Ireland

MY FIRST VISIT TO NORTHWOOD SANTRY DUBLIN 9

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 31 JANUARY 2025

Northwood is a large development located in Santry, Dublin 9. It comprises a mix of residential, commercial, and leisure facilities, all set within a 90-acre public park.

The development is conveniently located close to Dublin Airport and the city centre, with easy access to the M50 and other major roads. It is also well-served by public transportation, with several bus routes passing through the area.

Northwood is a popular place to live and work, offering a high quality of life and a wide range of amenities. The park provides a great space for recreation and relaxation, while the commercial and retail areas offer a variety of shops, restaurants, and businesses.

Some of the key features of Northwood include:

Northwood Park: A large public park with a playground, walking trails, and a lake.

Northwood Business Campus: A commercial area with offices, shops, and restaurants.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel: A 4-star hotel with a restaurant, bar, and fitness centre.

The Sports Surgery Clinic: A private hospital specialising in sports medicine.

Residential areas: A variety of apartments and houses

Overall, Northwood is a well-planned and well-maintained development that offers a great place to live, work, and visit.

SANTRY DEMESNE PUBLIC PARK – I HAD NOT REALISED THE EXTENT OF THIS PUBLIC PARK UNTIL THIS VISIT

PHOTOGRAPHED 31 JANUARY 2025

My exploration of Santry Demesne Public Park began with a ride on the new E1 bus to Northwood. Intrigued by this terminus, I ventured into the area and, trusting my sense of direction, soon found myself near Morton Stadium and the adjacent park. (As an aside, during my time at B+I Shipping, I shared an office with Billy Morton’s brother – whose name escapes me, though he always introduced himself by his famous sibling).

The park proved far larger than I’d imagined. Santry Demesne occupies the grounds of a once-grand house and gardens, originally built in 1703 on the site of a medieval dwelling. The house fell into disrepair around the turn of the 20th century, with local stories offering various explanations. A devastating fire in 1947 sealed its fate, and the house was finally demolished in 1959.

Despite its destruction, traces of the house’s former splendour remain. Visitors can still see the foundations, front steps, tree avenue, and walled garden. In June 2003, Fingal County Council took over Santry Demesne, transforming it into a valuable public amenity.

Today, the park offers a children’s playground, a network of paths for walkers, joggers, and dog walkers, and free car parking just inside the main gates. The Community Garden, within the Walled Garden, is flourishing, boasting a Kitchen Garden and Heritage Orchard established for over two years. The front section is currently being developed into a Recreational Garden, soon to be open to the public more regularly.

While the original stone temple from the Domvile family’s Templeogue residence (moved to Luggala in County Wicklow in 1858) is no longer in Santry, a facsimile stands in its place. The original Phoenix Folly, however, remains a key feature, echoing the more famous Phoenix Column in Phoenix Park.

The Phoenix Folly draws inspiration from the 1747 monument in Phoenix Park, commissioned by the 4th Earl of Chesterfield. This column, topped with a mythical phoenix, was a prominent feature on the park’s main avenue, though later moved. It is thought to have commemorated the park’s opening to the public, symbolising a new era of access for Dubliners.

Santry Demesne’s Phoenix Folly faithfully recreates the original column’s key architectural elements, showcasing neoclassical elegance. The Corinthian column, with its fluted shaft and intricately carved capital, exemplifies this style, while the ornate base and sculpted phoenix enhance its aesthetic appeal.

THE INSTITUTE OF ART, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY DUN LAOGHAIRE

PHOTOGRAPHED 30 JANUARY 2025

The Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire (IADT) is a leading higher education institution in Ireland, specialising in the creative, cultural, and digital technology sectors. It has a strong reputation for fostering creativity and innovation, and its programmes are designed to equip graduates with the skills needed to succeed in these dynamic industries.

History:

IADT’s origins can be traced back to the late 1960s with the establishment of an art foundation course at the Dún Laoghaire College of Art and Design (DLCAD). Over the years, DLCAD expanded its offerings and gained recognition for its excellence in art and design education. In 1997, it was granted institute of technology status and became the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire. This marked a significant milestone in its development, allowing it to further broaden its range of programmes and establish itself as a prominent player in the Irish higher education landscape.

Today, IADT offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across various disciplines, including:

Film and Media: IADT is home to the National Film School, a renowned institution that has produced Oscar, BAFTA, and IFTA-winning alumni. It offers programmes in film and television production, animation, photography, and more.

Art and Design: IADT has a strong tradition in art and design education, with programmes in visual arts, design for film, graphic design, and user experience design.
Technology and Humanities: IADT recognises the importance of technology and humanities in the creative industries. It offers programmes in creative computing, applied psychology, business and digital technology, and arts management.

IADT is committed to providing its students with a cutting-edge learning environment, fostering collaboration and innovation. It has strong links with industry, ensuring that its programmes are relevant and meet the needs of the creative and technology sectors. The institute also places a strong emphasis on research and development, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in its fields of expertise.

IADT has grown significantly since its establishment, with a student population of over 2,500. It continues to evolve and expand its offerings, adapting to the changing demands of the creative and technology industries.

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.

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.