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2023

TAYLOR SWIFT VISITS THE HACIENDA BAR

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A SPEAKEASY NEAR CAPEL STREET

VISIT THE JULY 2024 PHOTO GALLERY

Hidden discreetly on Little Mary Street in Dublin’s North City centre, The Hacienda Bar transcends mere pub status. It stands as a living relic, a testament to the city’s vibrant past. Often hailed as one of Dublin’s last authentic speakeasies, it occupies a cherished spot in the cultural tapestry of the city. Step inside, and you’re instantly transported to a bygone era—a place where secrets linger in the dimly lit corners, and vintage décor whispers stories of days long past.

Recently, The Hacienda Bar stepped into the limelight when it hosted a private soirée for none other than Taylor Swift and her entourage. Following her triumphant three-night concert series at the Aviva Stadium, the bar’s proprietor, Shay, revelled in welcoming the superstar, her boyfriend Travis Kelce, fellow musicians, dancers, and even the legendary Fleetwood Mac singer, Stevie Nicks.

But this star-studded gathering is no anomaly. Over the years, The Hacienda Bar has become a well-guarded secret among celebrities, earning its reputation as “Dublin’s best-kept gem.” Its unpredictable door policy adds to the allure, ensuring that only the fortunate few gain entry.

Beyond the glittering names, The Hacienda Bar’s appeal lies in its ability to preserve the spirit of a bygone era. Its origins trace back to a time when speakeasies emerged out of necessity—operating in clandestine corners to defy prohibition and strict regulations.

While Ireland never faced nationwide prohibition like the U.S., local restrictions periodically cast shadows over alcohol sales. During those moments, The Hacienda provided solace—a haven where forbidden pleasures flowed freely, and kindred spirits found refuge.

Today, The Hacienda Bar continues this legacy, offering an exclusive experience to its members. Conversations flow like the finest whiskey, laughter dances through the air, and the past harmonizes seamlessly with the present. Amidst Dublin’s ever-changing landscape, The Hacienda stands resilient—a testament to tradition’s enduring allure and the unbreakable bonds of community.

MILITARY ROAD AND VIEWS FROM THE ROAD

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PHOENIX PARK APRIL 2024

Military Road: A Historical and Scenic Route in Phoenix Park

Located within Dublin’s sprawling Phoenix Park, Military Road holds both historical significance and natural beauty. Let’s explore its features:

Origins: The name “Military Road” hints at its past. It was constructed in the 18th century to connect the Royal Magazine Fort (where ammunition was stored) to other military installations throughout the park.

Route: Military Road stretches roughly east-west. It begins near the park’s Chapelizod Gate entrance and extends across much of the park’s southern portion. It’s a popular route for cyclists, joggers, and walkers.

Landmarks: Along Military Road, you’ll encounter several notable features:

Cricket and Soccer Grounds: The park boasts numerous sports fields, including cricket and soccer (football) pitches, used by local teams and clubs.
Deer-Keepers’ Lodges: Charming historic lodges once housing the park’s deer-keepers are dotted along the road. These picturesque buildings add to the area’s ambiance.

Wildlife: Unsurprisingly, Phoenix Park’s famous herd of fallow deer are often spotted grazing near Military Road.
Tree-lined Beauty: Mature trees flank much of Military Road, creating a beautiful, shaded canopy for visitors, especially in the warmer months.

Access to Other Attractions: Military Road provides convenient access to other parts of the park, including the Dublin Zoo and the People’s Gardens, making it a great base to explore from.

Additional Notes:

While generally enjoyable for cars, be aware some sections of Military Road can get busy during peak hours.
The road hosts parking areas, making it an easy place to start your Phoenix Park adventure.
If you’re visiting Phoenix Park, a stroll or cycle along Military Road promises a mix of history, natural beauty, and glimpses into Dublin’s park life.

I’M A TEAPOT – IT IS ACTUALLY THE NEWELL TEAPOT OR IF YOU PREFER THE UTAH TEAPOT

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LOCATED NEAR THE SMITHFIELD TRAM STOP

  1. HTTP Status Code 418 I’m a Teapot. In the context of web development, the HTTP Status Code 418 I’m a Teapot is a client error response code that indicates that the server refuses to brew coffee because it is, permanently, a teapot. This code is often used as a joke or a way to indicate that the server is not functioning properly. It is not a standard HTTP status code, but it is recognized by many web browsers and servers.
  2. Children’s Nursery Rhyme. The phrase “I’m a Teapot” is also the opening line of a popular children’s nursery rhyme. The rhyme is about a teapot that is short and stout and can be picked up and poured out. It is often used to teach young children about the basic parts of a teapot.

The two meanings of “I’M A Teapot” are often combined in memes and jokes about the internet. For example, a programmer might say “The server is throwing a 418 I’m a Teapot error,” which is a way of saying that the server is being difficult or refusing to cooperate.

  1. The real explanation. This is located in Smithfield, Dublin rather than Smithfield [Utah]. It is close to the LUAS Tram Stop.

The Smithfield Square Lower commission invited artists to propose an artwork that promotes meaningful interaction between people and place through contemporary sculptural practice. It asked artists to consider how public sculpture can define a space and re-focus people’s attention, enabling a deeper and enduring relationship between residents, workers, tourists, commuters and a city-centre neighbourhood.

The Utah teapot, or the Newell teapot, is a 3D test model that has become a standard reference object and an in-joke within the computer graphics community. It is a mathematical model of an ordinary Melitta-brand teapot that appears solid with a nearly rotationally symmetrical body. Using a teapot model is considered the 3D equivalent of a “Hello, World!” program, a way to create an easy 3D scene with a somewhat complex model acting as the basic geometry for a scene with a light setup. Some programming libraries, such as the OpenGL Utility Toolkit,even have functions dedicated to drawing teapots.

The teapot model was created in 1975 by early computer graphics researcher Martin Newell, a member of the pioneering graphics program at the University of Utah. It was one of the first to be modelled using bézier curves rather than precisely measured.

Alan Butler is an artist living and working in Dublin. Educated at NCAD, Dublin and LaSalle College of the Arts, Singapore, he works across a range of media to primarily explore digital cultures and video games. His work has been exhibited widely in museums, galleries and arts festivals around the world, and is part of many collections, including The Irish Museum of Modern Art, The National Gallery of Ireland, and the Arts Council of Ireland. He is part of the multi-disciplinary collective Annex, which will represent Ireland at the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2021.

Note: Smithfield is a city in Cache County, Utah, United States. The population was 9,495 at the 2010 United States Census, with an estimated population of 12,025 in 2019. It is included in the Logan, Utah-Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the second largest city in the area after Logan, the county seat.

FITZGIBBON STREET GARDA STATION REOPENED LAST YEAR

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SEPTEMBER 2023 VISIT

As I was walking along the street a pair of Guards (police) advised me that it might not be a good idea to be walking around here with an expensive camera, this is the second time that I have received such advice while visiting the Mountjoy Square area of the city. Having investigate online all I can report that all indications are that this is an area that should be avoided at night and unfortunately this advice applies to much on the North Inner City.

Fitzgibbon Street was developed c.1795 as an eastern extension from Mountjoy Square, part of the Gardiner Estate. Mountjoy Square was built c.1790, and offshoot streets including Fitzgibbon Street, Belvedere Place, Gardiner Place, and Gardiner Street were planned at the same time.

Fitzgibbon Street Garda station has been officially reopened in April 2022 having been more-or-less unoccupied since its closure as a Garda station in 2011. Built approximately 110 years ago, the three-storey building needed extensive refurbishment. The station has been occupied since works finished at the end of 2021.

The revamped station also houses a bespoke Crime Victim Support Suite, the first of its kind in the State. It also features no cells for people who have been arrested, with suspects instead being taken to near-by Mountjoy Garda station for questioning.

This monumental police barracks, built in the last decade of the British colonial administration, was later transferred to the Garda Síochána. The imposing, decorative and unusual station stands out on this streetscape of brown brick two-storey townhouses and faces a late twentieth-century social housing scheme. Croke Park stadium dominates the skyline to the east. The façade of this building is enlivened by masonry detailing, including a machicolated cornice, channelled masonry ground floor, cartouches and aprons under second floor windows, and a limestone doorcase, adding architectural interest to the street. The contrasting brick and stonework also sets the building apart, and the finely wrought plinth, steps and railings with decorative piers adds significantly to the quality of the streetscape.

The Garda Síochána is the national police and security service of Ireland. It is more commonly referred to as the Gardaí or “the Guards”. The service is headed by the Garda Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Since the formation of the Garda Síochána in 1923, it has been a predominantly unarmed force, and more than three-quarters of the force do not routinely carry firearms.

RANDOM IMAGES OF LUAS TRAMS ARRIVING AND LEAVING THE STOP

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PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT BROADSTONE

The Broadstone tram stop is located on the Luas Green Line, which runs through the city centre of Dublin. The stop is served by trams in both directions, and it is a popular connection for people traveling to and from the Grangegorman University Campus.

The Broadstone tram stop was opened in 2017, as part of the Luas Cross City project. The project extended the Green Line north from St. Stephen’s Green to Broombridge, and it included the construction of a new tram stop at Broadstone.

The Broadstone tram stop is a modern, accessible facility, and it is equipped with ticket machines, seating, and a waiting shelter. The stop is also located close to a number of bus stops, making it a convenient connection for people using public transportation. It is also my local tram stop which I use almost daily in preference to the Dominick Street tram stop.

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