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Tales of a Technogypsie

Journeys around the World … Travelling as a Techno-Tinker, -Gypsie, & -Nomad

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Wed
16
May '12

The Linesman bronze sculpture by Dony Mac Manus

The Linesman bronze sculpture by Dony Mac Manus

The Linesman bronze sculpture
* by Dony Mac Manus * Dublin, Ireland *

As the flavor of Dublin is famous for with its statues, sculptures, and artwork … “The Linesman” begs no difference in popularity. This beautiful bronze sculpture by Dony Mac Manus is classified as a “figurative public sculpture” and is located on the Campshire along the City Quay (N 53° 20.826 W 006° 14.946 / 29U E 683109 N 5914411) being un-veiled in 1999 as a commission by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority from the artist to commemorate the tradition of docking in the area which disappeared after the arrival and containerisation of shipping cargo symbolizing life along the Quays of the River Liffey. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Review by Leaf McGowan.

The Linesman bronze sculpture by Dony Mac Manus

Continue reading "The Linesman bronze sculpture by Dony Mac Manus" »

Current Mood: artistic
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Wed
16
May '12

Dublin Docklands

Dublin Docklands

* http://www.ddda.ie/ * Dublin, Ireland *

“Ceantar Dugaí Átha Cliath” is a section of Dublin in the heart of the city centre along both sides of the River Liffey, extending from the Point Depot up to the Talbot Memorial bridge westwards. It is an area of Dublin that at the time of this writing is being re-vitalized and developed. In the center of activities is the historic famine ship – The Jeannie Johnson, The Customs House, The CHQ Center, and the new office buildings for Google. The developments in this area are being labelled the largest and most ambitious urban regeneration project in all of Irish history including new office spaces, retail spaces, waterside apartments, local amenities, a linear park, places set aside for recreation & leisure. Spencer Dock – offices, retail, parkland, and home to the Convention Centre Dublin. Point Village – redevelopment next to the Point Depot, housing a 120 meter tall tower, hotel, shopping center, over 13,000 square meters of office/retail spaces, a three story underground car park, 12 screen cinema, and a “U2 Experience” museum. Grand Canal Dock is being re-developed and home to Alto Vetro, Grand Canal Square, Montevetro, and the Grand Canal Theater. A train station operates from within the Docklands area called Iarnród Éireann. the Red Line Luas to Point Depot saw extension of the C1 here in December 2009 connecting Central Dublin to Connolly Station. Lodging is pretty popular in the Docklands area with giants such as the Gibson Hotel, Clarion Hotel IFSC, and The Grand Canal Hotel. The area is managed by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority that was created by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act of 1997 to regenerate Dublin’s East side. This is over 1300 acres being re-developed, and to date has attracted over €3.35 billion of public and private investment with over 40,000 jobs being created because of it.

 

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?




Current Mood: (bouncy) bouncy
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Wed
16
May '12

Custom House of Dublin

Custom House
* Dublin, Ireland *

One of the monumental buildings along the River Liffey’s north bank in the heart of Dublin City is the “Custom House” next to the Dublin Docklands on Custom House Quay between Butt Bridge and Talbot Memorial Bridge. “Teach an Chustaim” is one of the more popular examples of Neo-Classical 18th century architecture in Ireland. It is the current home of the Department of the Environment, Community, and Local Government Offices. Visualized by John Beresfrod, the first commissioner of Revenue in 1780, the Irish architect James Gandon was selected to make it a reality. The Dublin Corporation was against the project as was local merchants who believed it would change the axis of the city centre.
It became a costly building project as first laid out on a swamp, away from the current city centre, and laying of the foundations were disrupted by the High Sheriff and the Dublin Corporation. Ignoring the protests, they plowed ahead with construction. Gandon commissioned many of the available masons and stone cutters in Dublin at the time to complete the project. Notably he worked with the Meath stone cutter Henry Darley, mason John Semple, and carpenter Hugh Henry. They finished the project at a cost of £200,000 by November of 1791. The building majestically displays four facades decorated with coats-of-arms and ornamental sculptures representing Ireland’s rivers. Atop, is Henry Banks’ work on the dome and various supernatural statues. Originally the building was utilized for the collection of custom duties with river traffic into the port of Dublin. As this practice became obsolete, so did the original purpose of the building, and occupation was soon replaced by Irish government offices. The Irish Republican Army burnt down the building during the Irish War of Independence in 1921, destroying most of Gandon’s original interior design and causing the central dome to collapse. This fire destroyed a large amount of irreplaceable historical records for Ireland and in so doing caused a major setback for the IRA as a majority of its volunteers were captured at this point. It was later restored by the Irish Free State Government, and the results of this reconstrucion can be seen on the current building exterior – dome was rebuilt using Irish Ardbraccan limestone that is darker than the original Portland stone, but was done to promote Irish resources. Further restorations took place by the Office of Public Works in the 1980′s.

    Bibliography/Recommended Resources:
  • Craig, Maurice. 1969 “Dublin 1660-1860″.
  • Mackay, James “Michael Collins: A Life”
  • Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. “Dublin Custom House” Website referenced May 2012.

 

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?




Current Mood: (groggy) groggy
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Wed
16
May '12

Wax Museum Plus – Dublin, Ireland

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Wax Museum Plus, Dublin, Ireland. Visit April 22, 2012.

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Wed
16
May '12

Hill of Uisneach, Ireland – Volunteering for Festival of Fires

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Via Flickr:
Hill of Uisneach, Ireland – May 5, 2012. Festival of the Fires for May Day Celebrations.

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Wed
16
May '12

Festival of the Fires

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Festival of the Fires, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Hill of Uisneach, Ireland – May 5, 2012. Festival of the Fires for May Day Celebrations.

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Wed
2
May '12

Warehouse 13: Season 1: Episode 4: Claudia

Claudia: Warehouse 13, Season 1, Episode 4.

Warehouse 13: Season 1 ~ Episode 4: Claudia

Director: Stephen Surjik. Writers: D. Brent Mote & Jane Espenson. Starring:
Eddie McClintock, Joanne Kelly, Saul Rubinek, and many others. Original Air Date: 28 July 2009.

The thrills of the mysterious pseudo “Men in Black” warehouse in the middle of the Nevada desert takes a turn as Artie awakes in a strange room based on an earlier vision he had while being having his system attacked. He has a rude awakening to a neo-raver redhead cuffing him and reminding Arty of the injustice he has caused her when she was his student. She keeps electrically zapping him as she drags him into her plot to get revenge on him for her brother’s death. When Myka and Pete arrive to find Artie missing, they seek to find where he has gone. They utilize the “durational spectrometer” to figure out what had happened. They discover her brother is trapped in an alternate dimension, as trapped in a different reality caused bythe works of Rheticus. She wants Artie to recreate the experience. Artie has visions of the past and they recreate the experiment with the help of Benjamin Franklin’s Lightning Rod. Alot of time travelling takes place to figure out the loss and if its possible to get Josh back. A mystery becomes solved. The episode jumped around a bit, but overall was good fun. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?




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Wed
2
May '12

Captain Cook Museum (Whitby, UK)

Captain Cook Museum

Captain Cook Memorial Museum
* Grape Lane Whitby North Yorkshire, YO22 4BA, United Kingdom
01947 601900 *

After having followed Captain Cook’s life from his place of death in Hawaii, and embarking on part of the 2012 circumnavigation of Australia this summer aboard the HMB Endeavour, I could think nothing better than to finish my summer journey by going to Cook’s birthplace – Whitby. The Captain Cook Museum was my target. The museum is located in the actual house where Cook began his apprenticeship in the 17th century that began his adventures. Packed within this small building on its many different floors are exhibits about Cook’s life, achievements, maps, models, letters, and historical artifacts. Some of the rooms are furnished as they were in Cook’s time. For any Captain Cook fan or individual interested in his history, this is a not-to-miss place for the knowledge it shares. Those who really lack interest in Cook, it can be skipped. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?




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Wed
2
May '12

Viking Splash Tours (Dublin)

Viking Splash Tours

* Meet St. Stephen’s Green * Dublin, Ireland * 2 * (01) 7076000 * http://www.vikingsplash.ie/ * 10 am – 6 pm on Mondays and tuesdays, 9 am until midnight on wednesday to thursdays, 11 am until 11 pm on fridays, and 10 am til 9 pm saturdays and sundays.

A kitchy yet hilarious way to see Dublin, Viking Splash Tours will keep you entertained, intrigued, and laughing. They offer a unique way to see the city the Vikings so much desired in days of old by land and water … They hit the highpoints of Dublin showing patrons the Medieval district, Trinity College, Christ Church, Georgian sector, and the city center. They set you up with viking hats when you board the tacky yellow amphibious bus-boat and away you go on the city tour. They take you through the water and on the streets for an exiting adventure you won’t forget.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?




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Wed
2
May '12

Burritos & Blues (Dublin)

Burritos and Blues
* 2 Wexford street * 2 Dublin, Ireland * http://burritos.ie/ * http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burritos-and-Blues/ * Phone +353 14254022 *

As a recent transplant to Dublin, Ireland from America’s Southwest, one of the culinary facets i miss the most from the move is the lack of good Mexican food. But through my wanderings I’ve stumbled upon the trendy explosion of “Burrito bars” in Dublin. Stumbling upon my currently favorite … Little Ass Burrito in Rathgar, we decided to wander about and explore some of the other bars. Next stop was “Burritos & Blues” which was quite tasty, affordable, and entertaining. They indeed had a version of my current favorite addiction of a sweet potato vegetarian burrito that has me quite fixated with Little Ass Burrito. Though so far, Burritos & Blues would be my 2nd favorite burrito bar in the city sofar and their sweet potato burrito is quite tasty. Burritos and Blues has a bit more seating and restaurant flavor, but a “Subway-like” presentation of “fixing your own burrito” as you stand in line and tell them what ingredients and fixin’s you want in your tortilla wrap of goodness. Music is quite good and bouncy, Blues obviously the predominant flavor available, and a wall of posters of events around town to give the nightlife seeker some ideas of where to go. The spicy sauce however is a wallup … best for the Mexican hot conneuseur. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5. ~ Reviewed by Leaf McGowan

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?




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Wed
2
May '12

Gilligan’s Seafood Restaurant (Mt. Pleasant, SC)

Gilligan's Seafood Restaurant

Gilligan’s Seafood Restaurant

* 1475 Long Grove Drive Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 * 843-849-2244 * http://www.gilligans.net/ *

My mom’s favorite seafood restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina has become my choice of seafood dining as well. Introduced to me as her “country club”, I found a very friendly, hospitable restaurant with fabulous service. Now on my third visit to this great place within the last 4 months, I’ve come to be a great fan of their “All you can eat Oyster clusters” dish. I have yet to try the “All you can eat Shrimp” but I imagine it’s just as grand. I’ve had the crab legs and sampled my mom’s seafood platter. Everything was scrumptuous. The free hushpuppies they serve when you sit down are to die for. Overlooking the “seaside park” and man-made lake, nestled into a shopping village, this is a great relaxing spot for dining. While menu prices are higher end, the amount of food you get for the price makes up for it. In addition to “fine” or “messy” seafood dining, Gilligan’s is also committed to local Shrimpers by serving 100% domestic wild-caught shrimp, focusing on freshness, and never serving imports. They are also a Platinum Partner for seafood sustainability with their products – by only serving sustainable seafoods deemed as such from the South Carolina Aquarium. They’ve agreen not to serve or sell Chilean sea bass, orange roughy or imported shark, and only buy sustainable preferably local. Their first choice is “Lowcountry Local” as based from the organization to support independent, locally owned businesses in the Lowcountry while assisting to educate the public on the importance of supporting our local economy, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. In addition, they participate in Oyster shell recycling, teaming up with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources with a goal to conserve South Carolina’s oyster beds with an integrated oyster shell recycling program in all of their restaurants to help sustain the growth and propogation of local oysters. Every shell from the winter is replanted by the DNR back into the estuarine environment. Most excellent restaurant. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. ~ Thomas Baurley

All you can eat Oysters

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?




Current Mood: (cheerful) cheerful
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Mon
23
Apr '12

The Dracula Experience, Whitby, England

Dracula Experience

Dracula Experience

The Dracula Experience
* 9 Marine Parade North Yorkshire, Whitby YO21 1EA, United Kingdom * 01947 601 923 *

How could one come to Whitby? the home of Bram Stoker, without thinking about peeking one’s curious head into the “Dracula Experience”. Well, bother not. It’s a chain horror shop that can be found throughout the UK. Very cheesy, kitch, and boring. Of course i did his when no live actors were running around, so I got in for only a few pounds. Still, i can’t imagine the live actors justifying the price they are asking. It was a quick walkthrough. They do attempt the tale of Dracula in this creepy town with its famous Gothic abbey with animated scenes, electronic special effects, and live actors. Not impressed. 1 star out of 5.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?




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Mon
23
Apr '12

Brisbane River CityCat

Brisbane River CityCat

Brisbane River, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

One of Brisbane’s most popular form of public transportation and sightseeing is the Brisbane River CityCat and CityFerry Services. This ferry is very fast, efficient, and inexpensive way to get from point A to point B during one’s explorations of Brisbane and its famous river, parks, recreational boardwalks, playgrounds, picnic sites, trails, restaurants, cafes, markets, pontoons, and fishing facilities. The city now boasts with its 19 CityCats and 9 CityFerries (2012 statistics). The service saw disruptions and damages during the January 2011 flood, but by January 2012 has all of its 24 terminals operating again seven days a week from 5:50 am until 10:30 pm. The October 2011 arrival of the newest CityCat, the “Spirit of Brisbane” was dedicated to Brisbane’s community spirit from the most recent floods. All of the CityCats are equipt with Wifi allowing access to UQConnect and EduRoam as well as the Translink timetable and City Council’s websites. Tickets can be purchased via bus and ferry operators, staffed rail stations, Customer Service Centers, and local newsagencies and convenience stores. Timetables can be found on the TransLink website at http://www.translink.com.au/

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?




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Mon
23
Apr '12

An Irish Life ~ The River Liffey

River Liffey, Dublin, Ireland.

River Liffey, Dublin, Ireland.


The River Liffey

~ Dublin, Ireland

Through he heart of Dublin runs the River Liffey. “Liffey” means “An Life” in Irish. Connecting to the Liffey is the River Dodder, River Poddle, and River Camac. From the Liffey comes most of Dublin’s water supply as well as most of its water recreational activities. It was first named “An Ruirthech” which meant “the fast runner”. “Liphe” was the name of the plain that it ran through, but was later simply absorbed as the River’s name itself going from “Abhainn na Life” to its anglicized version as the “River Liffey”. The River begins in the Liffey Head Bog that rests between the Kippure and Tonduff in the Wicklow Mountains being fed by main springs and streamlets. It flows approximately 78 miles through Dublin, Wicklow, and Kildare counties until it pours out into the Irish Sea where Dublin Bay is located. Networked from the Liffey is a series of smaller streams, rivers, and Canals – these are known as the Ballylow Brook, Brittas River, Athdown Brook, Shankill River, Woodend Brook, Lemonstown Stream, Kilculen Stream, Pinkeen Stream, Painestown River, Rye Water, Griffeen River, Phoenix Park streams, Glenaulin Stream, Creosote Stream, River Camac, Colman’s Brook, Bradoge River, River Poddle, Stein River, River Dodder, River Tolka, and the King’s River.

River Liffey, Dublin, Ireland

River Liffey, Dublin, Ireland

Three hydroelectric reservoirs feed off the Liffey at Poulaphouca, Golden Falls, and Leixlip. The Liffey was the main entranceway into taking of Ireland by the Vikings, used for trade and raids. It is connected to the River Shannon via the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal. Sixty percent of the Liffey’s flow goes for drinking water and utilized by industry, and makes it way back into the Liffey after purification in wastewater treatment plants. The river is also very popular for recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, canoeing, boating, and viewing. The first stone bridge built to cross the Liffey was the “Bridge of Dublin” where the current Fr. Matthew Bridge is now located and was built in 1428 by the Dominicans. It held four arches with numerous buildings such as a bakehouse, an inn, a chapel, and other shops that overall replaced the Dubhghalls wooden bridge that once existed on the same spot. When the 17th century came along, four new bridges were added from 1670-1684 such as the Barrack/Bloody Bridge (Rory O’ More Bridge), Essex or Grattan Bridge, Ormond or O’Donovan Rosssa Bridge, and the Arran bridge. The Oldest was the Mellows or Queens Bridge (1764) along the site of the Arran Bridge that had been destroyed by floods in 1763. The first Iron bridge to be constructed was the Ha’penny Bridge in 1816. The Samuel Beckett Bridge was constructed in 2009 as a suspension bridge with a swivel to allow river traffic through. Along the Northern Bank (west to east) are the Bridgewater, Wolfe Tone, Sarsfield, Ellis, Arran, Inns, Ormond Upper, Ormond Lower, Bachelors Walk, Eden, Custom House, and North Wall Quays. From the Southern bank, (west to east) are the Victoria, Usher’s Island, Usher’s, Merchants, Wood, Essex, Wellington, Crampton, Aston, Burgh, George’s, City, sir John Rogerson’s, and Great Britain Quays.

River Liffey, Dublin, Ireland.

River Liffey, Dublin, Ireland.

    Bibliography/References:
  • Byrne, F.J. 1973 “Irish Kings and High Kings”. Dublin, Ireland.
  • Phillips, M.; Hamilton, A. 2003 “Project History of Dublin’s River Liffey Bridges: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers”. Bridge Engineering 156: Issue BE4.
  • Wikipedia: The Free Online Encyclopedia. “The River Liffey”. Website visited April 2012.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Liffey.

Jeannie Johnson Tall Sailing Ship & Museum; River Liffey, Dublin, Ireland.

Jeannie Johnson Tall Sailing Ship & Museum; River Liffey, Dublin, Ireland.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?




Current Mood: busy
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Mon
23
Apr '12

Cirque Du Soleil’s “Alegría” (Dublin, Ireland) ~ April 25-29, 2012

Allegria - Cirque du soleil

Allegria - Cirque du soleil

Allegria – Cirque du soleil
– April 25-29, 2012. Dublin, Ireland * http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/alegria/show/about.aspx.

Coming soon to Dublin is the world infamous monumental “Cirque Du Soleil” with their astonishing troupe and show “Alegría”. It’s a mood and a state of mind after which the show is named. Coming from the Spanish term for “jubilation” the troupe will show power and the handing down of it through time with artistic demonstrations of the evolution of ancient monarchies to modern democracies, old age, youth, and the cycles of time. With the King’s fools, minstrels, beggars, old aristocrats, and children making up the show’s universe speckled with clowns, they come again to stun their audiences. I’ve been fortunate to experience this amazing show of acrobats, music, performance, arts, stilt-walking, fire art, juggling, comedy, clowning, and breathe death-defying feats. Mesmerized by the costumes, stage design, arts, illusions, super-human body twisting and endurance … I’ve been addicted to the Cirque since I first saw them in the early 1990′s at their home arena in Quebec. Definitely a not to miss show when they come to town. Unfortunately we don’t have the funds to see this show while it hits Dublin this year, but for those that can afford it, definitely go out for a time of your life. You will not only be amazed and whirl-winded, but tingled to sheer ecstasy. If for some reason we do find a way to go via winning tickets or being gifted with them, we’ll definitely add on to this review with a stunning report. ~ Tom Baurley

Current Mood: (bouncy) bouncy
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Sat
7
Apr '12

Dublin, Ireland

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11-11-11 Mail Surprise: Zombie Apocalypse 11-11-11 BreakfastBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, Ireland
BlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, Ireland
BlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, IrelandBlackRock and NewTownSmith, Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, Ireland, a set on Flickr.

Explorations around Dublin, Ireland …

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Fri
30
Mar '12

Ian Welling & Paddy Charles Reception – Trace Gallery (Denver, CO)

Ian Welling and Paddy Charles closing reception

Ian Welling and Paddy Charles closing reception (Denver, CO)

Trace Gallery is pleased to present:
Ian Welling and Paddy Charles closing reception

http://pathwaysart.com/trace-gallery

Friday, April 6th, 2012

7pm-11pm.

Please join us for one last look of these amazing artists work.

* Trace Gallery * 3700 Franklin * Denver, CO 80205 *

This is Ian Welling‘s first show in Denver since he returned from San Francisco. Ian Welling is a surrealist artist who draws and creates strictly from the imagination. Largely inspired by altered states of consciousness and the realms of the unreal, he attempts to capture the supernatural elements of the human imagination. While his older works draw from the psychedelic experience, his new work features strong apocalyptic thematic elements.
Ian has shown at galleries in Denver, Chicago, Miami and California.

Influenced by the early surrealists and Dadaists, as well as modern visionary masters and the writings of William S. Burroughs and William Blake, Ian is committed to continue churning out artwork that borders on the absolutely bizarre and esoteric.

Paddy’s art intersects a number of disciplines: pen and ink; the still-life; sumi-e; and screen printing, process (or cmyk) printing and the print industry (in which he has worked and been greatly influenced). The candy-colored, tattoo-outlined still-lifes emerging from this dynamic are curious arrangements of things you recognize and… other things too, presented against austere, unprinted backgrounds to emphasize their icongraphy and abstraction. His work is an exploration of this style.

Born in 1978 and raised as a musician in a Chicago suburb, Paddy earned a BA in philosophy from Loyola University, Chicago before eventually moving to Vermont (2008) where he began making art. He is self-taught.

Trace Gallery is a multimedia art space located at the intersection of post-industrial and urban paradigms in Denver. Trace is curated by Saige of Pathways Art, a long-running group show that showcases a variety of artists who share a passion for finding new ways of understanding and expressing our collective vision. Trace continues this tradition, with more focus on individual artists. In addition to monthly gallery openings, Trace hosts workshops, classes, music, and community events.

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Wed
28
Mar '12

Can you identify this Bird?

Spotted last in Manly Australia … a bird in the bush …. Can you identify this bird?


Can you identify this bird?



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Wed
28
Mar '12

Sir William Colin MacKenzie (1877-1938)

Sir William Colin MacKenzie ~ 1877-1938: the surgeon, anatomist, philanthropist, orthopaedist

    From the Australian National Museum display: ” Colin MacKenzie was a Melbourne surgeon who studied marsupial anatomy in order to understand human anatomy. Like many other scientists, he believed Australian animals would soon become extinct. MacKenzie wanted to start a native animal sanctuary in Canberra to help with his research. It never happened, but he later founded the Healesville Sanctuary …”

“Colin Mackenzie” or “Bricky” was nicknamed as such for his red hair was a man of great repute in Australia especially as a benefactor, museum administrator, anatomist, and director. He was born on March 9, 1877 in Kilmore, Victoria, Australia. He was the youngest of six as son to his Scottish parents John MacKenzie a draper, and his wife Anne nee McKay. He educated at Kilmore State School and on to Scotch College in Melbourne where he graduated with honors in Greek on December 1893. He graduated from Medical school from the University of Melbourne in 1898. He was first-class honors in surgery, women’s diseases, and obstetrics. He studied in Europe in 1903. In 1908 he tackled the extensive epidemic in Australia of people suffering in need of orthopaedic skills. During World War I he spent three years in England at the Royal College of Surgeons assisting Sir Arthur Keith in cataloging specimens of war wounds for the army and helped bring out the new edition of Treve’s Surgical Applied Anatomy. At the same time he continued his studies of comparative anatomy of Australian fauna. MacKenzie dissected dozens of Australian animals to help him understand human anatomy. For example, he thought dissecting and examining the shoulders of a Koala might help him improve techniques for human shoulders in surgery. He became council member of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland. By 1918, he returned to Australia and converted his house at 612 St. Kilda Road into a laboratory and museum which he called the Australian Institute of Anatomical Research devoted most of his time researching Australian animals from 1919 until his death in 1938. By 1920 He had 80 acres of bushland at Badger Creek as a field station for his research. The facility was fenced, had a 6-roomed house for a curator, a cottage for visiting scientists, workshops, animal pens, and a staff of assistants. This eventually became the Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary in 1934. His collection of specimens became world famous, and was gifted to the Australian goverment in 1924. He married his assistant Winifred Iris Evelyn in 1928. He was knighted in 1929 and spent a good portion of the remainder of his life in Canberra. There he served as a member of the Medical Board and by 1933 became the second president of the Canberra-based Royal Society of Australia. His health began to decay and he retired in 1937 upon returning to Melbourne with his wife. He died on June 29, 1938 of a cerebral hemorrage at his home in Kew and was cremated.

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Current Mood: awake
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Sun
25
Mar '12

The Venus Project: Sustainable Cities

A world of modern design, no hunger, no unemployment, no financial collapse, as visioned by Jacque Fresco in his “The Venus Project”. Very interesting ideas, concepts, and applications.

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Current Mood: (curious) curious
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Thu
22
Mar '12

Steampunk Art & Performance Snippets from Dublin’s St Patricks Day Parade 2012

The Saturday March 17, 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade in Dublin, Ireland. Video clips of various Steampunk themed art and floats presented in the Parade.

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Thu
22
Mar '12

Visit us at the 2012 ShakeFest at the infamous Charleville Castle!

2012 Shake Fest: Charleville Castle, Tullamore, Ireland

2012 Shake Fest: Charleville Castle, Tullamore, Ireland

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Mon
19
Mar '12

Dublin Ireland 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival

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Via Flickr:
The Saturday, March 17, 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Festival and parade in Dublin, Ireland.
www.technogypsie.com/reviews/

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Thu
15
Mar '12

The Ghost Bikes of Dublin

Ghost Bikes of Dublin

* All around Dublin, Ireland (& the world) * http://ghostbikes.org/dublin *

An art project? A found art piece? memorial?

Its a memorial to a lost bicyclist who was hit or killed on the street. They are placed locked to a crash site with a small plaque and painted in white to serve as reminders of the horrors that bicyclists have faced and dealt with on their commutes or pleasure rides in the streets of the world. I came across them for the first time in Dublin, but they are a worldwide phenomena, first appearing in 2003 along the streets of St. Louis, Missouri. Now there are reported to be over 500 of them in over 180 locations around the world. The web site tells all. The site is setup to inform those about what this project is about, how to set up a ghost bike memorial, and the safety concerns with this issue. The Dublin project began in 2009 with the first ghost bike to Zu Zhang Wong organised by the Dublin Cycling Campaign (DCC). They reported that 11 cyclists died in Dublin from 2002-2006, seventy five percent from left hand turning lorries.

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Wed
14
Mar '12

St. Kev’s Boys National School of Blackpitts, Dublin, Ireland

Saint Kevin's Male National School, Dublin, Ireland

Saint Kevin's Male National School, Dublin, Ireland

St. Kevin’s Male National School *Scholar’s *
* Donovan Lane & Blackpitts * 24 Blackpitts Road * Blackpitts * Dublin * Ireland *

The former location to St. Kevin’s Boys National School. The current St Kevin’s Boys National School, is a all boys school in Dublin, now located in Finglas West, north Dublin, Ireland with over 300 students rangin in age 4 to 12 and as far as I can tell, has no direct relationship to this former school except the name. This former location is now in ghostly ruins, decaying away as part of Dublin’s history. Tales of this old school were once logged on Google cached Dublin.ie forums speaking of cold, dark, and dreary days of a poorly run school with a very bitter staff. Not much resides on the web about the history of this old school. Its location in Blackpitts is built upon grounds where the black death plague victims were buried (not necessarily exactly where the building now sits). This building was built in 1895 by George Coppinger Ashlin, for the St. Kevin’s Male National Schools in County Dublin, Dublin, in the Blackpitts neighborhood. At one point in its history, it was turned into a drinking pub. It appears from my passing by it the other day to be back in ruins. I’ll post more information as I find it, anyone with information about this building please send data to reviews@technogypsie.com. Thanks greatly!

Saint Kevin's Male National School, Dublin, Ireland

Saint Kevin's Male National School, Dublin, Ireland

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Wed
14
Mar '12

LaTouche Bridge, Dublin, Ireland

LaTouche Bridge

LaTouche Bridge, Rathgar/Rathmines, Dublin, Ireland

LaTouche Bridge
* Bridge R114 * Lower Rathmines Road/ Richmond Street South / Grand Canal, Portabello, Dublin, Ireland *

This bridge was the first intriguing crossing to catch my attention during my life in Dublin. It is a small cross-over bridge (and lock) with Rathmines street above and the Grand Canal below (offshoot from the Libbey). As I was walking over it one evening, I spied a “Troll Below” graffitti stenciled on the sidewalk just above the bridge. My next crossing i peered under, and there was a police boat docked beneath the bridge. Off to the right was a red graffitti painted of Cernunnos or an Antler-God with Ogham script that I have still yet to decipher. But nonetheless, these elements struck a cord in my curiousity enough to photograph and investigate the bridge further. The Bridge was built in 1791 and named after William Digges La Touche (1747-1803), a popular Director of the Grand Canal Company as well as prominent Irish businessman in his time. Steel parts of the bridge was replaced in 2004. It is also nicknamed the Portobello Bridge for it is right under the Portobello school in the Portobello district. The Portobello district of Dublin, just like its counterpart in London, was named after the capture of Porobelo, Colón on Panama’s Caribbean Coast by Admiral Vernon in 1739. This district encompasses the stretch of the Grand Canal from the Robert Emmet Bridge (Clanbrassil Street) to South Richmond Street to Rathmines. In 1861 this bridge experienced a horrible tragedy when Patrick Hardy was driving a horse-drawn bus up the steep incline and one of the horses reared, became uncontrollable, backing the bus through the wooden rails of the bridge, causing the bus, 6 passengers, and the horses to be plunged to their deaths in the deep (20 feet) dark cold waters of the canal lock. The conductor was saved by a passing policeman, but the rest were drowned. One of the passengers was the father of the Gunne brothers who opened the Gaiety Theater, there were two mothers each with a little girl, one of which was the niece of Daniel O’Connell. On the night of the accident’s anniversary, it is reported that a brilliant light is seen to rise from the canal water and turn into a human shape which is known as the ghost of a lock-keeper who drowned himself after being sacked for drunkenness was to blame for the tragedy. Some say this same ghost arose when the horse drawn bus was crossing the bridge, thereby spooking the horses. During the 1916 Easter Rising, the Irish Citizen Army had a group of men seizing a delaying position at this bridge to allow fortifications to be constructed in the city center. The group was led by the non-author James Joyce and made into a military outpost. But once his unit burst in where he worked at Davy’s bar near the bridge, he was sacked. This was also the location for the murder of Sheehy-Skeffington the same year. As members of the British 11th East Surrey Regiment arrest Francis Sheehy-Skeffington here on April 25th with no reason while he was returning to his home in Rathmines. He was taken to the Portobello barracks and held as an enemy sympathizer. Later that evening, he was taken out as a hostage with a raiding party led by Captain J.C. Bowen-Colthurst of the Royal Irish Rifles to the home and shop of Alderman James Kelly at the corner of Camden Street and Harcourt Road, where they bombed the shop with grenades. On their way back to Rathmines, Skeffington was witnessed to two murders committed by Bowen-Colthurst and his party on two unarmed civilians including a 17 year old boy returning from church. Both the former Kelly’s tobcacconist and Sheehy-Skeffington was taken and the following morning shot by a firing party along with two pro-British journalists – Thomas Dixon and Patrick McIntyre who were unlucky enough to have been in Kelly’s shop when it was grenaded. The three were shot in the back and the British authorities kept the killing a secret.

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Current Mood: (energetic) energetic
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Sat
10
Mar '12

Melbourne Road Side Art

Melbourne Road Side Art
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

One of the memorable facets to Melbourne I remember from my travels is the fantastic and sometimes bizarre roadside art one can find on the highways in and out of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Many of the roads and freeways around this Metropolis compete for attention by the implementation of large-scale artworks and architectural interventions that make roadtrips that much more appealing. Some of these are listed on the Visit Victoria website. These tie in somewhat with the notable Australia’s Big Things art sculptures found throughout the country. Great aspect to Victoria and Melbourne in my view … definitely worth a drive-through outdoor art gallery peek! Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

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Current Mood: (impressed) impressed
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Sat
10
Mar '12

Australian Embassies / Parliamentary Triangle

The Parliamentary Triangle & Australian Embassies
* Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

As Canberra is the capital of Australia, with the Australian Capital Territory the central region for all of Australia’s government, it is also home to Australia’s Parliaments, Embassies, and Governmental offices. Most countries in allegiance with Australia have their embassies represented here. In the heart of this governmental sector is what is called the “Parliamentary Triangle” or the “ParTri” – the ceremonial precinct of Canberra. The triangle is formed by the Commonwealth, the Kings, and Constitution Avenues. Architecture and buildings within the triangle align in style to coordinate and complement the triangle for the visual effect and to create national significance making it a popular hotspot for tourists similar to that which one can find in Washington, D.C. The triangle was designed and planned for in Walter Burley Griffin’s original design for manifesting Canberra. The triangle is bordered at each point by the Parliament, the Defence Headquarters, and City Hill. He constructed it around two axes converging on the center with a land axis connecting Mount Ainslie, Capital Hill, Red Hill, and off towards Mount Bimberi. Water axis runs at right angles to the land axis along the length of Lake Burley Griffin whose southern shore bisects the Trinagle forming a smaller triangle known as the Parliamentary Zone which contains all the the significant buildings located in the Triangle. The streets in this triangle are lined with large deciduous trees and buildings inset with grassed parkland creating an open feel and convenience between offices. The Parliament House and the The Old Parliament House are the most significant features within it. Other contributing buildings are the National Library, the National Science and Technology Center, Commonwealth Park, Kings Park, Department of the Treasury, John Gorton Building, Department of Finance, Department of Environment and Water Resources, the National Rose Garden, and the Aborigine Tent Embassy. Canberra and Washington D.C. share design similarities as both consist of triangles that line up the House of Government with other monuments and landmarks. Within this area on the outskirts of the Triangle are various countrie’s Embassies.


The New Parliament House

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Sat
10
Mar '12

Old Parliament House / The Museum of Australian Democracy

Old Parliament House or Museum of Australian Democracy
* Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Within Canberra lies several Parliaments and Embassies, representing many cultures and governments. One of the Parliaments which is no longer used for law making as it was the “provisional” parliament house which was base operations for Australia’s Parliament from 1927 until 1988 when it was moved to its permament location atop Capital Hill. It began as a temporary location for law making while the new Parliament house was being constructed in 1927. Today it serves as a premiere location for concerts, lectures, and exhibitions. It was also used by the Executive Agency of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in as recent as 2008. Since 2009 it has been called the “Museum of Australian Democracy”.Its design was created by John Smith Murdoch including gardens, furnishings, and decor in simplified or “stripped” classical style with no typical legislative deco elements like columns, entablatures, or pediments. Made of local Canberra clay brick with timber and lightweight white concrete floors. Originally oulined in a “H-shape”, it is now a large rectangle due to various extensions added to it during the years with a small rear projection. It has four courtyards with colonnades and some light wells with verandas. It’s center boasts the “King’s Hall” named after King George V whose statue is located within. Adjacent to the Hall are the chambers of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and at the rear the Parliamentary Library and dining rooms. Remainder of the building consisted of offices and meeting rooms.

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Fri
9
Mar '12

New South Wales

New South Wales
Australia

One of my favorite regions of Australia, the NSW, or “New South Wales” is located along the southeastern edge of Australia, just north of Victoria and south of Queensland. It totally surrounds the Australian Capital Territory and is Australia’s most populated state (1/3 of Australia’s population) with those who call themselves the “New South Welsh” or the “New South Welshmen”. It’s capital is Sydney. Founded in 1788 it was formed as a Federation in 1901 and originally became the bulk of Australia’s mainland encompassing historic Van Diemen’s lands (Tasmania), Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk Island as well. New South Wales even for a time held claim and custody of New Zealand when Britain annexed it in 1840, but the 19th century later separated these areas from NSW to form the British colonies of Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland.

The landmass of Australia that became to be known as New South Wales was first inhabited by the Australian Aborigines roughly 40-50,000 years ago. New South Wales was first discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770 during his explorations along Australia’s east coast. He named the area “New Wales” originally, then re-naming it to “New South Wales” during his survey. When the British decided to come and settle Australia in 1788, it was here in “New South Wales” where they established the “First Fleet” or the first penal colony led by Captain Arthur Phillip until 1792. The entire state was a penal colony in its origins. This led to much upheaval and disruptions in colonization when things got out of control. Governor William Bligh took command of the region in 1792 during a time of unrest and anarchy until 1809 when Britain replaced him with Lieutenant Colonel Lachlan Macquarie. Macquarie set out numerous projects to build order and community, including the construction of roads, churches, public buildings, communiies, wharves, and city structures. He also set out numerous explorers to map out the land from Sydney and to construct a well thought out street layout for Sydney. By 1825 Tasmania was separated from NSW as Van Diemen’s Land, 1836 South Australia was made its own State, 1841 New Zealand its own country, 1851 Victoria its own State, and 1859 Queensland its own state. Charles Darwin came to the region in 1836 and wrote much about NSW in “The Voyage of the Beagle” where he had mixed reactions about the State, speculations about formations of its valleys, the aboriginal populations, the penal colony, and the viable future of Australia. His thoughts and words were considered tremendously amongst his European coherts, at the same time during which in the 19th century the movement towards federation of the Australian colonies became a potential future. New South Wales was trying to become a free trade state causing turmoil with other leading colony states such as Victoria formulating friction. After World War I, farmers became discontented with the fixed prices paid by the authorities resulting in the formation of the “Country Party” in 1919. Political and class conflicts took place in 1929 seeing great instability during the Great Depression. Mass unemployment and collapse of the commodity prices destroyed the economy. By World War II, many differences came to surface between Australian states, especially with the NSW, mostly focused around federation and economic developments. The War however, brought in industrial development, a war economy, and jobs. By the 1960′s, the New England region of the state began a secessionist movement but was defeated even though its outcome were several referendums. The NSW Constitution and form of Government has stayed consistent since 1856 even though became amended numerous times since the referendums, and 1901 saw its official stamp as a state of the Commonwealth of Australia. New South Wales is most popular for its tourism, outdoor recreation, especially in the coastal regions, as well as for the production of seafood, beef, dairy, fruit, timber, hay, fruits, legumes, lucerne, maize, nuts, wheat, oats, oilseeds, poultry, rice, oysters, wool, coal, and sugar cane. It is also the only center for winter sports in all of Australia, with its premiere ski resort on Mt. Kosciuszko. Outside of the Snowy Mountains with its alpine climates, most of NSW is either arid or semi arid in nature with the eastern coasts having a temperate climate. There are more than 780 National Parks in New South Wales which makes up close to 10% of the State’s area covering various terrains from deserts, bush, rainforests, plains, and mountains. Much of it is also coastal scrublands.

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