Wednesday, August 1, 2012

My Beloved Poolbeg Chimneys / Pigeon House Road

 © Ann Brien

In the late 1960s my Dad worked on the early construction of these twin iconic chimneys known affectionately to us Dubliners as the "Poolbeg Chimneys". Forty years later they faced demolition but due to the huge public outcry over their impending demise an online petition was set up entitled "Light Up The Chimneys" to which of course I added my signature and comment:  "Those chimneys remain part of my Ringsend childhood memories. My father worked on their construction. As one of Dublin's most treasured landmarks, they deserve to stand tall and proud, two shining beacons on our city's skyline".  I've yet to find out if they have been included in the Record Of Protected Structures, I sincerely hope so.

 © Ann Brien

The road leading up to the chimneys and to the Poolbeg Generating Station, generally referred to as the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) is Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, Dublin.  Over the past thirty years this road has been changed beyond recognition.  A couple of weeks ago I ventured back there to again attempt to capture some of its atmosphere I knew so well as a child.  For me, the changes have been too great, there is a sense of an irretrievable loss.

The black and white images are of the old Pigeon House Road.  Removing the colour allows me only to see the familiar things, not the brightly coloured storage containers, for instance. The long stretch of sea wall is actually the original stonework.  Taken July 2012.

© Ann Brien

  © Ann Brien

© Ann Brien

© Ann Brien

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