William Murphy

KOPITIAM AT 53 CAPEL STREET DUBLIN

Making my blog more accessible is important to me. For readers who find the detailed text descriptions challenging, I've begun adding audio descriptions in a conversational format. I hope this offers a richer and more inclusive experience

PHOTOGRAPHED MONDAY 27 JANUARY 2025

Kopitiam, located at 53 Capel Street in Dublin, is a popular Malaysian restaurant known for its authentic street food and vibrant atmosphere.

Here’s what makes Kopitiam special:

Authentic Malaysian flavours: Kopitiam offers a diverse menu featuring classic Malaysian dishes like Nasi Lemak, Char Kway Teow, and Roti Canai, all prepared with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes.
Casual and inviting ambience: The restaurant has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it perfect for a casual lunch or dinner with friends and family.
Affordable prices: Kopitiam offers great value for money with its reasonably priced menu, making it accessible to a wide range of diners.
Halal-certified: The restaurant is Halal-certified, catering to Muslim customers seeking authentic Halal cuisine.
Convenient location: Situated on Capel Street, Kopitiam is easily accessible by public transport and is located in a bustling area with plenty of shops and attractions nearby.

BIG STORM ÉOWYN JANUARY 2025

NOT MUCH DAMAGE TO BE SEEN IN CAPEL STREET

Today, 24 January 2025, the shops and restaurants in the Bolton Street/Capel street were closed because of “RED” weather warnings.

Storm Éowyn, a powerful and unusual weather system, brought significant disruption to Ireland and the UK in late January 2025. On 24 January, businesses in Dublin’s Bolton Street/Capel Street area were forced to close due to “Red” weather warnings, indicating the severity of the impending storm. Éowyn’s impact was felt across a wide area, with provisional peak wind gusts of 100 mph recorded at Drumalbin, Lanarkshire, a figure that may be revised as further data is analysed. This intensity of wind, coupled with persistent heavy rainfall, made Éowyn a particularly potent storm.

What distinguished Éowyn was not just its wind speeds, but also its broad impact and the subsequent weather systems it triggered. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly explained that while Éowyn’s direct influence diminished as it moved north and east on Saturday morning, it paved the way for another area of low pressure arriving from the southwest on Sunday. This second system, named Storm Herminia by the Spanish Meteorological Service (though not meeting the criteria for naming by the Met Office, Met Éireann, and KNMI storm naming group), hampered recovery efforts and brought further wind and rain, increasing the risk of flooding in already saturated areas.

The Met Office predicted widespread rainfall of 10-20mm across central and southern England, much of Wales, and Northern Ireland on Sunday, with 30-50mm possible over higher ground. The potential for thundery showers further exacerbated the risk of flooding. This continuous onslaught of rain on already saturated ground created a heightened risk of both river and surface water flooding.

The impact of these storms was multifaceted. Sarah Cook, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, highlighted the potential for significant surface water flooding in central and south-west England on Sunday and into Monday, with minor impacts possible more widely. The Environment Agency deployed teams to mitigate the impact of flooding and support local authorities. They urged the public to stay away from swollen rivers and avoid driving through floodwater, emphasising the danger of even shallow flowing water.

Travel was also significantly affected. RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson warned of ongoing disruption for drivers, particularly in western England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Fallen trees, debris, and flooding made journeys longer and, in some cases, impassable. Drivers were advised to exercise extreme caution, allow extra time for journeys, or postpone travel until conditions improved. The increased risk of standing water also raised the threat of aquaplaning.

The unsettled weather pattern was forecast to continue into the following week, with further periods of heavy rain and wind, although less severe than Éowyn. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway indicated a trend towards more settled conditions in the second half of the week, potentially bringing frost and fog. The combined impact of Éowyn and the subsequent weather systems highlighted the importance of accurate forecasting and preparedness in the face of severe weather.

THIS WEEK EATYKO CLOSES AND HANA IZAKAYA BY MUSASHI OPENED

24 JANUARY 2025 THE DAY OF THE BIG STORM

Capel Street in Dublin is a vibrant hub for food lovers, constantly evolving with new restaurants and culinary experiences. This week sees a change in the street’s landscape with the opening of Hana Izakaya by Musashi and the closure of Eatokyo.

Eatokyo, a long-standing Japanese restaurant on Capel Street, has sadly closed. While no official reason has been publicly given, their website only lists trading hours and contact details for their Temple Bar location. This closure highlights the difficult climate for the hospitality industry, particularly with rising costs and VAT increases impacting businesses.

Gushi, an Asian fusion restaurant that operated on Capel Street for two and a half years, has also recently closed. Again, no official reason has been provided for the closure. The competitive nature of Dublin’s restaurant scene and the increasing costs of operation are likely contributing factors. It’s reported that 577 eateries across Ireland have closed since the September 2023 VAT increase.

However, the closure of these establishments creates opportunities for new ventures. Hana Izakaya by Musashi, the latest addition to the Musashi group, has now opened on Capel Street. Musashi, already established in Dublin with six branches, is known for its high-quality Japanese and Thai cuisine, fresh ingredients, and lively atmosphere.

An izakaya is a Japanese pub where food is as central as the drinks. It offers casual dining with sharing plates in a relaxed setting. It’s similar to Spanish tapas but focuses on traditional Japanese dishes and sake. Hana Izakaya by Musashi offers both delivery and in-store dining.

Capel Street continues to be a diverse culinary destination. While the closures of Gushi and Eatokyo are unfortunate, they also allow new concepts like Hana Izakaya by Musashi to emerge. Despite the challenges faced by the hospitality sector, Capel Street’s dining scene remains resilient and adaptable. With its focus on fresh ingredients, a blend of Japanese and Thai cuisine, and the convivial atmosphere of an izakaya, Hana Izakaya by Musashi is well-placed to succeed.

BY MAUREEN KELLY FOX AND HER DAUGHTER IZZY FOX

PAINT-A-BOX STREET ART IN CHAPELIZOD

Artist Spotlight: Maureen Kelly Fox Brings Vibrant Paint-a-Box Murals to Chapelizod

Originally hailing from Galway, graphic designer Maureen Kelly Fox has been a resident of Lucan for the past 25 years. Her extensive career spans both freelance and in-house design work, with a focus on digital creations such as posters, illustrations, photo retouching, and presentations.

However, Maureen’s artistic talents extend beyond the digital realm. She also possesses a passion for hand-painted artistry, creating captivating murals for both interior and exterior spaces, as well as eye-catching window designs and traditional sign writing projects.

Recently, Maureen has brought her vibrant artistic flair to the streets of Chapelizod through the “Paint-a-Box” initiative, transforming ordinary traffic signal boxes into captivating works of art.

THE GREAT IRISH ELK BY CIARA JOHNSON

PAINT-A-BOX STREET ART ON CON COLBERT ROAD

Ciara was an animation student at Ballyfermot College when she produced this example of paint-a-box street art.

The Great Irish Elk, also known as the Irish Deer or Giant Deer (Megaloceros giganteus), is an extinct species of deer renowned for its colossal size and magnificent antlers.

Key Characteristics:

Enormous Size: It stood approximately 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall at the shoulders, rivalling the modern moose in size.
Gigantic Antlers: The most striking feature was its massive antlers, which could span up to 3.65 meters (12 feet) across. These palmate antlers were the largest of any known deer species.
Wide Distribution: Though commonly associated with Ireland, the Great Irish Elk ranged throughout Eurasia, from Ireland to Siberia. The name “Irish” stems from the abundance of well-preserved fossils found in Irish bogs.

Evolution and Extinction:

Pleistocene Epoch: The Great Irish Elk evolved during the glacial periods of the Pleistocene Epoch, roughly 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago.
Extinction Theories: The exact cause of its extinction remains debated. Some theories suggest:
Environmental Changes: Habitat loss due to the end of the last ice age.
Antler Size: The massive antlers may have become a hindrance, affecting mobility or requiring excessive nutritional resources.
Hunting Pressure: Early humans may have contributed to their decline through hunting.

Fossil Discoveries:

Irish Bogs: The unique conditions of Irish bogs have preserved numerous complete skeletons, providing valuable insights into their anatomy and lifestyle.
Other Locations: Fossils have also been discovered in various European and Asian countries, indicating their wide distribution.

Significance:

Paleontological Importance: The Great Irish Elk is a crucial species for understanding deer evolution and the impacts of environmental change on megafauna.
Cultural Symbol: It holds a place in Irish folklore and has become a symbol of Ireland’s natural heritage.

Ongoing Research:

Genetic Studies: Scientists are analysing ancient DNA from fossils to unravel the evolutionary relationships of the Great Irish Elk and its connection to modern deer species.
Paleoecological Investigations: Researchers are studying fossil remains and their associated environments to reconstruct the past ecosystems in which the Great Irish Elk lived and the factors that may have led to its extinction.

The Great Irish Elk continues to fascinate scientists and the public alike, serving as a reminder of the incredible diversity of life that once existed on Earth and the dynamic nature of our planet’s history.