Magical Murphy

Alliance Gasworks Apartments - A Sad Story

2012-02-15T14:15:00.001-08:00

Alliance Gasworks Apartments - A Sad Story, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Alliance Gasworks Apartments - A Sad Story

Converting an old gas storage unit (gasometer) into apartments was a nice idea but things did not work out as the developers had hoped.

A gasometer is a large container gas is stored near atmospheric pressure at ambient temperatures. The volume of the container follows the quantity of stored gas, with pressure coming from the weight of a movable cap. Typical volumes for large gasholders are about 50,000 cubic metres, with 60 metre diameter structures. Gasholders tend to be used nowadays for balancing purposes (making sure gas pipes can be operated within a safe range of pressures) rather than for actually storing gas for later use.

The pollution associated with gasworks and gas storage makes the land difficult to reclaim for other purposes, but some gasometers have been converted into other uses such as living space.

The restraints imposed by the shape of the building has meant that the layout of individual apartments did not appealed to the majority of initial viewers but almost as soon as the apartments became available 40 units were sold. However according to a report in the Irish Times none of those who paid booking deposits went on to sign contracts and one by one they dropped out as they realised that the apartments were overpriced.

I don't know the actual status of this development at present but it would appear that as the apartments could not be sold the developer decided to convert the block into a hotel but this plan did not go ahead.

The Irish Times - Wednesday, June 22, 2011:
"ONE OF the iconic symbols of the Irish property collapse – the Alliance Building in the Gasworks development in Ringsend, Dublin 4 – is shortly to be offered for sale as a single investment. All 210 apartments are currently rented at an average of €1,300 per month, equating to an annual rent roll of around €3,276,000."

Remediation of a former gasworks in Dublin (Ireland)

The soil at this former gas plant was severely polluted with tar and tarry products. The groundwater was also polluted with contaminants that were directly connected with gas extraction from coal, such as aromatics, PAH's and cyanides.

Remediation activities:

The site was completely sealed off by a bentonite wall that will prevent contamination from spreading in the future.
Waste products from the site had to be removed: liquid tar (1,300 tonnes), viscous tar (20,000 tonnes) and free oil products.
The top layer of gravel was excavated and washed. Then it was reused on the site (38,000 m³).
The contaminated soil was excavated and shipped to Europe for further treatment and reuse. 170,000 tonnes were treated by physical/chemical washing, 130,000 tonnes treated via thermal desorption.
The contaminated groundwater was pumped at an average volume of 500 m³ per day and treated via aeration, coagulation/flocculation, sedimentation, sand filtration and activated carbon filtration.

Henrietta Street (first session using the Sony NEX-7)

2012-02-13T05:40:00.001-08:00

Henrietta Street (first session using the Sony NEX-7), originally uploaded by infomatique.

This was my first opportunity to try out the new Sony NEX-7 which will be generally available next month. For this session I used the SEL16F28 16mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle pancake lens and I have never liked it. I have ordered the SEL30M35 30mm f/3.5 Macro Lens and the SEL50F18 but they have not yet arrived.

And now a word about the location:

Henrietta Street is the earliest Georgian Street in Dublin – it is the model from which Dublin’s Georgian identity is derived. Construction on the street started in the mid 1720's, on land bought by the Gardiner family in 1721. Construction was still taking place in the 1750s.[4] Gardiner had a mansion, designed by Richard Cassels, built for his own use around 1730.

Henrietta Street was lined on both sides by massive Georgian houses built on a palatial scale. At the top end of the street, a new James Gandon building, the King's Inns, was erected between 1795 and 1816. In this building, barristers were trained and earned their academic qualifications. Such was the prestige of the street that many of the most senior figures in Irish 'establishment' society, peers of the realm, judges, barristers, bishops bought houses here. Under the anti-Catholic Penal Laws, Roman Catholics, though the overwhelming majority in Ireland, were harshly discriminated against, barred from holding property rights or from voting in parliamentary elections until 1793. Thus the houses of Georgian Dublin, particularly in the early phase before Catholic Emancipation was granted in 1829, were almost invariably owned by a small Church of Ireland Anglican elite, with Catholics only gaining admittance to the houses as skivvies and servants.

The street fell into disrepair during the 19th and 20th centuries, with the houses being used as tenements, but has been the subject of restoration efforts in recent years.

There are currently 13 houses on the street. The street is a cul-de-sac, with the Law Library of King's Inns facing onto its western end.

Henrietta Street (first session using the Sony NEX-7)

2012-02-13T04:50:00.001-08:00

Henrietta Street (first session using the Sony NEX-7), originally uploaded by infomatique.

Aviva Stadium (Rugby & Soccer)

2012-02-12T14:39:00.001-08:00

Aviva Stadium (Rugby & Soccer), originally uploaded by infomatique.

Irishtown - Pembroke Street

2012-02-12T14:36:00.001-08:00

Irishtown - Pembroke Street, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Irishtown is located a short distance outside the medieval city walls of Dublin. Dublin was originally a Viking city and after 1171, when an Anglo-Norman army seized it, Dublin became the centre of English rule in Ireland. The native Irish were therefore viewed as an alien force in the city. Suspicion of them was deepened by continual raids on Dublin and its environs by the O'Byrne and O'Toole clans from the nearby Wicklow Mountains.

By the 15th century, migration to the city had made the English authorities fearful that English language and culture would become a minority there. As a result, the Irish inhabitants of Dublin were expelled from the city proper circa 1454, in line with the Statutes of Kilkenny. The Irish population were only allowed to trade inside the city limits by daylight. At the end of the days trading they would leave and set up camp in what was to become known as Irishtown.

Irishtown was later part of the former Pembroke Township.

At the end of the 19th and early 20th century Irishtown was the location of the Waxies' Dargle, an annual outing by Dublin cobblers (waxies), which a well-known folk song recalls.

Dublin Docklands [Post Celtic Tiger]

2012-02-09T14:31:00.001-08:00

Dublin Docklands [Post Celtic Tiger], originally uploaded by infomatique.

Photographed using a Sigma DP1 camera.

Most compacts use smaller CCD or CMOS sensors (usually 7-9.5mm diagonally) whose pixels are just 2-3 microns wide, and use a striped or Bayer-pattern RGB filter array to help create a color image from black-and-white-sensitive pixels. At 24.9mm diagonally, the DP1's Foveon X3 Direct Image sensor measures far larger than most compact camera sensors. It also boasts 7.8-micron pixels (typical of 8-10MP DSLRs). Cameras with larger pixels tend to be more sensitive to light and have better noise performance at higher ISOs.

In addition, Foveon X3 sensors use a three-layered approach to capturing red, green, and blue information from a scene, similar to the layers in color film. In the DP1, each layer contains an array of 1768x2652 pixels (4.7MP), which Sigma and Foveon add together for 14.1MP. Claiming the DP1 has a 14.1MP sensor is controversial, since it's not in keeping with certain industry standards, such as CIPA's Effective Pixel rules, which would put it at 4.7MP.

Connolly Railway Station - Dublin

2012-02-09T09:20:00.001-08:00

Connolly Railway Station - Dublin, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Connolly Station is one of three city centre stations that the DART operates from.

The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is the rail line running along the coast of Dublin, from Malahide and Howth southwards as far as Greystones, Co Wicklow. The DART system is administered by the national rail operator, Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail).

Connolly Station also connects to the national rail service to the north of Dublin and as far as Belfast.

Routes serviced:
Dublin - Sligo
Dublin - Belfast
Dublin - Rosslare Europort
Dundalk - Drogheda - Dublin - Arklow
Dublin - Maynooth - Longford
D.A.R.T. Malahide/Howth - Greystones

Flowers & Plants - Botanic Gardens (Dublin)

2012-02-09T05:27:00.001-08:00

Flowers & Plants - Botanic Gardens (Dublin), originally uploaded by infomatique.

The National Botanic Gardens is noted for its fine plant collections holding over 15,000 plant species and cultivars from a variety of habitats from all around the world. Famous for its exquisitely restored and planted glasshouses, notably the Turner Curvilinear Range and the Great Palm House, both recipients of the Europa Nostra award for excellence in conservation architecture

Flowers & Plants - Botanic Gardens (Dublin)

2012-02-09T05:25:00.001-08:00

Flowers & Plants - Botanic Gardens (Dublin), originally uploaded by infomatique.

Flowers & Plants - Botanic Gardens (Dublin)

2012-02-09T05:24:00.001-08:00

Flowers & Plants - Botanic Gardens (Dublin), originally uploaded by infomatique.

Flowers & Plants - Botanic Gardens (Dublin)

2012-02-09T05:13:00.001-08:00

Flowers & Plants - Botanic Gardens (Dublin), originally uploaded by infomatique.

Flowers And Flower Gardens - St. Anne's Park

2012-02-08T16:11:00.001-08:00

Flowers And Flower Gardens - St. Anne's Park, originally uploaded by infomatique.

[update: I have just been informed that International Rose Trials in Dublin
have been suspended until further notice].

St Anne’s Rose Festival is an annual event but unfortunately I cannot find any information relating to the 2012 festival. Hopefully someone will provide further information and if they do I will included it here.

The walled garden, including a fruit garden added to the estate by Bishop Plunkett, is now chiefly a 12 acre (49,000 m²) plant nursery for the Parks Department. Thousands of bedding plants, shrubs, trees, and floral tubs are produced annually in the nursery. There is a herbaceous garden area open during limited hours, and a fine clock tower, restored to working order in 2007. It has been proposed in early 2009 that some allotments be made available in part of the walled garden.
In 1975, St. Anne's Rose Garden was opened to the public. In 1980 it was given a Civic Award by Bord Failte and the Irish Town Planning Institute, and since 1981 it has been a centre for International Rose Trials.

Public Art - St. Anne's Park

2012-02-08T16:09:00.001-08:00

Public Art - St. Anne's Park, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Protest Gorila 10.2.2012 - "Gorilla" Protest Rally against Political Corruption In Slovakia

2012-02-08T16:01:00.001-08:00

Protest Gorila 10.2.2012 - "Gorilla" Protest Rally against Political Corruption In Slovakia, originally uploaded by infomatique.

I had some difficulty finding out what was behind this poster as most of the information that I could find was not in English I did find some information on Facebook and tried to obtain a translation but as you can see Google translate did not work well in this instance:

"Friends, what is not you one of us is going home the moment? Come and express their views and solidarity and support for the protesters home in Slovakia .... On Friday, expecting you at the beginning of O `Connell street at the statue O` Connelly Banana wear, but the thermos with hot tea :) will meet in Slovakia have biting cold, but people still go out to the streets, so let us do we!"

So here is a link that may make more sense providing that you do not use Google Translate:
www.facebook.com/events/321619797880535/

Slovak politicians head into March elections embroiled in a massive corruption probe prompted by the publication of an alleged intelligence file code-named 'Gorilla'. It suggests that members of leading political parties colluded with financiers in privatisation and public procurement projects.
Dozens of bananas were thrown in front of the Presidential Palace on January 27 in Bratislava, as participants of a protest march expressed their dissatisfaction with the current political situation in the country.

The Tall Ships Races 2012 – Dublin

2012-02-05T02:50:00.001-08:00

The Tall Ships Races 2012 – Dublin, originally uploaded by infomatique.

As the final host port for the Tall Ships Races 2012, Dublin will be the place to be from the 23rd to the 26th of August 2012.

The atmosphere around the Dublin docks area promises to be magical, and with four days of festival events to enjoy there will be something to entertain all of the family.

www.streetsofdublin.com/tallships/index.html

Meeting House Square In Temple Bar

2012-02-02T12:31:00.001-08:00

Meeting House Square In Temple Bar, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Bronze Palm Tree seat in Temple Bar By Vincent Browne

2012-02-02T12:04:00.001-08:00

Bronze Palm Tree seat in Temple Bar By Vincent Browne, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Vincent Browne (born 1947 in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish sculptor who created a well-loved Dublin landmark, Mr. Screen, the squat bronze usher who stands outside the Screen Cinema at the junction of Hawkins Street and Townsend Street in Dublin. His public commissions also include Anti-War Memorial (Limerick, 1987) and the bronze Palm Tree seat in Temple Bar, Dublin.

Lego Used To Repair A Wall - This Is Most Unusual

2012-02-02T11:58:00.001-08:00

Lego Used To Repair A Wall - This Is Most Unusual, originally uploaded by infomatique.

I was walking along the Quays when I noticed this.

View From Grattan Bridge

2012-02-02T11:54:00.001-08:00

View From Grattan Bridge, originally uploaded by infomatique.

UNLOCK NAMA

2012-02-02T11:51:00.001-08:00

UNLOCK NAMA, originally uploaded by infomatique.

The Unlock NAMA campaign wants to make empty NAMA buildings available for social and community use, to reveal details of all NAMA properties and assets and to challenge the culture of debt.

Bfree Real Bread "Pop-Up Shop"

2012-01-22T18:36:00.001-08:00

Bfree Real Bread "Pop-Up Shop", originally uploaded by infomatique.

BFree are pleased to invite you to their lauch on Saturday 14th January from 2pm to 4pm in the BFree pop-up store, Duke Street, Dublin 2 (you can't miss it!) where dietician Paula Mee will be on hand to informally meet you and answer queries and questions about the Coeliac diet and gluten-free foods.

BFree breads are a new 100% Irish and natural range of Gluten and Wheat Free breads launched in December 2011 by BFree Foods. The BFree Brown and White Seeded loaf are available in the main fresh bread aisles of Dunnes Stores nationwide. The BFree pop-up store is open until the end of January and the public are welcome to call in and try the breads for free and find out more from the team.

Year Of The Dragon - Launching Of The 2012 Festival

2012-01-20T15:49:00.003-08:00

Year Of The Dragon - Launching Of The 2012 Festival, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Year Of The Dragon - Chinese New Year 2012

2012-01-20T15:49:00.001-08:00

Year Of The Dragon - Chinese New Year 2012, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Luo Linquan Launches The Chinese New Year Festival In Dublin

2012-01-20T15:46:00.001-08:00

Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Luo Linquan Launches The Chinese New Year Festival In Dublin, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Occupying the 5th position in the Chinese Zodiac, the Dragon is the mightiest of the signs. Dragons symbolize such character traits as dominance and ambition. Dragons prefer to live by their own rules and if left on their own, are usually successful.

Year Of The Dragon - Chinese New Year 2012

2012-01-20T15:31:00.001-08:00

Year Of The Dragon - Chinese New Year 2012, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Fifth in the cycle, Dragon Years follow the Rabbit and recur every twelfth year. The Chinese New Year does not fall on a specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each Dragon Year actually begins

Year Of The Dragon - Chinese New Year 2012

2012-01-20T15:30:00.001-08:00

Year Of The Dragon - Chinese New Year 2012, originally uploaded by infomatique.

O'Connell Street Bridge - Dublin City Centre

2012-01-09T16:08:00.001-08:00

O'Connell Street Bridge - Dublin City Centre, originally uploaded by infomatique.

A nice view of O'Connell Street bridge and landmark buildings such as Liberty Hall, the IFSC and the Custom House.

The Streets Of Dublin

2012-01-06T11:59:00.001-08:00

The Streets Of Dublin, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar said: “Tourism has been a priority for this Government from the start"

2011-11-30T09:00:00.001-08:00

Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar said: “Tourism has been a priority for this Government from the start", originally uploaded by infomatique.

Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar said: “Tourism has been a priority for this Government from the start. The sector currently keeps 180,000 people in jobs right across the country, and there is great potential for further job creation. So far the signs are good, with visitor numbers up 10% in the first nine months of the year. The Tourism Ireland marketing plan will build on this progress. We are now building up to the Gathering in 2013, which will be the biggest tourism event ever held in Ireland.”

McDonalds Fast Food Restaurant in Bray is located in the historic Town Hall

2011-11-13T02:43:00.001-08:00

McDonalds Fast Food Restaurant in Bray is located in the historic Town Hall, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Bray Town Hall, built in the Tudor Revival style at the top of Main Street, was commissioned by Reginald Brabazon (1841-1929). The design was by (Sir) Thomas Newenham Deane (1827-99) and Thomas Manly Deane (1851-1932). The construction is of locally-made red brick, with timber framing to projecting first floor bays and gables. Outside there is drinking fountain crowned by a wyvern, a mythological winged dragon from the Brabazon coat of arms.

In 1997 the building was taken over by McDonald's.

Greystones - Aunty Nellie's Sweet Shop (New)

2011-11-11T05:40:00.003-08:00

Greystones - Aunty Nellie's Sweet Shop (New), originally uploaded by infomatique.

When I visited Cork earlier in the year I was surprised to see many "traditional sweet shops".
Mr.Sims on Oliver is an English Franchise but Aunty Nellie's appears to be Irish.

Greystones - Bochelli Restaurant

2011-11-11T05:40:00.001-08:00

Greystones - Bochelli Restaurant, originally uploaded by infomatique.

The service and the food in Bochelli's is very good. Ask for Declan and tell him that I sent you.

www.streetsofdublin.com

Greystones Harbour

2011-11-11T05:29:00.001-08:00

Greystones Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

The "interim harbour" opened to the public last Saturday (November 5th).

This was to be a €300 million redevelopment scheme for the harbour, to be built by the Sispar consortium (Sispar is a joint venture consortium of Sisk and Park Developments) in a public-private partnership with Wicklow County Council. This has been and remains a major topical issue in the town. Objections revolved around the privatization of public beach front land without broad public agreement, but work started. The development was to include a new harbour, 341 apartments, a 230 berth marina, a new public plaza and facilities for local sporting clubs.

The town was divided on the granting of planning permision; 6,210 submissions were received by An Bord Pleanála on initial plans, of which more than 6,200 were objections. Many of the objections came from outside County Wicklow, according to a spokesman for Wicklow County Council. Many objected to specifics of the plan while approving the general idea. An oral hearing was held and the board requested the developers to make certain changes which resulted in the plans being scaled down by approximately 10%.

Some 3,700 objections were made on these updated plans. On 9 August 2007, the board approved the final plans, while imposing 13 conditions on construction works, including the retention of public access to the Cliff Walk during the development period, strict guidelines in relation to dust suppression, the re-use of demolition materials, and limitations on the hours of operation and noise levels. The board also over-ruled an earlier inspector's report, instead permitting an old unlicenced landfill to remain beside the new apartments.

The new breakwaters may increase the ongoing coastal erosion on the soft shorelines of the Greystones North beach area. In an effort to mitigate this, the developers will dump 12,000 tonnes of gravel each year on the beach in a process called "beach nourishment". Professor Andrew Cooper (University of Ulster) cautioned against beach nourishment at the second oral hearing.

In Feb 2010, it was announced that development of the marina would be paused indefinitely due to conditions in the Irish property market.

www.streetsofdublin.com

Greystones Harbour

2011-11-11T05:28:00.001-08:00

Greystones Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Greystones Harbour

2011-11-11T05:21:00.001-08:00

Greystones Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Greystones - The "interim harbour" opened to the public last Saturday (November 5th)

2011-11-11T05:19:00.001-08:00

Greystones - The "interim harbour" opened to the public last Saturday (November 5th), originally uploaded by infomatique.

Greystones Harbour

2011-11-11T05:15:00.001-08:00

Greystones Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Greystones - Greystones Groomers

2011-11-11T05:11:00.001-08:00

Greystones - Greystones Groomers, originally uploaded by infomatique.

At Greystones Groomers we provide the highest quality dog grooming service carried out by professional dog groomers with practical experience within the show ring and sporting dog field trials. Trained by one of Ireland’s top dog groomers; attention to detail combined with a love and understanding of dogs insures that your pet has the most relaxed and pampered day possible as we do our magic and banish ‘those dog ruff days’!
We also offer a dog & puppy day care service for those hard working mums and dads.

Two Girls In Stephens Green

2011-11-09T04:35:00.001-08:00

Two Girls In Stephens Green, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Haoliland Chinese Cake Shop - Dublin

2011-11-09T03:44:00.001-08:00

Haoliland Chinese Cake Shop - Dublin, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Dublin Street Art And Graffiti

2011-11-09T03:30:00.001-08:00

Dublin Street Art And Graffiti, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Dublin Street Art And Graffiti - Be Kind

2011-11-09T03:25:00.001-08:00

Dublin Street Art And Graffiti - Be Kind, originally uploaded by infomatique.

No act of kindness
No matter how small
Is ever wasted

National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History - Collins Barracks

2011-11-08T08:34:00.001-08:00

National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History - Collins Barracks, originally uploaded by infomatique.

The oldest inhabited barracks in Europe (and once one of largest), it was originally known simply as the Barracks and later the Royal Barracks, and a mainstay of British forces on the island for several hundred years.

Except for the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the barracks is the earliest public building in Dublin, and was built from 1701 by the then Surveyor General under Queen Anne, Thomas de Burgh. Burgh was also the architect of the famous library building at Trinity College, Dublin.

Built on a site originally intended for a mansion of the Duke of Ormonde, the complex has several large squares, each open on the south side. The largest square(Clarke's Square) has arcaded colonnades on the east and west sides, and the main buildings are faced with granite.

Through the 19th century, up to 1,500 troops of various Regiments of Foot (and up to two troops of horse) were stationed at the barracks. However, by the 1880s conditions of accommodation were dangerously inadequate, and strongly criticised following an investigation by Commissioners of the War Office as levels of disease increased. This included outbreaks of fever which claimed the lives of a number of men, from amongst which were members of the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars – predecessor to the current regiment: The Queen's Royal Hussars.

During the 1916 Easter Rising, the 10th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and other forces were deployed from the Royal Barracks to fight the insurgent Irish Citizen Army and Irish Volunteers who occupied strongly held positions close by on Usher's Island (under Sean Heuston), the Four Courts (under Ned Daly), and the GPO (under Pádraig Pearse).

National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History - Collins Barracks

2011-11-08T08:29:00.001-08:00

National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History - Collins Barracks, originally uploaded by infomatique.

National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History - Collins Barracks

2011-11-08T08:27:00.001-08:00

National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History - Collins Barracks, originally uploaded by infomatique.

National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History - Collins Barracks

2011-11-08T08:25:00.001-08:00

National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History - Collins Barracks, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Collins Barracks is a former military barracks in the Arbour Hill area of Dublin. The buildings are now the National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History. Housing both British armed forces, and Irish army garrisons through three centuries, the barracks were the oldest continuously occupied example in the world.

National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History - Collins Barracks

2011-11-08T08:21:00.001-08:00

National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History - Collins Barracks, originally uploaded by infomatique.

An Impressive Looking Lady - Queen Maedhbh (Queen Maeve) - A Bronze Statue by Patrick O'Reilly

2011-11-06T14:24:00.001-08:00

An Impressive Looking Lady - Queen Maedhbh (Queen Maeve) - A Bronze Statue by Patrick O'Reilly, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Here is an impressive looking woman and she can be found on Burlington Road around the corner from Dublin’s famous Burlington Hotel.

I have seen three different spellings - Maeve, Mebh and Maedhbh but the modern pronunciation of this name is 'Mave' to rhyme with 'save'.

Queen Maedhbh is a mythological figure from the old tales of Ireland. She was Queen of Connaught, the westernmost of the five provinces of Ireland (note: there are currently only four).

She was a warrior queen, and led her people into battle. The most famous story about Maedhbh is how she was annoyed to find that her husband owned a better bull than she did, so she decided to lead a raid to steal the best bull in Ireland, and in doing so started a war between Ulster and the other four provinces. The hero Cúchulainn was given the task of single-handedly defending Ulster against the rest of Ireland because the other men of Ulster had been cursed.

This huge statue depicts Maedhbh as a giant woman with a spear in one hand, the head of a bull in the other and a crow on her shoulder. The statue is naked to represent her enormous sexual appetite.

The Bull’s head that she holds aloft is a reference to the story of her battle with the King of Ulster over possesion of the bull Donn Cúailnge.

Legend has it that she is buried under a large cairn at the summit of Knocknaree in Co Sligo. After her own wishes, she is buried standing up and facing her enemies to the north.

The U2 Graffiti Wall at Windmill Lane Studios

2011-11-06T14:16:00.001-08:00

The U2 Graffiti Wall at Windmill Lane Studios, originally uploaded by infomatique.

The U2 Graffiti Wall at Windmill Lane Studios is where U2's music began. They recorded their first three albums there. They continued to use Windmill Lane throughout the 1980's. The wall outside the studio has been marked with chalk, pens and paint over the years by U2 fans from all around the world. Although the studio is no longer located there, the wall still stands as an amazing tribute to the "greatest band on the planet".

Artists such as U2, Van Morrison, Sinéad O'Connor, and Elvis Costello have recorded there. U2 recorded their first three albums at Windmill.

The site of the old studios is covered in graffiti from fans who have paid pilgrimage from all over the world. For U2 fans wishing to visit the site please note it is not sign posted at all and continuously tourists get lost looking for it..

The Irish Museum of Modern Art is housed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham

2011-11-03T09:12:00.001-07:00

The Irish Museum of Modern Art is housed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, originally uploaded by infomatique.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art is housed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham

2011-11-03T09:04:00.001-07:00

The Irish Museum of Modern Art is housed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, originally uploaded by infomatique.

The Museum wishes to advise visitors that, owing to essential and extensive refurbishing works, the main building at IMMA will be closed from 1 November 2011 until 31 December 2012.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art is housed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the finest 17th-century building in Ireland. The Royal Hospital was founded in 1684 by James Butler, Duke of Ormonde and Viceroy to Charles II, as a home for retired soldiers and continued in that use for almost 250 years. The style is based on Les Invalides in Paris with a formal facade and a large elegant courtyard. The Royal Hospital in Chelsea was completed two years later and also contains many similarities in style. The Royal Hospital Kilmainham was restored by the Government in 1984 and opened as the Irish Museum of Modern Art in May 1991.

The Museum’s mission is to foster within society an awareness, understanding and involvement in the visual arts through policies and programmes which are excellent, innovative and inclusive.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art is Ireland's leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. The Museum presents a wide variety of art in a dynamic programme of exhibitions, which regularly includes bodies of work from its own Collection and its award-winning Education and Community Department. It also creates more widespread access to art and artists through its Studio and National programmes.

Linda Byrne crossed the finish line in the Dublin Marathon in 2.36.21 – 39 seconds inside the cut-off time for qualification for next year’s Olympics.

2011-10-31T16:21:00.001-07:00

Linda Byrne crossed the finish line in the Dublin Marathon in 2.36.21 – 39 seconds inside the cut-off time for qualification for next year’s Olympics., originally uploaded by infomatique.

A novice Irish marathon runner qualified for the London Olympics after her first run over the distance.

Linda Byrne, from Dundrum, south Dublin, crossed the finish line in the Dublin Marathon in 2.36.21 – 39 seconds inside the cut-off time for qualification for next year’s Olympics.

25-year-old Linda finished sixth overall, six minutes behind the winner of the women’s race Helalia Johannes, from Namibia.

The Convention Centre Dublin

2011-10-31T03:36:00.001-07:00

The Convention Centre Dublin, originally uploaded by infomatique.

This landmark building was designed by Pritzker award-winning Irish architect Kevin Roche, and features a stunning glass fronted atrium running the full height of the building - giving visitors panoramic views of the River Liffey, Dublin city centre and the Wicklow mountains. This tilted glass cylinder - 54 meters high and 39 meters in diameter - intersects the granite wall of the south facade, creating a partial parabola. The glass cylinder opens up to the activities inside and makes for a highly visible entrance.

Google In Dublin Docklands

2011-10-31T02:50:00.001-07:00

Google In Dublin Docklands, originally uploaded by infomatique.

According to John Herlihy, head of Google Ireland, the company had one problem at their Barrow Street office: "it's too small".

The Solution was to purchase one of the tallest buildings in Dublin.

For 99.9 million euros Google purchased the Montevetro Building, which has 15 stories, 208,000 square feet of space, and is located on the Grand Central Dock in Dublin.

Dublin Docklands

2011-10-31T02:47:00.001-07:00

Dublin Docklands, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Dublin Docklands

2011-10-31T02:42:00.001-07:00

Dublin Docklands, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Grand Canal Dock is an area in Ringsend near Dublin city centre, surrounding the Grand Canal Docks, an enclosed harbour or docking area between the River Liffey and the Grand Canal. Since 2000 the area has undergone significant redevelopment as part of the Dublin Docklands area redevelopment project.

It is bounded by the Liffey to the north, South Lotts Road to the east, Grand Canal Street to the south and Macken Street to the west. Grand Canal Dock contains Grand Canal Dock railway station (also known as Barrow Street Station) and Boland's Mill, the national Waterways Visitor Centre, the Millennium Tower and the Grand Canal Theatre.

The Montevetro building completed in 2010 stands at a height of 67 metres and is currently the tallest building in Dublin. It was sold to Google in January 2011.

Howth Lifeboat Service

2011-10-29T09:46:00.001-07:00

Howth Lifeboat Service, originally uploaded by infomatique.

The Howth Sea Memorial was unveiled by President Mary Robinson in 1994

2011-10-29T09:45:00.005-07:00

The Howth Sea Memorial was unveiled by President Mary Robinson in 1994, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Fishing Boats In Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:45:00.003-07:00

Fishing Boats In Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Lifeboat Service

2011-10-29T09:45:00.001-07:00

Howth Lifeboat Service, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Fishing Boats In Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:44:00.003-07:00

Fishing Boats In Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Fishing Boats In Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:44:00.001-07:00

Fishing Boats In Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

www.streetsofdublin.com

Howth - Old Boat

2011-10-29T09:43:00.007-07:00

Howth - Old Boat, originally uploaded by infomatique.

www.streetsofdublin.com

Fishing Boat - Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:43:00.005-07:00

Fishing Boat - Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Fishing Boat - Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:43:00.003-07:00

Fishing Boat - Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Fishing Boat - Howth Harbour (D379)

2011-10-29T09:43:00.001-07:00

Fishing Boat - Howth Harbour (D379), originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:42:00.009-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

www.streetsofdublin.com

Fishing Boat - Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:42:00.007-07:00

Fishing Boat - Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Fishing Boat - Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:42:00.005-07:00

Fishing Boat - Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth - Fish Works

2011-10-29T09:42:00.003-07:00

Howth - Fish Works, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Seal In Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:42:00.001-07:00

Seal In Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:41:00.009-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth - Nicky's Plaice

2011-10-29T09:41:00.007-07:00

Howth - Nicky's Plaice, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:41:00.005-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:41:00.003-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:41:00.001-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:40:00.011-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:40:00.009-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour - Aqua Restaurant (Excellent)

2011-10-29T09:40:00.007-07:00

Howth Harbour - Aqua Restaurant (Excellent), originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:40:00.005-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:40:00.003-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:40:00.001-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:39:00.007-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Fishing In Howth

2011-10-29T09:39:00.005-07:00

Fishing In Howth, originally uploaded by infomatique.

www.streetsofdublin.com

Howth

2011-10-29T09:39:00.003-07:00

Howth, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth

2011-10-29T09:39:00.001-07:00

Howth, originally uploaded by infomatique.

www.streetsofdublin.com

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:38:00.005-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

www.streetsofdublin.com

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:38:00.003-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

www.streetsofdublin.com

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:38:00.001-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

www.streetsofdublin.com

Howth - King George Was Here (12 August 1821)

2011-10-29T09:37:00.003-07:00

Howth - King George Was Here (12 August 1821), originally uploaded by infomatique.

King George IV Was In Howth

2011-10-29T09:37:00.001-07:00

King George IV Was In Howth, originally uploaded by infomatique.

The footprints of King George IV

For some strange reason reason very few people know about this historic feature.

The most famous arrival to Howth was King George IV, who visited Ireland in 1821 and is chiefly remembered because he staggered off the boat in a highly inebriated state. He did manage to leave his footprints at the point where he stepped ashore on the West Pier.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:36:00.009-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:36:00.007-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:36:00.005-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:36:00.003-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:36:00.001-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Fishing - Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:35:00.009-07:00

Fishing - Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth Harbour

2011-10-29T09:35:00.007-07:00

Howth Harbour, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Howth

2011-10-29T09:35:00.005-07:00

Howth, originally uploaded by infomatique.

Renaissance In Howth

2011-10-29T09:35:00.003-07:00

Renaissance In Howth, originally uploaded by infomatique.