Recent

North Bull creation story – The Myth of Wall which came before the Island

/////

It is long accepted in Dublin that Bull Island did not exist until the building of the North Bull Wall – which was built in an effort to reduce the silt ending up in Dublin Port and as a result this silt was diverted elsewhere to North Bull. In 1871 the island was estimated at around 2km long, and now in 2020 it is about 5km long and 1km wide.

Keep Reading

The Year of the French – When the French came to Sligo 6,000 years ago

/

Carrowmore is found in a unique piece of geography, the Cuil Irra (Coolrea) peninsula, a triangle of land bounded by water on three sides. Ballisodare Bay lies to the south, the Atlantic ocean to the west and Sligo Bay to the north. Lough Gill is to the east beyond Carns Hill, connected to the sea by the Shelly river which is only 5 km long, flowing from Lough Gill through Sligo Town and into the sea. Keep Reading

Gallipolli – The Ultimate War Memorial Resort

////

When I think of Gallipoli, I think of Australia and New Zealand. Or at least that was the case until I visited the peninsula in 2019.  Many more British and Irish soldiers died in Gallipoli than those from Australia or New Zealand. This was not a war fought in the defense of Australia or New Zealand. The Anzac did not bravely defend their own lands, but instead attacked those lands rightly belonging to Turkey. 

Keep Reading

Derry City and War. How memorials can grow old but remain cool. Sometimes.

/////

Derry City has an historical legacy which is at the forefront of its tourism and also its image. These two elements crystallise around the Siege of Derry in 1689 and also the Civil Right’s movement of the 1960’s and the violence which came after. Memorials are not so good at keeping a low profile at a time of high emotions. But some memorials are more embraced than others. 

Keep Reading

The International Sailor of Derry – A man just getting on with his job

////

Most of the time I feel war memorials have little to do with the horror of war and have more to do with the expected viewership and even planning laws. The International Sailor in Derry is a great example of compromise for a modern era. A away from the centre of a divided city – unlike the first war memorial when built in the Diamond in Derry 1927 – but includes a double section plinth which has the obvious temptation of being steps for one who wishes to take a photo of oneself along with the handsomely chiselled sculpture. Are war memorials more of a middle class thing, and dying-in-war more for the working class? Keep Reading

Old Harbour – Rotterdam

///

Oude Haven, the old harbour was created around 1350 as a result of the damming of the river Rotte. As the name might suggest it is the oldest harbour in Rotterdam. Moored here are many historic ships which have been carefully renovated. There are other artefacts from the past including a train.

Keep Reading

High Tea and Tea Trade – Piet Hein, the Pirate of Delfshaven

//////

A brief visit to Delfshaven allowed me to linger along port side, and have an almost idyllic drink. The “almost” moment came as a consequence of being disturbed by a group of summer-time wasps, attracted to the nearby High Teas that came with multi-layered trays of mini-cakes. 

Later I learned how tea was at the centre of that extraordinarily wealthy era of the Netherlands – the Golden Age. Perhaps the wasps are a symbol of the current debate in the Netherlands about how a once popular version of history can with hindsight be seen in controversial terms.

Keep Reading

1 2 3