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

The Stephen's Green Hibernian Club, Dublin 2

© Ann Brien

This was the magnificant setting for our son and beautiful daughter-in-law's wedding reception just a matter of weeks ago. The Stephen's Green Hibernian Club is situated just across from St. Stephen's Green Park, the largest of the parks in Dublin's main Georgian squares.  The images below were taken by me on the morning after the brilliant evening which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Taken June 2012.

© Ann Brien

© Ann Brien

© Ann Brien

 © Ann Brien

Sandymount Strand - Childhood Memories

©Ann Brien

I spent my childhood walking along this beautiful, aptly named, Beach Road, Sandymount, Dublin.  If I ever win the lottery I will buy one of those houses facing the sea so as, on long winter nights, I can sit quietly at my bedroom window and gaze out at the Poolbeg Lighthouse, her light hazy yellow in the swirling fog.  I will even imagine her eerie cry to the incoming ships warning them of treacherous rocks ahead.  (God, I've read too many Enid Blyton stories!).  Taken April 2011.

© Ann Brien 

 Sandymount Beach with Poolbeg Chimneys in background

 ©Ann Brien

View from strand up to Beach Road

 © Ann Brien

Old opening once leading to steps

© Ann Brien 

Hope they never remove these steps. I used to smell the seaweed whilst descending them

December Snow - 2010

© Ann Brien

Tymon Park, Dublin

Maybe it's because I'm feeling quite chilly on this mid-July evening that I feel I'd like to share with you these amazing images from December 2010, anyhow, enjoy! Taken December 2010.

© Ann Brien

Tymon Park, Dublin

© Ann Brien

Our House

© Ann Brien

Our Front Garden

Merrion Square Park, Dublin

© Ann Brien

My feeling is that Merrion Square Park is best viewed in the evening light and preferably, when nature obliges, after a rain shower. The light is amazing but sadly I'm afraid that my mobile phone camera, great as it is, cannot do justice to these precious moments in photography. Taken February and July 2011.

© Ann Brien

© Ann Brien

St. Stephen's Green Park, Dublin

© Ann Brien

This beautiful park, St. Stephen's Green, in the heart of Dublin city is where I head for when I've spent an exhausting day walking around the stores. There's a sense of tranquility about the place, perhaps it's the ducks gently gliding across the pond or the people sitting on benches lost in their own private worlds. They too probably come to seek refuge from the bustling crowds.

© Ann Brien

Three Fates Bronze Sculpture. A gift to us from the people of Germany for our help given to refugees following the Second World War.

© Ann Brien

© Ann Brien

Famine Sculpture by Edward Delaney

Last Wednesday was one such day for me and even though it had just started to rain I still sought sanctuary from the streets and weather here in my little piece of paradise. Taken July 2011.

Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork

© Ann Brien

Everyman Palace Theatre first opened in 1879 and is the sister theatre of the Olympia Theatre in Dublin. Certainly from the exterior view I would go so far as to say they are twin sisters. Taken February 2011.

St. Brigid's Primary School, Haddington Road, Dublin

© Ann Brien

This was the entrance we used from the playground. I liked it. Taken January 2006.

Room With A View - St. Brigid's Primary School, Haddington Road, Dublin

© Ann Brien

The view from these windows was of the playground where the lunch time games we played included; "ring a ring a rosy", "the farmer wants a wife", "red rover, red rover" and "stand the lady on the mountain". Taken January 2006.

Band Stand, Stephen's Green, Dublin

© Ann Brien

I have a wonderful childhood memory of my parents taking me into town one lovely summer evening. The highlight of our walkabout was Stephen's Green park where a brass band played loud uplifting tunes in the beautiful ornate band stand. I'd never heard anything like it, my first experience of live music! It was an evening of sensual pleasures, the sound of the music, the images of the setting sun and the people just strolling along. Fifty years on, it's one of my treasured memories. Taken May 2010.

Dodder Gate

© Ann Brien

While walking with hubby on a lovely sunny early September afternoon I was struck by the beauty of these steps along the Dodder river leading to Bushy Park. They looked like they could be from a scene from The Secret Garden or maybe a fantasy film. Taken September, 2010.

Pigeon House Road, Ringsend 1981

© Ann Brien

This photo was taken on a sunny Sunday afternoon from the end of Cambridge Avenue where I lived until I was seventeen years of age. Note the old grey gasometer in the background!

I deliberately didn't crop the image where you can clearly see the old sellotape markings because I didn't want to lose a single inch of the path and roadway. Taken March 1981.

Old Sea Wall, Pigeon House Road, Ringsend 1981

© Ann Brien

This is the last picture I took of my beloved sea views before it all was to change irreparably over the next few years. Taken March 1981.

Before the Porches, Cottages, Ringsend 1981

© Ann Brien

Changes to the sea front were already afoot when this photo was taken. Nice though to see the old rowing boats were still in action at the time. Also, this was before the cottages had acquired their new porches which I personally feel removed some of the character from these quaint little abodes. Pigeon House Road Cottages, Ringsend. Taken March 1981.

Rear-View Cambridge Avenue, Ringsend 1971

© Ann Brien

This image was from a time when everywhere had wide open spaces, back gardens were not smothered by obscene kitchen extensions and each house had its own individuality. We played hide and seek in those bushes, not to mention cowboys and indians! Taken July 1971.

Cambridge Avenue, Ringsend 1969

© Ann Brien

This was the avenue where I lived from age two and a half to seventeen years. Perhaps because of this I've never lost my love for the old two up, two down, red brick terraced house.

You might also notice from the above image that not many of my neighbours had cars. Only the families where the husband had any kind of a good job were the ones privileged to own such luxuries and some of these people even had a telephone installed in their hallways! We had neither car nor phone but what you didn't have you didn't miss. Taken in May 1969.

Coastguard Station, Ringsend 1969

© Ann Brien

My best childhood friend lived here. I lived just down the road but this was our real playground, the long gardens at the back of the houses and open grassy areas leading from them provided perfect fodder for our young imaginations.

Opposite those houses still runs the River Liffey with its old wall from where I used to stare out to sea. The image also shows to the left, after the bus-stop, the slip-way and you can just about see one of the upturned rowing boats. Taken in May 1969.

The Early Years (1)

© Ann Brien

A very shy little Ann in my back yard in Ringsend, Dublin, the family home until I was seventeen. Taken by my cousin with her Brownie camera in 1954. I was two and a half years old.

The Early Years (2)

© Ann Brien

That's me in the back yard of my aunt and uncle's cottage in Charlemont Row off Harcourt Street, Dublin. All those cottages have now long since been demolished. Taken by my cousin in 1956. I was five years old.

The Early Years (3)

© Ann Brien

This was a very special day - my First Holy Communion. The photo was taken once again in my cousin's back yard in Charlemont Row off Harcourt Street, Dublin. Taken by my cousin in May 1959. I was seven and a half years old.