What I miss about home is... Georgian Doors. The country is full of this wonderful aspect of Georgian architecture. What draws me to them in particular is the intricate design of the fanlights. Wonderful circular, elliptical, square even, windows with delicate timber beading; the only light that was let into the entrance halls of the great town houses;
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I always used to wonder what it must be like to live in such a house in Merrion Square, or Ballsbridge... Sadly now, a lot of them are offices or flats. Their past splendour is just that; past
Noel, as kid when we used to head down south for a day trip to Dublin I recall always seeing the array of 3 or 4 storey Georgian houses on the main road into Dublin from the North. I always found it strange having such old periodic buildings proliferated on the one hand by beautiful trees (must have been an avenue) and other the other with the ugliness of heavy traffic & exhaust fumes. Perhaps that's what comes with the evolution of an old city such as Dublin vs a (relatively speaking) new city like Belfast.
ReplyDeleteBack to the doors though, what I also loved about such doors was the patterns & shadows of light made inside the hallway by the fanlight. Most especially beautiful when some fanlights had different coloured glass used in them.
BTW I do like the desaturated look to all your images from the Emerald Isle - it just enhances the reminiscence of the old country that you're evoking.
Daivd, again, thanks for the comments. Yes, thats what evolution does for the city. I marvel at what they must have been like when first built. Absolutley amazing - they are amazing now. Its sad to think thta some are not given the respect they are due.
ReplyDeleteWorking in architecture, I sometimes get at logger heads with planners over issues of listing and planning, but I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Georgian Ireland and Dublin in particular.
I have only been in Belfast a handful of times - the last was on the inaugural Maracycle back in 1984!
Glad you are enjoying this little Irish Odyssey
take care
Noel
Well I can assure you Noel that Belfast has changed a heck of a lot since back in '84! That back in the dark days of The Troubles (when I was a teenager) and since then things have come on leaps & bounds. Architecturally the city / cityscape has evolved and changed into a typical modern city. Many of the old Victorian buildings have been replaced with more flash / modern buildings with lots of glass being the order. (Great for creating interior light but not always the most aesthetically pleasing).
ReplyDelete'course the ceasefire that's been in place since after I left has been a real catalyst for this. Every year I go back, I'm always astounded as to how much the city changes. Again it's all part of the evolutionary process of Belfast but regretfully many of the (nicer) characteristics of the city fade away with these changes.
David
I know what you mean David, it seems that everytime I go home its change change change. Dublin has a docklands now! (of sorts).
ReplyDeleteIts a fascinating subject and for me anyway, city watching is right up there with people watching.
Noel