Nigel's Photo Blog

                                  (Above image is a capture of the statue of Molly Malone.) Dublin (pop 1.38m) is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland . The city has many attractions including; Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Nassau Street, St. Stephen’s Green, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse (Brewery), Kilmainholm Gaol, Museum of Modern Art, National Museum, Parnell Square and Molly Malone’s statue. Possibly best seen by open-top bus tour. Irish band at Guinness Storehouse  Statue of Daniel O' Connell Daniel O'Connell, often referred to as The Liberator or The Emancipator, was an Irish political leader in the first half of the 19th century. Born :  6 August 1775, Cahersiveen, Ireland Died :  15 May 1847, Genoa, Italy  Dublin street band  General Post Office, O' Connell Street. Location of the failed 1916 Easter Rising.  Dublin park  Fusiliers' Arch, S

This evening, I am focusing on Trinity College, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. This is a popular visitor site, the key aspects of which are: Founded 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I of England for students of the Protestant faith. Catholic students admitted in 1970. Former students include Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and Samuel Becket.  Architecture is mainly of the Georgian style. A campanile (bell tower) dominates the quadrangle besides which is a Henry Moore statue, Reclining Connected Forms . Buildings include Chapel, Examination Hall and the Old Library which was finished in 1732. The Douglas Hyde Gallery is inside the Arts and Sciences building. This Gallery hosts modern art exhibitions. The prime exhibit in the Old Library is the Book of Kells, one of the oldest books in the world, dating from the 800s when it was begun by monks on the Scottish island of Iona and subsequently kept at the monastery of Kells in Ireland for 700 years. The library of Trinity College con

Carrickfergus Castle This evening, I am focusing on Carrickfergus Castle which is probably the best preserved medieval castle in Ireland. Location is on the north side of Belfast Lough, a few miles north-east of Belfast. Visitors may wish to include the site in a tour of the Antrim and Causeway coasts. This imposing edifice dates back to its original founding in the 12th century as a stand alone keep (tower). Over the succeeding centuries there occurred  extensions and embellishments: in the 13th century, 16th century, 18th century and 19th century. It was as recently as 1928 that Carrickfergus Castle was finally handed over to civilian control. The completed site now comprises the original Keep plus Gatehouse, Grand Battery, Sea Tower, promontory and Postern Gate. The castle’s original founder was one John de Courcy who later fell foul of King John and was expelled. In the 13th century Hugh de Lacy was in control. Other important developments include: B

(Above image illustrates draft Guinness being dispensed as the Storehouse.) The Guinness Storehouse is located in Dublin, Ireland’s capital city. The Storehouse proved a noisy, popular, vibrant, slick visitor attraction over seven floors culminating in the Gravity Bar experience which provides a panoramic view over Dublin City including eighteen major sites ranging from the Wellington Monument to the Wicklow Mountains. The core message is to describe the brewing process, principally how: Barley is malted, roasted, milled, mixed with hot water and mashed; Liquid is filtered off and boiled with hops; Yeast is added and fermentation commences; and The beer is clarified, matured and prepared for packaging. Other aspects of the tour include ingredients, cooperage, transport, tasting and advertising. Bar Brewing Vat Inside the Storehouse Visitor Experience Brewing Plant at Guinness, Dublin Traditional Irish Music in Gravity Bar Panorama of Dublin fr

Blarney Castle, Cork This afternoon, my focus is on Blarney Castle  which lies very close to the pretty village of Blarney in the south of Ireland, just 8km from the city of Cork. This site attracts high volumes of visitors each year whose prime objective is to visit and kiss the famous Blarney Stone which is located at roof level with access entailing a climb up some 127 steps. Kissing the Blarney Stone, Blarney Castle Today, the castle remains extend to just the keep which essentially comprises a 15th century tower house inside which the vaulted first floor was once the Great Hall. View of castle from gardens Interior of Blarney Castle Key aspects of the facility: Kissing the Blarney Stone entails being suspended backwards under the parapet. This act is believed to confer a magical eloquence on the participant. In addition to the castle, there are 60 acres of parkland, gardens, avenues and arboretums. Rock Close, a supposed mystical plac

Fishbourne Roman Palace This evening, I am posting summary information on Fishbourne Roman Palace which s the largest domestic Roman building yet found in Britain. Located near Chichester, West Sussex, about 80 miles S.W. of London. May have been built for Tiberius Claudius Togidumnus, a native local British king of the first century AD who supported the Roman invasion and became a client king and adopted Roman ways. The local tribe ruled by Togidumnus were called  the Regni. Palace was built between AD 75 and AD 80. A large and impressive structure comprising four wings surrounding a large formal garden supplemented with more gardens to the south leading down to the harbour. The building (not to mention occupant) was of such importance that the road from the local capital of Noviomagus (Chichester) ran directly to the large entrance hall that stood at centre of the east wing. Decline set in around AD 270 when part of the Palace was destroyed by fire and the r

This evening, I am reporting on developments affecting three popular tourist sites in England, Scotland and Ireland as reported in recent editions of the Times newspaper. Cairngorm Mountain snow center near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands  This facility was reported in my blog post of yesterday. In November 2018 the resort was rescued by a government agency (second time) when the operator succumbed to bankruptcy protection. A new operating entity was set up but the government audit body has reported a net deficit of GBP561,000 for period December 2018-March 31st 2019. The audit body supports continuation of the resort and is working with new operator to ensure a sustainable way forward is found.The resort is now closed for the season. Evidence of  in-breeding at Newgrange prehistoric site, Ireland At the Newgrange prehistoric site north of Dublin researchers have undertaken genetic research on a skeleton found in the centre of the complex and determined that the

River Foyle at Londonderry (Derry) This evening, I am posting information on Londonderry/Derry in Northern Ireland. This city has a population of 108,000 and is located about 70 miles N.W. of Belfast. This post is based on images and information obtained during an escorted small a small group walking tour which took us to (or within sight of): Historic 17th century city walls, the most complete in U.K. Church of Ireland Cathedral.(Protestant) 17th century cannons. A portioned area containing an isolated and gated Protestant community. The Catholic, Bogside area with extensive murals influenced by the infamous ‘troubles’ of 1970s and 1980s. Various churches. The early 20th century, Guildhall. City centre and war memorial. Peace Bridge over the River Foyle. City Gate, Londonderry, Northern Ireland Mural in Bogside, Londonderry, Northern Ireland Here is a video clip of the Bogside area of Londonderry. Bogside, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Dunluce Castle, Antrim This afternoon, I am posting information on Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland which is located on the North Antrim Coast, a few miles west of the Giant’s Causeway a nd about sixty miles NNW of Belfast. A visit to this castle usually forms part of a tour of the Causeway Coast . Dunluce Castle As a power base the site is relatively young by British standards. The earliest standing remains date from around 1500 but the castle reached its zenith in the early 17th century under Randal MacDonnell   and his son, also Randal MacDonnell both whom achieved status of Earls of Antrim under King James I. The MacDonnells   brought to Ireland large numbers of Scots to act as a counterweight to Irish Catholics and suppress   revolts from that quarter. The family was initially very successful and gained large estates and wealth. However, Randal fell foul of the British when he was arrested in 1642. Whilst Randal regained his estates in 1665 the family

These images were taken about 10.00pm last night from south Glasgow looking west. We do enjoy spectacular sunsets here although last night would probably rank in the top 10pct