However, one Sunday a couple of weeks ago, I managed to drag myself out of the house on a typical bleak mid-winters day to go on the first outing of Peter‘s band of merry men, aka The Garden Group. And I was really glad I did as well.

The Garden Group’s inaugural trip was to the National War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge. A genuine hidden treasure, it’s a really lovely place, which I had no idea even existed (which is the way with hidden treasures); overshadowed as it is by Phoenix Park, which is directly opposite, across the Liffey.

We were given a really inciteful tour around the entire park & gardens by the lovely, and might I add ca-yute, Craig. This is what made the whole trip really interesting, to my mind anyway (the incites people, not Craig!). I’m a bit of a history geek and I’ll happily admit to having somewhat of a nerd-on throughout the visit.

For such a tucked-away, almost secret, and comparably small park, there was so much to take in, I was really bowled over. The design of the park is symmetrical throughout, right down to how the roses are planted in the sunken gardens and the various paths, or more accurately, the avenues.

The highlight for me was learning all about the symbolism that was weaved into the design of the park, from the water fountains which look almost like candles and sit either side of a large stone “alter”. One of the things that I really loved was the trees planted along the main avenue which represented the foot soldiers of the 16th Irish Division – 8 lime trees planted either side, making 16 in total; which are overlooked by 8 holly trees, representing the Generals, standing a tier above.

I could go on and on about it all day (and indeed did at one point… this post was going to be about 17 times the length it is) as there was a story to every area of the park, which fascinated me.

One thing that was disappointing though was that it was February and therefore there wasn’t much colour in the park – not the park’s fault, but the climate really. What it does mean though is that I will definitely be going back to check out the huge range of cherry trees when they bloom in a few weeks and then again in June/July to check out the sunken rose gardens in all their glory.

I loved finding this little pocket of greenery so close to the city centre and it is officially going to be my picnic spot of choice from now on. I’m also seriously looking forward to what the next Garden Group outing might be. Rumour has it the next one’s going to be a corker!

Have a nosey for yourself if you get chance. In the meantime here are some pics that Peter took, which frankly do it infinitely more justice than I was able to do with my crappy iPhone camera. And there are also some extra special ones over on Jenny’s blog too.

oh yeah, here’s one of Craig, for the ladies

Oh yeah… here’s a picture of Peter (that John took) as well. He’s also cute!

Roide!

We were all invited to come along and take photos of things that are happy-making and would capture the spirit of the campaign -- cheering up. Let’s face it, after the snowy, icy, not-gritted shenanigans of last week, we all needed it more than ever!

Given the lovely snowfall of Saturday night it was a perfect day for it. Well, it was in Phoenix Park, the rest of town was less of a winter wonderland and more of a slushy, brown, icy puddle to be honest.

So, where are my photos? Well, that’s a good question. There aren’t any. I got a bit distracted. Mainly by building this…

Image courtesy of Shane Murphy

Affectionately named the Snow Bear of Peace (AKA The Snow Beast) and measuring far, far taller than he looks in the picture. A group of us decided to build him, climb on him and then… well, then we kicked him to pieces & threw bits of him at each other, but we’ll skim over that part.

As a result I was more of a “bringer of the fun” (self-titled) than actual photographer on the day. I’m a maverick. I live by my own rules. That’s just how I role. I also don’t have a camera since dropping mine on the floor.

The pic above was taken by Shane. For more pictures, by those who bothered their arse and did what they were asked to do, then check out the Flickr group. You can add you own to the group too and also stand a chance to win €3,000 for your efforts.

My chances of winning are pretty much shot to shit, but I have to admit that the snowman building was one of the most fun things I’ve done in AGES and did in fact cheer me right up. Add to the equation, Stephen & Kyle (who also made the video below) sliding about on some “found” children’s whiteboards, a trip on the big wheel and a really tasty brunch at Odessa and even gifts (!) from the lovely Kelly at Vodafone, and all in all it was a great Sunday.*

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIGsyubpREo

Thanks for the invite guys. Happy to be a photographer/performing monkey for the next time, haha!

*Yes, I DID get chicken pox later that day, but it was still a good day, it just ended scratchily.

From my new favourite band Camera Obscura‘s new album, My Maudlin Career, it’s the perfect song for a sunny Friday, and a Bank Holiday one at that – wahoo!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH9n8LVY0vs

Anyway, I hope you all have a lovely weekend (Bank Holiday or not) and that you get to enjoy a spot of sunshine. Roll on Monday and dubious tan marks all around.

Oh yeah, and special good luck to Joe who’s running the half marathon in Cork on Monday – Go Joe!

I went home to Manchester for a week to catch up with family and to see my Uncle who had a bone marrow transplant on Wednesday (more about that to follow). It was lovely to catch up with my family & friends whom I love heaps & miss just as much, but for the first time since moving to Dublin almost a year ago, it didn’t feel like home.

Dublin really feels like home most of the time – my life is here now. Yet sometimes, at the same time, it also doesn’t quite feel like home. Every now & then I feel I remember that I’ve not been here a tremendous amount of time and some things still feel very new.

So, I’m left feeling a bit like the Littlest Hobo, not quite knowing where my “home” actually is. However, I can’t help feeling that it’s still just a transient state and while I’ll always love Manchester (it’s in my blood) this is all actually a sign that slowly but surely Dublin & Ireland as a whole are becoming my home. And I can’t help but feel that that’s a very good thing!