HALLOWEEN PARADE IN DUBLIN [PHOTOGRAPHED USING SONY 70-200 GM LENS]

Halloween centrepiece the upside-down world, a Macnas spectacular, took over a portion of the north inner city as the end-of-festival event of Dublin’s Bram Stoker Festival.

Here in Ireland when I was young it was said that the souls in Purgatory were released to visit their still mortal friends. Long ago the country folk before they retired  to bed on this night [31 October] prepared a blazing fire and a well swept hearth to welcome their unearthly visitors.

Every year my contacts in the US ask me do we celebrate Halloween in Ireland. As they appear to believe that Halloween is American they are usually surprised when I answer that we do and that we have being do so for longer than the US has existed. Of course it is a bit more complicated than that because Halloween as we now celebrate it here is now very much Americanised. For obvious reasons we do not celebrate Guy Faulks  [bonfire night] here in Ireland so we have fireworks and bonfires at Halloween instead.

My friends from outside Ireland are even more surprised when I tell that Abraham "Bram" Stoker was an Irish author, best known today for his 1897 Gothic novel Dracula.

A free booklet about Halloween is available at http://www.duchas.ie/download/15.10.23-halloween.pdf

CENTRAL FURNITURE STORES [ANOTHER SHOP IN POOR CONDITION]

The building is described as follows: “This former house is part of an interesting terrace, which forms a notable piece in the urban landscape. The scale and regular form of this terrace make a positive and notable addition to the streetscape. This building retains many interesting features and materials, such as the slate roof, timber sash windows, and the simple timber shopfront.”

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URBAN DECAY AND DEPRESSION IN CORK CITY [CASTLE STREET/NORTH MAIN STREET]

Looking through my photographs of Cork I have noticed that there is a large number of derelict and badly maintained buildings and sites.

28 August 2009: “A building on Castle Street in Cork City collapsed yesterday crushing a parked car but thankfully not hurting anyone.”

If you zoom you will notice a historic plaque: John George MacCarthy MP (1829-1892) was a solicitor in Cork and was an early member of the Home Rule movement and MP from 1874 until 1880.

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BOX NOODLE CHINESE STREET FOOD RESTAURANT [3 COOK STREET CORK CITY]

[UPDATE] Things happen very fast - a few minutes ago I received an email drawing my attention to the following [ Dated 24 OCTOBER]:

“As some of you may already know, Box Noodle was operating under a short term lease and our lease has now ended in order to facilitate the expansion of Pennys in Cork City. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your custom and for your continued support over the past two years (especially to our regulars :)- you know who are) We would also like to say a big thank our of our past staff members in the Box Noodle family.”

“We truly enjoyed this business venture.”

“Unfortunately, at this time there's no suitable location for us for relocate but we hope to see again sometime in the future.”

Yours Box Noodle
October 2016

The Ambassador Chinese Restaurant was originally based here and it was my favourite Chinese restaurant in Ireland. I was under the impression that they had to close because the building was purchased by a nearby major department store so I was surprised to discover that the building is now occupied by an Asian Street Food Restaurant.

The four-bay three-storey commercial building dates from 1925 and is attractive.

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PARLIAMENT BRIDGE [CORK CITY]

Previously I had incorrectly identified this bridge in Cork. I have now established that it is Parliament Bridge and it connects South Mall with Sullivan's quay via Parliament street.

It is a nineteenth century single span bridge of high quality limestone, having a decorative balustrade.

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PEG TWOMEY [57 CORN MARKET STREET IN CORK]

You can draw your own conclusions about this shop. Some people claim that it is closed for business while others claim that they visited the shop recently and it was open for business. I have visited a number of times and it has always been closed. This photograph was taken just before six in the evening and the shop was closed but I would be surprised if they remained open later than 5:00 or 5:30. This would be a prime site so the property must be worth a fortune.

In a way it is good to know that places such as this can survive.

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THIS IS A BIT CONFUSING [DO THEY SELL PAINT OF FISHING TACKLE]

This is a bit confusing. Is this a shop selling paint or do they sell fishing tackle and bait. Also, if you zoom in you will notice a plaque in memory of Don Juan Aquila. Since my last visit a sign that was below the plaque has gone missing.

Let’s discuss Don Juan Aquila.

A great revolt broke out in Ulster shortly before the time we are dealing with, and spread throughout the whole of Ireland. In 1599 all Munster was in revolt—it would seem that the clans had realised the necessity of a united Ireland. It was headed by Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and Hugh Roe O'Donnell, Chief of Tirconnell. O'Neill visited Munster in January 1600, and encamped with his army at Inniscarra, near Cork. He was waited on by many chiefs, including Donall O'Sullivan Beare.

The English generals hitherto commissioned to suppress the rebellion had failed, so now Elizabeth sent over Lord Mountjoy as Deputy, and Sir George Carew as President of Munster. Carew, by fraud and treachery, as well as by force, had subdued nearly the whole of Munster by the end of 1600.

The Irish were making pressing demands on the King of Spain for help which was offered, but was very slow in coming. At last, on the 23rd September, 1601, a Spanish fleet of 54 ships with a force of 3,000 on board entered the harbour of Kinsale. The ships were to be brought into Cork Harbour, but, on nearing its entrance, a head wind started which caused them to make for Kinsale.

The English army at Kinsale was too small to oppose their landing—a force of 50 foot and 40 horse—and these immediately set out for Cork, many of the better class of persons accompanying them with all their goods. They carried off all cattle and corn from the district and broke down the mills.

The Spanish army marched, with 25 colours, towards the town, the gates of which were thrown open to them, and they were received kindly by the town people. The town, environed by hills, was without any kind of defence, and contained about 200 houses.

The commander-in-chief, Don Juan de Aquila, in order to allay the fears of the people, issued the following proclamation: —

" We, Don Juan de Aquila, general of the armie to Philip, King of Spaine, by these presents, doe promise that all the inhabitants of the towne of Kinsale shall receive no injury by any of our retinew, but rather shall be used as our brethren and friends, and that it shall bee lawful for any of the inhabitants that list to transport, without any molestation in body or goods, and as much as shall remaine, likewise without any hurt. Don Juan de Aquila."

As soon as he had lodged his army, he despatched messengers to report his arrival to the Earl of Tyrone and Chief of Tirconnell. He then set about repairing the defences, and took possession of Rincurran Castle.

Mountjoy and Carew were at Kilkenny, and, learning the Spaniards had arrived, they set out for Cork, and at the end of three weeks encamped on the north side of Kinsale with an army of 12,000 men. On the 29th of October the Lord President besieged Rincurran, Don Juan sent a party of 500 to its relief, but, after some hard fighting, the place was delivered up to the English, and the prisoners were sent on to Cork. Sir George received the following letter of thanks on the occasion from the Queen, 31st of October, 1601: —

" Her Majesty's letter unto the Lo. President.

" My faithful George, if ever more service of worth were performed in shorter space than you have done wee are deceived; among many eye-witnesses wee have received the fruit thereof, and bid you faithfully credit, that what so witt, courage, or care, may doe, wee truely finde they have beene all truely acted in all your charge, and for the same beleeve that it shall neither bee unremembered nor unrewarded; and in the meanwhile beleeve my helpe nor prayers shall never faile you.

" Your Soveraigne that best regards you,

" Eliz. R."

Intelligence at this time was communicated to the English that O'Donnell was on his march to Kinsale. Carew, against his will, was despatched to intercept him. None of them was anxious to fight, as each, thought it better to reserve his strength for a future effort. They were one night within four miles of each other near Holy Cross in Tipperary. Here O'Donnell's further progress was barred, for Carew lay right in his path. Luckily there came a sudden and intense frost which hardened up the bogs and morasses, and enabled him in the night to cross the Slieve Felim mountains, and in 24 hours he reached Croom, 40 miles distant, the greatest march that Carew ever heard of before. He arrived at Kinsale about the middle of November. O'Neill arrived 21st December with 4,000 men, and encamped some distance from the English lines, so the English were now besieged.

The chieftains of Munster up to this kept aloof, but on seeing the armies of O'Neill and O'Donnell on the field, they took courage and joined their ranks. Among these were Sir Owen McCarthy's sons, Sir Finnin, and all the O'Driscolls, and all the Carties of Carbery, Donhall O'Sullivan Beare, O'Sullivan More's eldest son, the Earl of Clancare's base son, all the Carties of Desmond, the Knight of Kerry, John O'Connor, Kerry, and all from Kinsale to Limerick. The O'Driscolls gave up their Castles of Baltimore and Castlehaven, and O'Sullivan, Dunboy, which were garrisoned by Spaniards. At this time O'Sullivan Beare despatched the following letter to the King of Spain: —

" A letter from Donnell O'Sulevan Beare unto the King of Spain."

" It hath beene ever, most mighty and renowned prince, and most gracious Catholike King, from time to time, manifestly proved by daily experience among us, the Irish, that there is nothing worketh more forcibly in our hearts, to winne, and to draw our love and affection, than naturall inclination to our progeny and offspring, and the memoriall of the friendship, which stiketh still in our minds: chiefly the same being renewed, cherished, and kept in us by mutall affection, and by showing like friendship to us also; we the mere Irish, long sithence deriving our roote and originall from the famous and most noble race of the Spaniards, viz., from Milecius, sonne to Bile, son to Breogwin, and from Lwighe, sonne to Lythy, sonne to Breogwin, by the testimony of our old ancient books of antiquities, our petigrees, our histories, and our cronicles.

" Though there were not other matter, wee came not as naturall branches of the famous tree, whereof we grew, but beare a hearty love and a naturall affection, and intire inclination of our hearts and minds, to our ancient and most loving kinsfolkes, and the most noble race whereof we descended.

" Besides this, my Soveraigne, such is the abunddance of your goodnesse, and the bounty or greatnesse of your liberality, now every way undeserved of our parts, as tokens of love and affection by your majestie shewed unto us, that it is not fit or seemely for us but to bestow our persons, our men, and our goods, in the service of a prince that dealeth so gratiously with us, that sendeth forces of men, great treasure, victuals and munition for our aide against our enemies, that seek to overwhelme and extinguish the Catholike faith diabolically, put to death our chieftaines tyrannously, coveting our lands and livings unlawfully.

" For the foresaid consideration, and for many other commendable causes me moving, I bequeath, and offer in humbleness of mind, and with all my heart, my owne person with all my forces, perpetually to serve your majestie, not only in Ireland, but in any other place where it shall please your hignesse; I commit also my wife, my children, my mannors, townes, countrey, and lands, and my haven of Dunboy, called Biara-haven (next under God) to the protection, keeping, and defence of commericke of your majestie, to be and remaine in your hands, and at your disposition.

" Also at your pleasure bee it (my liege Lord) to send defence and strong keeping to the haven of Dunboy, first for yourselfe (my Soveraigne) to receive your ships, and for me also as your loving servant, so that the Queene of England's ships may not possess the same before you, while I followe the warres in your highnesse behalfe, I pray Almighty God to give your majestie long life, health of body and soule, with increase of grace and prosperity. So I betake you to the keeping of God.

" From the campe neere Kinsale, the nine and twentieth of December, 1601, Stilo Novo.

" Your most dutifull loving servant,

"DONNELL O'SULEVAN BEARE."

Now the English were harassed on every side. The Tyrone horse during the day hovered round their camp, and they were not able to get in provisions for men or horses. Famine, sickness, and exposure to bad weather, decimated their ranks. The Spaniards made sallies in the night and inflicted heavy loss. As the vast majority of the English army were Irishmen, there were many deserters daily from the English camp, who were increasing with adversity. The Irish cause was thus bound to succeed if the allies remained quiet and kept the English hemmed in.

Additional troops to reinforce de Aquilla were despatched in twelve vessels, six of which, owing to bad weather, had to put back to Corunna, while the other six safely reached Castlehaven in November. Levison, the English Commander, was sent from Kinsale with a squadron to attack them, and was on the point of capturing the Spanish ships when O'Sullivan Beare, with his uncle Dermot and 400 followers, came just in time to rescue them. Some cannons taken from the Spanish ships were mounted on shore, and the English were driven off with the loss of 500 men.

The English now were reduced to great straits, and neither hay, corn, water, nor fuel, was permitted to be taken to the camp, desertion was increasing, the army was rapidly melting away, and by the 20th December the fighting force was reduced to about 6,000.

The Spaniards had plenty provisions, yet, for some time back, Don Juan was urging the Irish chieftains to make a night attack on the English camp, in which the Spaniards were to take part. Hugh O'Neill was opposed to this attack, and held out against it for some time, for he thought it better to let famine and pestilence do the work. O'Donnell, however, was in favour of it with the view of pleasing the Spaniards, as he did not wish they should have the slightest grounds for complaint—in fact, he would rather suffer defeat than give any reasons for grumbling. A council of war was held, and the majority decided against O'Neill. It was decided the attack should take place on the night of the 23rd December.

On the 22nd December Brian MacMahon, an Ulster chieftain, and " a principal Commander in the Irish army," whose eldest sou had been a page to the Lord President, sent a messenger requesting the Lord President for a bottle of aqua vitae. The President, for old acquaintance, granted the request. The next night the same messenger was sent conveying the thanks of MacMahon and warning the President to be on his guard as an attack was to be made that night by the Irish and Spaniards.

The English lost no time in making preparations. Mountjoy is to take the field against the Irish, and Carew is to keep an eye on the Spaniards. The night was cold, dark, and tempestuous, and the guides of the armies had great difficulty in finding their way—in fact O'Donnell's army went astray. About daybreak, O'Neill approached the English camp, which he expected to take by surprise. To his amazement he found all in readiness to meet him, the men drawn out in line of battle, and the horses mounted. He halts, and, seeing his ranks in some disorder, he orders a retreat, in the view of some to put his ranks in order, while others say he meant to await the approach of O'Donnell. There was confusion in the ranks, which the quick eye of Mountjoy observed. The Deputy gives the order to follow. The Earl of Clanricarde and Sir Richard Greame charge with 1,000 foot, but cannot break the ranks. The route lay through a boggy glen, cut by a stream to the northwest of the town.

At the stream O'Donnell came up and drove back the English, but he was not supported; even at this juncture, some of the chiefs fled, leaving the rank and file to their fate. The regiments were then broken, the vanguard and main body were mixed up, and the Irish were broken, scattered, slain. They were pursued two miles, and the English did not return to the camp until they were "tyred with killing." It is estimated by some that the Irish left 1,200 dead on the field, and 800 wounded, many of whom died that night. Other authorities state that the number of dead was about 200. The Four Masters attribute the defeat to the anger of God, and O'Sullivan Beare to the sins of the Irish. If the Irish won the battle, O'Neill would be paramount, and some of the Irish Chiefs, it seems, preferred a stranger. They fled from the field and created a panic, which was the real cause of the defeat. Don Juan made no move to co-operate with the Irish, only he showed himself at the end when all was over, and immediately returned behind his entrenchments. At the end of a week he had concluded a treaty with the English, surrendering all the castles and garrisons the Irish Chiefs entrusted to his care, and then prepared to return to his own country. On arriving in Spain he was coldly received by the King, whose favour he had lost, and was confined a prisoner in his own house, where he died of chagrin soon after.

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Seamus Murphy's sculpture, 'The Onion Seller’ [How Many Are There?]

The 'Seamus Murphy's sculpture, ‘The Onion Seller’ [or mor correctly ‘Mary Anne - The Onion seller’] was cast in bronze in 1937 by sculptor Séamus Murphy. It is a monument to the women dealers in the Coal Quay, Cork City Open Market.

I could be wrong but I am convinced that I have seen this old lady in at least three locations in Cork City and in one of  locations she has been sponsored by McDonalds. Some people are only aware of one and others believe that there might be two while others are convinced that there is only one which has been moved a number of times.

According to the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage the Onion Seller is located in Winthrop Street - “his bronze figure of a female onion seller by sculptor Seamus Murphy makes a notable and positive addition to the streetscape. Born in Cork county, Murphy studied in Cork and Paris and later became Professor of Sculpture at the Royal Hibernian Academy. This small scale figure is of apparent artistic design and clearly demonstrates the sculptor's talent. Formerly located in Bishop Lucey Park on the Grand Parade, it was moved to this location in 1995.” They claim that it is dated 1937 set on a marble plinth dating from 1995. I never got a chance to photograph this one so I cannot confirm the date.

Bishop Lucey Park [an especially ugly park] is were I first photographed the Onion Seller. It was dated 1985 and It was presented to the city by Sunbeam Wolsey. The park is often erroneously known as "The Peace Park" by locals, although this name actually refers to the area next to the River Lee at the junction of Grand Parade and South Mall where the National Monument, and the memorials to World War I and the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings are located.

The second one that I photographed is dated May 1995 and was presented to the city by a MacDonald’s franchsiee. Location: Cornmarket Street.


According to Adam’s:  “Murphy created the plaster version of Mary Anne in 1937. Two bronze versions were cast later, this being one, the other was presented to the Peace Park on Grand Parade, Cork in 1985 where it has remained since”. The one that they refer to is described as follows “Mary Anne - The Onion Seller (1937) Bronze, 91cm high (35.8'' high) Signed and inscribed with title on base Provenance: From the Estate of the late Charlie Hennessy, Cork.” In case you are interested is was sold for €19,000.00 at auction. [asking price 20,000 - 30,000]

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Dr. Mary Hearn Memorial Park [Cork City]

Every time I visit this place I have problems. The first time I could not gain access. The second year it was full of drunks. This year it was full of over-friendly dogs [big dogs that kept getting in the way and one kept dropping a tennis ball at my feet and failing to engage was not an option]. To be honest, I enjoyed playing with the dogs. The owners were all East European and according to one of them this was a regular meeting place for them and their dogs.

Dr. Hearn was the wife of Robert T. Hearn a rector of St. Anne’s from 1905 to 1939. She was known in the area for her generosity to the poor by way of offering her services for free to those whom she knew could not afford it, and regardless of denomination.

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A 1916 MEMORIAL [Beside Parnell Bridge In Cork City]

Because of anti-social behaviour I was unable to get a good photograph of this sculpture. I returned the next day but there were a number of people sitting at the base of the sculpture so I decided to move on and return at a later date.

Initially I had believed this to be ‘City’ by Patrick O’Sullivan who died 09 January 2015. However, I received a note advising me that this sculpture is a 1916 memorial.It represents fire, the two channels of the river plus an Easter Lilly [the recognised symbol of the Rising]. I have, as a result reviewed, some of my older photographs of the area and this sculpture is not featured in any of them so I must conclude that the person who contacted me is correct.

UPDATE: ACCORDING TO THE IRISH EXAMINER:

“The monument, at the South Mall’s junction with Parnell Bridge was commissioned and donated to the city by the family of Seán Murphy, battalion vice commandant and brigade quarter master, who is believed to have been the sole surviving brigade officer following independence. Cork sculptor Mick Wilkins completed the work to coincide with the year-long centenary celebrations of the Rising, before Mr Murphy’s family gifted it to Cork City Council.”

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/memorial-commemorates-corks-1916-irish-volunteers-406479.html


Because of the anti-social issues already mentioned I did not see the metal plaque attached to the base of the sculpture.

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PARNELL BRIDGE IN CORK CITY [OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN 1971]

The earliest bridge crossing the south channel at this location was the Anglesea Bridge. Plans to replace the Anglesea Bridge began as early as 1863 but a new bridge did not become operational until the 18th. November 1882. That bridge was designed by T. Claxton Fiddler [an interesting name] and it was named in honour of Charles Stewart Parnell. The current bridge opened to the public in May 1971.

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THE MARDYKE BRIDGE [IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO DISCOVER WHAT IT WAS CALLED]

Some aspects of Cork City are very badly document and often Google Maps are totally out of date especially in relation to bridges in Cork city.

The Lord Mayor of Cork officially opened the North Mall to Mardyke section of the Lee Walk on 1st February 2006.

The riverside walkway begins at the entrance to the 'Distillery Fields' at Wise's Quay/St Vincents bridge, and continues westwards through the Distillery fields (beside the north channel of the Lee), over the new Harland and Wolff Mardyke Pedestrian Bridge and onto the Mardyke Walk.  The bridge did not appear to have a name but many of the people that I met were absolutely certain that it was ‘The Shakey Bridge’ … they could not be more wrong but I can understand the confusion. One person suggested that it was named the Mardyke Bridge based on the fact that he had remembered seeing an inscription which gave the Irish name for the bridge as ‘Droichead Na Dige’ [he must have had a very good memory]  but to the best of my knowledge the Irish for Mardyke is ‘An Mhuirdíog’. The Irish for dyke is díog which is not very different from dige. I searched on line for Droichead Na Dige and variations and fount nothing of use.

A few days ago I found a photograph showing a granite stone which indicated that ‘Droichead Na Dige’ is the name of the bridge. I then assumed that there must be another inscription showing the name in English.

Today, knowing that the name may be the Mardyke Bridge I found it listed as a pin on Google Maps. Looking at some photographs associated with the Google listing there is a very obvious metal plate with the name ‘Mardyke Bridge’.

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THE BREWERY QUARTER CORK [WHEN IS IT GOING TO HAPPEN?]

The building in my photograph is the brewery Counting House. It is now 2016 and there is little sign of the promised development. The development was granted planning in 2012 and comprises an Events Arena, Brewery Experience Exhibition, Cinema & Retail Complex, Viewing Tower, Residential accommodation, 2 pedestrian Bridges and a Public Plaza overlooked by the retained iconic Counting House building.

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PLUS 10 The Accidental Coworking Space [30 South Main Street Cork]

PLUS 10 The Accidental Coworking Space [30 South Main Street Cork]

If you run out of ideas there are plenty og good pubs nearby.

30 South Main St.(Opposite Old Beamish Brewery) (353) 86-2500841

“We are a community of start-ups, Micro-enterprises, freelancers and remote workers who believe that working in the same space is conducive to our work and our well-being. We started with 3 people and one business. Now we have 18 desks which are mostly occupied and half a dozen companies with as many businesses again having passed through our doors, several on their way to greater things and others who we hope learnt quickly and cheaply that the world wasn’t ready for their idea – just yet.” plus10coworking.com

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STEP LANE [CORK CITY NEAR ELIZABETH FORT WALLS]

Step Lane is off Barrack Street in Cork City  and it is within the parish of St. Nicholas. It was recently reported in the local media there is an ongoing graffiti problem in Step Lane especially at the gable end of Barrack Street. 

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EVERYTHING OF INTEREST IN CORK IS CLOSE TO EVERYTHING ELSE OF INTEREST [WALKING IS THE BEST WAY]

I am standing on the historic South Gate Bridge and I can see Elizabeth Fort and St. Finbarrs Cathedral as well as the old brewery. And I am close to the centre of the city.

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ST. LUKE'S WINE TAVERN - SUMMERHILL CORK

I visit Cork city at least once a year and when there I look forward to visiting St Luke’s Wine Tavern. Overall a visit alone or with friends is a very pleasant experience but the menu is a bit limited as is the wine selection. When you visit say hello to skipper [the resident dog] who manages the door.

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There are not many of these in Ireland.

The Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel drive, 2-door sports car sold by Chrysler and built by Karmann of Germany for model years 2004-2008.

Developed during the union of Daimler and Chrysler, the two-seater is based on the R170 platform and shares 80% of its components with the R170 Mercedes-Benz SLK320. The 2nd generation Mercedes-Benz SLK was built on a new R171 platform starting in the 2005 model year. The R170 platform was essentially handed down to Chrysler for use in building the Crossfire. Having initially arrived in 2001 as a concept car styled by Eric Stoddard, the Chrysler was further refined by Andrew Dyson before production began in 2003 for 2004 model year sales.

I LIKE PHOTOGRAPHING NON-ROUND MANHOLE COVERS [ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE AS ATTRACTIVE AS THIS]

Many, many years ago I was interviewed by a well known US multinational and I was asked a number of what I considered to be rather weird questions [at the time they were weird to someone from Ireland]. One of the less strange questions was “why are manhole covers round” and I answered “they are not always round” … he then said “assuming that they are always round, why are they always round?” looking back that is a bit like “Brexit means Brexit”.

BTW my answer was " If you insist that all manhole covers are round it can only be because you believe that all manholes are round." Anyway, as you may have guessed, I failed to get the job but I was a bit surprised by the reason given - I was unlikely to be a team player.

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MAKING A GUESS I WOULD SAY THAT THIS IS A POLE DANCING CLUB [THE GREAT ESCAPE GENTLEMAN’S CLUB]

This is located in Leitrim Street in the Shandon area of Cork city.

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Church of Our Lady of the Rosary [Shanakiel Rd, Sunday's Well]

Built 1875-1880

Listed in the National Inventory Of Architectural Heritage and described as follows: “Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, formerly Saint Mary's, is a Gothic Revival church which occupies a prominent position on Shanakiel Road. Interestingly, it changed use from a Church of Ireland church to Roman Catholic. Designed by W.H. Hill, architectural quality is apparent in the scale, form, features and materials used in its construction. Francis Wise donated more than £6,000 towards the building fund. The combination of snecked limestone and ashlar dressings provides interesting textural detail. The artistic execution of the carved detailing on the exterior, especially in the door surround, enhances this imposing church.”

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Verulam, 58 Sunday's Well Road [Cork City]

My photograph does not give any idea as to how big this house actually is.

It was on sale with an asking price of Euro 1,400,000 as was described as follows: “The external rusticated wall on Sundays Well gives little hint of the splendour within. Bright, spacious and intensely private the surprise and delight of Verulam begins at the front door with its Georgian fanlight. The approach is through a tiled glass porch set on a bridge.

Ideally placed back from the main road the house is south facing with long windows maximising the ever changing seasonal views of Cork. This unique and luxurious property contains four elegant reception rooms and a winter sun room, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large kitchen with Aga, a wine cellar, well-proportioned hallways on both the upper and lower levels and several utility rooms. There is a well-stocked series of tiered and ornamental gardens and terraces sloping down to the River Lee.”

http://www.sherryfitz.ie/residential/for-sale/57686


In September 2015 the asking price was Euro 1,850,000 and the Irish Examiner has a video at
http://www.irishexaminer.com/property/coverstory/video-five-bed-period-home-in-sundays-well-cork-on-market-for-185-million-353538.html

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TYNDALL NATIONAL INSTITUTE [LEE MALTINGS]

The Tyndall National Institute (TNI) is a partnership between UCC, the Science Foundation of Ireland (SFI) and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment. The Instituted is housed in the Lee Maltings. Currently the Institute incorporates the NMRC and the Photonics communities within UCC and CIT. It is planned to develop additional space in the Lee Maltings to cater for the planned rapid expansion of the Institutes research activities.

The buildings that are now called the Lee Maltings form one of the most significant surviving industrial complexes in Cork city. They incorporate the sites of a flour mills, a brewery, a maltings, and their storage, residential and other facilities.

On this site were Hayes’ Lee Mills (the Lee Mills, later called the Lee Tide Watermills), founded 1787; the River Lee Porter Brewery, built 1796-97; and the Nile Street Maltings (the Lee Maltings), founded 1813.

The Lee Mills were water-powered flour and corn mills sited at the junction of a small watercourse with the river Lee. These mills were the largest water-powered flour-milling premises on the north channel of the river Lee, and the last such in the city. The eighteenth-century Lee Mills House, the Miller’s house (also known as the Steward’s House), still survives here beside Prospect Row. The 6- and 7-storey mill buildings here were built between 1825 and 1831.

The River Lee Porter Brewery operated from 1797 until 1813. Porter is a dark beer, also called stout, which derives its colour, creamy head and distinctive taste from the use of more heavily roasted (‘malted’) barley in the brewing process. The Brewery was built around a four-sided courtyard, which still exists here.

The Brewery was acquired in 1813 by the brewing firm of Beamish and Crawford, who converted the premises for use as a maltings and storage. They later also acquired and converted the adjoining Lee Mills for the same purposes. The resulting complex is what we now call the Lee Maltings.

The Lee Maltings were used by Beamish and Crawford to provide their brewing business with malted barley. The complex contained all of the spaces and machinery for storage and bulk handling of grain during the process, as well as the kilns, offices, coal and barrel stores and all of the other spaces a working maltings needed, including in 1881 a gatekeeper’s house and dormitories for the maltmen.

Barley was dried and allowed to germinate, then at the critical moment it was roasted in a kiln to stop germination. This preserved the natural sugars in the grain which were used in the brewing process to create alcohol. The malted barley was allowed to mature for a while before being transported to the Beamish and Crawford brewery elsewhere in the city to be turned into porter. Cheers!

The combined Lee Maltings site was sold by Beamish and Crawford to UCC in 1968. Since then it has at different times provided the home for a number of academic departments, an indoor sports centre, the university theatre, and, since 1981, leading researchers in the fields of information and communications technology.

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FISHING ON THE RIVER LEE [NEAR THE THOMAS DAVIS BRIDGE]

On some maps this is shown as being the Wellington Bridge while others show it as being the Thomas Davis Bridge. I do not know when the name changed but it must be fairly recent because some of the nearby business enterprises [for example the Bridge View Flowers Shop] list their address as Wellington Bridge. Online Description: “A fine nineteenth-century bridge, originally called Wellington Bridge, which retains much of its historic fabric. Built by G.R. Pain, the attribution of the design remains uncertain, and may have been designed by Pain or possibly by John Richard Griffin. The carefully executed stone work is a reminder of the skill of the masons who were involved in its construction. In constant use today, and taking substantially more traffic than its originally designers could have imagined, it is a testament to nineteenth-century engineering.” http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=CC®no=20865053

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O'Flynns Butchers Sundays Well Limited [Ceased Trading]

109 Sunday's Well Rd, Cork Well known for their sausages with thyme and also for their black pudding but unfortunately they are no longer in business.

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THE AVENUE BAR ON SUNDAY’S WELL ROAD [PROSPECT PLACE]

145 Sunday's Well Rd, Co. Cork

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PANORAMA TERRACE [SUNDAY’S WELL ROAD CORK]

Panorama Terrace is a footway located in Cork, County Cork. This was in poor condition which is a pity.

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INSTALLING THEIR NEW OFFICE [1-2 SUNDAY’S WELL ROAD]

As they were bring in a large amount of office furniture I am assuming that they were setting up a business here.

The houses in my photographs are listed in the National Inventory Of Architectural Heritage and described as follows: “End-of-terraced pair of terraced houses, built c. 1850, with four-storey elevation to the south and two-storey elevation of the north. Comprising of a two-storey house accessed from the north, set on top of a two-storey house accessed from the south. Built as a pair with the adjoining building to the west. Renovated in 1876. Pitched slate roof having rendered chimneystack and decorative eaves course. Rendered walls with raised render plinth. Timber sliding sash windows. Segmental-arched window and door openings having decorative raised render surround, replacement timber casement window, timber panelled door and fanlight”

“Built as a pair with the adjoining house to the west, the pair retains interesting features and materials, such as the timber sliding sash windows, moulded door surrounds and slate roofs. The houses in the terrace are stacked on two levels, with the houses on the lower level facing south and backing directly on to the hill behind, while the upper level houses are accessed from the north elevation. Set on a narrow wedge shaped site, this terrace makes a dramatic impact on the urban landscape when approached from the east.”

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Lucyville The House [Wellington Road Cork]

When I first saw this I thought that it was a person’s name “Lucy Villey” or “Lucy Ville” but eventually I decided that it must be Lucyville and it turned out that there is a house with that name on Wellington Road in Cork. The property is listed in the National Inventory Of Architectural Heritage and is described as follows: “Attached two-bay three-storey house, built c.1830, with two-bay two-storey addition to west having dormer attic, c.2000. Garden (south) elevation was principal elevation, house now accessed via rear courtyard.”

http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=CC&regno=20863062

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CORK CITY GAOL [NOW A MUSEUM]

Not well served by public transport but despite this you should try your best to visit the next time you are in Cork city.

A visit to this former prison in Cork is an important part of anyone’s education because you will soon learn just how badly treated the poor were by what was supposed to be a Christian establishment. What really amazed me was that when the new Cork City Gaol opened in 1824 and was regarded as being "the finest in 3 kingdoms" [I suppose that depended on your point of view].

The prison housed both male and female prisoners, whose crimes were committed within the city boundary. Anyone committing a crime outside that boundary was committed to the County Gaol, across the river from the City Gaol near University College Cork.

Many of the prisoners in the late 19th Century were repeat offenders locked up for what would not today be imprisonable offences; for example, a woman named Mary Tucker from Rathmore in County Cork was imprisoned at least three times between 1849 and 1908, for offences such as 'Obscene Language' or 'Drunkenness'.

In October 1919, Constance Markievicz, the first woman to be elected to the British Parliament, was imprisoned at Cork Gaol for making a seditious speech.

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BARBARELLA PUB [ THE GATEWAY BAR BESIDE ELIZABETH FORT IN CORK]

125 Barrack St, The Lough, Cork, Ireland

Claims to be in business since 1698 … I did not know that Jane Fonda was that old.

I think that the Gateway Bar is the real name for this pub.

“The Gateway Bar, next to Elizabeth Fort is the oldest pub in Cork. It was established in 1698 and the Dukes of Wellington and Marlborough were among its patrons. It is possibly the oldest pub in Ireland. That title is being claimed by a few pubs in the country. The Brazen Head in Dublin had was a pub before The Gateway, but didn't hold a continuous license!

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ST. FINBARRS MARKET WALL [AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE STAR FORT]

It is a pity that someone painted over this plaque. Also,I do not know if the plaque is old or if it was recently installed at this location.

St Finbarr's Market was a market established by the reformed Cork Corporation in the 1840s to cater for the less wealthy people of Cork. Until the Municipal Reform Act of 1840 the members of the corporation were exclusively from the Protestant ascendancy class. The principal market in the city was the Grand Parade Market, later renamed the English Market.

Only Protestants could operate stalls in the English Market and what was on sale was usually too expensive for the poorer classes who made up most of the city's population.

My understanding is that side wall on Barrack Street which once enclosed Saint Finbarrs Market has recently been demolished and has since been replaced by a new wall.

The English Market comprises Princes Street Market and Grand Parade Market, and is a municipal food market in the centre of Cork, Ireland. The market is administered by Cork City Council. The market is well supported locally and has become a tourist attraction - drawing visitors from throughout the world, including a visit by Queen Elizabeth II during her 2011 state visit.

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Intreo Centre Hanover Street [Social Protection Service In Cork City]

I have often wondered why this building features a Black Lion with 1990. Because of the black lion I assume that the building may have been owned by the Beamish and Crawford brewery. If you know better please correct me.

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COSTIGANS BAR [10-11 WASHINGTON STREET CORK]

“Serving the people of Cork & beyond for centuries XXX Stout”

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