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A DAY IN THE LIFEA rainy June Bank Holiday in Dublin forces a shift in plans for *The Urban Cartographer*. Exploring the city's changing architecture and extreme weather… ALL FORMS OF STREET ARTThe commercialization of street art is a complex issue with both positive and negative aspects. It has brought recognition and financial rewards to many… AN EMPTY PLINTHIn the heart of the People's Flower Garden, a solitary plinth stands as a silent witness to a bygone era. This classically-styled pedestal once supported a… ARCHBOLDS CASTLEWhile the castle's origins are linked to the Dungan family, it acquired its current name from the Archbold family, who leased the property in the 18th century.…
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BALBRIGGAN HARBOUR JUNE 2026Explore the shifting landscape of Balbriggan Harbour, from its engineering as a traditional drying port to the removal of the iconic HMS Portisham. A reflection… BALLBRIGGAN VIADUCTCompleted circa 1843, the viaduct stands as a definitive feature of the Balbriggan skyline. Carrying the busy Dublin-to-Belfast railway line, it rises with… BARNARDO SQUAREA critical examination of Dublin’s lost public spaces, from the sterile redevelopment of Barnardo Square to the neglect of 1872 Industrial Exhibition statues at… BLACKROCK STATIONDiscover the heritage and current status of Blackrock Train Station. This post explores its 1834 origins, the Victorian architectural preservation, and provides… BOLAND MILLS MARCH 2009Discover the architectural transformation of Dublin’s historic Bolands Mills at Grand Canal Dock. This article explores the dramatic redevelopment that balanced… BOLAND MILLS MARCH 2009Discover the architectural transformation of Dublin’s historic Bolands Mills at Grand Canal Dock. This article explores the dramatic redevelopment that balanced… BOOTERSTOWNNature enthusiasts will appreciate Booterstown's proximity to Blackrock Park, a sprawling green space offering scenic walks, a lake, and playgrounds. The nearby… BOOTERSTOWN MARSHBooterstown Marsh and Nature Reserve is a unique and important habitat with an interesting history. The marsh's origins are directly linked to the construction… BRIDGEFOOT STREETBridgefoot Street Park in Dublin 8 is an experimental public space built from recycled construction waste. While a pioneer in sustainable design, the park faces… BRIDGEFOOT STREET AND NEARBYThe transformation of a former municipal dump and later a site of social housing into a public park signifies a significant shift in urban planning priorities,… BUSHY PARKBushy Park is a large public park located in Terenure, Dublin, Ireland, bordering the River Dodder. Unlike many other urban parks which feature formal gardens,… BY ANDY McAndyMc is a Dublin based artist and designer. His works predominately focus on portraiture, in a colourful street art kind of way. BY CIARA JOHNSONThe Great Irish Elk, also known as the Irish Deer or Giant Deer (Megaloceros giganteus), is an extinct species of deer renowned for its colossal size and… BY CLAIRE PROUVOSTClaire Prouvost is a French visual artist who has made Dublin her home. She is known for her large-scale murals and public art installations. Her work often… BY JESSICA MOLESINIMolesini, originally from Italy, is a Dublin-based illustrator and muralist known for her vibrant colours and playful cartoon style. BY MARIA CASTILLOMaria Castillo's artistic journey began in Mexico City, where she was born and raised. Her parents, both painters, instilled in her a deep passion for art from… BY PATRICIA DONNELLYBlog Post, Sony RX0,Patricia Donnelly, Irish Sculptor, Sculpture In Context, National Botanic Gardens Dublin, Contemporary Irish Art, Bronze Sculpture,…
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CHILDREN OF LIRDiscover the history and symbolism of Dublin's Garden of Remembrance and its iconic Children of Lir sculpture. Explore how international visitors and local… CHURCH AVENUE TO BEECHWOODJoin me for a walk from Upper Rathmines to the Beechwood Luas stop. We explore the Victorian history of Church Avenue and Dunville Avenue, reflect on the legacy… CHURCH STREET JUNE 2026Explore the rich history of Dublin’s Church Street, from its ancient origins as a royal highway to its medieval transformation. This article details the… COLLEGE CEMETERY MAYNOOTHDiscover the fascinating history, dark student lore, and true stories behind the hidden cemetery at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. From the tragic reality of… CONTEXT 2026 CANCELLEDExplore the 40-year history of Sculpture in Context, Ireland’s premier outdoor art exhibition. From its 1985 origins at Fernhill Gardens to its iconic residency… COPY OF A STONE TEMPLESantry Demesne Public Park holds within its boundaries echoes of a grand past, most notably through a replica of a once-prominent stone temple. This temple,…
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DALKEY PARISH CHURCHDalkey, once a thriving harbour and fishing centre, experienced a period of decline after the 16th century. The ancient St. Begnet’s Church, dating back to the… DAME LANE MURALSDiscover the hidden connection between Derry Girls' Clare Devlin and literary icon Oscar Wilde in this exploration of Dublin street art near Dame Lane. A look… DAY OF THE BIG STORMStorm Éowyn, a powerful and unusual weather system, brought significant disruption to Ireland and the UK in late January 2025. On 24 January, businesses in… DUBLIN DOCKLANDSThe Dublin Docklands today stand as a testament to the city's maritime heritage and its capacity for reinvention. The area's history serves as a reminder of the… DUBLIN DOCKLANDS AUGUST 2009A retrospective look at the transformation of the Dublin Docklands in August 2009. Correcting a camera metadata error reveals a fleeting snapshot of Santiago… DUBLIN ICON FACTORYThe Icon Factory, a vibrant hub of creativity nestled in the heart of Dublin's Temple Bar, left an indelible mark on the city's cultural landscape. More than… DUBLIN NORTH"Rougher" vs. "Posher": There's a stereotype that the Northside is "rougher" while the Southside is "posher." Like any stereotype, this is an oversimplification… DUBLIN PRIDE HUB 2026Discover how Dublin City Council transformed Capel Street into a vibrant, immersive Pride flag installation for the 2026 Dublin Pride Parade. Learn more about… DUNDRUM VILLAGEDundrum Village is a charming suburb in South Dublin. It's known for its mix of old and new, with a historic village center and the modern Dundrum Town Centre,… DUN LAOGHAIRE BATHSThis blog post explores the captivating history of Dun Laoghaire Baths, nestled in the picturesque seaside town of Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin, Ireland.…
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FLOWER GARDENNestled within Phoenix Park, the People's Flower Garden is a beautifully manicured Victorian garden spanning 9 hectares. Originally known as the Promenade… FLUDUBLINFluDublin is a supporters' club for fans of the Brazilian football team Fluminense, based in Dublin, Ireland. FRANCIS STREETDiscover the complex history and recent upgrading of Francis Street in Dublin’s Liberties. From the long-awaited restoration of the Iveagh Market to the… FULL MOON AT CHRIST CHURCHDiscover the magic of 'Full Moon,' a vibrant new street art installation by Spanish artist Sara Maneiro Rey (Sarosky Studio). Located at the historic…
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GOAT CASTLEDalkey Castle, also known as Goat Castle, stands on Castle Street in the charming coastal village of Dalkey, south of Dublin. GRAND CANAL QUAYGrand Canal Quay is a dynamic and evolving district nestled within Dublin's Docklands. This vibrant hub seamlessly blends residential, commercial, and… GRAND CANAL SQUAREGrand Canal Square is a striking public space in the heart of Dublin's revitalised Docklands. Situated on the south side of the River Liffey, it forms a key…
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HENRIETTA PLACE JUNE 2026Today’s shoot took me to Henrietta Place, the historic lane connecting North King Street and Henrietta Street. For this session, I paired the Sony A7RVI with…
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INTERESTING DOORThe large door next to 19 Lord Edward Street, featuring a bronze Viking longship, may be an entrance to the Home Response flats complex. While information about… I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS SKIPDiscover the story of the "mild steel nymphaeum," a unique Corten steel sculpture featured at the Hunt Museum during the 2010 EVA International. From chance…
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LANSDOWNE MARCH-APRIL 2009Before its demolition in 2007, Lansdowne Road was the oldest operational international rugby stadium in the world. Its sporting heritage dates back to 1872,… LIFFEY PARKAmong these urban green spaces is Liffey Park, a picturesque stretch along the River Liffey that meanders through Dublin's heart. This photographic series… LITTLE SHIP STREETExplore the hidden history of Dublin’s Little Ship Street and Werburgh Street. From the "Defence of the Castle" art panels to 1,000-year-old Viking discoveries…
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MANOR STREET PIGEON HOUSEDiscover what happened to Stoneybatter's infamous "Pigeon House" at 30 Manor Street. Read about its 2024 sale, recent demolition, future development plans, and… MARTELLO TOWER 15Blackrock Park's landscape reveals several layers of history. A fine example of Victorian landscape design, the park features a bandstand, lake, and pavilion,… MAUREEN KELLY FOXOriginally hailing from Galway, graphic designer Maureen Kelly Fox has been a resident of Lucan for the past 25 years. Her extensive career spans both freelance… MILESTONE ON ROCK ROADYesterday I attended a lecture about Quantum navigation so the milestone on Rock Road caught my attention. MOTHERSHIP SCULPTUREMay the dawn of 2025 bring you new hope, joy, and countless opportunities. May each day be filled with happiness, success, and cherished moments with loved… MURALS ON DAME LANEExperience Dublin Pride 2026 through the lens of the city's vibrant street art. From Emmalene Blake’s iconic Dame Lane murals to Joe Caslin’s powerful new… MUSE BY JACKIE BALLxplore the career of Jackie Ball, the influential Irish sculptor and long-term Chairperson of Sculpture in Context. Discover her unique ceramic installations,…
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NEWMARKET AREA AND NEARBYExplore the 2026 status of Newmarket Square, Dublin. From the completion of the major public realm revamp to the latest in Build-to-Rent developments like 18… NEW PLAY AREAIn late 2023, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council officially opened the highly anticipated adventure play space in Blackrock Park. This exciting new facility… NORTH KING STREETDiscover the history of the North King Street Massacre during the 1916 Easter Rising, where 16 civilians were killed by British forces. Learn about the…
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O'CONNELL STREET JUNE 2026Explore the rich history of Dublin's O'Connell Street, from the 1916 Easter Rising to its modern architecture. Discover why this iconic Irish boulevard and its… ONE EATOKYO LEFTEatokyo, a long-standing Japanese restaurant on Capel Street, has sadly closed. While no official reason has been publicly given, their website only lists… OSCAR WILDE MEMORIALOscar Wilde, Dublin Pride 2026, Merrion Square, LGBTQ+ history, Irish literature, Danny Osborne sculpture, queer icon, Victorian era, gay history, Dublin…
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PATRICIA DONNELLY 2018Explore the life and work of Patricia Donnelly, a prominent Irish sculptor and key committee member of Sculpture In Context. Discover her unique bronze works,… PHOENIX FOLLYThe Phoenix Folly draws inspiration from that 1747 monument in Phoenix Park, commissioned by the 4th Earl of Chesterfield. This column, topped with a mythical… PORTOBELLO HARBOURThe name Portobello, meaning "beautiful harbour", has a curious origin. It is derived from the Spanish colonial port of Portobelo in Panama, captured by the… PRIDE VILLAGE 27 JUNE 2026Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Dublin Pride 2026 "Pride Village" at Merrion Square. Following the annual Pride Parade, this free, open-air festival… PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENSDublin is renowned for its abundance of well-maintained and well-managed public parks and green spaces, offering a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of… PUBS AND RESTAURANTSThe pub and restaurant scene in Ireland is incredibly diverse, ranging from traditional, cosy pubs serving hearty Irish fare to modern gastropubs and fine…
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RANELAGH 17 JUNE 2026Discover the rich history of Ranelagh, Dublin. Explore its grand Victorian architecture along Northbrook and Dartmouth Road to the Grand Canal, unwrap its… ROBERT EMMETRumours circulated that the wall displaying the Robert Emmet memorial plaque had been demolished and replaced by builders' hoarding. To verify this, I visited…
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SALTWATER LAKEThe lake is the dominant feature within Blackrock Park, a green space managed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Its shape is organic in outline,… SALTWATER LAKEThe lake is the dominant feature within Blackrock Park, a green space managed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Its shape is organic in outline,… SAND CASTLES 30 AUGUST 2021A retrospective look at the 2021 Dublin Castle sand sculpture exhibition, captured on the unique Foveon-powered Sigma DP1 Quattro. This article explores the… SANDYCOVEMany years ago, I photographed an official sign that read "FORTY FOOT MEN ONLY". My account of the area should explain why this was considered amusing. SCULPTURE AT MAYNOOTH COLLEGEThe bronze sculpture of Pope John Paul II with Irish youth stands on the South Campus of Maynooth College (St Patrick’s Pontifical University / Maynooth… ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE CAMPUSDiscover the unique history and physical boundaries between St Patrick's College and Maynooth University. Learn how a historic Catholic seminary evolved into a…
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TEAPOT SCULPTUREDiscover the fascinating story behind "Smithfield Utah," the giant bronze teapot sculpture by Alan Butler located in Dublin's Smithfield Square. Learn how this… TEMPLE BARExplore the hidden side of Dublin’s cultural quarter. Discover the history of Crampton Court, famously rebranded as "Love Lane" by artist Anna Doran. Home to… TESTING iOS 27An exploration of modern operating system updates on older iPhone hardware, resolving Sony camera battery drain via dual-device field setups, and how EU… THE GRANGEGORMAN UNIVERSITY CAMPUSA comprehensive review of the TU Dublin Grangegorman campus development in 2026. Examining the historical masterplan, the persistent relocation delays facing… THE KITTYWAKE LEGACYDiscover the fascinating history of the Lightship Kittiwake and the developer plans to turn her into a Dublin restaurant. Learn why Irish Lights retired its… THEMPLEBAR LESS THE COLOURDiscover why black and white photography remains a popular choice for artists, while exploring the counter-perspective of a photographer who prefers the… THE OLD BANDSTANDDespite its years of neglect, the Bushy Park bandstand is not forgotten. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in its potential, with plans for its… THE REAL SANTA CLAUSEI am discussing this church because a person that I met on my last visit to Francis Street mentioned that this church was dedicated to Santa Clause.… THE RUST BUCKETS IN BALBRIGGANThe buildings, which locals have colloquially dubbed "The Rust Buckets," are finished in Corten steel (weathering steel). This material was a deliberate design… THE SHORTEST STREET IN DUBLINSEO Extract: Discover Palace Street, famously known as the shortest street in Ireland. Located in the heart of Dublin, this historic thoroughfare serves as the… THE THREE FATES IN CONTEXTDiscover the fascinating history of the Three Graces statues in Dublin's King's Inns Park. This urban archaeology exploration traces their journey from the 1872… THE WATCHERS ON ABBEY STREET 2009A look back at the 2009 Abbey Street protests in Dublin, exploring the controversial history of Scientology in Ireland, global hostility toward the group, and… THREE MISSING BEARSDiscover the true story behind Patrick O’Reilly’s iconic bronze bears. Once a beloved fixture of Dublin’s Point Village, the "Three Bears One Gig No Porridge"… TIVOLI CAR PARK 2023Explore the history and demise of Dublin's Tivoli Theatre and its iconic street art car park. Discussing the shift from a vibrant urban canvas to a… TIVOLI STREET ARTIn the years leading up to its demolition, the Tivoli car park had become an unlikely hub for Dublin's vibrant street art scene. Its walls, once drab and…
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ULVERTON ROADUlverton Road was created as an alternative route to Harbour Road, connecting Dún Laoghaire and Bullock Harbour with Dalkey Village. Its wide expanse and… USHER MONUMENTThe Usher Memorial, also known as the Usher Monument, is a historical landmark located in Dundrum, Dublin, Ireland. It commemorates Dr Isaac Usher, a respected…
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VIADUCT WALKWAYDiscover the architectural beauty and cultural significance of the historic Balbriggan Railway Viaduct. Explore how this 1843 landmark compares to the famous…
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WAR MEMORIAL PARKThe gardens are primarily dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the Great War (1914-1918). However, they also honour all Irishmen who… WELLINGTON OBELISKThe Wellington Monument in Phoenix Park, a towering obelisk marking the Dublin skyline, stands as a somewhat ironic tribute to Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of… WILTON PLACEOne of the most notable additions to the North Bank of the Grand Canal at Wilton Terrace is a new sculpture, Man on Trestle, by the acclaimed Armagh-born…
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