infomatique

THE DEAN HOTEL CORK JUST BEFORE SUNSET

May 14, 2023 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED USING A SONY RX0 CAMERA

The RX0 is about the size of a matchbox so I usually carry it in my pocket every where I go incase there is something interesting to photograph. Of course one may wonder why not use a smartphone – no one is aware that I am taking photographs as I can hide it it the palm of my hand.

Unfortunately the Dean Hotel is way too expensive for me especially as I spend most of my time out photographing when I visit a city,

Set among offices in the docklands area alongside the River Lee, this trendy hotel is 4 minutes’ walk from Cork Kent train station, a 13-minute walk from the Crawford Art Gallery and 2 km from Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral.

The chic rooms have Wi-Fi, smart TVs and Nespresso machines, as well as minifridges. Family rooms add bunk beds. Suites provide sitting areas; some feature free-standing copper baths.

Amenities include a hip bar, and a fashionable rooftop restaurant with terraces and city views, plus a gym and breakfast. (What is a hip bar – should it be a hip bath?)

ST LUKE’S CHURCH OF IRELAND GRAVEYARD IN DOUGLAS COUNTY CORK

May 14, 2023 by infomatique

EXAMPLES OF OBELISKS

BIRD CARVINGS IN THIS GRAVEYARD

Obelisks became popular gravestone motifs in 19th-century Britain and Ireland due to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1801 and the occupation of Egypt. To ancient Egyptians, obelisks were petrified rays of sunlight where the sun god Ra lived. In graveyards they symbolise ancient godliness, greatness.

THE FAMILY BVRIAL PLACE OF JAMES CLERY ESQ

May 13, 2023 by infomatique

ST FINBARR’S CEMETERY CORK

I could be wrong but James Clery was a wine merchant.

The name Ua Cléirigh is considered by many to be one of the earliest surnames recorded in Ireland. In the centuries since it has been anglicised in various forms either to; O’Clery, O’Cleary, Clery, Cleary, Clary or as a full translation of the name into Clark, Clerk or Clerke, Clarke.

I often wondered why many gravestones and monuments have “v” instead of “u” but did not investigate until this week … bost buildings that encompass Roman-style architecture use the Latin alphabet, which only had 23 letters at one time, not including the letter U. The “U” sound still existed, but it was represented with the letter V.

St. Finbarr’s Cemetery in Cork, Ireland, is the city’s largest and one of the oldest cemeteries in Ireland which is still in use.

Located on the Glasheen Road, it was first opened in the 1860s. The entrance gateway was erected circa 1865, and the mortuary chapel consecrated in 1867.

Many of the early burials were of the wealthy citizens of the city. Unlike older cemeteries, St. Finbarr’s was professionally laid out with numbered pathways and wide avenues.

YUAN MING YUAN RESTAURANT

May 13, 2023 by infomatique

17 PRINCES STREET CORK

I really like the interior of this restaurant and I have made a number of attempts to photograph it but I have always been disappointed by the results. The interior is very dark but there are one or two really strong lights that overpower the sensors … I tried underexposing but the resulting noise is unacceptable.

Cork City has many excellent restaurants but unfortunately many of them do not open until 5PM or 6PM and that does not suit. Most do not open on Mondays and others are closed on Tuesdays (maybe Monday and Tuesdays). The selection of Chinese restaurants is somewhat limited so by default I usually have lunch at Yuan Ming Yuan as I really like the restaurant (especially the staff).

Some reviews mentioned that only the set menu was available at lunch time but I did not find this to be the case as I was offered the Dim Sum and à la carte menus as well as the lunch menu. The Dim Sum was excellent but I ordered much more than I could eat.

GABRIEL HOUSE SUMMERHILL NORTH IN CORK CITY

May 13, 2023 by infomatique

MY ACCOMMODATION FOR A WEEK IN MAY 2023

Every time I leave my hotel I take a photograph in order to check that my camera is working … this ensures that I have installed a battery and and a memory card.

With its elevated position, Gabriel House looks out over Cork’s cathedral spires and the harbour. A 5-minute walk from the centre, the house is surrounded by landscaped gardens, offering en suite rooms and free WiFi. I stay here most times I am in Cork City and I hope to stay here again in August. Maybe there will be less problems with rain in August.

Most rooms at Gabriel House Guesthouse boast stunning views of the garden and countryside. Rooms all feature TVs. All guests have access to filtered water and fresh ice available from reception.

Dating from the early 1900s, Gabriel House features 10-feet-high ceilings, a characteristic staircase and many original features. Guests can relax in the garden and patio to the rear of the property.

Guests can pick out freshly laid eggs for breakfast each morning from the house’s own resident hens. A traditional Irish breakfast is served daily and made from local ingredients, while breads, biscuits scones are freshly home-baked every day.