Dublin The Southside Inner City

There are about 15 bridges in the Dublin city centre with a short distance from Heuston Station to East Link. Suppose to be a special link for the Luas rail and bus route to ease congestion. No idea what will they call this bridge. Presently the transport and tourism department used the name Priority Bridge.

It's very rare to see Dublin so bright and beautiful on a September afternoon, I guess we are bless and deserve it after all there are more rainy days ahead. Spend a few minutes here and see the walkers  passing by is very relaxing. Ok so we head for the Southside Inner city.

Read a fortune cookie the other day it says ' Alcohol can makes you happy, but can also makes you sad'. Can't figure out this fortune cookie. As far as I know Temple Bar Street have more Spirits than Spud shop.
Its the oasis of Dublin. Check in anytime you like, but won't check out until you piss. Because its pure fun.

What more can I say, the wall itself tells you the message. There are 2 types of tourist here, the first type are serious, carefree easy going and relax who stay away from the headbangers. So mainly tourist and yuppies having a nice afternoon tea and lunch.
The second type is hard core party animals. Take a look at the cobblestone road, you won't be surprise to see young ladies with high heel shoes and scantily wrap even its freezing in the middle of the night. Because they are hot. So basically mostly youngster.

Every where you pass, you sure to hear the real traditional Irish music. Real Irish food served in some pubs.  But nothing can beat the Fish & Chips, they even get a Viking there to promote their business after all they have been around for almost a century.

Business is very competitive nowadays, many businesses are trying to break even. By the way, a pint of Guinness is much cheaper than China or Malaysia. Not too bad ain't it.

There are many lanes in Temple bars, any one of them can lead you up to the main road and cross over to the famous Grafton Street where all the high class shopping area.

Michael Jackson once shop here, so do many celebrities. If there is a sale going on, you'll see 70% Chinese and foreigners in a frenzy shopping spree. Consider one of the most luxurious shop in Grafton Street. There is a village in Kildare that sells designers good. I ate to go there because they don't allow me to take pictures.

If without the buskers or performers in Grafton street, this street is pretty boring. After all everyone is trying to earn a decent living. Some are happy, chirpy, funny and some are sad. You'll see many things here in one walk. You will be asking question to some thing you seen. This is the good memory of Dublin city.

What would you do if you come across this? See the raw video below.

Having travel many countries, I can get the feel of Irish Compassion, maybe its the way of life and maybe it was the way they are brought up. Its really hard to go away without dropping a few change. That's the Irish Spirits. Many of the chess player are tourist, many drop a few extra change, I hope she can achieve her dateline. 

Grafton Street is under revamp for a new pavement.

Time to get this Iron Horse and get to my car, which is park a just out side the inner city. See the video for more Inner Southside of Dublin.

Ireland sober is Ireland stiff. James Joyce Click the top picture to see more pictures on video.

 Follow this video to see Dublin Famous Temple live every day...

EarthCam and the Temple Bar Pharmacy have teamed up to deliver exclusive live views of theTemple Bar section in Dublin, Ireland. This famous city spot is a major center for nightlife, restaurants and bars and is a must-see for many tourists.

 

http://www.earthcam.com/world/ireland/dublin/

Dublin The Northside Inner city

Arguably one of the oldest bridge that divides Dublin North & South Side on the River Liffey. On the left of the picture here leads you the the most famous Drinking Hole in Europe called The Temple Bar. You don't see no temple there. I will brief you about the South Side side on the next blog. We go ahead to the North Side of inner city.

Like most big major cities in Europe, you will find a Chinatown, unlike the others Dublin Chinatown do no t have any arch to show the main entrance and no signage to direct you. Located in Parnell Street. You find all the Chinese groceries you needed. With less than 15 shops on both side, I am sure you find what you looking for. You can even get a lunch or dinner for less than €6. Consist of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese restaurant. Phone shop, Internet shop, Budget accommodation on the left of the picture to Gardinier Street.

Walk straight ahead after the monument from CHinatown, you find a dry wet market which is called Moore Street. One of the Oldest market in Dublin. Here, you can  really enjoy the real Dubliner's accent. The constant yelling of their product rings a soothing sounds of the old Dublin. Not as busy as it used to be because the actual Irish have move out of the town, its a foreigners haven from all continents. Here you can find everything you want except coffin trade. Within 15 minutes walking distance all you want is right here.

Walk right straight from Moore St, will leads you to Henry St, and here you find lots of higher end shopping centre. Occasionally you see buskers, few homeless begging for a spare change and groups of drunks wandering around. No worries they don't bother you. They call the police here Gardai pronounced  'GarDee'. You'll see at least one or two within 300 hundred steps, some of them on bicycle. So no worries.

 This is your landmark to pintpoint, if you happen to get lost. They call it 'The Spire' I know its hard for Asian or many foreigner to pronounce this word. Call it Toothpick your language or Satay Stick. Don't worry, the highest building in Dublin is only 207 feet. You can see this needle anywhere around the city centre.

On the right where I stand taking this picture is a Church but they turn it into a Pub. This is where Arthur Guinness got married. Within walking distance you can actual walk the Viking trail or wandered around the Georgian era building and a 12th century Cathedrals. Maybe pay a visit to Jameson Distillery or Guinness Brewery.

There are many old pub around here and a food street, where you can find many different culture from Halal to non Halal restaurant.

If you can name it, they have it, this is a well diversify street, its call the Capel Street. can consider one of the busiest street because its narrow and many facilities.

If you into photography, it is advisable to carry a zoom lens, at least its not so intimidating but any compact can do the job as long as you don't shake. Everywhere you go, no matter what time, you surely see an old timer have a smoke out in the pub. Smoking are not allow in any pub across the country.

For €18.00 you can enjoy the entire city on a bus, if you do not have much time to do it on one day, the ticket is good for 2 days. So hop in one of those buses. They are everywhere in the city. Can consider one of the cheapest sightseeing buses in Europe.

The infrastructure of Dublin transportation are consider one of the best I see so far, that's my own opinion. The have Luas which is the light rail, they have buses all around the city, taxi don't extort or harass you, free advertisement bike that cycle you around the city(give tips). And if you plan before coming you can register for Dublinbikes and rides across the city or get a Gocar and park anywhere you like with free parking in any council parking bays. What more can we ask for? They don't charge congestion fee, they don't have toll charge in the city. As usual like many big European Tourist destination, the car park is expensive in city centre.

Where to meet? If you have friends with you or expecting someone. This is the most visible area when you  arrange to meet up. All vehicles go real slow in the city 30km an hour, you'll get a ticket if you go any faster than that. The GPO & Spire.

Another visible sign is The Heineken which have been there for a long long time, I remember the first time that I landed Dublin this is the site that I never forget because it was then the highest building in Dublin. (lol)
It's the O' Connell Bridge another famous landmark that divides the North and South city. Will show you in my next blog on the South side of the city.

Guess who I saw during my street photography. You never imagine who you bump into in Dublin, you might see Bono, Sinead or Liam on the street... Here she is Mrs Brown or rather Mr Brendan O' Carroll himself doing a new movie.

Click the Misty Dublin to see videos on the North Side Street.

Wedding; The Perfect Venue in Ireland

We have seen lots of proposal clips from running to cinema surprising the bride asking for her hand and the latest Asus ads by using handheld devices. However, we don't really see behind the scene of where the location actual taken place. There are lots of wedding photographer doing the pre wedding album. Many have turn the direction to Indonesia and some exotic island of Thailand. I think its time to highlight Ireland as a destination.

Ireland is rich in culture, history, beautiful castle, scenic landscape, and many more. Europeans are slowly picking up the trend through the Asian way of holding a reception. Big albums, banners, small books laid on the table for guest to see, mingle and introductions of the couples, places they went, memories captured.

From the pastel mountains of Wicklow Mountains to the extra vibrant colors of Killarney Rings of Kerry, the dull and dramatic night shot behind the backdrop Rock of Cashel to the night life of Dublin Bridges. You see the most interesting backdrop which have been created for centuries.

Regardless of what religion you are, what ceremony you wanted, there are few well known castle that can arrange the rite of marriages.

From old Gothic Church to the 21st Century Church, you find it across the 32 counties in Ireland. Hotel rooms are easily available in any counties, equipment rental for photography need is not a problem.

Many privately own property does not allow commercial photography such as wedding and so forth, but with advance notice and application, some would allowed for personal weddings.

Dublin is rather safe to do photography even in the busy Liffey river at nightfall. Maybe you could bump with a few tipsy yokes but they harmless. Tell me how many countries in the world you notice police that doesn't carry gun. You won't see it here, that determine the level of safety zone. So No fear factor here.

Ireland have the largest Park in Europe, right in the heart of city, you can find at least 5 beautiful parks plus a Botanic Garden. And in any county, you will find bridges form the oldest in Europe to the most famous Bridge in Connemara.

Location to any parts of the country take you a journey of less than 4 hours or could be 4 mins and that depends on which place you fancy. Food and lodging  are reasonable here. People are friendly, the streets are safe, the roads sign are written in English so you have no problem travelling. No matter what season you come, there are beauty in every occasion. Although they have 4 season in a day, you can easily cope with it. After all Love can defies all obstacles.

Autumn is here, this year we have a pretty long summer. If you planning your wedding or just a visit, make Ireland you destination to see. Don't take my word for it, experience yourself. The land of great achievement.
Discover Ireland and from me to you with lots of Irish love.

                                               Start counting all the loves from Ireland.

Mellifont Abbey and The White Monk

I hate my Sat Nav, they don't show any POI and to upgrade it cost a fortune, Bleeding suckers using the Gillette marketing concept, the blade is dearer than the outdated holder. Back to basic, No Gp-ass, No internet, No plan, Just spin the county Louth on a Sunday Morning following the Yellow sign board for tourist attraction.

Here you see a 17th century battle zone with a 21st century backdrop ( Mary McAleese Boyne Valley Bridge). Its one of the best know battle in the history of British Isle. Nevermind about history, they fight for everything, The Scottish wants a piece of Ireland, The British wants another piece, Thank god, the Jacobites defend Ireland.

You have heard about the song 'Tie a yellow ribbon on an old oak tree'. Have you ever seen one yet. This old girl is huge, you probably need 10 mans to surround her.

At least they are not using any chemical weapons those days. Just pure guts. I am out of tune now, it suppose to be the Mellinfont Abbey Blog. Anyway, we need to stop by the greens for the kids to run and burn out their energy as school starts tomorrow so they able to sleep early.

Here you are at least you don't have to travel all the way to Greece or Rome to see ruins. Rich is culture and history. Build in the early 12th century by the order of St Malachy. Want to know more about that Wiki it.

Here you see a lavabo still intact for centuries, I wonder what kind of mortar they used those days that can last for centuries. The people in olden days are really a special breeds. They don't need electricity, they don't have power tools. With their bare hands, they create gigantic castle, monuments, fountains and many more. I can't freaking assemble my cupboards without the instruction manual from Ikea. (What a shame).

We don't just go to a place to see, shoot and go. We explores, we ask ourselves unanswerable question. Why they have sharp edges knife like on the top and the side of a room? why they are build so short even I have to nod down and walk like nodding. I am consider a very short man. Does that mean those people from the 12th century are shorter than me? 

Do you still remember your 1st Holy communion? I don't have one. But my parents employs a photographer every few years to take family portraits. I like the olden days where the profession was regarded a highly qualified creative job. Now every Tom, Dick and Harry carries a camera, do some shooting, then endorse their name with Tomdick Photography. I respect the family that bring their kids to have their memory picture done with a professional.  How often do you see  a picture taken in 21st century with a 12 century backdrop.

Can't leave without getting a snap on my cheeky bugger. A poser since day one. You want to know something? 
I found out The White Monks are great entrepreneur. They support themselves through agriculture and most of all Brewing Ales. No wonder they are rich. Maybe that's the main reason the freaking Scottish and English always wanted to invade Ireland even those period. I also found out at one time Ireland have 150 Kings with the population of half a million, that was the 900 years after Jesus. Time for a nice cider to call it a night, maybe 2.

Mystical Ireland The Exhibitions

When I was a little boy, my parents owns a coffee shop, I grew up looking at the advertisement which stick on the wall 'GUINNESS STOUT IS GOOD FOR YOU' and I can't figure out why would these people drink a bitter black stuff. Its kind of message implanted to my brain that someday I have to experience this country. Born and breed in Malaysia but travel round the world in search for myself. The question is 'What makes a Malaysian to promote Ireland?

You can call it a fate or maybe coincidence. Ireland is a very beautiful country. The first impression I had was the Irish are really nice, trustworthy and helpful. You can leave your door unlock, there are no gates or barrier to divide your neighbors. You don't need grills on your window. And if you in trouble the whole neighbor comes to your calling. After the influx of migration when Ireland join EU, the whole scenario change. That was the price to pay for the so call 'Celtic Tiger'. However, the hospitality and the friendliness did not stop the Irish to change. They are still the same today but with guarded conscious. I blame it on the mass inter-migration. Hardworking and opportunity seekers since the Famine, its in their blood.

Now it's the other way round, it's appalling to see thousand of Irish  migrating to faraway land in search for better opportunity. All this will end someday, and in their heart the tune of 'Danny's Boy' still humming. They will come back one day to glory.

What so mystical about Ireland? They've gone through worse time than the Celtic Tiger. The Famine nearly destroy the race but they kept on and flood the entire world with Guinness. They even have the ability to convince the whole wide world to celebrate St Paticks Day without organizing the entire continent, let alone Arthur's Day.

Promoting Ireland wasn't on my list cart. It comes natural when I lost my business when the tiger strikes. Like many Irish, I travel vastly around the country in search for jobs. There isn't any, can you imagine that. Because I design gardens, I can only work with my brains, I am no carpenter or electrician. What should I do. Everywhere I go I shoot, everything I see I shoot. I didn't realized I have thousands of pictures shot for the next 5 years since then. I need space for my hard drive, I can't afford a new computer. Something strikes me when I go though the files. I didn't realize Ireland was so beautiful in pictures. I was blinded by the economy. I didn't see beauty.

Here we go the rest is history, having secure one of the most prestigious golf resort called Tropicana in Kuala Lumpur to exhibits my works and a Malaysia top class Mega Shopping Sunway Pyramid.

 Proud to be Irish so says the patriotic words in every Irish. Never mind the Viagra which is first made in Ireland. As a matter of fact, I can beat my chest hard and says they have the best beef in the world. Don't talk me about Kobe Beef, its a marketing meat for yuppies like Vertu in mobiles. If you have tried the Irish Oyster especially from Clarinbridge, Carlingford or Morans of Weir you will never ever dare to mention New Zealand or Canandian stuff.

We not going to talk about the booze here, they have more pubs than anywhere in the world in terms of land size. Have you ever seen a pub right in the middle of nowhere in Connemara.
Your GPS don't tell you the drinking hole in the middle of a mountain but you can easily identify one when you come across. It is so isolated you don't see a single soul except sheep's and cows.  When nightfall, the farmers gathers around for a a pint, maybe few pints to wash the day.

You want to know something about Irish, they drink to everything, from childbirth to funerals. Don't ask why? See an Irish says 'Whats the Craic?

I like to take this opportunity to thank the Embassy of Ireland in KL, Enterprise Ireland, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort & Sunway Pyramid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXRWyqkvCME  follow link to watch video of Mystical Ireland