PHOTOGRAPHED NOVEMBER 2016 PUBLISHED 21 OCTOBER 2022
31 May 2011: A memorial garden dedicated to those who lost their lives in bombing of Dublin’s North Strand was re-opened to mark the 70th anniversary of the incident.
When I first photographed this memorial park it appeared to have been badly neglected since its re-opening in 2011 [what was the point of the re-opening?]. Since then it improved in stages and then in late 2014 or early 2015 a random sculpture, left over form a “Sculpture In Context” exhibition in the Botanic Gardens, was added. Since the addition of the metal sculpture things have gone downhill [not that the sculpture is to blame]. In case you are interested the sculpture is by Steve Doody and is named ” Hexagon – Could It Be Steel”.
At approximately 2 am on 31 May 1941, four German bombs dropped on north Dublin. One bomb fell in the Ballybough area, demolishing the two houses at 43 and 44 Summerhill Park, injuring many but with no loss of life. A second fell at the Dog Pond pumping works near the Zoo in Phoenix Park, with no casualties but damaging Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the Irish President (Douglas Hyde at the time). A third made a large crater in the North Circular Road near Summerhill, again causing no injuries. A fourth fell in North Strand destroying 17 houses and severely damaging about 50 others, the worst damage occurring in the area between Seville Place and Newcomen Bridge. The raid claimed the lives of 28 people,[ injured 90, destroyed or damaged approximately 300 houses, and left 400 people homeless.
It has never been established why Hitler’s forces dropped bombs; if it was an attempt to force Ireland into war, or a reprisal for the assistance given by Dublin Fire Brigade during the Belfast Blitz.
Today I use a Sony 200-600mm lens handheld which is not really advised but that’s what I did. Also, I was surprised to discover that the lens could operate at F32
I described the photographs as being from within the University Campus because I was surprised to discover that some included the old Central Bank Building on Dame Street and the Guinness at James’ Gate.
Last year I purchased the Sony 200-600mm lens and in many ways it was a bad decision. I have discovered that it attracts way too much interest. For example I was walking by a pub with outside seating, as is now the norm, and a young lady asked me to photograph her and in order to avoid doing so I explained that the lens was not suitable and that she would need to be about a mile away. She called my bluff asking me to mind her bag while she walked to the end of a very long street. I had no option but to photograph her.
She returned, did not ask to see the photographs and did not provide any contact information.
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