EARTH HORSE BY HELEN MERRIGAN-COLFER [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2015]

Helen Merrigan Colfer is a native of Co. Wexford, Ireland. She is a qualified professional fine artist who works from her studio in Churchtown, Hook Head, Co. Wexford.


http://www.helenmerrigancolfer.com/about

VISIT THE INFOMATIQUE PHOTO COLLECTION

 

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KEEPING FIT BY PIETER KONING [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2015]

http://www.pietkoning.com

Pieter was born in Holland but he is now based in Teeraha, Caherciveen, County Kerry, where he has established a studio.

THE INFOMATIQUE PHOTO COLLECTION

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KARLIN LILLINGTON FROM THE IRISH TIMES [AT A MEETING]

Karlin Lillington [a favourite of mine] is a journalist and columnist with the Irish Times focusing on technology, with a special interest in the political, social, business and cultural aspects of information and communication technologies. She has been a contributor to a wide range of Irish and international publications, including The Guardian, New Scientist, Wired.com, Salon.com, Red Herring, The Scientist and The Sunday Times. She holds a PhD from Trinity College.

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MEMORIAL TO MARGARET ANNA CUSACK [THE NUN OF KENMARE - AN INTERESTING LADY TO SAY THE LEAST]

Known as the Nun of Kenmare, Margaret Anna Cusack  was born in a house at the corner of Mercer Street and York Street in 1829. Recently the corner was renamed Cusack Corner.

Although she was honoured by Pope Leo XIII the Vatican, because of her work for women's liberation, ordered that her name be "effaced" as founder of the Order of St Joseph of Peace.

In 1888 she returned to the Anglican Communion after an dispute with her bishop and issued The Nun of Kenmare: An Autobiography the following year. She died on 5 June 1899, aged 70, and was buried in a Church of England-reserved burial site at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, in England.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Anna_Cusack

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CLAREMOUNT BEACH IN HOWTH [I BET THAT YOU HAVE NEVER VISITED IT]

Claremont Beach is a small cove like beach situated close to Howth Harbour and I really like it.

The beach, otr at least much of it, is especially attractive when the tide is out and it is very popular with dog walkers. At low water Claremont beach joins up with Sutton’s Burrow Beach [known locally as the Hole-In-The-Wall beach].

I believe that there are at least twenty four beaches local to Dublin and many, if not all of them, are relatively under used most of the time and Claremont is one of the least used of all of them.

I am willing to bet that most of you have never heard of Claremont Beach. One problem is that it is located on the wrong side of the railway tracks. To get to it you need to make your way down an ugly lane passing behind the railway station and this can be somewhat off-putting to the extent that many people fail to get to the beach unless they know that it is there.

At high tide the beach is very unattractive because at its edge there is a badly maintained stretch of rocky land bordering an industrial estate and at times it acts as a dumping ground for industrial waste [totally illegal]. The strip beside the boatyard attracts some anti-social behaviour.

VISIT COMPLETE PHOTO COLLECTION

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RED RUFFED LEMUR [CAN BE SEEN IN DUBLIN ZOO]

The red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) is one of two species in the genus Varecia, the ruffed lemurs; the other is the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata). Like all lemurs, it is native to Madagascar and occurs only in the rainforests of Masoala, in the northeast of the island. It is one of the largest primates of Madagascar with a body length of 53 cm, a tail length of 60 cm and a weight of 3.3–3.6 kg. Its soft, thick fur is red and black in colour and sports a buff or cream coloured spot at the nape, but a few are known to have a white or pink patch on the back of the limbs or digits and a ring on the base of the tail in a similar colour.

There is also another species of ruffed lemur that is similar to the red ruffed lemur; the black-and-white ruffed lemur. They both live in the rainforest along the east coast of Madagascar, but they do not associate with each other.

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P21 - Irish Navy Ship LÉ Emer [Now Operated By The Nigerian Navy As The NNS Prosperity]

This photograph dates from April 2013. I just discovered a few days ago that the Irish Naval Service vessel LE Emer, which stood down in September 2013 after 35 years, was sold to a new owner. The vessel was sold at auction in Cork for €320,000 to London based Nigerian businessman Cyprian Imobhio. My understanding is that the ship is now in the hands of the Nigerian Navy as the NNS Prosperity. LÉ Emer was built in Ireland to the basic design of the Naval Service’s first purpose built Offshore Patrol Vessel, the LÉ Deirdre but was modified to improve stability and speed. Her original BOFORS 40mm L60 gun was recently upgraded to a BOFORS 40mm L70 thus improving the range and accuracy of her main armament. Operationally, LÉ Emer chalked up a notable first when she undertook the first ever deployment of an Irish naval ship to resupply Irish troops serving with the United Nations troops in Lebanon in 1979. This was the first of many such deployments and the Naval Service now frequently supports Irish troops abroad. A notable operation in her history was her part in the apprehension of the Marita Anne in 1984, which stopped after warning shots were fired by Emer and which was found to be carrying a significant quantity of arms and ammunition. LÉ Emer is associated with Cork University Hospital and conducts fund raising efforts on its behalf around the coast. Although all the ships’ homeport is Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour, LÉ Emer has a particularly close relationship with the city of Cork itself. Emer from Celtic Mythology Emer was the principal wife of Cúchulainn and the daughter of a chieftain from Rush, County Dublin, hence the Harp of Leinster. The fire relates to her description as burning with the seven virtues of womanhood, with seven flames rising from the fire. This particular symbolism is not clear, as Emer is not mentioned much in ancient literature. She appears as a major character in 'Bricriú Feat' and in one of 'Réamscéala' to the 'Táin Bó Cuailnge', which dealt with meeting and marriage to Cuchulainn. Where she is mentioned, Emer is depicted as a proud, dominant, hot tempered, violent and sexually demanding female aristocrat who tolerates no rivals. War hero that Cuchulainn was, he always treated her with considerable respect and indeed circumspection.

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Irish Merchant Navy Memorial [City Quay Dublin]

IRISH MERCHANT SHIPS LOST IN WORLD WAR TWO.

MUNSTER (Captain William James Paisley) mined and sunk in Liverpool Bay
2 February 1940-no casualties

CITY OF LIMERICK (Captain, R. Ferguson) sunk by air attack 700 miles west of Ushant.
15 july 1940-2 dead

MEATH (Captain T. MacFarlane) mined and sunk off Holyhead .
16 august 1940-1 dead

LUIMNEACH (Captain E. Jones) sunk by gunfire from U-46 in Bay of Biscay
4 september 1940-no casualites

KERRY HEAD (Captain C. Drummond) bombed and sunk with all hands off Cape Clear.
22 october 1940-12 dead

ARDMORE (Captain T. Ford) missing on passage Cork to Fishguard.
11 november 1940-24 dead

ISOLDA (Captain A. Bestic) bombed and sunk by German aircraft off Wex ford Coast
19 december 1940- 6 dead, 7 wounded

INNISFALLEN (Captain G. Rrth) mined and sunk in River Mersey.
21 december 1940-4 dead

ST. FINTAN (Captain N. Hendry) bombed and sunk by German aircraft of Welsh Coast.
22 march 1941-9 dead

CLONLARA (Captain J. Reynolds) torpedoed and sunk whilst in convoy 0G71 in Bay of Biscay
22 august 1941-11 dead

CITY OF WATERFORD (Captain T. Alpin) sunk whilst in convoy 0G74 in North Atlantic.
19 september 1941-5 dead

CITY OF BREMEN (Captain G. Bryan) sunk by German aircraft in Bay of Biscay
2 june 1942-no casualites

IRISH PINE (Captain M. O'Neill) torpedoed and sunk in North Atlantic by U-608.
15 november1942-33 dead

KYLECLARE (Captain A. Hamilton) torpedoed and sunk in Bay of Biscay by J-456
23 february 1943-18 dead

IRISH OAK (Capatin E. Jones) torpedoed and sunk in North Atlantic by U607
15 may 1942-no casualites

CYMRIC (Captain C. Cassedy) missing on passage Ardrossan to Lisbon.
22 march 1944-11 dead

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BUSHY PARK [AN ATTRACTIVE PUBLIC PARK IN TERENURE DUBLIN]

Although situated mainly in Terenure Bushy Park stretches to the borders of Rathfarnham and Templeogue. It is across the road from Terenure College boys' school and has several entrances. The River Dodder passes alongside it, within the Dodder Valley Linear Park, and the high wall of Bushy Park has several access points to the riverside.

Bushy Park House was originally owned by Arthur Bushe of Dangan, County Kilkenny, Secretary to the Revenue Commissioners who built the house, originally known as "Bushe's House" in 1700 on a site of four hectares. John Hobson became the owner in 1772 and changed the name of the house to Bushy Park, possibly after Bushy Park in London.

CRIPPS FOOTWEAR IN TERENURE[KEEP YOUR FEET WARM AND DRY THIS WINTER]

Cripps Footwear was established in 1925 by Joseph Cripps and was located in St. Augustine Street.  The second generation established outlets in Fairview, Thomas Street and Terenure. Austin Cripps Snr. opened the shop shown in my photograph in 1962.

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INTERNET OF THINGS WORLD [DUBLIN CONVENTION CENTRE NOVEMBER 2016]

I was invited to spend two days at Europe’s most comprehensive IoT Event. This leading forum focused on case studies that show today’s Industry and Enterprises leveraging IoT technologies to transform their business through creating value and efficiencies.

The Internet of things (stylised Internet of Things or IoT) is the internetworking of physical devices, vehicles (also referred to as "connected devices" and "smart devices"), buildings and other items—embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data.

"Things," in the IoT sense, can refer to a wide variety of devices such as heart monitoring implants, biochip transponders on farm animals, electric clams in coastal waters,[16] automobiles with built-in sensors, DNA analysis devices for environmental/food/pathogen monitoring or field operation devices that assist firefighters in search and rescue operations.[18] Legal scholars suggest to look at "Things" as an "inextricable mixture of hardware, software, data and service". These devices collect useful data with the help of various existing technologies and then autonomously flow the data between other devices. Current market examples include home automation (also known as smart home devices) such as the control and automation of lighting, heating (like smart thermostat), ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and appliances such as washer/dryers, robotic vacuums, air purifiers, ovens or refrigerators/freezers that use Wi-Fi for remote monitoring.

VIEW ALL PHOTOGRAPHS

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TRINITY FOOTBRIDGE [CORK]

Trinity Bridge is simple footbridge that connects Morrison's Island [Morrison’s Quay] to Union Quay. It is named after the nearby Holy Trinity Church. Constructed in 1977, Trinity Bridge was officially opened by the Lord Mayor Gerald Goldberg on the 14th of October. It's a 12-foot wide walkway, spanning a hundred feet.

There is a public bike station at the bridge.

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Phoenix Park Tunnel services and minor Heuston revisions from Mon 21st November

14 November 2016

Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that new commuter services connecting stations between Newbridge and Parkwest with Connolly to Grand Canal Dock via the Phoenix Park Tunnel line will commence on Monday 21st November.

The introduction of the new services follows an investment of €13.7 million in upgrading the Phoenix Park Tunnel route, funded by the National Transport Authority.

A small number of minor alterations to other services to/from Heuston will also take effect from this date, and the final schedules have been approved by the National Transport Authority following public consultation.

Phoenix Park Tunnel services

Seven new morning peak trains to Grand Canal Dock, and eight new evening peak trains from Grand Canal Dock begin on Monday 21st November, with limited stop services in the opposite direction:

Morning Peak
06.14 Newbridge to Grand Canal Dock
06.50 Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock
07.00 Newbridge to Grand Canal Dock
07.20 Newbridge to Grand Canal Dock
08.10 Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock
08.35 Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock
09.12 Newbridge to Grand Canal Dock
07.25 Grand Canal Dock to Hazelhatch*
07.49 Grand Canal Dock to Hazelhatch*
08.10 Grand Canal Dock to Newbridge*
Evening peak
16.20 Grand Canal Dock to Hazelhatch
16.40 Grand Canal Dock to Newbridge
17.00 Grand Canal Dock to Hazelhatch
17.28 Grand Canal Dock to Newbridge
17.58 Grand Canal Dock to Hazelhatch
18.16 Grand Canal Dock to Newbridge
18.40 Grand Canal Dock to Hazelhatch
19.13 Grand Canal Dock to Hazelhatch
15.10 Newbridge to Grand Canal Dock*
15.55 Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock*
17.00 Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock*
17.25 Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock*
17.55 Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock*
17.57 Newbridge to Grand Canal Dock*

These services will serve all stations between Newbridge/Hazelhatch and Parkwest; and Drumcondra, Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock, except those marked * which will serve limited stops – search the journey planner above for exact times. They will not serve Heuston Station – customers for Heuston should use existing trains between Newbridge/Hazelhatch and Heuston Station.

Services will also ensure connections at Hazelhatch/Newbridge for customers travelling on longer distance commuter services to/from stations such as Kildare, Portlaoise and others.

The new services give a new direct public transport connection between stations in south-west Dublin and north Kildare and the central business district between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock.

This is the first phase of services to operate via the Phoenix Park Tunnel. Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority plan to expand services in the future to include off-peak and weekend services.

Customer FAQ Phoenix Park Tunnel Fares
For information on Customer FAQ Phoenix Park Tunnel Fares please click here.

Minor revisions to other Heuston routes
To accommodate new Phoenix Park Tunnel services, the following minor changes to timetables will take effect from Monday 21st November:

Commuter services
06.40 Heuston to Newbridge advanced to 06.35
08.30 Heuston to Portlaoise advanced to 08.25
17.20 Heuston to Portlaoise deferred to 17.28
17.55 Heuston to Newbridge cancelled
18.10 Heuston to Portlaoise advanced to 18.05 and calls additionally at Parkwest and Clondalkin Fonthill
18.55 Heuston to Portlaoise deferred to 19.05hrs
06.25 Portlaoise to Heuston operates 2 to 3 minutes earlier from Monasterevin onwards
06.30 Carlow to Heuston operates 2 to 4 minutes later from Newbridge onwards
07.20 Portlaoise to Heuston advanced to 07.17
19.30 Portlaoise to Heuston advanced to 19.17

Intercity services
18.00 and 19.00 Heuston to Cork: minor revisions to times at intermediate stations
06.45 Cork to Tralee advanced to 06.20
07.00 Tralee to Heuston deferred to 07.05
19.00 Ballybrophy to Limerick deferred to 19.05
19.38 Limerick Junction to Limerick deferred to 19.40
20.45 Limerick Junction to Limerick deferred to 20.47
06.05 Waterford to Heuston advanced to 06.00
09.25 Heuston to Galway additional stop at Oranmore
17.20 Galway to Heuston additional stops at Kildare and Newbridge

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GEOMETRIC FORMS BY ALEXANDRA WEJCHERT [UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK CAMPUS]

Geometric Forms, Alexandra Wejchert. Polished stainless steel and consists of six identical elements connected at the centre. Each of the semi-crescent elements is cut from a 6mm flat plate with the edges stiffened by 200 x 100mm plates welded to it. 7.0m x 4.5m - Located in front of the Robert Schuman Building

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UAS TRAM SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION PHASE [UPPER DOMINICK STREET]

Construction commenced in June 2013 and the new service is scheduled to be in operation by the end of 2017.

There will be an additional 10 million passenger journeys per year on this newly extended Luas network.The cost of this project is €368 million and it's one of the largest capital investment projects being undertaken by the government at the moment.

It's the extension of the Luas Green line creating an interchange with the red line.
There will be 13 new stops with 8 of these in the core city centre area and I live very close to two of them.

It will take 21 mins to travel from St Stephens Green to Cabra.

WASP BY ROB BYRNE [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2016]

For some reason this was not easy to photograph

Rob Byrne is a primarily self taught Dublin artist. Having made the transition from wood and metal, he has found his home in the medium of stone. Inspired by the natural world, Rob aims to convey natures compelled adaptation to human encroachment into it’s habitat. Rob’s work has been shown in exhibitions such as Form, Sculpture in Context and in the Kildare Gallery at Carton House, Vanishing Art, as well as private collections.


http://robbyrnesculptures.com

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ERECT BY LENA WILLRYD [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT]

“I am a Swedish artist living in Ireland since 1998. My work is created intuitively, inspired by nature looking both with my heart and my eyes. It is my hope and intention that you will feel the energy of the paintings when you are in their presence.”

http://www.lwartdesign.com/

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SLICE OF LIFE BY PADDY Mc CORMACK [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2016]

“The Journey to where Paddy is now, working with copper, iron and bronze started in Dublin at the end of the 70’s and into the 80’s with landscaping, carpentry and guitar making . With a diploma in musical instrument technology from the London College of Furniture, he returned to the country of his birth New Zealand.”

More about the artist: http://www.paddymccormack.com/97-2/

THE WEDGE BY KEVIN PIERCE [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT]

Contemporary Banana by Kevin Pierce won the  New Ireland Assurance Sculpture Award last year.

Sculpture in Context is the largest and most prestigious outdoor sculpture exhibition in Ireland, showcasing the work of Irish and international artists. Over the years it has staged highly acclaimed visual arts events at a number of different venues. It returns to the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin this September. I have not yet been advised as to the dates for the 2017 exhibition.

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ANTERIOR HEAD BY THOMAS GLENDON [2016 SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT]

Thomas Glendon has a long established studio specialising in sculpture, letterform, ecclesiastical work and design in stone, wood and bronze. His sculptures may be seen at the Solomon and Davis Galleries, Dublin, the Kenny Gallery, Galway, The Lavitt Gallery, Cork and the No. 5 Gallery, Liverpool. Sculpture works have been exhibited at the R.H.A. annual summer show for a number of years. His work is included in a number of private collections in Ireland and abroad.


http://www.thomasglendon.ie/index.html

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APERTURA OBSCURA BY RICHIE HEALY - SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2016 [I USED A VOIGTLANDER 15mm LENS]

Instagram was the word that popped into my head when I first saw this.

Richard Healy is a Dublin born Artist. He studied at the National College of Art and Design, where he graduated in 2000 with an Honours Degree in Fine Art sculpture. Since leaving college Richard has worked primarily in stone. His work draws on inspiration from the natural world around him.

Visit Richie at: http://www.richardhealysculptures.com


Sculpture In Context 2016 at the National Botanic Gardens,Glasnevin, Dublin 9.
8th September to 21st October 2016


I look forward to the Sculpture In Context 2017 exhibition.

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TALL HORSE EMBRACE BY HELEN MERRIGAN COLFER [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2016]

Helen Merrigan Colfer is a native of Co. Wexford, Ireland. She is a qualified professional fine artist who works from her studio in Churchtown, Hook Head, Co. Wexford.

http://www.helenmerrigancolfer.com

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ESTER BY THOMAS GLENDON [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT]

Thomas Glendon has a long established studio specialising in sculpture, letterform, ecclesiastical work and design in stone, wood and bronze. His sculptures may be seen at the Solomon and Davis Galleries, Dublin, the Kenny Gallery, Galway, The Lavitt Gallery, Cork and the No. 5 Gallery, Liverpool. Sculpture works have been exhibited at the R.H.A. annual summer show for a number of years. His work is included in a number of private collections in Ireland and abroad.


http://www.thomasglendon.ie/index.html

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SUPERMAC’S OUTLET [TEMPLE BAR]

I have never visited a Supermac restaurant so cannot really comment about the food or the service.

Supermac’s is an Irish fast food restaurant chain first opened in 1978. The first restaurant was located in Ballinasloe Town, County Galway in the West of Ireland. As of 2015 the chain consists of a total of 106 restaurants spread throughout Ireland. It operates a number of franchise outlets with many also privately owned. Supermac’s serves an average of 320,000 customers per week and had annual revenues of €79.9 million and a profit of €7.4 million according to its 2013 closing report.


Through Supermac’s Ireland Ltd, Pat and Una McDonagh also own Claddagh Irish Pubs & Restaurants, a chain of eleven Irish-themed bars & restaurants operating in 8 Midwestern states in the United States.[10]

Today Supermac’s is Ireland’s largest indigenous quick service restaurant group with a policy of continued expansion and growth.[11] Supermac’s Holdings Ltd. has applied to trademark the Supermac’s name in both Europe and Australia with plans to open branches in each jurisdiction following requests from residents in 15 cities around the world to do so.

In June 2013 Supermac’s opened its 100th store in the Barack Obama Plaza on the M7 Motorway. Since then, the company has further expanded its motor services business by developing the Tipperary Town Plaza and Mallow N20 Plaza on key national routes.

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GOURMET BURGER KITCHEN [TEMPLE BAR DUBLIN]

I am not a fan of burger joints but this one is not at all bad. As a general observation any restaurant that combines the words ‘burger’ and ‘gourmet’ is only doing so to justify charging a high price for nothing better than basic food and uncomfortable seating. At GBK the price is not unreasonable so I am awarding four stars but bear in mind that this rating is relative to other burger restaurants.

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OLIVER ST. JOHN GOGARTY’S [HOTEL AND RESTAURANT]

A few days ago a visitor to the city asked me for directions to St. John’s Hotel but I was unable to assist her as I did not know of a hotel by that name. I did not realise that the Oliver St.John Gogarty was a hotel as well as a pub. Also in Ireland the St.John bit of the name is pronounced as ’Sinjin’. If she had even asked for the Gogarty Hotel I might have guessed where she was trying to locate.

Oliver Joseph St John Gogarty (17 August 1878 – 22 September 1957) was an Irish poet, author, otolaryngologist, athlete, politician, and well-known conversationalist, who served as the inspiration for Buck Mulligan in James Joyce's novel Ulysses.

As one of Dublin's "medicos", Gogarty was known to be fond of public pranks and midnight carousing in "the Kips", Dublin's red-light district. He had a talent for humorous and bawdy verse, which quickly made the rounds through the city, and sometimes composed mnemonic lyrics to aid his medical studies. He also enjoyed a highly successful cycling career before being banned from the tracks in 1901 for bad language, and between 1898 and 1901 he rescued at least four people from drowning. He became interested in Irish nationalism after meeting Arthur Griffith in 1899, and contributed propaganda pieces to The United Irishman over subsequent years.

I once heard a story that upon saving someone from drowning he received a reward of one penny from the person’s father who claimed that his son was not even worth a penny and that he should consider himself lucky to receive such a generous reward. Apparently most people agreed with the father.

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MILANO IN TEMPLE BAR [PIZZA EXPRESS REBRANDED]

For those of you who are from the UK this restaurant is a Pizza Express outlet rebranded for the Republic Of Ireland as Milano.

The restaurant in Temple Bar is the one that I like best [I also like the one in Baggot Street] and I really like their pizzas. However, I do have a number of issues :
[1] staff devote so much time to up-selling that it is really annoying
[2] wine is way too expensive and in the case of the Temple Bar restaurant red wine [because of where it is stored] is often very warm
[3] starters, desserts, extras and side-orders can prove to be very expensive. If you are not careful the overall bill may come as a big surprise.

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ELEPHANT & CASTLE [TEMPLE BAR DUBLIN]

This excellent restaurant opened in Dublin about 25 years ago and I have been a regular visitor since then but my visits became less frequent with the passing of time.

Up until recently I thought that this was a Dublin based business but I recently discovered a few days ago that The New York Elephant & Castle [the parent company] opened in 1973.

The restaurant in Dublin is highly recommended but in my opinion it is not nearly as good as it was twenty years ago. However, it is still one of the best option in Temple Bar especially if you like American Style dining. Be aware that it can be difficult to get a table at any time of the day.

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HENRIETTA PLACE [AN UGLY LANEWAY PARALLEL TO BOLTON STREET]

The road surface and the pavements have been badly damaged by careless builders and anti-social activity over the last ten years. Also the lane is used to exercise horses [often late at night] and they make a terrible mess. One day I was walking along the lane when a sofa was dropped from a 4th. floor apartment.

Even though the laneway is ugly it is the location of Henrietta House designed by Herbert Simms.
During the 1930s, Dublin Corporation Housing Architect, Herbert Simms, took the dualistic approach to slum clearance of building both new urban blocks and suburban cottages. The flat blocks were considered essential architectural ingredients of the slum clearance project and from 1932 to 1939, twenty-one schemes comprising 1,002 inner-city flats were completed.

For more about Herbert Simms please visit: https://www.dublincity.ie/sites/default/files/content/Housing/CityArchitectsDivision/Documents/Simms_Brochure.pdf

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RETURN OF OBA BY BARRA CASSIDY [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2016]

Barra is a Dublin born artist and is living in the north west of Ireland for nearly a decade now calling Sligo his home.

Barra is a predominantly self-taught artist who never attended conventional college. He considers himself to be an eternal student because he has no desire to stop learning and exploring new areas as an artist.

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SYNTHESIS BY MICHELLE MAHER [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2016]

Michelle's work in clay is informed and inspired by plant and botanical forms, in particular that part of our environment that is hidden from view or perhaps ignored.

She seeks to illuminate this world in her ceramic sculptures and to take a snapshot of a moment in a plants life and make it accessible to all.  In exploring these concepts - clay with its amazing vigour, vitality and fluidity gives her the freedom to create wonderful textures, colours and forms.  Michelle is especially inspired when working on large site-specific outdoor projects and she often designs her sculptures for installation in water.  She has been involved in a number of large-scale Public Art projects in recent years.

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MORE BY MICHELLE MAHER:

PEEPING THROUGH - KILKENNY LIMESTONE [BOBBY BLOUNT - SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2016]

Bobby's sculpture is mainly based on garden pieces his love of gardens and nature are his main inspiration for his sculpture which can be seen in his work.

He works in Granite,Limestone, Marble, Bronze, Stainless Steel.

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ST. PAUL’S CHURCH SMITHFIELD [ARRAN QUAY]

May also be known as Saint Gregrorios Syrian Orthodox Church.

This church had fallen into disuse but now it is used for some Catholic services as well as Syrian Orthodox services and Taize prayer.

Unlike the majority of Roman Catholic churches in Ireland it has an exterior clock.

Saint Paul's on Arran Quay was designed by Patrick Byrne and it was built soon after Catholic Emancipation, when the Roman Catholic Church was beginning to build visible high-status buildings. Artistic interest is added by the altar, by Farrell (before 1863), and a copy of Rubens Conversion of St. Paul by F.S. Barff (1863), which replaced an earlier representation of the crucifixion.

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WHAT’S LEFT OF THE ORIGINAL CITY WALL [LAMB ALLEY OFF THOMAS STREET]

I was a bit surprised to discover that the walled city of medieval Dublin had an area of less than one square mile. Unfortunately very little of the medieval city remains and the last surviving section of the medieval walls above ground  can be seen at Lamb Alley. As so little remains and as no real context to what is to be seen at the site it is not really worth a visit unless you are in the area.

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