Dublin

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SITE – PALM TREE SEAT AND STOOLS

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

MOST DUBLINERS DO NOT NOTICE THIS AS THEY PASS BY

The sculpture is officially known as the “Palm Tree seat and stools” or commonly just the “Statue Palm.”

Location: It is situated in the heart of the lively Temple Bar cultural quarter, at 17A, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 RT29.

Artist and Date: It was created by Irish sculptor Vincent Browne and installed in 1992.

Description: It is a striking bronze sculpture that is often referred to as a “seat” because it incorporates stools and benches at its base, inviting passersby to pause and rest.

Significance: The palm tree design is often noted as a symbol of resilience and hope, adding a distinctive and unique artistic touch to the urban landscape of Dublin’s most popular entertainment district.

The sculpture is a must-see for visitors and makes for a great photo opportunity as you explore the surrounding area’s cobbled streets, traditional pubs, and vibrant atmosphere.

UNUSUAL SIGHTINGS NEAR DOMINICK STREET TRAM STOP – SPANISH NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION

IMPORTANT CORRECTION

A Correction and Updated Post: Contrasting Events in Dublin on Saturday

A few days ago, I posted about what I believed were various celebrations for Spanish National Day in Dublin on Saturday, the 11th of October. I need to issue a significant correction and an apology for a serious error in that post. My initial account misrepresented a major event and I am truly sorry for the mistake and any confusion it caused.

My Original Error

In my post, I described seeing a large group on Bolton Street, who I mistakenly identified as Spanish nationals joyously celebrating Día de la Hispanidad. I described them as being like “passionate football supporters” and their chanting as a “public and joyous expression of national pride.”

This was completely wrong.

The group was, in fact, comprised of supporters of the German football club FC Schalke 04, who were in Dublin for a friendly match. Far from being a joyous celebration, their march through the city was marred by a violent incident where a female documentary photographer, Carly Clarke, was assaulted.

According to reports from RTÉ News and Ms. Clarke’s own account, she was pushed, her camera was grabbed, and a friend who intervened was knocked to the ground and kicked. This behaviour is appalling and has been rightly condemned. FC Schalke 04 issued a statement expressing their sympathy for those affected, stating the incidents were “completely unjustifiable” and that they would be rigorously investigated. It’s a sobering reminder of how easily a situation can be misinterpreted from a distance. I was fortunate not to have gotten any closer.

The Genuine Spanish Celebrations

While that incident cast a dark shadow over the afternoon, it is important to acknowledge that there were indeed genuine and beautiful Spanish cultural celebrations happening elsewhere in the city, which were entirely separate and peaceful.

My earlier observation of a Tuna group near the Dominick Street Luas stop was correct. This traditional Spanish university student group, in their distinctive historical dress and wooden albarcas (clogs from Cantabria), brought a wonderful piece of authentic Spanish heritage to the streets. They were heading to St. Saviour’s Church, a hub for Dublin’s Spanish community, likely for the weekly Spanish Vigil Mass, a fitting way to mark the eve of their national day.

Furthermore, the official celebration took place at the Riu Plaza The Gresham Hotel, where the Spanish Embassy hosted its National Day reception. The event, led by Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, Cristian Font, and attended by Ambassador-Designate Teresa Lizaranzu, featured the music of Salsa Brava and showcased Spanish food and wine. It also highlighted the strong economic ties between Spain and Ireland, with sponsors like Avant Money (part of Spain’s Bankinter), AYESA, Elecnor Group, and others who have a significant presence here.

Reflections

Saturday, the 11th of October, presented two starkly different scenes in Dublin. One was a beautiful and authentic display of cultural heritage, and the other was an ugly and violent incident that has been rightly condemned. My initial post conflated the two, and for that, I am again very sorry. Thank you for reading this correction.

LIGHT AND TURN BY MARK RYAN AT SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2025

PHOTOGRAPHED USING A VARIETY OF CAMERAS

LIGHT AND TURN BY MARK RYAN AT SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2025 [SEPTEMBER 2025]

Dublin Sculptor Mark Ryan: A Career of Material Mastery and Public Presence

Dublin sculptor Mark Ryan is a prominent artist known for his versatile command of materials and his significant contributions to public art. Working adeptly with wood, clay, steel, and bronze, Ryan creates sculptures that range from intimate forms to monumental public installations.

His work is held in national and international collections and features in major commissions for institutions like the Office of Public Works, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and University College Dublin. A notable recent piece, the ‘Heart Memorial’ at Tallaght University Hospital, highlights his capacity to create art that resonates deeply with the community.

A key feature of Ryan’s career is his long-standing participation in Sculpture in Context, the celebrated annual exhibition at Dublin’s National Botanic Gardens. A regular exhibitor, Ryan consistently uses this unique platform to engage a wide audience. As the exhibition nears its 40th anniversary in 2025, his continued presence underscores his lasting impact on the Irish art scene. His work has been recognized with accolades such as the Braun Prize at Eigse and the Halward Gallery Sculpture Prize.

Mark Ryan, sculptor, Dublin, Irish art, Sculpture in Context, National Botanic Gardens, public art, bronze, steel, wood, contemporary sculpture, Irish sculptor, public commissions, art exhibitions, Dublin art scene, William Murphy, Infomatique, September 2025,

HENRIETTA PLACE PHOTOGRAPHED USING AN iPHONE 12 PRO MAX

IMAGES SUPPLIED BY WILLIAM MURPHY

I used the Halide App and because of the really strong sunlight I could not see the settings and did not realise that HEIC had been selected. HEIC is a file format that I avoid, if possible.

Henrietta Place is a short street in Dublin city centre that acts as a connector between North King Street and the grander Henrietta Street.

Pedestrians are advised to exercise extra caution when using Henrietta Place. There are reports that some drivers use it as a “rat-run” to bypass heavier traffic, and there have also been issues with joyriders using the street at night. Please be vigilant of your surroundings when walking in this area.

The .HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) file format is a modern image format that offers several advantages, particularly in terms of storage efficiency and image quality, compared to older formats like JPG. It’s the default image format used by Apple on iPhones and iPads running iOS 11 or later.

Here’s a breakdown of what .HEIC is and why one might choose it over RAW or JPG:

What is .HEIC?

High Efficiency: HEIC utilizes a modern and advanced compression method called High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265. This allows it to store images at a significantly smaller file size (often around half the size of a JPG) while retaining the same or even better image quality.
Container Format: The “Container” part of the name is important. A single HEIC file can contain not just one image, but also:
Multiple images (like in Live Photos or image bursts).
Image metadata (like location, date, etc.).
Depth maps.
Alpha (transparency) information, similar to PNG.
Audio.
Higher Color Depth: HEIC supports up to 16-bit color depth, allowing for a broader range of colors and more subtle gradations compared to the 8-bit color depth of JPG. This is particularly beneficial for High Dynamic Range (HDR) images.
Why Choose HEIC over JPG?

Better Compression and Storage Efficiency: HEIC files take up significantly less storage space than JPGs for comparable image quality. This means you can store more photos on your device or in the cloud without sacrificing quality.
Superior Image Quality: HEIC can preserve more detail and dynamic range than JPG at the same file size due to its advanced compression. JPG’s compression is “lossy,” meaning it discards some image data every time the file is saved, which can lead to a gradual degradation of quality with repeated edits. While HEIC is also a lossy format, it retains more image information.
Support for Advanced Features: HEIC’s container format allows for features that JPG doesn’t support, such as storing Live Photos, burst sequences, and transparency within a single file.
Future-Proofing: As technology evolves, HEIC is better positioned to handle advancements in display technology and image capture, such as HDR.
Why Choose HEIC over RAW?

Smaller File Sizes: RAW files contain all the unprocessed data captured by the camera sensor, resulting in very large file sizes. HEIC offers much higher compression, making files significantly smaller and easier to manage and store.
Ready to Use: HEIC files are processed by the device to produce a viewable image. RAW files require post-processing in specialised software before they can be viewed or printed.
Device Integration: HEIC is often deeply integrated into the operating system of devices that use it (like Apple’s iOS), offering seamless viewing and sharing within that ecosystem.
Why NOT Choose HEIC?

Compatibility Issues: The biggest drawback of HEIC is its limited compatibility compared to the universally supported JPG format. While support for HEIC has grown in recent years across operating systems and software, it’s still not as widely accepted. You might encounter issues when sharing HEIC files with users on older systems or uploading them to certain platforms that don’t support it. In such cases, conversion to JPG might be necessary.
Less Editing Flexibility than RAW: While HEIC offers good image quality, it doesn’t retain the same level of unprocessed data as RAW files. This means that for extensive post-processing and adjustments, especially regarding exposure and white balance, RAW files offer significantly more flexibility.
In Summary:

Choose HEIC if you prioritise storage efficiency and high image quality on devices that support it, especially within the Apple ecosystem. It’s a good balance for everyday photography.
Choose JPG if you need maximum compatibility across various devices, software, and platforms, even if it means slightly larger file sizes and potentially lower image quality compared to HEIC at the same size. It’s a safe bet for sharing and general use.
Choose RAW if you are a professional or enthusiast photographer who demands the absolute maximum image quality and editing flexibility for extensive post-processing, even if it means dealing with large file sizes and the need for specialised software.

THE GARDA MEMORIAL GARDEN [LOCATED WITHIN THE DUBHLINN GARDENS AT DUBLIN CASTLE

PHOTOGRAPHED 15 MAY 2025

The Garda Memorial Garden, situated within the Dubhlinn Gardens at Dublin Castle, serves as a solemn and poignant tribute to the members of An Garda Síochána (the Irish police force) who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Officially opened on 15th May 2010, the garden provides a dedicated space for remembrance and reflection.

The design of the memorial is particularly evocative. Names of the Gardaí who died while serving the public are inscribed on limestone plaques set into granite masonry, creating a lasting roll of honour. A specially commissioned glass sculpture stands as a commemoration of the profound sacrifice made by these individuals and the enduring loss experienced by their families. Furthermore, a stone sculpture, titled “Black Pool White Water” by Jason Ellis, offers a broader tribute to all deceased members of An Garda Síochána, as well as the Dublin Metropolitan Police and the Royal Irish Constabulary, symbolising hope overcoming grief.

The location within Dublin Castle is significant, as the castle has historical ties to the establishment of An Garda Síochána as the national policing force in 1922. The tranquil environment of the Dubhlinn Gardens offers a peaceful setting for contemplation, away from the bustle of the city. The garden’s thoughtful design, incorporating natural elements and symbolic sculptures, encourages visitors to pause and remember the bravery and dedication of those who served and sacrificed. An annual Garda Memorial Day ceremony is held in the gardens, further underscoring its importance as a place of national remembrance.