The Iveagh Markets, Dublin 8.

Harry Warren writes:

A cheeky grin adorns the face of an excellent sculpture that winks at you as you walk past the Iveagh Market building in the Liberties area of Dublin 8. Beautifully detailed, the limestone carving is one of eight very individual faces of various ethnic groups that peer out upon the street at passers-by. Who or what do they represent?

There are various theories but according to Samantha L. Martin-McAuliffe, a lecturer in the School of Architecture at University College Dublin, they are described as being representations of the nationalities that traded with Ireland at the turn of the twentieth century, as noted in The Ethics of Giving and Receiving: a Study of the Iveagh Markets, Dublin.

According to the Irish Georgian Society, following the demolition of buildings in what is now St Patrick’s Park, next to St Patrick’s Cathedral, “Street traders lost their traditional market rights”

As a result, Lord Iveagh, Edward Cecil Guinness, built the iconic building of 30,000 Sq. ft on Francis St. and John Dillon St. to house their trading stalls and on completion handed it over in trust to Dublin Corporation.

The markets consisted of, “two covered markets for the sale respectively of old clothes and fish, fresh fruit and vegetables”. The building of the Iveagh Markets began in 1902 and were completed in 1906.

Like many modern building projects costs soon over ran the budget. Originally budgeted for £45,000, the final cost was about £60,000 a very substantial sum in those days. For many decades the Iveagh Markets once housed a bustling market activity of new and second-hand clothing as well as a food market selling grocery and meats.

Over the years the markets were gradually allowed to fall into disrepair by Dublin City Council. In 1997 they were closed and sold to a private developer. Disgracefully, for twenty years the market building was left to rot instead of being developed.

In January 2018, Dublin City Council repossessed the market site, now in an advanced state of dereliction but apart from securing the building no further development has happened.

Dublin and Dubliners deserve better. So, the next time you pass by look up and enjoy the sculptures and wonder at the inaction of Dublin City Council allowing an architectural gem fall into ruin.

Pics by Harry Warren

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar (right) and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe

This morning.

The government has ‘annuled’ Sinn Féin’s motion of no-confidence in Leo Varadkar called after it emerged the Tanaiste leaked documents relating to an Irish Medical Organisation pay deal to a rival union the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP).

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said TDs would view the issue “in the round” and accept that it was a single error made by the Tánaiste.

Via Irish Examiner:

Mr Donohoe said Government TDs and those who work with the Tánaiste accept two things.

“The first thing they accept is that the way in which this particular matter was handled fell short of the standards that Leo Varadkar has for himself.

“But the second thing I think they accept is that Leo has demonstrated the highest standards in his time in public office on the management and leadership of a whole array of masters for our country.”

Good times.

Meanwhile…

Mr Donohoe denied claims made in Village magazine that he had met with former NAGP president Dr Ó Tuathail twice last year.

Anyone?

Paschal Donohoe: Leo Varadkar’s ‘high standards’ will ensure no-confidence motion is rejected (irish Examiner)

RollingNews

Or anything else that comes to hand.

With the possible aid of computer trickery, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Elon Musk and other well known people extol the benefits of Beat Builders, a Dublin-based enterprise providing team-building drumming events for your staff or team online.

Beat Builders

Thanks Dave

Chief Justice Frank Clarke and Supreme Court Justice Séamus Woulfe

This morning.

Further to Golfgate…

The Attorney General has been asked to advise the Taoiseach and the Government on the controversy surrounding Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe and his attendance at a golf dinner in Galway in August.

Mr Justice Clarke said the cumulative effect of the controversy had caused significant and irreparable damage to the Supreme Court.

He told Mr Justice Woulfe that these were matters that affected public trust and his personal view was that Judge Woulfe should resign to maintain public confidence in the court, the judiciary and the administration of justice.

However…

Mr Justice Woulfe said he had come to the conclusion that he should not resign.

Adding…

He said he accepted not being assigned to sit to hear any cases until February and would be willing to forego his salary for three months.

AG asked to advise Government over Woulfe controversy (RTÉ)

Previously: Seámus Woulfe on Broadsheet

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Letters in full: What Chief Justice said to Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe over golfgate dinner and his reply (Irish Times)

Last night.

Claire Byrne Live on RTÉ One.

Singer Brian Kennedy ‘takes’ a rona swab test live to demonstrate how simple the procedure is.

His test was later shown to be covid negative.

Result.

Watch back here

Meanwhile….

Good times.

As a prima ballerina in New York during the 1960s, Marta C. González performed Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake perhaps hundreds of times.

Marta had Alzheimer’s and recently passed away. But in this poignant footage, filmed last year in Valencia, interspersed with clips of her past performances, she is reanimated by the music of the ballet, recalling choreography that she still knew by heart.

kottke

The hihi, or stitchbird has been hailed by the Adult Toy Megastore as a “polyamorous, sexually fluid bird with big testicles”

The hihi, a New Zealand bird
Has, as I’m sure you have heard
Balls of such great size
That it may win a prize
In a contest that’s grown quite absurd

John Moynes

Pic: Stuff.co.nz

Broadsheet.ie