Temple Bar Bar

"The Quays" Pub in Temple Bar has a marvellous tiled facade. In Ireland it is illegal to smoke inside the Pubs so note the two young men leaning on the windowsill having a cigerette (and enjoying the afternoon sun). Although I don't smoke myself I would nearly be tempted to stand outside this Pub all day appreciating it's beauty!

James Joyce

James Joyce Fans

Joyce fans Barbara and Jackie who came all the way from California

James Joyce (and friends)

Yesterday I was looking around the city for "James Joyce" the street performer. I didn't find him, but today I did go to see the lovely sculpture of Joyce by Marjorie Fitzgibbon which is in North Earl Street. James Joyce was one of Ireland's most famous 20th century writers and is best remembered for his landmark novel "Ulysses". Ironically most Irish people have never read it! Most Americans apparently have! And right enough I was approached TWICE in 5 minutes by American's who, seeing my camera thought I was a tourist and asked me to take their photo beside Joyce. "Bloomsday" is celebrated in Dublin each June 16 .

There Are Many Ways To Earn A Living

As you walk around Dublin you come across some unusual characters who choose to make a living as street performers. The original (and some say the best) was a Scotsman named Thom Mc Ginty, known as "The Diceman" who sadly died of AIDS a few years ago. The colourful chap in this photo stands very still - like a statue, but occasionally jumps or stomps his foot, frightening the life out of passersby.
I first came across these type of acts in Barcelona but now they are very common in this city. I am looking around for "James Joyce" whom I saw a few weeks ago.

Grafitti, BÁC 2 (Dublin 2)

Páirc an Fhionn-Uisce (The Phoenix Park)

Today I visited the Phoenix Park again to take some more photo's for my friend Joseph in India (Life In Motion). The flowers were blooming and people were out strolling, cycling, picknicing and just enjoying the warm sunshine. The Cherry Blossom trees are shedding their flowers leaving a pink and white "carpet" on the grass. I enjoyed a coffee in the Tea Rooms - and noticed something very strange! Nearly everybody there and visiting the park were from Italia, Polska, France, Espana.... I don't think Irish people really appreciate this magnificent park.
This south-east corner of the park has beautiful flowerbeds, green lawns, a small lake (with resident Swan and Ducks), a children's playground, nice footpaths, and is a botanical wonderland.

There are trees and plants here from all over the world - possibly a legacy from our past membership of "an empire where the sun never sets"

Lazing On The Lawn

The Tea Rooms

There is a lovely monument in the gardens dedicated to Seán Heuston, one of the rebel leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising who was Court Martialed after the failed uprising, sentenced to death and shot by firing squad in Kilmainham jail on May 8 1916. He was aged 25 at the time of his execution.
In the background is the Wellington Monument, built to honour Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, an Irish born British officer and statesman who together with Blucher defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

The gardeners and staff who look after and maintain these gardens and indeed the whole Phoenix Park deserve great praise

The Shoppers

Droichead na Mílaoise (Millennium Bridge)

Millennium Bridge

The bridge which spans the river Liffey and is between the Ha'penny Bridge and Grattan Bridge was built to commemorate the new Millennium. It is a pedestrian bridge with a concrete base and steel structure and connects Temple Bar to the north quays.

Grafton Street "Lady"

Vespa PX 150 E

Appealing Vista

I came across this old Vespa scooter today in Temple Bar. What a beauty! She (well, men always refer to nice cars and bikes as "she") dates from 1985 as you can see from the number plate "85 D (Dublin)" - wow, thats 24 years.
I am glad I found this one as I was really jealous because Valeria over at VERONA DAILY PHOTO featured a really lovely Vespa a few days ago.

The Central Bank of Ireland

The Central Bank of Ireland building on Dublin's Dame Street was designed by the controversial architect Sam Stephenson.
When I took this photograph there was a demonstration taking place in front of the bank in support of civil marriage rights for gay and lesbian people.

Relaxing - front of Central Bank

Rear of Central Bank, viewed from Temple Bar

On The Boardwalk