The Dublin Community Blog

I JUST noticed today that Dublin City Libraries have a Flickr account thats been in operation since January. What a great way to show people all the different kinds of work they are doing. You’ll see pics of libraries everywhere, pics of their launches, all sorts of stuff. Do check it out here. And if you are on Flickr add them as a friend.

One of the advantages of working in Temple Bar for me is being able to pop into a bookshop and unwind for a few minutes. One of my favourites at the moment is the Winding Stair Bookshop, just at the Halfpenny Bridge. It carries a great range of Childrens books, Arts books, Irish interest books and second hand books. Today I came across a gem – Living in Dublin by Robert O’Byrne. The book is pictoral (Alex Ramsay), with detailed commentry (Robert O’Byrne) and includes sections on Georgian, literary, social and contemporary Dublin. Although published in 2003, the helpful visitors guide at the back appears mostly up-to-date. A book I’m happy to add to my ever expanding coffee table collection!

So, I was at Taste of Dublin in Iveagh Gardens on Sunday (btw, absolutely grand, it was my first time in Iveagh Gardens). Hm…..let’s see: 25 euro one ticket, pretty expensive perfumes in the air, “Made in Brown Thomas” people, etc, etc. I will always be on the popular festivals side, like Maritime&Food Festival which took place a few weeks ago.

Taste of Dublin, maybe I’m wrong, but for me it seems to be a place for specialists, not for the real foodies. I’m a real foodie, I just love food, but………but, I will always love the events for everybody, not only for “some people”. My view.

Some other pictures, here.

English Gents are the winners of Street Performance World Championships .

Take a look:

The third Street Performance World Championships takes place this weekend in and around Merrion Square.

Sword swallowers, contortionists, aerial acts, magicians and human fountains from all four corners of the globe (including Canada, Russia, Japan, Tanzania, Somalia, Russia, Sweden, Germany and Australia) will compete centre stage at this free festival which gives all the family something to marvel at.

If the last two years is anything to go by, then this should be fun.

Full details and timetables can be found here.

Taste of Dublin 2008 starts today, at Iveagh Gardens, near Stephen’s Green Park. So, if you’re hungry or you just want to hang around and see at work some well-known chefs, you definitely should take a walk in. Due to some work stuff, I will be able to taste the Taste only on Sunday, on the final day, but that’s fine, because on Monday you will find here some articles and pictures from the event.

Official site (25 euro fee entrance).

For the first time ever the Oireachtas (the Irish parliament) is to open its doors for a family day on Sunday, June 29th, from 10am to 6pm.

Among the attractions taking place on the fun day is a tour of Leinster House with visits to both the Dáil and Seanad chambers, a picnic on Leinster Lawn, gourmet food stalls, live music, entertainment, hot air balloon (commemorating the balloon flight that took place in 1785 from Leinster Lawn), great political speeches as performed by members of the Gaiety School of Acting and a series of brief lectures on the history of the parliament.

To find out more and book tickets check out the Family Day website.

View Map

The Institute of Art, Design and Technology Dun Laoghaire are currently holding their annual Graduate Exhibition. There will be a range of work on display from photography to animation and much more in between.

The college is located on Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire (right beside Bakers Corner pub). So come down and discover the next great Irish photographer/artist/animator, enjoy the barbecue and have a sneaky pint in Bakers after!

For more details see: http://www.iadtprojects.com/index.php?cs=Home

German Alternative/Indie-legends The Notwist are stopping over in Dublin this Saturday to promote their new album “The Devil, You + Me”, their first release after 2002′s “Neon Golden”. So, if you’re in the mood for some good Bavarian electronica, visit the Button Factory on Saturday evening – it might rain, so it’s always good to have a plan B…

The weather has been perfect for the Docklands Maritime Festival this bank holiday weekend. I took my family in to the festival on Saturday and came away with a sunburn and a full stomach. In fact, we’re going back in today so I can get my hands on some of those garlic potatoes and jumbo prawns (which I had to pass up on Saturday due to already having stuffed myself with bratwurst.)

Here’s a little video clip of just a few of the things on offer at the festival. And I’m looking forward to seeing what RedMum and the Flickr group captured from the meet up yesterday!