Writing recently about the lovely old cast iron coal plates which adorn the Georgian and many Victorian districts of Dublin, I found my obsession spread from coal covers to utility covers also, such as gas, water, and the like. Yes, I know, I know what you are thinking. And it’s true, I have a… Read More Utility covers..
Newmarket, the heart of the Liberties, is scheduled for development, and for huge physical change. Mill St is already transformed, while most of Sweeney Lane is a distant memory. Blackpitts and Fumbally Lane meanwhile are both full of extraordinary, half-forgotten historical connections. It is high time we explored this area, to look at its past,… Read More Blackpitts, Newmarket & around: a Liberties tour.
Grangegorman has been well described as the “Forgotten” quarter of Dublin, perhaps unsurprising given the often grim history of workhouses, asylums and fever hospitals that cover -and historically define- this area. Accordingly it’s a district many of us barely know. That’s all set to change with huge, city-shaping transformations afoot, massive new infrastructure, new transport… Read More Hugh Lane Gal to Grangegorman historic walking tour Sat 13 May, 11.30am.
Meeting 2.15PM, outside front door Hugh Lane Gallery, (Dublin Municipal Gal) Parnell Square. Tickets should ideally be booked in advance please: here. Grangegorman has been well described as the “Forgotten” quarter of Dublin. Now that’s all set to change. With huge, city shaping transformations afoot, this is a timely moment to explore, discover and discuss… Read More Hugh Lane to Grangegorman, History & Architecture Walk- 2.15pm Tues 30th Aug.
John Rocque’s famed map of Dublin (detail above) is a genuine work of genius, and one of the best maps made of any city in 18th century Europe. Today it forms a superb and indispensable resource for anyone interested in Dublin, its streets, buildings its religious, cultural, social or political history. Just one example of… Read More Rocque’s map, that endless treasure trove.
This little display case with its wonderful ship model, was spotted at Dun Laoghaire’s terrific Maritime Museum over the weekend, (the museum is on Haigh Terrace, near Dun Laoghaire’s new public library (pay a visit to both when you can). It put me in mind of a subject close to my heart. Because this isn’t… Read More Tableau & Diorama. (iii)
“Georgian West” a history & architecture walking tour of West-central Dublin, this Wednesday afternoon, 19th August. 2.10pm, with Arran Henderson from Dublin Decoded tours. See below for tour content, and how to join in. Now in the week ahead we turn our eyes West, to the other end of the city centre, as Dublin Decoded… Read More Georgian West, an open walking tour, this Wed 19th August., 2.10pm
Following the huge success of this Dublin North-west Georgian tour, featuring the Kings Inns tour last May, I’m delighted to announce another opportunity to do this lovely history and architectural walking tour by Dublin Decoded, on Wednesday afternoon, the 5th of August, meeting 2.10pm. Tickets for the North-west Georgian tour are available here. More… Read More Georgian NW & the King’s Inns interiors: walking tour, Wed 5th August.
Yesterday saw the conclusion of the little Vikings and Scallops self-guided walking tours, on the sister site Dublin Decoded, a miniature circumnavigation of the Dame Street, Temple bar west area, concluding with the vicious gargoyle cats and continental chic of tiny Palace St (below) … then winding up admiring the graffiti, sticker art, and the… Read More Neon Art, Three act structure and seriously, Why Go Bald?
the third part of our little walking tour… with Viking ships and Gothic churches now behind us (Posts 1 & 2) we peruse Dublin’s graffiti and sticker culture, venture down alleyways, pass walled up doorways, and admire the glazed bricks & mysteries of Crampton Court. You can find all the third part of the walk… Read More criminals in alleyways, graffiti, doorways & mysteries of Crampton Court
