North Of The Liffey

HENRIETTA STREET AND KINGS INNS WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP

September 27, 2024 by infomatique

A NUMBER OF VISITS DURING SEPTEMBER 2024

Henrietta Street and King’s Inns are inextricably linked, sharing a rich history and architectural significance.

King’s Inns, Ireland’s oldest school of law and the country’s only Inn of Court, occupies a prominent position at the top of Henrietta Street.
The impressive neoclassical building on Henrietta Street, designed by James Gandon, is the heart of King’s Inns and houses its main functions.
Additionally, King’s Inns owns several other properties on Henrietta Street, including the library building and some Georgian houses, further solidifying its presence on the street.
The park, situated behind the main building, adds a touch of serenity to the legal institution and provides a green space for students and staff.

THE PUB THAT MOVE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE TO THE NORTH SIDE

September 12, 2024 by infomatique

THE BERNARD SHAW

The Bernard Shaw, a beloved Dublin institution, made a significant move in 2020 from its original location on South Richmond Street to Cross Guns Bridge in Glasnevin.

Why the Relocation?

The primary reason for the relocation was the expiration of the lease at the South Richmond Street location. Rather than facing an uncertain future there, the Bernard Shaw team took the opportunity to secure a larger space with greater potential for expansion and development.

Comparison of Locations

Old Location (South Richmond Street)

Central location with good accessibility
Smaller space with limited room for growth
Strong association with the city’s cultural scene
New Location (Cross Guns Bridge)

More spacious, allowing for a larger beer garden, food stalls, and event areas.
Further from the city center, but still well-connected by public transport
Opportunities for new ventures, like the Eatyard food market.
Overall Impact

The relocation of the Bernard Shaw sparked a mix of emotions among Dubliners. Some lamented the loss of a landmark in its original location, while others embraced the new and expanded possibilities. Ultimately, the move allowed the Bernard Shaw to evolve and thrive in a larger space, continuing to offer its unique blend of food, drinks, music, and events to a loyal clientele.

WESTBROOK MOTORS CAR SHOWROOM PARKGATE STREET

June 11, 2024 by infomatique

AS IT WAS IN JUNE 2024

ABOUT PARKGATE STREET

THE MOTOR TRADE IN DUBLIN AND ELSEWHERE

ABOUT THIS UNOCCUPIED SHOWROOM

I have passed this site a number of times and I always thought they it was not well maintained but today it appeared to be derelict but when I checked their site is was shown to be operational and many Google searches indicated that it was operational but eventually I found a Google Maps entry, with a slightly different address, that showed the site to be Permanently Closed.

I eventually came across the following notice which was published in May 2019

“Motor Showroom close to Courts and Heuston Station “ripe for development”, subject to planning permission for a range of uses including residential, shared living, aparthotel, hotel, retail or offices. Tenants Westbrook Motors and The Natural Bakery Company will continue to trade there until the expiration of their leases towards the end of 2022. The whole plot is producing an annual rental income of €153,900 with the option to increase this with the letting of vacant offices.”

I am beta testing a service that conducts some in depth research for me and they replied as follows:

You are absolutely correct! Westbrook Motors at Parkgate Street seems to have either moved or consolidated their operations. Their website now redirects to their location at: Unit 6D Rosemount Park Road, Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 D11 NR20. This could explain why the Parkgate Street location appears closed, despite their website still being active.

Westbrook Motors has a rich history in Dublin.

Joseph Clarke started his career as an apprentice mechanic with Westbrook Motors on Parnell Street over 50 years ago. In 1980, Joe bought the business and, through hard work and dedication, grew it until he retired in 2010.

Their website mentions the Parkgate Street location but does not specify when it opened or closed. However, the information you found about the 2019 notice indicates it was in operation until at least the end of 2022.

Today, Westbrook Motors continues to operate from their Blanchardstown location, offering new and used car sales, servicing, and repairs.

A CLUSTER OF DUBLINBIKES DOCKING STATIONS

April 5, 2024 by infomatique

LOWER AND UPPER GRANGEGORMAN

ABOUT THE CANON 1Ds MARK III WHICH I USED TODAY

DublinBikes, a popular bike-sharing service in Dublin, provides convenient access to bicycles for both residents and visitors.

Docking Stations 103, 104, and 105: These three docking stations are strategically placed near the TU campus (Technological University Dublin) in the Grangegorman area. The proximity of these stations suggests that there might indeed be a high demand for bikes in this location. Having multiple stations close together ensures that users can easily find an available bike or return one without having to travel far.

The stations are situated on Upper Grangegorman and Lower Grangegorman, making them accessible to students, faculty, and nearby residents.

The Grangegorman area in Dublin has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years.

Key points about the area include:

TU Dublin Campus: The consolidated Technological University Dublin campus at Grangegorman is a major centre for education, bringing thousands of students and staff to the area daily.

Luas Green Line: The tram line provides fast and convenient public transport connections to the city centre, creating a multimodal transport network.

Regeneration: The wider Grangegorman redevelopment project has revitalised the area with a mix of educational, residential, and some commercial buildings, increasing the population density and need for transport options.

KIRWAN STREET IN STONEYBATTER

April 3, 2024 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED USING A VERY OLD CANON CAMERA

Kirwan Street is located in the historic Stoneybatter neighbourhood on the Northside of Dublin. It’s known for its charming rows of artisan cottages.

Kirwan Street and many of the surrounding streets were developed by the Dublin Artisan’s Dwellings Company in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This organisation aimed to provide better housing for working-class families.

The street is named after an important family in the city of Galway, though the precise connection to Dublin is uncertain.

Kirwan Street features primarily small, terraced “artisan cottages”. These houses provide a quaint and historic charm that is increasingly sought-after.

The neighbourhood of Stoneybatter has undergone gentrification in recent years, making it a more popular area to live.

Kirwan Street offers a blend of traditional Dublin atmosphere with easy access to amenities and the city centre.

I am working my way through my old cameras and today it was the Canon 1Ds MkIII.

I had forgotten how to set up this camera and had forgotten that for best results I should avoid auto-focus as it was a constant source of problems in the past. Today the camera with a Sigma 24-105mm lens froze twice before I remembered to switch to manual. Also because I had selected ISO100 the photographs were underexposed so I pre-processed the files using DXO PureRaw4.