to visit the actual shop.
Asia Market’s history can be traced back to a time when digital technology had not yet emerged. It started as a single entity in Dublin’s Drury Street in 1981 offering ethnic food to the growing Asian population in the Republic of Ireland. It became a supermarket where customers could come and pick their desired food items, pay at the counter and drive back to home ... now they can but online, but I will continue to visit the actual shop.
MATTRESS MICK'S ON PEARSE STREET THE MATTRESS PRICEFIGHTER
Earlier this year auditions took place for Mattress Mick, The Musical, which tells the story of the hardship the salesman went through during the recession when he only had €100 to his name.
BRIDGES ACROSS THE LIFFEYI USED A SONY NEX-7
The Ha'penny Bridge, known later for a time as the Penny Ha'penny Bridge, and officially the Liffey Bridge, is a pedestrian bridge built in May 1816 over the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland. Made of cast iron, the bridge was cast in Shropshire, England.
The Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian bridge spanning the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland, joining Eustace Street in Temple Bar to the north quays. The bridge was installed in December 1999 to commemorate the approaching new millennium in 2000. It was prefabricated in Carlow, 80 km from Dublin, as a portal frame structure made up of a slender steel truss and resting on reinforced concrete haunches. The bridge was designed by Howley Harrington Architects, with Price & Myers as consulting engineers. The concrete base and steel structure for the bridge were provided by two firms from Carlow: Formwork 2000+ and Thompson Engineering respectively. The Millennium Bridge is neighbour to the much older pedestrian Ha'penny Bridge to the east, and Grattan Bridge to the west [where I was located in order to photograph this scene].
The Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian bridge spanning the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland, joining Eustace Street in Temple Bar to the north quays. The bridge was installed in December 1999 to commemorate the approaching new millennium in 2000. It was prefabricated in Carlow, 80 km from Dublin, as a portal frame structure made up of a slender steel truss and resting on reinforced concrete haunches. The bridge was designed by Howley Harrington Architects, with Price & Myers as consulting engineers. The concrete base and steel structure for the bridge were provided by two firms from Carlow: Formwork 2000+ and Thompson Engineering respectively. The Millennium Bridge is neighbour to the much older pedestrian Ha'penny Bridge to the east, and Grattan Bridge to the west [where I was located in order to photograph this scene].
SONY NEX7 CAMERA AND 18-105MM LENSBOTANIC GARDENS 13 APRIL 2023
Cared for by the Office of Public Works, the park is an important public resource in the area, and provides an oasis of green calm in the middle of a bustling city. Its four centuries of history are eventful and complex, involving such important figures as Arthur Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, and Countess Constance Markievicz. The park itself hosts a large number of important sculptural monuments to Irish history. Many species of birds and plants also call the park their home. Public facilities at St Stephen’s Green Park include a playground and a garden for the visually impaired.
O'SULLIVAN ANTIQUES FRANCIS STREET 14 APRIL 2023
Established in Dublin, Ireland in 1990, O’Sullivan Antiques commands the prime location in Francis Street, the centre of the antique trade in Dublin.
O’Sullivan Antiques is also located in The Gallery at 200 Lex, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Address: 43-44 Francis Street, Dublin 8, D08 W7V7, Ireland.
O’Sullivan Antiques is also located in The Gallery at 200 Lex, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Address: 43-44 Francis Street, Dublin 8, D08 W7V7, Ireland.
TREES AND MORE TREESBOTANIC GARDENS 13 APRIL 2023
Because of restrictions that applied as a result of Joe Biden's visit one of the few options open to me was to visit the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin ... I could not believe how cold the weather was and it rained a number of times while I was exploring the Gardens.
I used a Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS lens which I do not remember buying and what is even more confusing is that I do not purchase anything other than full-frame lenses. Sony describes the lens as follows: This G Lens for E-mount cameras delivers stunning still or movie imagery with the flexibility of 6x power zoom. Maximum aperture is a constant F4 from 18mm wide angle to 105mm medium telephoto, with excellent resolution and contrast throughout. A lever and ring on the lens barrel allow zoom speed to be freely adjusted as required while maintaining a sure, stable grip.
I was disappointed with the performance of the lens as many of the images were not properly focused and there were many examples of motion blur. At the time I could not decide if the fact that the FX30 does not have a viewfinder might have contributed to the poor performance or that I was to blame. On the following day I used a sigma 14mm lens and there were no issues ... at a later date I will try the 18-105mm lens with my old NEX-7 whit is not a full-frame camera.
I used a Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS lens which I do not remember buying and what is even more confusing is that I do not purchase anything other than full-frame lenses. Sony describes the lens as follows: This G Lens for E-mount cameras delivers stunning still or movie imagery with the flexibility of 6x power zoom. Maximum aperture is a constant F4 from 18mm wide angle to 105mm medium telephoto, with excellent resolution and contrast throughout. A lever and ring on the lens barrel allow zoom speed to be freely adjusted as required while maintaining a sure, stable grip.
I was disappointed with the performance of the lens as many of the images were not properly focused and there were many examples of motion blur. At the time I could not decide if the fact that the FX30 does not have a viewfinder might have contributed to the poor performance or that I was to blame. On the following day I used a sigma 14mm lens and there were no issues ... at a later date I will try the 18-105mm lens with my old NEX-7 whit is not a full-frame camera.
OSCAR PARKFEATURES A MARIAN STATUE AND ONCE HAD A BOMB SHELTER
Many years ago I went on a guided tour of the Tenters area of Dublin City and the guided mentioned that the square was named in honour of Oscar Wilde but more recently I discovered that this is not true. The truth is that Oscar Square is not named after Oscar Wilde, but rather Oscar, son of Oisín of Na Fianna. Nearby, Clarence Mangan Road was named in honour of the poet, and O’Carolan Road for the harpist.
SOME OF THE GLASSHOUSESIN THE BOTANIC GARDENS IN GLASNEVIN
The gardens include some glasshouses of architectural importance, such as the Palm House and the Curvilinear Range.
The Great Palm House is situated in the southern parts of the gardens, and is connected to the cactus house on its west side, and the orchid house on its east side. The main building measures 65 feet in height, 100 feet in length and 80 feet in width.
The Great Palm House is situated in the southern parts of the gardens, and is connected to the cactus house on its west side, and the orchid house on its east side. The main building measures 65 feet in height, 100 feet in length and 80 feet in width.
HALLIDAY SQUAREA SMALL PARK IN ARBOUR HILL
Halliday Square is a little sliver of parkland at Arbour Hill, populated by ornamental trees and shrubs and surrounded by terraces of both old and new red-brick houses.
Arbour Hill is an area of Dublin within the inner city on the Northside of the River Liffey, in the Dublin 7 postal district. Arbour Hill, the road of the same name, runs west from Blackhall Place in Stoneybatter, and separates Collins Barracks, now hosting part of the National Museum of Ireland, to the south from Arbour Hill Prison to the north, whose graveyard includes the burial plot of the signatories of the Easter Proclamation that began the 1916 Rising. St Bricin's Military Hospital, formerly the King George V Hospital, is also located in Arbour Hill.
Arbour Hill is an area of Dublin within the inner city on the Northside of the River Liffey, in the Dublin 7 postal district. Arbour Hill, the road of the same name, runs west from Blackhall Place in Stoneybatter, and separates Collins Barracks, now hosting part of the National Museum of Ireland, to the south from Arbour Hill Prison to the north, whose graveyard includes the burial plot of the signatories of the Easter Proclamation that began the 1916 Rising. St Bricin's Military Hospital, formerly the King George V Hospital, is also located in Arbour Hill.
TWO MURALS IN STONEYBATTER CHRIS JUDGE ILLUSTRATION AND TRISKILL
Two large scale murals on gable ends of houses in Stoneybatter were Commissioned by Dublin City Council and this is one of them.
Chris Judge is an illustrator, artist, and children's picture book author from Dublin, Ireland. Since 2011 Chris has written and illustrated over 35 children's books, many of which are in collaboration with authors like Roddy Doyle, David O'Doherty and Eoin Colfer. His first book, The Lonely Beast won the Specsavers Irish Children's Book of the Year 2011 in the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards.
Chris Judge is an illustrator, artist, and children's picture book author from Dublin, Ireland. Since 2011 Chris has written and illustrated over 35 children's books, many of which are in collaboration with authors like Roddy Doyle, David O'Doherty and Eoin Colfer. His first book, The Lonely Beast won the Specsavers Irish Children's Book of the Year 2011 in the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards.
POPE JOHN PAUL II BRONZE STATUE BY IMOGEN STUARTTHE SOUTH CAMPUS MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY
Around the statue is a Heritage wall the purpose of which is to commemorate the generosity of those of Irish descent who donated to Maynooth College.
Imogen Stuart (born 1927) is a German-Irish sculptor. Stuart was born to the German art critic Bruno E. Werner and took up sculpting at a young age. As the Nazi Party gained more power, her mother, she, and her sister left the country. After World War II they united with Werner. In 1945 Stuart began studying under Otto Hitzberger, who taught her modelling, carving, and relief work using different materials. She met her future husband, the Irishman Ian Stuart, in 1948, and in 1949 the two went to Ireland together. The young sculptor, though born a Lutheran, became interested in Irish religious heritage and converted to Roman Catholicism. The two married in 1951 and took up residence in Laragh Castle near Glendalough. In their twenty-one years of marriage The Stuarts had three daughters: Aoibheann, Siobhan and Aisling.
Imogen Stuart (born 1927) is a German-Irish sculptor. Stuart was born to the German art critic Bruno E. Werner and took up sculpting at a young age. As the Nazi Party gained more power, her mother, she, and her sister left the country. After World War II they united with Werner. In 1945 Stuart began studying under Otto Hitzberger, who taught her modelling, carving, and relief work using different materials. She met her future husband, the Irishman Ian Stuart, in 1948, and in 1949 the two went to Ireland together. The young sculptor, though born a Lutheran, became interested in Irish religious heritage and converted to Roman Catholicism. The two married in 1951 and took up residence in Laragh Castle near Glendalough. In their twenty-one years of marriage The Stuarts had three daughters: Aoibheann, Siobhan and Aisling.
I GOT A TRAIN FROM BROOMBRIDGE TO MAYNOOTHEASTER WEEKEND APRIL 2023
Years ago I would have avoided this station because it was not safe at any time of the day. The station is unmanned and had been subject to significant and sustained vandalism, enough for Iarnród Éireann to be concerned and questions asked about it in the Dáil.The lack of shelter for passengers or seating facilities was similarly questioned. In 2012, additional security measures were added along with seating and decoration in advance of the station's redesign as part of the Luas Cross City project. Leap card validators, previously not provided due to vandalism concerns, have been installed and Iarnród Éireann ticket machines were installed towards the end of 2019.
BOND BRIDGE ACROSS THE ROYAL CANAL IN MAYNOOTHI WAS UNAWARE OF THIS BRIDGE UNTIL TODAY
Bond Bridge is a fine rubble stone bridge that forms an imposing feature on the Royal Canal and is one of a group of bridges on the section of that canal that passes through County Kildare. The construction of the arch that has retained its original shape is of technical and engineering merit. The bridge exhibits good quality stone masonry and fine, crisp joints. The bridge is of considerable historical and social significance as a reminder of the canal network development in Ireland, which brought about many technical advances and developed commercial activity in Maynooth in the late eighteenth/early nineteenth centuries.
THE OLD ORCHARD AT ST PATRICK'S COLLEGEMAYNOOTH APRIL 2023
Ireland's oldest native tree, the Silken Thomas Yew, is 700-800 years old and it is located on the St Patrick College Campus in Maynooth. This series of photographs is limited to the trees in the old orchard.
MAYNOOTH RAILWAY STATIONA VERY ATTRACTIVE SETTING
The station is situated on the south side of the Royal Canal, opposite Dukes' Harbour. Access to Maynooth is by either the footbridge to the west, which leads to the Main Street of Maynooth; west along the canal walk to residential areas of the town, or via the road bridges to the east, which lead north to the older part of Maynooth, or south to the newer areas.
VIEWS OF THE DLR LEXICON LIBRARY A KEY COMMUNITY SPACE IN DUN LAOGHAIRE
Dlr LexIcon is the centrepiece of a new public space in Moran Park. It houses a public library - a key community space where all are welcome, a municipal gallery, a Studio theatre space, extensive exhibition and performance spaces, a local history level and meeting rooms. There are 100 study spaces, 60+ computers for public use and 80,000 items in the adult and junior libraries. The building is fully accessible to people with disabilities and Brambles Café is situated on the Moran Park Level 1.
I worked in Dun Laoghaire for about fifteen years and most of my co-workers from the town and nearby objected strongly to the planning and construction of this building while I thought that it was an excellent idea.
I worked in Dun Laoghaire for about fifteen years and most of my co-workers from the town and nearby objected strongly to the planning and construction of this building while I thought that it was an excellent idea.
ROGER CASEMENT LOOKS A BIT LONELYSTATUE AT THE END OF THE JETTY AT DUN LAOGHAIRE BATHS
14 September 2021 in Dún Laoghaire the Roger Casement Statue was lifted into place at the end of the new jetty at the Dún Laoghaire Baths project, which was still under construction. The statue was commissioned by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and commemorates Casement who was born in Sandycove in 1864, became an early international human rights campaigner and who was executed for his part in the 1916 Rising.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TREES ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE IS THE PLACE TO VISIT MAYNOOTH APRIL 2023
According to Aubrey Fennell, the man with the responsibility for measuring and recording every one of Ireland’s heritage trees for the Tree Council of Ireland, Ireland’s oldest native tree is the Silken Thomas Yew tree (Taxus baccata) growing in the grounds of St Patrick’s College in Maynooth. When last measured, it had a girth (the tree version of a waist measurement) of 14 metres and is estimated to be in the region of 700-800 years old. As for Ireland’s tallest native tree, the record is held by a 40-metres high ash tree ( Fraxinus excelsior ) growing in the grounds of Marlfield House, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
CELEBRATION AN EXCELLENT SCULPTURE BY DICK JOYNTEASTER WEEKEND APRIL 2023
I first photographed it, at Eden Park, twelve years ago but until today I did not realise that this sculpture was by the father of Rachel Joynt who's sculpture "Archer II" is located nearby at Newtownsmith.
A few years a person who did not provide their name contacted me claiming that someone with the surname could not be considered to be Irish. The Irish surname Joynt is originally a Huguenot name, from the Old French word "joint" meaning "united," or "joined. The surname Joynt was first found in counties Limerick and Mayo.
A central theme of Joynt's work is the celebration of family and humanity. In this sculpture the mother, with unrelenting strength, holds aloft the curled child. The simple curved forms and the balanced bulk of the figures gives the work a monumental, timeless and universal quality that is fitting for this residential location.
A few years a person who did not provide their name contacted me claiming that someone with the surname could not be considered to be Irish. The Irish surname Joynt is originally a Huguenot name, from the Old French word "joint" meaning "united," or "joined. The surname Joynt was first found in counties Limerick and Mayo.
A central theme of Joynt's work is the celebration of family and humanity. In this sculpture the mother, with unrelenting strength, holds aloft the curled child. The simple curved forms and the balanced bulk of the figures gives the work a monumental, timeless and universal quality that is fitting for this residential location.
THE PUBLIC BATHS PROJECT IN DUN LAOGHAIRE BUT WITHOUT A SWIMMING POOLEASTER WEEKEND APRIL 2023
Works at the Dun Laoghaire Baths were substantially completed on 2nd December 2022 and will provide for the continuing public use of the area. Works included the retention and securing of the existing Baths Pavilion and the removal of dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to create a new route between Newtownsmith and the East Pier. This walkway is at a level that will create a safe and secure walk offering panoramic views over Scotsman’s Bay. The form of this walk reflects the original rocky shoreline and the historic alignment of the old gun battery that was originally located on this site. The walkway now incorporates sitting and viewing points and the land adjoining this walk will be re-graded to create sloping grassed areas. The scheme also proposes the refurbishment of the small gazebo situated along this route.
AT PEARSE STATION WAITING FOR THE DART TO DALKEYEASTER WEEKEND 2023
Pearse railway station or Dublin Pearse is a railway station on Westland Row on the Southside of Dublin, Ireland. It is Ireland's busiest commuter station and second busiest station overall (behind Dublin Connolly railway station) with 9 million passenger journeys through the station in 2016.
I REALLY LIKE THIS OLD CHERRY BLOSSOM TREE ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE IN MAYNOOTH
Cherry trees are a symbol of spring for Japanese people. The word Sakura can also be used as a name for women. The traditional custom of Hanami or Flower viewing involves visiting places where sakura are blooming. Japanese people love cherry blossoms, but they are not the national flower in Japan. Someiyoshino is the most famous type of sakura.
FREEDOM SCULPTURE BY ALEXANDRA WEJCHERT GLASS ROOFED TOUR BOAT ON THE RIVER LIFFEY
The stainless steel ‘Freedom’ sculpture by Alexandra Wejchert was installed on the North Campus of Maynooth University under a long-term loan agreement between AIB and the University.
Commissioned by AIB bank in 1985, the stainless-steel sculpture stands at 11.5 m (37 ft) high and was considered among the most ambitious large-scale exterior sculptures in Ireland. Following the relocation of the AIB headquarters from Ballsbridge, the sculpture required a new site and is now a defining feature on the landscape of Maynooth University, as a publicly accessible exterior artwork for the community and the wider region.
Commissioned by AIB bank in 1985, the stainless-steel sculpture stands at 11.5 m (37 ft) high and was considered among the most ambitious large-scale exterior sculptures in Ireland. Following the relocation of the AIB headquarters from Ballsbridge, the sculpture required a new site and is now a defining feature on the landscape of Maynooth University, as a publicly accessible exterior artwork for the community and the wider region.
SPIRIT OF THE DOCKLANDSGLASS ROOFED TOUR BOAT ON THE RIVER LIFFEY
Dublin's tour service on the River Liffey. The bright red, glass-roofed tour boat, ‘Spirit of Docklands' operates between the city centre and the Docklands, exploring the historical sites and landmarks along the River Liffey.
PEACOCK BY CONOR FITZPATRICKPAINT-A-BOX STREET ART ON MILLTOWN ROAD
Peacock by Conor Fitzpatrick on Milltown Road near the Nine Arches Bridge and across the road from the famous Dropping Well Pub.
LOWER CHURCHTOWN ROAD MY FIRST TIME TO WALK ALONG THIS ROAD
Churchtown is a largely residential affluent suburb on the south side of Dublin, between Rathfarnham and Dundrum.
I know the area well but I have never been along Lower Churchtown Road by car or by foot until today and in reality there was not much to photography along the road but there is much of interest in the general area so I plan to explore in greater detail later in the month..
I know the area well but I have never been along Lower Churchtown Road by car or by foot until today and in reality there was not much to photography along the road but there is much of interest in the general area so I plan to explore in greater detail later in the month..
GLASSON COURT PARK AND THE SLANG RIVER WINDY ARBOUR - DUNDRUM - MILLTOWN
Windy Arbour is a small suburban village in the Dundrum area of Dublin, Ireland. Situated between Dundrum and Milltown, along the banks of the Slang River (also Dundrum or Slann River).
The name of the area was originally Irish Na Glasáin, "the green land"; this was Anglicised as 'Glassons'. The name Windy Harbour or Sandy Arbour was later applied, referring to a landing-point on the River Slang. A starch mill was formerly located there. "Arbour" once had the meaning “grass plot, lawn, garden”; it is possible that the name was intended as a direct translation of glasáin.
The River Slang (Irish: Abhainn na Stéille), also known as the Dundrum Slang or the Dundrum River, a tributary of the River Dodder, is a stream which rises on Three Rock Mountain, County Dublin. It is in the jurisdiction of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The name of the area was originally Irish Na Glasáin, "the green land"; this was Anglicised as 'Glassons'. The name Windy Harbour or Sandy Arbour was later applied, referring to a landing-point on the River Slang. A starch mill was formerly located there. "Arbour" once had the meaning “grass plot, lawn, garden”; it is possible that the name was intended as a direct translation of glasáin.
The River Slang (Irish: Abhainn na Stéille), also known as the Dundrum Slang or the Dundrum River, a tributary of the River Dodder, is a stream which rises on Three Rock Mountain, County Dublin. It is in the jurisdiction of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
RANDOM IMAGES OF DALKEY2 APRIL 2023
All going well I will visit Dalkey again on Wednesday and explore the area in greater detail ... I am assuming the the the weather will be suitable.
RANDOM IMAGES OF DALKEY2 APRIL 2023
All going well I will visit Dalkey again on Wednesday and explore the area in greater detail ... I am assuming the the the weather will be suitable.
DALKEY TRAIN STATION2 APRIL 2023
Today when I visited my mother, she is 103 next month, she mentioned that there had been a railway accident in Dalkey Station in 1979. Back then I used the service on a basis as I had a business in Bray and travelled twice a day between Bray and Dun Laoghaire and had been unaware of such an event but after a quick online search I found the following account: "The accident happened shortly after 8.30 am in Dalkey in an area known locally as the Khyber Pass because of the steep inclines on either side of the track. The location made rescue attempts difficult. Both trains were carrying around 100 passengers, mainly school-children. 41 people were treated in hospital, including driver Tommy Doyle, the most seriously injured and the last to be rescued. He was trapped in his cab for three hours."
I also discovered that there was a hotel in Dalkey named The Khyber Pass Hotel.
I also discovered that there was a hotel in Dalkey named The Khyber Pass Hotel.
THE GUINEA PIG RESTAURANTIN DALKEY VILLAGE SINCE 1957
This Guinea Pig restaurant was first opened in 1957; it was soon the established haunt of locals and the stars of screen filming in Ardmore Studios in Bray. Regular stars were John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, John Ford and Peter Ustinov. Mervyn Stewart and his family purchased the restaurant in 1978 and continued this tradition. Regulars included Hugh Leonard, Maeve Binchy, Enya, Lisa Stanfield, Bono, The Edge, Liam Neeson, Sir Cliff Richard, Meryl Streep and many more. And of Course, William Murphy.
MICROSOFT BING IMAGE GENERATOR GENERATES IMAGES OF LEPRECHAUNSTHIS IS WHAT YOU GET
Using Bing Image Creator to Generate Amazing AI Artwork: In March Microsoft announced that they were bringing Bing Image Creator, new AI-powered visual Stories and updated Knowledge Cards to the new Bing and Edge preview. Powered by an advanced version of the DALL∙E model from their partners at OpenAI, Bing Image Creator allows you to create an image simply by using your own words to describe the picture you want to see. Now you can generate both written and visual content in one place, from within chat.
IF YOU ASK ADOBE FIREFLY TO GENERATE AN IMAGE OF A LEPRECHAUN THIS IS WHAT YOU GET
Note the use of clover rather than shamrock even though I specified shamrock in the input text.
The Leprechaun is, without doubt, the most famous Irish fairy. They are Earth Fairies that specialise in shoemaking. Leprechauns are known for being extremely small, wearing green clothes and hiding treasure. Despite their popularity, the first accounts of Leprechauns don’t appear in English literature until the early 17th century. According to W. B. Yeats in his 1888 book Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry, leprechauns are small, withered old men. The popular image of these little men also suggests they are ill-tempered and mischievous.
The Leprechaun is, without doubt, the most famous Irish fairy. They are Earth Fairies that specialise in shoemaking. Leprechauns are known for being extremely small, wearing green clothes and hiding treasure. Despite their popularity, the first accounts of Leprechauns don’t appear in English literature until the early 17th century. According to W. B. Yeats in his 1888 book Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry, leprechauns are small, withered old men. The popular image of these little men also suggests they are ill-tempered and mischievous.
I ASKED FOR AN AI GENERATED IMAGES OF IRISH FAIRIESADOBE FIREFLY 01 APRIL 2023
I am currently experimenting with Firefly [Adobe], Bing [Microsoft], Playground AI, DALL-E and a few other options that I will discuss at a later date.
Several programs use text-to-image models to generate a variety of images based on various text prompts. They include OpenAI's DALL-E, which released a series of images in January 2021, Google Brain's Imagen and Parti which was announced in May 2022, Microsoft's NUWA-Infinity, and Dream by Wombo. The input can also include images and keywords and configurable parameters, such as artistic style, which is often used via keyphrases like "in the style of [name of an artist]" in the prompt and/or selection of a broad aesthetic/art style.
On 22 August 2022, Stable Diffusion was released, making the technology much more accessible and free to use on personal hardware as well as extendable by third-parties (i.e. other software projects). This enabled the development of further applications and extensions, such as plugins for Krita, Photoshop, Blender, and GIMP. The Automatic1111 Stable Diffusion UI is a popular web-based open source user interface for using the tool on one's own computer including, continuously integrated, new features (such as "Inpainting" or "Textual Inversion").The web interface by Stability.ai that allows running the software without any new installation is called DreamStudio.
There are many other AI art generation programs including simple consumer-facing mobile apps and Jupyter notebooks that require powerful GPUs to run effectively.
Several programs use text-to-image models to generate a variety of images based on various text prompts. They include OpenAI's DALL-E, which released a series of images in January 2021, Google Brain's Imagen and Parti which was announced in May 2022, Microsoft's NUWA-Infinity, and Dream by Wombo. The input can also include images and keywords and configurable parameters, such as artistic style, which is often used via keyphrases like "in the style of [name of an artist]" in the prompt and/or selection of a broad aesthetic/art style.
On 22 August 2022, Stable Diffusion was released, making the technology much more accessible and free to use on personal hardware as well as extendable by third-parties (i.e. other software projects). This enabled the development of further applications and extensions, such as plugins for Krita, Photoshop, Blender, and GIMP. The Automatic1111 Stable Diffusion UI is a popular web-based open source user interface for using the tool on one's own computer including, continuously integrated, new features (such as "Inpainting" or "Textual Inversion").The web interface by Stability.ai that allows running the software without any new installation is called DreamStudio.
There are many other AI art generation programs including simple consumer-facing mobile apps and Jupyter notebooks that require powerful GPUs to run effectively.
WHERE THE FAIRIES LIVESEAN WALSH PUBLIC PARK IN TALLAGHT
While I was photographing these fairy homes a young girl arrived and started kicking one of the little doors so it was somewhat obvious that she did not fear the wrath of the fairy-folk and that could be a bad mistake as Irish fairies are not at all pleasant.
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