PARKS AND GARDENS

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THE RAG TREE AT THE BOTANIC GARDENS

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PHOTOGRAPHED IN APRIL 2024 USING A SONY FX30

What are Rag Trees?

Rag trees, sometimes called “cloutie trees” (from the Scottish Gaelic word for cloth), are trees adorned with strips of cloth or pieces of clothing. They’re primarily found in Ireland and Scotland and are often near holy wells or other sites of religious and spiritual significance.

History and Meaning

The tradition of rag trees has a long and complex history in Ireland:

Pre-Christian Roots: Many believe the custom has roots in pre-Christian Celtic traditions. Trees were often considered sacred, believed to be places where the veil between the human world and the spirit world was thin. Offerings left on trees were thought to appease deities or nature spirits.
Christianisation: With the arrival of Christianity, the practice of leaving offerings on trees didn’t disappear. Instead, it became associated with saints and holy wells. People would tie rags to trees near a well as a plea for healing from illness or as a request for blessings from the local saint.
Symbolism: The rags on the tree are thought to symbolise the ailment or problem the person wishes to be rid of. As the cloth disintegrates over time, the hope is that the illness or trouble will also fade and disappear.

Rag Trees Around the World

While most prominently associated with Ireland and Scotland, traditions of tying offerings onto trees exist in various cultures:

Eastern Europe and Asia: Similar practices are found in parts of Eastern Europe, Russia, and Asia. These could be connected to ancient animistic beliefs or adopted into other religious traditions over time.
Global Examples: You can find variations of this idea of leaving offerings on trees or bushes in other parts of the world, highlighting the cross-cultural power of trees as symbols and potential places of spiritual connection.

The Rag Tree in the Botanic Gardens

The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin, has a rag tree. It’s likely a hawthorn, a tree often associated with this tradition in Ireland due to its links to the Otherworld in Celtic mythology. Visitors tie mostly colourful ribbons and pieces of cloth to its branches. While many holy wells are rural, the rag tree in the Botanic Gardens demonstrates this enduring folk custom in an urban setting, allowing visitors to connect with Irish tradition.

A RAINBOW APPEARED

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AS I WAS LEAVING THE MILL FIELD IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

It was very windy and wet when I visited the Botanic Gardens which mad photography very difficult. However, as I was leaving the Mill Field area I noticed a very faint double rainbow which I tried my best to photograph but to show it I had to adjust the files to the extreme.

The Fictional Allure Of A Crock Of Gold

The idea of a crock of gold hidden where the rainbow touches the ground is a classic folktale found mostly in Irish mythology. Here’s what makes it so enduring:

Leprechauns: This mythical treasure is usually linked to leprechauns, mischievous little creatures from Irish folklore. These tricksters are said to be shoemakers who bury their pots of gold at the end of rainbows to keep them safe.

Symbolism of Rainbows: Rainbows themselves are beautiful and ephemeral, often seen as symbols of hope and promise after a storm. The idea of tangible treasure connected to this fleeting beauty adds a magical element.

The Desire for Riches: Whether it’s finding a pot of gold or just getting lucky, many cultures have stories about sudden wealth – the idea appeals to our desire for good fortune.
The Scientific Reality

Unfortunately, the search for that crock of gold is always fruitless. Here’s why:

Optical Illusion: Rainbows aren’t physical objects in a fixed location. They’re a result of sunlight refracting and reflecting within water droplets in the air. The position of a rainbow depends entirely on the viewer’s location relative to the sun and the water droplets.

Shifting Perspective: As you move, the rainbow appears to move with you because the angle of the sunlight, your eyes, and the water droplets changes. This means there’s no single “end” to reach.
No Physical Pot: Even if you could reach the end of a rainbow, there’s nothing there. Rainbows are an illusion of light, not a tangible object or location.

The Enduring Charm

Even though we know the crock of gold is a myth, it doesn’t diminish the fun! The story still serves as:

A Whimsical Tale: It’s enjoyable as a piece of folklore, reminding us about the power of imagination and the playful nature of myths.

Teaching Moment: The “crock of gold” can be a gentle introduction to science for children, explaining how rainbows form and encouraging them to observe the natural world.

Motivator: While the treasure is fictional, the chase for the rainbow can be seen metaphorically. It can represent pursuing our goals and dreams even if the outcome is uncertain.

Photographing rainbows, especially double rainbows, can be challenging due to several factors:

Natural Conditions: Rainbows are formed when sunlight is refracted by water droplets in the atmosphere. This requires specific conditions: a mix of rain and sunshine, with the sun at a low angle (42 degrees or lower relative to the viewer). These conditions can be unpredictable and fleeting, making it difficult to plan for rainbow photography.

Visibility: Rainbows are more likely to appear when the sun is behind you and the rain is in front of you. However, they can be faint or partial, and double rainbows are less common and often fainter than the primary rainbow.

Size: A full, double rainbow can span a large area of the scene. Capturing the entire arc of a double rainbow requires a wide-angle lens.

As for the best lens choice and camera settings:

Lens Choice: A wide-angle lens is recommended for capturing the whole rainbow. A 24mm lens on a full-frame camera can capture a full rainbow, but it won’t be wide enough for a double rainbow. For a double rainbow, something like a 16-35mm lens is recommended.

Camera Settings:

Aperture: Use a narrow aperture (such as f/8, f/11, and beyond) to achieve plenty of depth of field, which refers to the window of sharpness in your photo. This helps keep both the foreground and the rainbow in focus.
Shutter Speed: Unless the light is strong, you may need to drop the shutter speed to 1/80s or below. A slower shutter speed can lead to blur due to camera shake if you try to shoot handheld. Therefore, using a tripod is recommended.

ISO: Keep the ISO at the minimum (ISO 100 for most cameras) to avoid image-degrading noise.
Remember, these are general guidelines and the exact settings can vary depending on the specific conditions and your creative vision.

ON EASTER SUNDAY I EXPLORED THE CHERRYWOOD AREA

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ESPECIALLY TULLY PARK

Developers:

Cherrywood: Hines and O’Reilly Chartered Land are the primary developers behind the transformative Cherrywood project.

Tully Park / Brides Glen / Laughanstown: While these are intertwined with Cherrywood’s development, they also involve other key developers like Cosgrave Developments, Park Developments, and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council (DLRCC).

Social Aspects:

Housing Variety: The focus is on creating a mixed housing community.

Affordable Housing: A portion of the units is dedicated to affordable housing schemes to address the housing crisis.
Social Housing: In partnership with DLRCC, a significant number of social housing units are being constructed.
Diversity: Apartments, houses, duplexes, and more cater to a variety of needs and demographics (families, professionals, older residents).

Community Facilities:

Schools: Several new schools are planned or already opened to accommodate the growing population.
Parks and Amenities: Extensive green spaces, playgrounds, sports facilities, and planned community centres enhance liveability.

Job Creation:

Construction Phase: Thousands of jobs are generated during the construction phase, boosting the local economy.
Business & Retail: The Cherrywood Town Centre and other developments provide space for businesses, shops, and services, creating ongoing employment opportunities.
Innovation & Tech: Cherrywood positions itself as a hub for technology and innovation, potentially attracting further investment and specialised jobs.

Project Phases:

Cherrywood: Development is well underway, with several phases completed:
Town Centre: Operational with retail, leisure, and office space.
Residential Neighbourhoods: Thousands of homes completed and occupied.
Tully Park / Brides Glen / Laughanstown:
Progress: Significant development is already visible in these areas.
Planning: Additional phases are under planning and construction.

Dormant Tram Stops (Luas):

Activation: The extension of the Luas Green Line through Cherrywood has been part of the plan from the beginning. The stops at Laughanstown, Brides Glen, and Cherrywood are now operational. This provides vital connectivity to Dublin city centre. I was lead to believe that there are are two “ghost stops” on the Luas Green Line extension – one at Carrickmines and the other at Laughanstown [I used this stop on Easter Subday]. Here’s what is what I know about the plans for unused stop:

Future Development: The stop was built in anticipation of large-scale development. At this current time, those planned developments have not yet fully materialised.

Potential Activation: While there’s no immediate timeline, there’s a strong possibility that the dormant stop will be opened once the surrounding areas are significantly developed. The infrastructure is already in place, making future activation relatively simple.

Monitoring Situation: Luas operators and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council will likely monitor population growth and development in these areas. Once a critical mass is reached to justify passenger demand, the stop will likely be activated.

Future Development:

The Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) and surrounding areas have a long-term development plan. Future phases include:

More Housing: Continuing to build thousands of new units to meet demand.
Commercial Zones: Creation of additional business and office space.
Sustainable Transport: Enhancing cycling and pedestrian networks, potentially further expanding public transport.

Important Notes:

The scale of these projects is immense and continues to evolve. Specific numbers of houses, jobs, etc., can change over time.
It’s best to check the following sources for the most up-to-date information and detailed plans:
Cherrywood Development: https://cherrywood.ie/
Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council: https://www.dlrcoco.ie/ and their planning sections
Specific developers like Hines, Cosgrave, etc., often have their own websites for projects.

MY SHOES GOT STUCK IT THE MUD [MISTER MUDDY BOOTS]

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I USED AN AI TO WRITE A STORY BASED ON THIS EVENT

On Easter Sunday, I decided to visit Tully Park. The park was bustling with activity, families enjoying the holiday, children laughing and playing.

I was taking in the scene, looking for interesting photo opportunities for my series on Dublin’s public spaces.

As I was walking, my boot suddenly sank into the mud. It wasn’t just a small puddle, but a deep, thick patch of mud that seemed to swallow my boot whole. I tried to pull my foot free, but the mud had a firm grip. In my struggle, my other boot also got stuck.

Feeling a bit panicked and embarrassed, I looked around, hoping no one had noticed my predicament. That’s when I saw a boy from a nearby bench walking towards me. He offered to help and, setting aside my pride, I gratefully accepted. With a coordinated effort, we managed to free my boots from the mud’s grip.

Afterwards, we shared a moment of camaraderie, both of us a bit amused by the situation. I noticed then that he was holding a sketchbook. Seeing an opportunity for a unique photo, I asked if I could take his picture. He agreed, remarking that the muddy incident had indeed provided an interesting angle for my photo series.

Note: In reality it was a old man, walking a small over excited dog, who assisted me and there was no way that I would have asked to photograph him.

THE FORMAL GARDENS

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AT THE IRISH MUSEUM FOR MODERN ART

What is a Formal Garden?

Formal gardens are characterised by:

Geometric design: They feature precisely laid out paths, flower beds, and hedges with an emphasis on symmetry and order.
Controlled environment: Plants are carefully selected and manicured, reflecting human intervention over nature.
Architectural elements: Formal gardens often incorporate hard landscaping elements like fountains, statues, and terraces.
Historical lineage: They draw inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque garden styles.

The Gardens at IMMA

The formal gardens at IMMA sit in front of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, a 17th-century building housing the museum. Here’s what is known:

Not fully original: The gardens as they exist today are not entirely original to the site. They were redesigned in the 1980s, incorporating elements of the historical gardens while reflecting modern sensibilities.
Meeting the criteria: While not a purely traditional example, the IMMA gardens retain many formal elements. They feature geometric layouts, manicured hedges, and focal points like the central fountain and statues.
Reformatting: There have likely been changes and updates to the gardens since their initial redesign to ensure they remain vibrant and align with the museum’s aesthetic.

The IMMA’s formal gardens offer a reinterpretation of the traditional model. They create a sense of order and harmony, complementing the historical building while providing a space for visitors to relax and contemplate alongside the contemporary art exhibited within.

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