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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… AN OLD CANNONDiscover the fascinating history behind the Crimean War cannon at Dún Laoghaire's East Pier gardens. Featuring the imperial Romanov crest, this authentic 1857… 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.… ARCHER IIDiscover the history behind Niall O'Neill's iconic Archer II limestone sculpture at Newtownsmith, Dún Laoghaire, and how this beautiful coastal parkland was… ATLANTIC PONDExplore the fascinating history of the Atlantic Pond at Marina Park, Cork. From its Victorian origins as a leisure destination to its modern role as a…
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BLACKROCK LINEAR PARKExperience the beauty of the coastal linear park between Booterstown and Blackrock. This guide details the scenic walking route from Booterstown Station,… BLACKROCK STATIONDiscover the heritage and current status of Blackrock Train Station. This post explores its 1834 origins, the Victorian architectural preservation, and provides… BLACKROCK VILLAGEDiscover the differences between Blackrock in Cork and Blackrock in Dublin. From the riverside charm of Cork’s Blackrock Castle and Marina Greenway to the… 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… BOOTERSTOWN NATURE RESERVEDiscover Booterstown Nature Reserve, a unique saltmarsh sanctuary in South Dublin. Located adjacent to Booterstown DART station, this UNESCO Dublin Bay… 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,… BURIALS MUST BE REGISTEREDDiscover the history of Douglas Graveyard in County Cork. Learn why this former Church of Ireland site became a publicly managed cemetery, the significance of… 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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CHRIST THE KING CHURCHDiscover the history and architecture of the Church of Christ the King in Turner’s Cross, Cork. Designed by Chicago architect Barry Byrne, this 1931 masterpiece… 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,… CORK 2026I used both a Sony A1 II and a Leica Q3 to photograph the city of Cork in April 2026 CUT OUT PEOPLEDiscover the "Cut Out People" sculpture by Danny MacCarthy in Blackrock Park. This moving installation in the 1916 Memorial Garden commemorates the Easter…
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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… DALYS BRIDGEExplore the history of Daly’s Bridge, famously known as the Shakey Bridge in Cork City. Built in 1927, this unique suspension bridge connects Sunday’s Well to… DAMAGED GROTTOThe Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on Meath Street, Dublin, has undergone significant structural changes due to encroaching hotel developments. Recent damage… 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… DECK OF CARDSDiscover the history of the Deck of Cards in Cobh, Co. Cork. Built in 1850 for naval officers, these iconic Victorian houses on West View have transformed from… 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 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… 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.… DUN LAOGHAIRE SEAFRONTDiscover how the stunning restoration of the Dún Laoghaire Baths has revitalised Scotsman's Bay, and explore the newly launched Dún Laoghaire Harbour…
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ELEVATED TREE WALKWAYExtract: Discover the Elevated Tree Walkway in Cork’s Marina Park. Built by Ward and Burke and designed by OCSC, this Phase 2 development transformed the old…
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FERRY WALK MURALSExplore the history of Cork’s Ferry Walk, from the 19th-century Dooley’s Ferry to the iconic Shakey Bridge. This updated 2026 report examines the evolution of… FISHERMAN MEMORIALThe Brian Quilligan memorial at the Lee Fields in Cork is a poignant tribute to a 19-year-old local man who tragically drowned while fishing in October 2011.… 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. FOUR GRAVES AS A GROUPExplore the unique communal burial plots of the Goodwin, Veitch, and Waugh families at St Luke’s Graveyard, Douglas. Discover the meaning behind the row’s… 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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HIBERNIAN ROADTrace the evolution of Rockboro Road and Gas Works Road in Cork City. From the 19th-century gasworks that powered the city to modern "BusConnects" sustainable…
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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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KAREN UNDERWOOD TRIBUTEExplore the vibrant tribute to soul singer Karen Underwood on St Patrick’s Quay, Cork. Painted by artist Kevin O’Brien for the Mad About Cork project, this… KINGS INNS PARKhile the Honorable Society of King's Inns is renowned as Ireland's oldest legal institution, its grounds offer a tranquil, green sanctuary in Dublin 7 that…
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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… LOST INDUSTRIESExplore the striking similarities between Denis O’Connor’s "Lost Industries" in Cork and the "Sweet Water Arch" in Belfast. This photographic comparison… LUNCH AT THE GLUCKSMANExplore the Glucksman at University College Cork, a world-class contemporary art museum. Learn about its unique architecture, the artisanal Portuguese ceramics…
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MAN AND DOGDiscover the silent dialogue of "Figure Talking to a Quadruped," a captivating 1994 sculpture by renowned Irish artist Michael Quane RHA. Located in the… MARIAN GROTTO IN BLACKROCKExplore the history of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Blackrock, Cork. Built in 1958 to mark the Lourdes Centenary, this Marian shrine at Blackrock Pier… MARIAN STATUE MONAHAN ROAD CORKExplore the history of the 1954 Marian Statue at Mary’s Greenspace, Cork. Located at the Victoria Road junction, this community-maintained landmark features a… 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. MISTER MAGPIEExplore the transformation of the historic Blackrock Park kiosk into the new Mr Magpie café. Learn about the building’s 19th-century origins as a park warden's… MOTHER REDCAPSAn updated look at the dereliction of Mother Redcaps Tavern Market in Dublin's Liberties as of April 2026. This report explores the transition from the… 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… 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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NEW BRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHED USING SONY A1Discover the history behind the Cumann na mBan Bridge in Cork City. Named in 2026 to honour the Irish women’s republican organisation, this bridge represents a… 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 PEDESTRIAN BRIDGEThe Cumann na mBan Bridge at Lambley's Lane is a new pedestrian and cycle link in Cork City opened in late 2025. Part of the Beamish and Crawford Quarter… 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…
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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… ONION SELLERSUncover the history of Séamus Murphy’s "Onion Seller" and its connection to Marshall Hudson’s "Apple Woman" in Cork. This photographic exploration traces the…
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PASSAGE RAILWAYA detailed look at the recently upgraded Passage Railway Greenway section from Skehard Road to Blackrock Village. This post explores the architectural… 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,… PEOPLES PARKDiscover the history and stunning 2012 restoration of the People’s Park in Dún Laoghaire. Built in 1890 on a former granite quarry, this public Victorian… 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… PHOTO DIARYA chaotic Sunday transit delay across Dublin turns into a firmware test for the Leica Q3. Plus, a look at why Dublin street photography is shifting focus ahead… 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… PUBLIC ART ON PENROSE QUAYAn exploration of "Listening Post," a €100,000 permanent sound installation by sculptor Daphne Wright at Penrose Quay, Cork. Originally designed to broadcast… 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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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,… 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 BY BETTY GOLDA photographic exploration of Betty Gold’s 1994 sculpture "Cois na Laoi" in Fitzgerald Park, Cork. This post examines how the artist used concrete and brick to… ST JOSEPH'S CEMETERYExplore the rich history of St Joseph's Cemetery in Cork, founded by the "Apostle of Temperance," Father Theobald Mathew. Discover how a former botanical garden… SWAN FOUNTAINJust outside the park's Grand Parade entrance, you will also find the Berwick Fountain. While not inside the park itself, it is a significant 19th-century…
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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… TEMPLE BAR AT RANDOMDiscover why Temple Bar in Dublin is a tale of two cities for families. While the daytime offers cobblestone charm, street performers, and the dedicated… THE CHORNOBYL MOTHER SCULPTUREExplore the newly unveiled Chornobyl Mother sculpture by Sandra Bell in Marina Park, Cork. Commissioned to mark the 40th anniversary of the nuclear disaster,… THE JOYNTSDiscover the fascinating multi-generational artistic dialogue on the Dublin coast between sculptors Dick and Rachel Joynt. This original article explores how… THE LEE FIELDSDiscover the rich history and natural beauty of the Lee Fields in Cork. Nestled along the banks of the River Lee, the Lee Fields have served as a vital social… THE LEXICONExplore the architectural marvel and controversial history of the dlr LexIcon library at Moran Park, Dún Laoghaire. Discover how this brutalist coastal beacon… 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 POND IN BLACKROCK PARKExplore the history of the Blackrock Park pond, from its 1870s origins as a land reclamation project to its time as a vibrant 1970s concert venue. Discover why… 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 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 SWAN FOUNTAINThe fountain was created by the renowned Irish sculptor John Behan to commemorate Cork's 800th anniversary as a chartered city. It features a bronze sculpture… 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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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… WEEPING BEECHDiscover the historic Weeping Beech of St Luke’s Graveyard, Douglas. A stunning example of Victorian funerary horticulture, this ancient tree serves as a living… 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… WHIRLYBIRDSExplore the 2026 status of the Garda Air Support Unit fleet. We review the transition from the legacy EC135 T2 to the modern Airbus H135, the role of the Irish…
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