Doors of Dublin…

“there are so many doors to open.  I am impatient to begin…”    – Charlie Gordan,  Flowers for Algernon. Many Dubliners are familiar with the well-known comercial souvenir poster,  prominent in pubs and language schools,  showing a grid of photographs depicting lovely painted Georgian doors.    The simple, elegant Neo-Classical restraint of Georgian doors are of course wonderful.     But,… Read More Doors of Dublin…

Egyptian Neo-Classical Architecture in Dublin: the Ripples of History. A self-indulgent & speculative wander, through ideas, history, and some favourite Dublin buildings.

In his much-quoted opening of Dublin 1660-1860, the architectural historian Maurice Craig describes how one of the most momentous events in history, the taking of Byzantine Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, had a side effect with unexpected consequences. Byzantium, a huge Christian empire and the surviving eastern half of the old Roman Empire,… Read More Egyptian Neo-Classical Architecture in Dublin: the Ripples of History. A self-indulgent & speculative wander, through ideas, history, and some favourite Dublin buildings.

Dublin’s Egyptian Glory…. The newest quiz, from Hidden Dublin tours.

In the next few days, after an absence of a few weeks,  we will resume our study of Dublin with a series of posts, talks, tours and quizes.   We have several quizes lined up, on different themes of history and architecture  (and history and architecture combined)   as well as guided tours and discussions. But… Read More Dublin’s Egyptian Glory…. The newest quiz, from Hidden Dublin tours.

Answers to the Dublin street-scape Quiz (could you name 5 from 5?)

Here,  slightly later than advertised,  are the answers to the great Dublin street scape quiz,  along with a few choice pieces of information on some of our featured Dublin buildings…   The prize for this quiz was a pair or family ticket to any Dublin Decoded walking tour.  Just one quick word of warning,  obviously,  if… Read More Answers to the Dublin street-scape Quiz (could you name 5 from 5?)

The Portlester Tomb, Saint Audoen’s Church, Dublin.

photo credit,  Con O’Donoghue. (copyright 2012) Saint Audoen’s is ancient in origin.   A church dedicated to St Collum Cile stood here in the early Christian era.  It was re-founded in the early Norman period,  and re-dedicated, this time to Saint “Audoen”   Despite centuries of religious turmoil and war in Ireland, it has not… Read More The Portlester Tomb, Saint Audoen’s Church, Dublin.

10 tips of Buenos Aires, advice for a friend of a friend.

I received a request from my friend Phillip in London, looking for advice, tips and recommendations on Buenos Aires, on behalf of his friend Christopher, who was travelling out to BA that very week.  Naturally I obliged. Here are my thoughts for what they were worth  Tip One-  contrary to popular misconception,  Buenos Aires is not especially cheap. Rather the opposite is true, until… Read More 10 tips of Buenos Aires, advice for a friend of a friend.