last chance to join my art-lovers trip to Rouen and Normandy (18th to 22nd May ’26)

Many of our guests and subscribers know that we led a trip to the magical city of Venice late last year. It was our first-ever “Dublin Decoded” overseas excursion and was a terrific success, enjoyable, highly convivial, and stuffed with beautiful art treasures. This was just the first of a long serious of overseas tours… Read More last chance to join my art-lovers trip to Rouen and Normandy (18th to 22nd May ’26)

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 Arran Henderson1 Comment

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

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, my favourite place in the world.

As an architecture and history obsessive, I often discuss with my students their favorite Dublin visits and “sights”. The great medieval Cathedral of Saint Patrick’s came up in class conversation the other day. I was a little mystified, not to say horrified, when one of my students shrugged her shoulders, and said it was “so-so” ! … Read More Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, my favourite place in the world.

November 1, 2012April 14, 2013 Arran Henderson18 Comments

Pont Aven Washout & the Cathedral and the Bridges of Quimper.

The day after Carnac, Mike and I drop Lindsey off at the train station to make her way home. It’s a sad moment, the Fellowship of the Mast is coming to an end. Later the same afternoon Mike and I take our rental car to visit Pont Aven. This pretty little town was made… Read More Pont Aven Washout & the Cathedral and the Bridges of Quimper.

October 22, 2012November 13, 2012 Arran Henderson3 Comments

Sailing Brittany part VII- Audierne to Concarneau.

Another days sailing done. Having survived a mix of weathers, a run-in with a spiteful tug boat and long day’s sail, we find ourselves coming into view of our next stop: Concarneau. Passing the first harbor walls, it is a beautiful evening. Even from sea, the place looks amazing. In fact, arriving by sea is… Read More Sailing Brittany part VII- Audierne to Concarneau.

October 15, 2012October 15, 2012 Arran Henderson6 Comments

Part V- Sailing L’Aberwrach to Cabernet-sur-Mer… Man overboard!

We leave L’Aberwrach early the next morning, for what Mike described, in his pre-trip internet briefing notes, as a “5-hour flume ride through the Chenal de Four”, (whatever that means) Not to be confused with tomorrow’s, much scarier-sounding “10-hour slog through the Rez de Seine”. The weather off the rugged Atlantic coast of… Read More Part V- Sailing L’Aberwrach to Cabernet-sur-Mer… Man overboard!

September 17, 2012April 14, 2013 Arran Henderson10 Comments

Part ii- Dublin to Concarneau and Carnac; a sailing voyage on the coasts of Brittany.

Part ii- Dublin to Concarneau and Carnac; a sailing voyage on the coasts of Brittany. Getting there: (Part Two) Day zero + 1. North Wales to Plymouth. We leave mid-morning to catch the train, first leg Bangor to Birmingham. Despite the continuing grey weather, the first part of this journey is quite nice, with the… Read More Part ii- Dublin to Concarneau and Carnac; a sailing voyage on the coasts of Brittany.

August 30, 2012August 30, 2012 Arran Henderson6 Comments

Answer Picture 3… Saint Nicholas Church Galway.

Following on from Saint Brendan in our previous post; another stone carving, from another church. This time from the lovely and medieval St Nicholas of Myra church, right in the centre of Galway city. As you see, this stone carving above shows an angel. But this particular angel is unique, for reasons shortly to… Read More Answer Picture 3… Saint Nicholas Church Galway.

August 7, 2012December 16, 2012 Arran HendersonLeave a comment

St Brendan’s Cathedral & St Brendan Navigator.

a stone carving from a capital that adorns a column in Saint Brendan’s Cathedral, Loughrea, Co Galway. The Cathedral was designed by William Byrne and funded by the wonderful Edward Martyn, Catholic land-owner, Humanist, scholar, patron, and playwright. Martyn was an absolutely vital figure in Ireland’s Gaelic Revival, a hugely important benefactor to the arts. Among his many… Read More St Brendan’s Cathedral & St Brendan Navigator.

July 31, 2012January 16, 2015 Arran Henderson6 Comments

Answer 1… Dolphin House, & the influence of John Ruskin.

We asked readers to try and identify four architectural details, from buildings around Ireland. If you have not seen the quiz yet, you can find it here. Or, if you just want the answers, and a bit of additional detail, here’s the answer to picture 1. (below) This fierce and fabulous sea creature is… Read More Answer 1… Dolphin House, & the influence of John Ruskin.

July 27, 2012February 3, 2014 Arran Henderson3 Comments

Arran Q Henderson

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

Category: Travel