My Camera Is My Paintbrush: 2011

Friday, July 22, 2011

Merrion Square Park, Dublin

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.

Friday, July 8, 2011

St. Stephen's Green Park, Dublin

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.

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

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.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Dun Laoghaire - Ireland's Own Riviera!

It's been ages since I last visited Dun Laoghaire, the beautiful seaside town just about ten miles outside Dublin. For the past couple of years I've been promising myself I'd go but something always cropped up to prevent me so last Tuesday I took the bull by the horns and "jumped on a bus to Dun Laoghaire" as the old Bagatelle song, "Summer In Dublin" lyrics go.

The day was a sweltherer, the sun so warm and the sky so blue that you'd be forgiven for thinking you were walking along a promenade on the French Riviera. Taken July 2011.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Last Days of Winter, Allihies, West Cork

Bohreen from Allihies Village

Under Construction! - New walker pathway

Already you can see the changing light from Winter to Spring. Taken February 2011.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Swirling Mist, Rough Waters - Ballydonegan Pier, Allihies

Pier Staircase

Thick mist, green water, rock - breathtaking!

I shot those images yesterday afternoon at Ballydonegan Pier, Allihies in a fierce gale which sometimes made holding my phone steady virtually impossible.

My experience while walking around the pier would come close to what I'd call a spiritual one. I almost felt what had I done to deserve these very special moments during which I observed what I love most of all, the sea at her wildest. She gave an unrivaled performance. Taken February 2011.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

A West Cork Sunset

I stood for a long time observing this sunset. As the seconds ticked by I knew I had to capture its beauty before the moment was lost forever. Allihies, Beara Peninsula, West Cork. Taken October 2010.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Rough Waters - Ballydonegan Bay, Allihies

Mid-afternoon three days ago in Ballydonegan Bay, Allihies. The roar of the waters was akin to the noise from a motorway at rush hour but without the traffic. Only the sound of the wind and waves to delight the ears. Taken February 2011.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Twilight - Allihies, West Cork

This was the light over Allihies, Beara Peninsula, West Cork three hours ago. Taken February 2011.

Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork

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.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Hotel Isaacs, MacCurtain Street, Cork

Hubby and I broke our long journey to West Cork by spending the night in the Victorian, Hotel Isaacs, MacCurtain Street, Cork. From the moment I first glanced its image I knew this would be our night's place of rest. I've a passion for high ceilings and those lovely tall windows that you can sit in. This hotel has both. Taken February 2011.

Hotel Isaacs, Cork - Kitchen Into Bedroom

This was the view from our huge kitchen into the bedroom. Taken February 2011.

Hotel Isaacs, Cork - Kitchen Into Bathroom

View from our kitchen into the bathroom. Taken February 2011.

Hotel Isaacs, Cork - Courtyard View One

Entrance to Hotel Isaacs. Floodlit waterfall in distance. Taken February 2011.

Hotel Isaacs, Cork - Courtyard View Two

View of courtyard from waterfall. Taken February 2011.

Hotel Isaacs, Cork - Waterfall

This waterfall in the hotel's courtyard is breathtakingly beautiful when floodlit at night time. Taken February 2011.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

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

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

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.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Band Stand, Stephen's Green, Dublin

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.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Dodder Gate

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.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Random Photo Uploads From Here On In!

I've decided, rather than browse chronologically through my pics, I'll upload them as I come across them, that way I can put them up more frequently when I've a few minutes with a coffee instead of spending time scanning through the years. Also, I need to get out of the habit of always trying to do things in an orderly fashion, a bit too obsessive compulsive!