Languedoc & Albi, a hilltop treasure & a mighty Cathedral, all built on woad.

Just back from a 9-10 day break, mostly spent in extraordinary, dazzling, dramatic Languedoc. Languedoc, means (Land of) the tongue or Language of Oc -Occitan being the ancient language of the area. It is a region that has long exercised the medieval-obsessive imagination of your correspondent, your writer-blogger-chappie. As a land of huge Cathar… Read More Languedoc & Albi, a hilltop treasure & a mighty Cathedral, all built on woad.

May 7, 2013October 25, 2013 Arran Henderson16 Comments

Arran’s Top Dublin Sights & Visits.

This post is for all visitors and was inspired by my students. They often tell me they find it hard to get reliable information on the most interesting places to see here. This sounds a bit unlikely at first? With Ireland’s long-established tourism, you’d imagine we’re bursting at the seams with reliable, objective lists and maps,… Read More Arran’s Top Dublin Sights & Visits.

April 4, 2013July 23, 2015 Arran Henderson26 Comments

These were a few of my favourite things.

I’ve not to date participated in that Word Press institution known as “the Daily Prompt”. You know the one, it’s for those who like to blog everyday, but occasionally find themselves, temporarily, stuck for inspiration. “The Prompt” is a suggested topic, serving as a nudge to get them writing. I’ve nothing against it; indeed it’s… Read More These were a few of my favourite things.

January 28, 2013January 28, 2013 Arran Henderson21 Comments

Another day in Paris-dise (or Hell for the unlucky)

I was about to abandon the little memoir of my recent Paris jaunt, and blog instead about other things. Time- after all- marches on. Tempus fugit and all that. But then I looked at some photos saved on the computer, of statues, saints and angels, one of Mary Magdalene even. Inevitably, thoughts turned to Paris… Read More Another day in Paris-dise (or Hell for the unlucky)

January 23, 2013January 28, 2014 Arran Henderson13 Comments

We’ll always have Paris.

Since Christmas is a time for families, and since my sister and my niece were not with us this year, my mother and I made a slightly late-in-the day, slightly haphazard and snap decision to go to Paris for 5 days, setting off the morning after Stephen’s Day. I am not going to pretend it… Read More We’ll always have Paris.

January 3, 2013April 14, 2013 Arran Henderson23 Comments

Saint Patrick’s History, 4: Richard Boyle, earl of Cork, power, politics and intrigue in Elizabethan & Stuart Ireland.

In a series of three seperate earlier posts, we’ve looked at the history of Dublin’s cathedral of Saint Patrick’s, from the early Christaina era, in one post, to the Viking ear in another, and finally to the Anglo-Normans, and “the story of the two cathedrals”. It’s all a long, immense, complex web of religious and… Read More Saint Patrick’s History, 4: Richard Boyle, earl of Cork, power, politics and intrigue in Elizabethan & Stuart Ireland.

November 27, 2012July 22, 2016 Arran Henderson22 Comments

The Origins of Saint Patricks cathedral – part one. 430AD to the early Celtic church.

Important Note 2: Note on photography, maps, and image credits. all photographs in this article are by the author, unless otherwise noted. I’m not precious about it but if you wish to use an image please contact me and if I provide permission naturally I’d like to get a basic acknowledgement and credit and please provide a link… Read More The Origins of Saint Patricks cathedral – part one. 430AD to the early Celtic church.

November 19, 2012April 26, 2014 Arran Henderson25 Comments

Sailing Brittany part VII- Cameret to Audierne.

a- Getting there. Dave, alas, has departed back home, to England, and work. Our crew is a man down. But we few remaining sailors, just three now, must press on, to our next destination. That destination, our new target, is Audierne. A new chapter awaits. We sail out fairly early to catch the tide, passing… Read More Sailing Brittany part VII- Cameret to Audierne.

October 11, 2012April 14, 2013 Arran Henderson9 Comments

Arran Q Henderson

History, Art & Architecture in Dublin & abroad. Plus Art & Architecture tours by Arran & Dublin Decoded.

Category: Church Architecture