four seasons
28/02/08
A few days away; Hail, thunder, sunshine, downpours,
gales, rainbows, calm and all before lunch. You have
to love Ireland.
As a buildings lover I always enjoy my trips to Ireland. They have, to my mind some of the most fantastic built history, the trouble is it seems that no-one gives a stuff about it all. There are Dallas style timber frame houses going up every 500m along every road right from Cork to Bushmills, disgusting 5 bedroom things that all look exactly the bloody same. Interspersed with these monstrosities are some quite innovative contemporary modern buildings and for their willingness to embrace the new I applaud the Irish. The trouble is that for every contemporary build there are 10 hideous grey boxes with sweeping drives and the sense of community and place that traditional Ireland was built on is eroded more and more with every one. Think a constant ribbon development along every main road, with no real communities or small villages. YUCK!
With the love of construction and design, coupled with the fantastic historic building stock you'd think there would be some simply fantastic renovations going on across the emerald isle. You'd think huh? There are some odd exceptions to the rule but... From tumbling down cottages in Kerry to the imposing waterside warehouses in L'Derry there seems to be an air of decay, a lack of interest in the old, or simply a lack of understanding of the importance of these iconic buildings. Perhaps in the north it's the years of troubles? Maybe people have had more important things to worry about or their sense of community is grounded in the people rather than the buildings? I couldn't tell you.
What I could say though is that I adore Ireland, the Republic and North alike but every time I go back expecting to see the movement to protect their heritage gaining apace I'm dumbstruck by more timber frame boxes and yet more farm buildings being left to rot. Sooner or later the Irish will wake up and I pray it's not too late. For every year those buildings get more dilapidated they become more expensive to fix, every time they get hemmed in by grey wooden Dallas style ranches they lose something indefinable. Something of the Irish spirit and way of life goes the way of the dodo with every one.
~ malcolm
As a buildings lover I always enjoy my trips to Ireland. They have, to my mind some of the most fantastic built history, the trouble is it seems that no-one gives a stuff about it all. There are Dallas style timber frame houses going up every 500m along every road right from Cork to Bushmills, disgusting 5 bedroom things that all look exactly the bloody same. Interspersed with these monstrosities are some quite innovative contemporary modern buildings and for their willingness to embrace the new I applaud the Irish. The trouble is that for every contemporary build there are 10 hideous grey boxes with sweeping drives and the sense of community and place that traditional Ireland was built on is eroded more and more with every one. Think a constant ribbon development along every main road, with no real communities or small villages. YUCK!
With the love of construction and design, coupled with the fantastic historic building stock you'd think there would be some simply fantastic renovations going on across the emerald isle. You'd think huh? There are some odd exceptions to the rule but... From tumbling down cottages in Kerry to the imposing waterside warehouses in L'Derry there seems to be an air of decay, a lack of interest in the old, or simply a lack of understanding of the importance of these iconic buildings. Perhaps in the north it's the years of troubles? Maybe people have had more important things to worry about or their sense of community is grounded in the people rather than the buildings? I couldn't tell you.
What I could say though is that I adore Ireland, the Republic and North alike but every time I go back expecting to see the movement to protect their heritage gaining apace I'm dumbstruck by more timber frame boxes and yet more farm buildings being left to rot. Sooner or later the Irish will wake up and I pray it's not too late. For every year those buildings get more dilapidated they become more expensive to fix, every time they get hemmed in by grey wooden Dallas style ranches they lose something indefinable. Something of the Irish spirit and way of life goes the way of the dodo with every one.
~ malcolm
valen who?
14/02/08
It's that time of year again. Card vendors and florists across the country are rubbing their hands with glee as people panic buy blue cuddly bears and bunches of roses that have miraculously doubled in price over the last couple of weeks. I'm not going to rant, not even a little bit although I think people may be able to guess at my moral indisposition to the whole valentines day thing. I'd much rather someone gave me a mix CD or something (hint hint) that came from the heart rather than the wallet any day of the week.
Meanwhile while awaiting the fishing season, spring has crept up (quicker than last year) and is giving me some very very lovely days walking in woodlands and sitting eating fish and chips on the quayside waiting for the boat to Brownsea. My freckles are out, my back is warm and here's to a lovely happy summer!
~ malcolm