Cemetery

THE O’CONNELL ROUND TOWER IN GLASNEVIN CEMETERY

October 4, 2024 by infomatique

YOU CAN CLIMB THE 198 STEPS TO THE TOP

The O’Connell Tower is a striking landmark situated in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. Standing at an impressive 55 metres (180 feet), it is one of the tallest round towers in Ireland and a testament to Daniel O’Connell, a prominent figure in Irish history.

A Monument to “The Liberator”

The tower was erected to honour Daniel O’Connell, often referred to as “The Liberator” for his tireless advocacy for Catholic Emancipation in the 19th century. He was a key figure in Irish politics, campaigning for religious freedom and equality. O’Connell’s remains are interred in a crypt beneath the tower, adding to its significance as a place of remembrance and historical importance.

Architectural Grandeur

Designed by the renowned Dublin architect Patrick Byrne, the O’Connell Tower is a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. Its imposing structure, with its intricate details and ornate carvings, is a sight to behold. The tower’s construction, completed in 1869, was a significant undertaking, involving hundreds of skilled craftsmen and labourers.

A Turbulent Past

The O’Connell Tower has witnessed its share of turbulent times. In 1971, a bomb explosion caused significant damage to the tower’s interior, rendering it inaccessible for decades. However, following extensive restoration work completed in 2018, the tower was reopened to the public, allowing visitors to once again appreciate its grandeur and learn about its fascinating history.

Climbing the Tower

Today, visitors can climb the 198 steps to the top of the O’Connell Tower, where they are rewarded with panoramic views of Dublin city, the Wicklow Mountains, and the Irish Sea. The climb is enhanced by informative panels detailing the life and achievements of Daniel O’Connell and the history of the tower itself.

Key Features

The Crypt: The ornate crypt beneath the tower houses the remains of Daniel O’Connell and some of his family members.
The Exhibition: An exhibition within the tower delves into the life of Daniel O’Connell and the history of the tower, providing valuable insights into its significance.
The Staircase: The meticulously restored staircase, based on the original 19th-century plans, is a testament to the craftsmanship of the era.
The Panoramic Views: From the summit, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, making the climb a truly rewarding experience.
The O’Connell Tower stands as a symbol of Irish resilience and a tribute to one of its most influential leaders. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Irish history and architecture.

GLASNEVIN CEMETERY THE AREA NEAR THE MAIN GATE AND THE MUSEUM

May 3, 2024 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 2 MAY 2024

WAR MEMORIAL – A GIFT FROM FRANCE

While I typically enter the cemetery via the Botanic Gardens and exit by the old gate near the Gravediggers Pub, I occasionally photograph the area near the main gate or the museum.

Glasnevin Cemetery is renowned for its historically notable monuments and for being the final resting place of many of Ireland’s most prominent national figures. These include the graves of Daniel O’Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, Arthur Griffith, Maude Gonne, Kevin Barry, Roger Casement, Constance Markievicz, Seán MacBride, Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, James Larkin, Brendan Behan, Christy Brown, and Luke Kelly of the Dubliners.

Among the most visited sites in Glasnevin is the grave of Michael Collins, the nationalist leader killed in the Irish Civil War in 1922. At least 183 soldiers of the Irish Free State were buried around him, their names recorded on a memorial surrounding Collins’ grave in 1967.

A controversial point in the cemetery’s history is the 1993 discovery of a mass grave, belonging to a Magdalene laundry, an institution used to house “fallen women.” After the convent that operated the laundry sold the land, remains were cremated and controversially reburied in a mass grave at Glasnevin, the cost shared between the developer and the Sisters from the convent.

The cemetery offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of death monuments in Ireland over the last 200 years. Styles changed from the austere, simple stone erections of the period up until the 1860s, to elaborate Celtic crosses during the nationalistic revival from the 1860s to the 1960s, then to the plain Italian marble common in the late 20th century.

The main part of the cemetery is enclosed by a high wall and watchtowers, a design specifically intended to deter bodysnatchers who were active in Dublin in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Packs of bloodhounds roamed the cemetery at night for added security.

In 2009, Glasnevin Trust, with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), began marking graves of Irish service personnel who served in the Commonwealth forces during the two world wars. Their names appear on two memorials rededicated and relocated in 2011 near the main entrance. As of July 2019, 215 service personnel of the Commonwealth of both wars have been identified as buried here. A Cross of Sacrifice was also erected during a joint Irish-British commemoration for the First World War centenary.

Glasnevin notably allowed stillborn babies to be buried in consecrated ground, in an area called the Angels Plot.

Within the cemetery grounds, Glasnevin Trust built a crematorium in 1982, used since by people of various religious denominations who wished to be cremated.

A highlight of the cemetery is the Glasnevin Trust Museum, designed by A&D Wejchert & Partners Architects and opened in 2010. The museum includes a café.

The cemetery runs tours, welcomes educational groups, and offers support for genealogists and those researching family history.

GLASNEVIN CEMETERY 6 APRIL 2024

April 7, 2024 by infomatique

I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE BOTANIC GARDENS

A Stormy Day at the Botanic Gardens

On a Saturday, amidst the unfolding of Storm Kathleen, I took a gamble. During what seemed to be a lull, I decided to visit the Botanic Gardens. My route took me via Glasnevin Cemetery. However, due to the wet and windy conditions, I opted to spend about an hour photographing some of the older and more intriguing graves.

Unfortunately, I encountered problems as I struggled to keep my lens dry. Almost all of my photographs were marred by raindrops on the lens glass. Rather than discarding these images, I decided to see if I could salvage them using Adobe’s Generative AI in Photoshop.

The process was somewhat tedious as I had to transfer photographs from Lightroom to Photoshop – a software I don’t regularly use – and then back again. To my surprise, the process was less cumbersome than I had anticipated, and the results exceeded my expectations.

Understanding Generative AI

Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new content. In the context of image editing, it employs sophisticated algorithms to analyse your image, discern patterns, and then generate new pixels or image sections. These seamlessly blend into the original, replacing unwanted elements.

Adobe’s Generative AI Tools

Adobe is actively developing and integrating generative AI capabilities into its popular software suite. While they might not have a single, standalone blemish-removal tool, several features within Photoshop could utilise generative AI techniques to achieve this:

Content-Aware Fill: This powerful tool is likely the closest to a dedicated blemish remover. It analyses the surrounding areas of a selected blemish and generates realistic pixels to replace the imperfection, often maintaining textures and lighting for seamless results.

Neural Filters (Photoshop): Adobe’s Neural Filters use machine learning models to accomplish various editing tasks. Some possibilities for blemish removal would be:
Skin Smoothing: While aimed at smoothing skin, it could be adapted to remove blemishes by subtly blurring and blending.

Smart Portrait: This filter offers adjustments for facial features and could potentially have options for targeted blemish removal in the future.
Future Filters: Adobe could release dedicated filters for blemish removal that employ more advanced generative AI.

How to use Adobe’s Generative AI for Blemish Removal

Let’s imagine a potential workflow, considering both existing and possible future Adobe tools:
Isolate the Blemish: Use Photoshop’s selection tools (like the Object Selection Tool, Lasso Tool, or Quick Selection Tool) to carefully outline the blemish you want to remove.

Apply Content-Aware Fill: With the blemish selected, go to Edit -> Content-Aware Fill. Adjust settings in the Content-Aware Fill workspace for precise control over the generated content.

Fine-tune with Healing Tools: If needed, use the Spot Healing Brush Tool or the Healing Brush Tool for any minor imperfections that the Content-Aware Fill didn’t perfectly address.

Potential Neural Filter (Future): If Adobe releases a dedicated blemish-removal filter, experiment with its settings to achieve the desired results. It could potentially offer greater automation than Content-Aware Fill for certain types of blemishes.

Advantages of Adobe’s Approach
Precision and Control: Adobe generally offers granular control over AI tools, allowing you to modify settings to ensure the changes blend seamlessly with your high-resolution image, avoiding an unrealistic or over-processed look.

Integration: Working within Photoshop means your workflow remains consistent with other editing tasks, including colour correction, cropping, and more.

Creative Potential: Generative AI in Photoshop opens doors beyond blemish removal, enabling creative image manipulations, background replacements, and other exciting possibilities.

Important Notes

Evolving Technology: Adobe’s generative AI tools for image editing are constantly under development. Expect even more robust and specialised blemish removal capabilities in the future.
No Substitute for Skill: While AI tools are powerful, they often work best in conjunction with your own photo editing skills. Understanding manual editing techniques in Photoshop is still valuable.

Glasnevin Cemetery: Historical Haven

Ireland’s National Necropolis: Founded in 1832, Glasnevin Cemetery is a final resting place for approximately 1.5 million people. It holds immense historical significance as a burial ground for pivotal figures in Irish history and culture.

Who’s Buried There: Notable figures include Daniel O’Connell (the “Liberator”), Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, Charles Stewart Parnell, Countess Markievicz, Luke Kelly (The Dubliners), Brendan Behan, and many others.

Why Photographers Love Glasnevin Cemetery

Rich Symbolism: The cemetery is filled with ornate Celtic crosses, elaborate mausoleums, weathered headstones, and grand statues, offering a wealth of subjects infused with symbolism and a strong sense of history.

Textures and Patina: The passage of time has bestowed a beautiful patina upon the monuments, creating rich textures and contrasts that photographers relish.

Light and Atmosphere: Ireland’s varying light and weather conditions contribute to a changing atmosphere within the cemetery. You might find ethereal morning mist, dramatic shadows on a sunny day, or a somber ambiance on a rainy afternoon.

Stories in Stone: The cemetery isn’t just about famous figures. Every headstone represents a life story. Photographers can find inspiration in details, epitaphs, and the intricate designs showcasing both personal and historical narratives.

Museum and Tours: The Glasnevin Cemetery Museum holds extensive historical information and exhibitions. Guided tours provide deeper insights into the lives of those buried within, offering further context for photographers.

Photography Considerations

Respect: Remember, Glasnevin is an active burial ground. Be mindful, respectful, and discreet when photographing.
Variety of Lenses: A wide-angle lens can capture the sweeping views, while a telephoto will isolate details and compress perspectives. A macro lens is great for intricate textures.

Black and White: Consider experimenting with black and white photography to emphasise mood, texture and the timeless feel of the setting. I always shoot in colour and convert to Black and White.

Yes, shooting in colour and converting to black and white in post-production is a highly recommended approach for most photographers. Here’s why:

Advantages of Shooting in Color and Converting to B&W Later:

Preserves Information: When you shoot RAW (recommended for most editing flexibility), capturing in colour retains all the colour data. Even if you convert to B&W later, you have the option to go back and create a colour image if needed. Shooting in-camera B&W discards this colour data.

Finer Control in B&W Conversion: Editing software offers a wide range of tools for B&W conversion. You can control how different colours translate into shades of gray, allowing for more targeted adjustments and a more customised B&W look.

Flexibility to Change Your Mind: If you’re unsure whether an image works better in colour or B&W, shooting in colour gives you the flexibility to decide later during editing. You can have both versions without needing to reshoot.

Are there any Disadvantages?

There are minimal downsides to this approach:

Storage Space: RAW files are larger than JPEGs. If storage space is a major concern, you might consider shooting JPEGs, but you’ll sacrifice some editing flexibility.

Extra Processing Step: Converting to B&W adds an extra step to your workflow. However, with practice, it becomes quick and can even be a creative part of the editing process.
Overall, the advantages of shooting in colour and converting to B&W later far outweigh the minor drawbacks. It gives you more creative control and ensures you don’t discard valuable image data.

Here are some additional points to consider:

Camera B&W Modes: While some cameras offer B&W preview modes, these are simulations and don’t capture the full colour data.

Experimentation: Try shooting some photos in both colour and B&W mode in-camera to see the difference and develop your eye for B&W photography.

THE CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART AND THE HISTORIC MILITARY CEMETERY AT ARBOUR HILL

February 24, 2024 by infomatique

SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2024

The Church of the Sacred Heart at Arbour Hill, located in Dublin 7, holds historical and symbolic significance. Here are the key details:

The church was given the title “Church of the Defence Forces” in 1997 when Collins Barracks (located across the road) closed. Historically, this location is significant because it houses the remains of leaders who died during the Easter Rising of 1916, including Pearse and Connolly.

The church forms part of a tripartite façade known as Arbour Hill Prison.
It is linked to the prison’s main entrance by screen walls extending to the Governor’s House.
Designed by Jacob Owen in 1835 and later rebuilt by Joshua Webb in 1845, the complex was completed in 1848.
The interior features an elaborate cruciform design and a stained glass window by the Harry Clarke Studios behind the altar.
An unusual entrance porch leads to twin galleries for visitors in the nave and transept.
The church also boasts a Celtic round tower rising from a rectangular base.

The military cemetery at Arbour Hill is the last resting place of 14 of the executed leaders of the 1916 Rising. It is therefore a place of pilgrimage for students and aficionados of this tempestuous moment in Irish history.

The clear focus of Arbour Hill is the legend of the rising. Among those buried here are Patrick Pearse, James Connolly and Major John MacBride. Their bodies were put into an unmarked pit and covered with quicklime, but their grave has now been saved from obscurity with an impressive memorial inscribed in English and Irish.

Arbour Hill Cemetery is at the rear of the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, where you can currently find a large display of 1916-related material.

I ASKED GOOGLE’S BARD AI TO GENERATE AN ACCOUNT OF GOLDENBRIDGE CEMETERY

December 15, 2023 by infomatique

IT IS CLOSE TO BEING TOTALLY INACCURATE

Watch out for the squirrels … they are grey not red.

I asked Google’s Bard AI to generate an account of Goldenbridge Cemetery and here it is with many false claims … see if you can spot them

Nestled amidst the bustling city of Dublin, Ireland, lies Goldenbridge Cemetery, a tranquil oasis of remembrance and history. Its cobblestone paths wind through a verdant expanse, lined with ornate tombstones and weathered headstones that whisper tales of lives lived and stories untold.

The cemetery’s origins can be traced back to the early 19th century, when the Catholic Association, led by the charismatic Daniel O’Connell, sought to provide dignified burial space for all faiths and none. In 1828, they acquired three acres of land near the Grand Canal, a site that would become the first Catholic cemetery in Ireland since the Reformation.

Over the years, Goldenbridge has become a treasure trove of Dublin’s rich history. Its grounds have witnessed the passing of countless souls, from prominent figures who shaped the city’s destiny to ordinary citizens who played their part in the tapestry of life.

Among the cemetery’s notable residents is Thomas Francis Meagher, a revolutionary leader who played a key role in the Irish Rebellion of 1848. His imposing monument, adorned with symbols of freedom and justice, stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for Ireland’s independence.

Another prominent figure interred in Goldenbridge is Michael Cusack, the founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Cusack’s commitment to preserving and promoting Irish culture is deeply entwined with the history of the cemetery, as the GAA’s annual graveside commemorations have become a cherished tradition.

Amidst the grand monuments and historical significance, Goldenbridge also holds a quiet intimacy, a place where families gather to remember loved ones and find solace in shared memories. The gentle rustling of leaves, the soft chirping of birds, and the distant murmur of the canal create an atmosphere of tranquility, encouraging reflection and introspection.

As the sun casts its golden rays upon the cemetery’s verdant expanse, the spirits of those who rest beneath its soil seem to stir. Their stories, whispered through the rustling leaves and carried on the gentle breeze, weave a tapestry of lives that continue to touch and inspire the living.

Goldenbridge Cemetery is more than just a burial ground; it is a living testament to the enduring spirit of Dublin, a place where history, tradition, and personal connections intertwine to create a poignant symphony of remembrance. Its hallowed grounds serve as a reminder that even in the face of death, life finds a way to flourish, echoing through the ages and forever etched in the tapestry of the city’s soul.

[NOTE] No cobblestones in the cemetery []
[NOTE] Thomas Francis Meagher is not buried in Ireland. Despite his prominent role in the Irish Rebellion of 1848, his body was never recovered after his drowning in the Sacramento River in 1867. []
[NOTE] Michael Cusack is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, Ireland. []