Under Construction

This is Greystones Harbour which was under redevelopment over the last couple of years until
the developers ran into some difficulty with the funding, and so all work has come to a halt with the harbour area now surrounded by  builders's hoarding. The residents of Greystones are more than a little peeved at this situation and many meetings and protests continue to be held to try to, at least, have the hoarding removed and allow reasonable access to the harbour area.  Quite simply, the people want their harbour back!

It's Theme Day in the City Daily Photo community and today's theme is Under Construction.  Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Greystones Coastline

The coastline as shot from Marine Road, Greystones with the view north to Bray Head in the background.

Did You Know?

Well, the dogs on the street know!  The dog on the left looks wistfully back at this old and romantic picture of Greystones Harbour on the newly erected hoarding around the development.

Since our last visit back in November for the Developer's Open Day, everything has come to a halt and all plant, machinery and workers removed from the site.  We're now in NAMA-NAMA land - well,  NAMA, the National Asset Management Agency, now own the development loans for the project. The developers, SISPAR, have presented a business plan to NAMA for funding of the next phase, namely, the medical centre, 11 apartments, a car park and five community structures.  How this pans out will determine whether or not the hoarding could be removed and partial access to the harbour area allowed although some more work is needed before the harbour and piers are safe for the public.

In the meantime, because it's still a building site the hoarding has to stay, but we do have access to the main slipway!

Branching Out

Today we see The Happy Pear, Natural Food Market, Greystones, Co Wicklow branching out for the season to dispense Christmas trees to a discerning populace.

Brrrravery

Braving the elements on South Beach, Greystones, Co Wicklow yesterday morning - it looks nice and sunny, but it was so cold - it must be the layers!

A Brisk Walk

 

Well it's a tough five mile walk, about two hours, along the cliff high above the railway line between Bray and Greystones, and it's pretty rough and wet in places but spectacular nonetheless especially at the Bray Head end. 

Along the way you meet runners, walkers, dog walkers, mountain bike riders and generally unfit types like your blogger!  Not advisable to bring young children though.  Most people usually walk one way and return by bus or train which is exactly what we did, but not before partaking of a relaxing pint in The Beach House, which, happily, marks the end of the walk on the Greystones side.

Beach Fishing

This is the South Beach in Greystones, Co Wicklow, a noted spot for fishing, but not a sea angler or much else in sight today except for this guy.  Must've been the impending downpour!

A Corporate Thing?

So the umbrellas would seem to suggest as we all waited in the torrential rain for Santa at the Big Switch On of the Christmas lights last Sunday in Greystones, Co Wicklow. But the obvious delight in the childrens' faces tells a different story and so we forget about the weather, and business, and simply enjoy the moment.

On the right, the ceremonial switch-on by Ciaran Hayden, Mayor of Greystones.

Progress Revealed

Saturday morning last, the developers of Greystones Harbour, Sispar, invited all residents and interested parties to visit the site to see, first hand, the progress that's been made.

The developers distributed large aerial photos of the site to all and sundry and willingly answered residents' queries concerning current and future expectations for the development in light of the recession.

This all came about following a request from Greystones Town Council to Sispar to include the general public in this long running development.  We reported here about this in our last update at the beginning of October.

Judging by the happy and friendly banter amongst those present, it would seem that Saturday's PR exercise was a great success.

The Rickety Rail

 

 Nice fishing to be enjoyed in the cove next to the Greystones Harbour construction site below, which we discussed here in an earlier post, but, while the steps seem sturdy enough, I hope these gentlemen don't have to rely on the rickety rail!

Greystones Harbour Update

Despite being in Greystones, Co Wicklow on a fairly regular basis, I don't often venture down to the big Harbour development site  - it's almost completely shrouded in builder's hoarding - one has to sneak around and take whatever photo opportunity is available on a particular day, and this, I understand, is a bone of contention for the local residents who have been seeking more up to date information and transparency as each stage of the development progresses.  In other words, they would like to see what's going on!

Well, I'm not sure I know what's going on, but here are my latest observations and, looking back at my post from two months ago, it seems that the stage of the development I witnessed then was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Folks, this is huge!

Man, It's Organic!

There's always a buzz in the air when you pass The Happy Pear, natural food market, in the seaside town of Greystones, Co Wicklow, weather permitting that is. 

Today, actually, a couple of weeks ago, we're serenaded by this jazz player as we down our wheatgrass shots and comtemplate their upcoming Happy Heart Program.

Below left is The Happy Pear's next door neighbour, A Caviston, fishmonger, delicatessen and café.

Gourmet Greystones

Now, why did I mention the hope of an Indian summer in yesterday's post?  The answer today was atypical of our Irish weather - haar on the coast and frequent showers for our visit to Gourmet Greystones, a celebration of the restaurants, cafes and gourmet food outlets in Greystones, Co Wicklow.

The programme consisted of cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs outside Jeff Norman's Backstage@Bels restaurant, in the town centre, and food tastings at all the participating restaurants and, for the kids, Cookie Class at The Butlers's Pantry.  So, there was a big turnout for the event, but, we got slightly wet as we made our way down Church Road, sampling the gourmet delights and watching the demonstrations like the one above by chef Dinesh Chanda from Chakra by Jaipur Restaurant as he puts the finishing touches to his Spice Roasted Sea Bass.

Left, the A. Caviston, seafood cafe, deli and fish shop  crew dispense their Seafood Sensation, and, below, the little girl on the right looks more than a little apprehensive as she awaits her kebabs from the Chakra boys

.

Indian Summer

Hopefully, the good weather we've experienced this week is a sign of an Indian summer to come, so, it's very appropriate, then, to lead today's post,  from the recent Dahlia Show in Greystones, Co Wicklow,  with one of the prize-winning entries - Dahlia 'Indian Summer'.

Organised by Delgany and District Horticultural Society, the show was held in St Patrick's School, Church Road and your Wicklow Daily Photo crew just happened to be passing the school gate when we spotted the Dahlia Show announcement.  And thus, we are able to present yet another diverse entry for your amusement.

Full Steam Ahead V

This is the last post from our little trip on the Rail Preservation Society of Ireland's steam train from Greystones to Wicklow Town and back so, it's all aboard for the return, sit back and enjoy the views.

 I really shouldn't stick my head out the window but just had to have a peek!


















Below, we flash past, sorry, steam past Newcastle Aerodrome. 

 I like this view of the marshland between Newcastle and Kilcoole:

 Well that's it - for those with an interest in railways check out the RPSI's great website by clicking here.

Full Steam Ahead IV

Here she comes - having reversed back on the outside track, No. 186 approaches the back of the train.

Left, recoupling the engine to the train.




Below, all that's left to do is transfer the headlamps to the rear of the tender - there's no turntable in Wicklow Town, so, the engine has to go backwards, all the way to Greystones!  Hope our driver's got eyes in the back of his head!

Full Steam Ahead III

Arriving in Wicklow Town with the RPSI's steam train from Greystones, there's a mad dash to the front of the platform for the big photo opportunity with No. 186 while the gentleman on the right stands fast and officious - it was he who clipped our tickets en route!


 So, here we are at the front where the engine will be decoupled from the train and make it's way back to the opposite end for the return journey.

Away she goes!

Full Steam Ahead II

We're on board the RPSI's steam train starting from Greystones and hurtling towards Wicklow Town and this gentleman with the knitted railway bridge sweater is selling tickets for a draw!  Actually, he is an RPSI volunteer as are all those involved in putting on today's event.  The Rail Preservation Society of Ireland is a registered charity and all funds from ticket sales, shop sales, membership fees or donations go directly to keeping Ireland's steam railway heritage operating for future generations.  So, we head for the bar, the dining car( actually, snack car) and souvenir stand in order to assist in funding this very worthwhile cause!  More information can be had from their website by clicking here.

Well, it is a worthwhile cause!