Category: Ports & Harbours.

Stretching the City & Into the Bay – new life for old Pigeon Hotel & former Poolbeg Power Station?

In the always excellent Dublin Inquirer newspaper this week I was delighted to read a report on how Dublin City Council (DCC) is (at last) trying to find a new use for both the beautiful old 1700s Pigeon House Hotel near Ringsend, and for the huge derelict Poolbeg power station next door. Both buildings stand… Read More Stretching the City & Into the Bay – new life for old Pigeon Hotel & former Poolbeg Power Station?

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Stunning B&W short film- Diving into the River and Dublin Canal Basins. Unmissable.

There’s been quite a lot of response to the 40-Foot Christmas swim pictures, so I thought I’d share this extraordinary video, from the incredible long hot month of July here, our own heat wave. It’s become a faint memory, indeed seems more like a dream now, that magical month when we lay in the parks… Read More Stunning B&W short film- Diving into the River and Dublin Canal Basins. Unmissable.

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The Oratory Chapel by Sister Concepta Lynch, old Domincan Convent, Dun Laoghaire (Co Dublin)

Look at this. I thought you’d enjoy these wonderful mural paintings.   For those who do not know them they’re in a tiny chapel called the Oratory, which is the last remaining survivor of the old Dominican Convent in Dun Laoghaire,  (the town just south of Dublin where I grew up). Most of the convent… Read More The Oratory Chapel by Sister Concepta Lynch, old Domincan Convent, Dun Laoghaire (Co Dublin)

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East is East, and West is West, Dun Laoghaire’s magic piers. Part 1.

Another in the current orgy, of seaside-related posts.  I can not help it.  It is summer after all.  And it was A Spectacular day today, blazing with sunshine.  Very un-Irish, although we appreciate it more than anyone else in the world, and the town and country alike always look their beautiful best. Yes, sunshine.  Was… Read More East is East, and West is West, Dun Laoghaire’s magic piers. Part 1.

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Coastal Walks: Dublin on its bay.

When my students ask for recommendations, for weekend activities, I often remind them that  Dublin is on a bay, and encourage them to take advantage of that fact, every weekend or evening when the weather is good enough. The South Bull Wall,  above.   North (Bull) Wall;  above. With Bull Island alongside.    West Pier,  Dun Laoghaire.  above. Howth:  (above)… Read More Coastal Walks: Dublin on its bay.

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From the Granite to the Pebbles | Arran’s best 3- harbour walk.

The last post was an epic, annotated list on the best sights & visits in Dublin.  At the end is appended a few of my favorite coastal walks outside the city.  Today, just a bit more detail on my favorite South side walk, from Dun Laoghaire to the end of Killiney beach, specifically the best route, via Sandycove, the 40 Foot,… Read More From the Granite to the Pebbles | Arran’s best 3- harbour walk.

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France at last, Dublin to Concarneau, part iv, L’Aberwrach.

The Channel crossing over, sailing from Plymouth, a naval town in SW England over to Brittany,  was long, cold, and grim, shrouded in fog and darkness.    Most of our time through the night is spent scanning the radar, anxious to avoid a collision with one of the many massive tankers cruising through the dark. Even… Read More France at last, Dublin to Concarneau, part iv, L’Aberwrach.

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