DRAGONGLY BY FRANK HALLINAN-FLOOD REF 70
Frank has been a full time Fine Art painter for the past sixteen years. Prior to that he worked as an award winning Theatre design artist, both in Ireland and internationally.
pond
FATHER MATHEW MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN AT FITZGERALD’S PARK
FATHER MATHEW MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN AT FITZGERALD’S PARK
Designed by Henry Cutler and constructed by local builder J. Hegarty. Together with the President’s and Lord Mayor’s Pavilion, and the entrance gates, it forms part of a significant group comprising the only surviving structures associated with the Cork Exhibitions of 1902 and 1903.
Freestanding fountain, built c.1900, comprising four decreasing bowls, having straight sides to lower two levels, curved edges to third level bowl, and later cast-iron bowl with curved edges supported on moulded shaft to top level. Celtic Revival detailing to bowls, including interlacing strapwork, stylised mask, knotwork, etc. Inscription in Gaelic font reading ‘Father Mathew Memorial Fountain’. Now set in centre of pond.
THE SWAN FAMILY – BOTANIC GARDENS IN DUBLIN
THE SWAN FAMILY – BOTANIC GARDENS IN DUBLIN
Today I used a Zeiss Batis 135mm lens. However, I had to abandon the session as both my iPhone and Sony camera overheated because the sun was really intense.
The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland are an oasis of calm and beauty, and entry is free. A premier scientific institution, the Gardens contain important collections of plant species and cultivars from all over the world. The National Botanic Gardens in Dublin are located in Glasnevin, just three kilometres from Dublin City Centre, and are famous for the exquisitely restored historic glasshouses. The National Botanic Gardens in Wicklow are located in Kilmacurragh, where the milder climate, higher rainfall, and deeper, acidic soils of this historic Wicklow garden, provide a counterpoint to the collections at Glasnevin. The two gardens have been closely associated since 1854. The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland are operated and managed by the Office of Public Works.
THE POND AREA – NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS IN DUBLIN
THE POND AREA – NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS IN DUBLIN
The pond and nearby is the most popular with children especially as there is the possibility of seeing at least one of the five turtles who have decided that the pond is their “forever home”.
There is also a sculpture, designed by Charles Jencks, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the DNA double helix in 1953. It is a gift to the nation from private donors. It demonstrates our growing knowledge of RNA. It is only recently that we have discovered that all life on earth, from microbes to plants and animals are all related to one another.
note: a young girl corrected me saying that the sculpture relates to RNA rather than DNA and I was in not in a position to argue
DUCKS ON THE POND
DUCKS ON THE POND – BOTANIC GARDENS GLASNEVIN
Believe it or not there are some large turtles living in the pond but they can be difficult to locate.
Poet Thomas Tickell owned a house and small estate in Glasnevin and, in 1795, they were sold to the Irish Parliament and given to the Royal Dublin Society for them to establish Ireland’s first botanic gardens. A double line of yew trees, known as “Addison’s Walk” survives from this period. The original function of the gardens was to advance knowledge of plants for agricultural, medicinal and dyeing purposes. The gardens were the first location in Ireland where the infection responsible for the 1845–1847 Great Famine was identified. Throughout the famine, research to stop the infection was undertaken at the gardens.
Walter Wade and John Underwood, the first Director and Superintendent respectively, executed the layout of the gardens, but, when Wade died in 1825, they declined for some years. From 1834, Director Ninian Nivan brought new life into the gardens, performing some redesign. This programme of change and development continued with the following Directors into the late 1960s.
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