Francis Street Archives - Page 2 of 3 - THE HEADLESS PHOTO BLOG

YES THE STREET HAS BEEN RESURFACED SINCE YESTERDAY

KN Circet, the contractor for the Francis Street Environmental Improvement Scheme, had advised of a road closure to Francis Street from Saturday 5th November to early Thursday 10th November to facilitate reconstruction and resurfacing of the carriageway. The works will see the full carriageway from Dean Swift Square/Swift’s Alley to Dean Street resurfaced. The street will be closed to traffic and parking will be suspended for the duration of the works.

I photographed the street on Wednesday and Thursday [today] but I used different lenses. Yesterday I used a a Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA. Vario-Sonnar Zeiss lens which disappointed me to some extent and today I used my favourite the Sony 24-70mm GM F2.8 but as it was attached to a crop-sensor body it was effectively a 35mm to 105mm lens.

The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM that is now available is a second-generation lens which includes several significant updates as well as a host of additional refinements to the original from six years ago. I have the original and I used it today with my new Sony FX30. And while the FX30 is being marketed as a video-centric I have used it mainly for stills which was not my original intention but I intend to address this starting in January 2023.

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STILL VERY MUCH A WORK IN PROGRESS

The eagerly awaited refurbishment of Francis Street in The Liberties is still a work in progress which is a bit disappointing. In July 2021 it was indicated that the project would be completed within ten months however more recent statements claim that the work will be completed by Autumn 2022. I will be surprised if the project will be completed before Christmas.

In June 2017 Dublin City Council announced a proposal to undertake a public realm improvement plan for Francis Street, Hanover Lane and Dean Street, Dublin 8. The proposal comprised improvements to the public realm along the full length of Francis Street, Hanover Lane and part of Dean Street to include kerb buildouts along with footway repaving, raised junction plateaus, kerb buildouts to formalise parallel parking and loading bays, landscaping, bicycle stands, carriageway resurfacing, raised pedestrian crossings and ramps, public lighting improvements and all associated ancillary works.

When finished the street will be paved largely with a mix of the existing antique granite kerbs (which will be realligned) and concrete flagstones. Two higher finish areas to the front of Iveagh Market and St Nicholas de Myra Church will be completed with granite setts. 20 new Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust) trees will be planted and a number of low-level planted areas are also planned, bringing greenery to the street. A number of sustainable urban drainage (SUDs) measures are being incorporated into the street including areas of permeable carriageway.