The Phoenix Park at sunset

... Jogging

... The Wellington Monument - as light falls

... Evening

Alison Moyet - Love Letters

Hearing this wonderfully romantic song on the radio reminded me of how technology has changed the world that we live in so much. Sending a letter by post (snail-mail in modern parlance) is now considered prehistoric - a 'love letter' would most likely now be sent by email, yahoo messenger, text message, or via twitter or facebook.
Actually how many other "letter" songs can you think of? Here's just a few: 'Return to Sender' - Elvis. 'The Letter' - The Box Tops. 'All My Loving' - The Beatles. 'Please Mr Postman' - The Carpenters.

Fureys Bar, Moyvalley

On my way back to Dublin from the Midlands I stopped for a coffee at Fureys, a charming little bar & restaurant near Moyvalley. I had often seen this place from the N4 as I drove past so today I decided to investigate. You have to drive down a little sliproad to get to it, but it's worth the effort because it's set in an idylic spot on the banks of the Royal canal. A blazing fire, friendly staff and a nice cappuccino .. happiness!

The Royal canal beside Fureys Bar

Saint Patrick ... continued

... and not just green!

St Patrick's Day 2011, Dublin

Waiting for the fun to start. An estimated 650.000 people watched this year's Parade. The rain stayed away and it was a great family day out.

Botanic Gardens (part 3)

National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin

Botanic Gardens - The New Conservatory

Shoppers & Browsers

(and not a pink garden glove in sight, hee hee, Kasia)

Waltons World Of Music

Waltons on North Frederick Street is perhaps Ireland's best known music store. Founded in the 1920's by Martin Walton it soon became a mecca for music lovers. In 1951 Waltons started to sponsor a weekly programme on Radio Eireann and the programme and it's presenter Leo Maguire soon became a broadcasting institution. Generations of Irish people became familiar with the Saturday afternoon fifteen minute broadcast with it's catchphrase, once the most famous sentence in Irish music - 'if you feel like singing, do sing an Irish song'. Through the radio programme Waltons branched into vinyl record sales and launched their own successful label, Glenside.
In 1981 Radio Eireann, by now rebranded as RTE ended all the sponsored programmes - much to the dismay of listeners with whom they were hugely popular. (Have you ever heard the saying 'if it's not broke don't fix it' ?)
But Waltons survived this setback and continue to thrive, including online, and they now have another store in SouthGreat George's Street on Dublin's Southside, which was featured in the short Irish film 'Once' winner of an Oscar in Hollywood for *Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song in 2008.

* 'Falling Slowly' by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
( 'Once' happens to be one of my favourite movies)

Spring Is Put on Hold

Last week's glorious Spring weather has disappeared and this evening as I drove through County Laois the landscape looked decidedly Wintery. Menacing dark clouds raced across the skies threatening rain and a cool blustery wind made me feel more November than March.
Still, I can see the farmer has been busy - the hedgerows have been trimmed and the crops sowed. Spring will regain the upper-hand again soon!

ADELE - 'Make You Feel My Love'

Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan)

When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love
I know you haven’t made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I’ve known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong
I’d go hungry, I’d go black and blue
I’d go crawling down the avenue
There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love
The storms are raging on the rollin’ sea
And on the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain’t seen nothing like me yet
I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn’t do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
To make you feel my love

Datsun 100A

I snapped this old Japanese Datsun while stuck in rush-hour traffic. The 100A as it was branded in Europe was produced between 1970 and 1986 and was also known as a Datsun Cherry and later as a Nissan Cherry. Nissan discarded the Datsun brand name in the 1980's, but call it what you like I think it's a beautiful little car, and you can see that this one has been well looked after!

On Henry Street

A rather strange promotion in Henry Street - a lady in a bath, a gentleman in pink and a curious crowd availing of freebies...

Blessington Street Basin

Al long last...

Coffee in Mullingar

After work I enjoyed a cappuccine in the Greville Arms Hotel ...