My Camera Is My Paintbrush: 2012

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Sea and Rocks, Ballydonegan Bay, West Cork

One of my favourite places to holiday in Ireland is Allihies, Beara Peninsula, West Cork. It was while hubby and I were enjoying one of our lengthy stays there during the autumn of 2010 that I took these photos. The weather was scorching hot with blue skies most days. Ballydonegan Bay, Allihies, West Cork. Taken October 2010.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

St. Audoen's Church, High Street, Dublin

On a lovely warm afternoon in early July, hubby and I were walking down High Street when we decided to drop into St. Audoen's Church because, in all the years we've lived in Dublin, neither of us ever visited this magnificant building which has served the parish since its erection in 1190.

As there weren't many visitors we opted to just browse ourselves rather than have a tour guide show us around and of course I was delighted when they said there was no objection to taking photographs. It was really strange walking around a building dating back to the twelfth century, I felt compelled to touch the stone walls in the hope of sensing their secrets. Taken July 2012.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

My Beloved Poolbeg Chimneys / Pigeon House Road

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.

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.

Friday, July 20, 2012

The Stephen's Green Hibernian Club, Dublin 2

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.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

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.

Sandymount Beach with Poolbeg Chimneys in background

©Ann Brien

View from strand up to Beach Road

Old opening once leading to steps

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

Monday, July 16, 2012

Dunboy Castle near Castletownbere, West Cork

This hotel, the refurbishment of which was halted in 2011, was renovated from the ruins of Puxley Mansion which was built by Henry and John Puxley in 1739 and burnt to a skeleton by the IRA in 1921. Below images from the castle grounds. Taken October 2010.

This is surely an Alice In Wonderland walkway!

This scene reminds me of a Constable painting

What secrets does this room hold?

Saturday, July 14, 2012

December Snow - 2010

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.

Tymon Park, Dublin

Our House

Our Front Garden

Friday, July 13, 2012

A Life On The Ocean Wave - Lambay Island

Last August hubby and I set sail from Malahide Marina, Dublin with our sea-faring friend on his thirty three foot yacht to see, for our first time, not his, the amazing Lambay Island. This is our largest island off the east coast of Ireland and we were very lucky to have had good weather conditions in which to appreciate its splendour.

Always a lover of all things nautical, I was delighted when our friend allowed me to take the helm for a while including allowing me to guide the yacht through two buoys which took every ounce of my concentration. I was so scared I'd crash I wanted him to stay beside me but no, he left me to it alone! The sense of achievement I felt following that great accomplishment defies words! He earlier taught hubby and I how to lower the fenders and also how to make the rope knots to secure the yacht to the wall. A great day was had by all. Taken August 2011.

Stradbally, County Waterford

Hubby and I spent a lovely couple of days here towards the end of January last year. While taking the below images of Stradbally Cove I was totally alone, not even a dog to be seen. I was really scared, firstly as I kept thinking the tide was suddenly going to come in and swallow me up and also I didn't feel too safe at the mouth of the cave as I visualized a huge hairy creature rushing out and dragging me into its lair! Taken January 2011.