The Little Museum of Dublin,15 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. Photo by Hannan Raisuni.
While walking down St Stephen’s Green, you are bombarded with shop after shop and you could easily miss the small historical building that is the Little Museum of Dublin. As you walk up the steps you instantly get a feeling of grandeur. What was once a large three story Georgian house is now a place where Dublin historical artefacts are stored and preserved.
The Little Museum of Dublin was founded by Trevor White in 2011, when he began a public appeal for any form of historic objects ranging from documents to birth-certificates, school reports, posters and letters from and to Ireland’s historic figures. My favourite poster was a portrait photograph of Michael Collins, which sits beside a large Union Jack flag preserved in a photo frame. The museum has over 5,000 artefacts that have all been generously donated.
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Slideshow by Defné Cetin
As you walk through the front door, you are greeted by the museum’s receptionist, and then by a large domineering staircase that seems to be never ending. As you come to the first floor, you are greeted by a manikin wearing a signed Ireland jersey accompanied by a small plaque on the wall with information on when and who had signed the jersey.
Entering through a large set of doors, you feel like you have travelled back over a hundred years. The grand room is lightly decorated. Two arm chairs are facing a welcoming leather sofa, which is set in the middle of the room. The arrangement made with the different pieces of furniture is creating a nice cocoon. Between the sofa and the arm chairs, a small table has been placed with a jar of sweets, which was warmly received by its visitors.
The grand room is filled with pictures, documents and flags from early 20th century Ireland, from 1900 to the 1930s. In the adjoining room, you can barely make out the colour of the room as there is a large array of artefacts filling the place, from photographs of Ireland’s political leaders to postcards and handwritten letters.
It is truly a walk back in time throughout Dublin’s history: you get a real sense of how Ireland was throughout the 20th century.
Urbex – also known as Urban Exploration – is not something new, but it is becoming more and more popular. Urban Exploration consists of visiting abandoned places within an urban environment, such as old factories, tunnels that aren’t used anymore, old churches in ruins …that’s right, it really is about visiting abandoned buildings.
Urbex is a way for people to discover a urban world in which the environment is not controlled by humans anymore. In some cases nature has taken over and you can find roots growing through the concrete. Once you are inside the building, you can let your curiosity run free. See that ladder here? Why not try to climb up? No one will tell you what to do. And this door, what if you tried to open it? What could possibly stop you from opening it? The sign “Danger” on the door?
Danger. This is one of the only thing that could stop you in your exploration. Some street artists, who have experience in this field, managed to sneak in remarkable places, but they do it knowing there is a risk when you are exploring abandoned places, and mostm of all, they have experience.
In the north of Paris, an abandoned supermarket was found by street artists Lek and Sowat. After exploring it and seeing the gigantic capacity of this abandoned building (40 000 m²), they decided to start a project called Mausolée. They would invite other street artists to perform their art on the walls of this supermarket. They have also shot a video – you will find it below – which enables us to see how fascinating these places can be.
But several interviews of those two artists reveal how hard the access to this place was, for common people. They had to walk through “bushes full of shit, places where prostitutes and drug dealers were doing their business, and where it was nearly impossible to breath”. They also had to cope with heights, climbing up on an iron bar and suspended above a kind of turbine, with rusty barbed wires all around. Not easy. But the result of their courageous exploration is rather impressive.
If you are curious about these places and amazed by the beauty of old factories, buildings in ruins, rusty pipes and so on, but you are not… let’s say, very athletic – and I know what I am talking about here – all these amazing places are not easily accessible. Still, you can find places in which you can sneak in quite easily. Last year, back when I was living in Cork, I could see from my bedroom’s window a big building that seemed to be abandoned. It took me a while to decide to climb up the other side of the hill in order to find a way to get as close as possible to this place.
So there I was, in the middle of a residential estate, trying to understand how I could get in the abandoned part without dying. From my first visit, I learned that one part of the building had been renewed in a classy residential zone, but that the other part was still abandoned, and that other abandoned buildings were around this very same area. I also learned that some CCTV were in operation around the building. And the most exciting thing: the building was actually an abandoned mental hospital which partly burnt down years ago. G-R-E-A-T.
I then tried to learn more about the place, it was actually made up of two big buildings. Our Lady’s Hospital was the main building, the one which partly burnt down. St Kevin’s Hospital was the red brick building built in 1893, to support the first building. A friend of mine already visited the place, so he knew where was the easiest way to get in. We had to walk through the estate, pass through bushes, climb up a small rocky hill, walk a tiny bit through bushes again and slip under barbed wires. I thought that I’d die about five times, but you have to consider the fact that I sometimes step on my own feet when I walk on the perfectly flat pavement of Dublin city.
We managed to get in few buildings, but the main ones remained inaccessible. Metal panels were sealing windows and doors, chains and locks have been added to those panels. I think you could have managed to get in if you had a pneumatic drill. Unfortunately, mine wouldn’t fit in my pocket, no matter how hard I tried.
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When I went back home, in Paris, a friend of mine was motivated to try to find entrances to what we call La Petite Ceinture. This place is actually an abandoned railway that goes around Paris. My friend heard about several entrances to this place, but also told me that the city of Paris was beginning to work on those abandoned parts. They had in mind to make those places all clean and accessible to the public. We had to try to get there before they started cleaning everything. She lead me to the first entrance, we had to slip under a fence.
She managed to do it, but told me that after the fence, there was a big hole that would bother us a lot when we’d try to climb back up. She added that, moreover, she wasn’t sure whether the thing she rolled in when getting under the fence was really only mud. The size of my belly would not allow me to slip under the fence anyway. Once again, I should have brought my pneumatic drill. We tried another entrance, that looked really accessible, but believe it or not, two guards decided to show up. My friend being covered in mud and I having several spray cans in the backpack, we knew that we were looking suspicious, and decided to leave. We eventually found the entrance of a tiny part of La Petite Ceinture. But the railway was soon joining an active railway, and some security guards from the RATP – the French company in charge of public transportation – were watching us.
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So, what is to be remembered from all of this? Well, firstly, open your eyes when you are walking around town. You might find a building worth visiting. Secondly, do something that won’t cause you to be in danger: people do not have the same physical capacities. Start small, and if you feel like daring more and more, then go for it! Thirdly, keep in mind that there is nothing legal in doing this; even though you’re technically not doing anything harmful to anyone else, if a security guy finds you, you might be fined.
Just a bit of courage, April’s first light will show up soon, we’ll do what we want and finally be able to lighten up. What a bad introductory sentence to talk to you about four Indie bands that will release albums throughout April. But if you analyse the sentence closely and if you are someone for whom Indie music is THE thing, well, we know that YOU know which bands we are going to talk about . For the rest of you, read on to learn more. We will introduce you to an Irish Folk band, a British Pop band, a British Grunge/Post-Grunge band and a British/Scottish/Irish Psychedelic Art Pop band.
Villagers – Darling Arithmetic – 13th of April
It’s chilly here today in the newsroom, as I am writing it is -5°C. Here at The City, we know exactly which song will fit this cold weather. On the second of February, Villagers uploaded the first single from their next album, Darling Arithmetic. The song is entitled Courage, and it is the type of folk song that has immediate calming power. You can easily close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting by the fire, wrapped up in a cosy blanket, sipping a hot chocolate with melting marshmallows. Conor O’Brien has a very soft voice that surrounds you and makes you feel like you are in a bubble made out of cushions. Loads of soft cushions, yet the bubble manages to fly up in the air. This first single is a hint of what we might find on Villagers‘ upcoming album, released on the 13th of April 2015, two years after the warmly welcomed Awayland.
Citizens! – European Soul – Expected on the 10th of April
If you want to warm up and are not in the mood for a cup of hot chocolate, the other solution might be to move. To dance. Citizens! to the rescue! Citizens! is a British Pop band who released their debut album Here We Are, two years ago. They signed up on Kitsuné, certainly one of the hypest record labels, but did not fall in what we would call the hype-trap. Citizens! are not one of those made-up Pop bands that are only made to attract young ladies. They are part of those Pop bands that are trying to restore our faith in Pop music. In Lighten Up, the first single from their second album entitled European Soul, Citizens! are definitely Pop. The song starts slowly, but this is just made to catch you better and to take you by the hand through the entire song. There will be a lot of head nodding to the beat of the song, and your feet are going to move. The best part? You won’t even notice it. European Soul will be Pop and is to be expected on the 10th of April 2015.
Drenge – Undertow – 6th of April
The third solution to stay warm is to go to those kinds of dirty basements in which small bands are playing loud music. Drenge‘s Post-Grunge is loud music, yet not too aggressive. It’s music to which you can start pogo and pushing people around – without hurting them. It’s all about fun and sweating. The Loveless brothers – yes, they are only two in this band, and yet they make so much noise – have this ability to create songs that are acting as real boosters on your body. While listening to We Can Do What We Want, the first single of their next album entitled Undertow, your entire body is moving. If you were feeling sleepy, this song will wake you up, it’s as if you were drinking an energy drink that works instantly. Drenge‘s song is very effective and goes straight to the point. The album will be released on the 6th of April, and will certainly make us sweat.
Django Django – Single : First Light – Album To Be Expected During Spring 2015
Django Django have not yet officially announced when their second album will be released, but according to NME, the album is due this spring. They have released their first single from the album entitled First Light. We must admit that First Light is a title which fits perfectly to the fact that the album will be released in spring. Spring. When the sun is starting to show up a bit more and when nature is waking up again from the long winter break. The first lights are waking up the animals and the vegetation is starting to grow again. You know, basic spring things. Django Django‘s music is refreshing, and their second album is something that we should all look forward to. Django Django have got the keys to wake us up from this long and cold winter.
“Just a bit of courage, April’s first light will show up soon, we’ll do what we want and finally be able to lighten up.”
Does is make more sense now?
Be ready for April, we feel that this month is going to be highly inspiring, musically speaking.
We know that it is freezing here in Dublin, and a lot of people are already looking forward to summer holidays. While you are wearing this big padded jacket that makes you look like one of Bibendum’s relatives, here at The City we would like to talk to you about Albania. Yes, Albania.
You, trying to make the best out of it during winter – (Michelin’s Bibendum) – Photo by Kevin Kim
If you are looking for a sunny country, with astonishing landscapes and amazing cheap food that is not-so-touristic, A-L-B-A-N-I-A.
Are you crazy about old objects which will certainly be useless once you purchased them? I think we all are. We advise you to go to Kruje, in which there is an outdoor market full of typical Albanian souvenirs. You can also find a huge range of metallic objects, such as old wind instruments and soldiers’ helmets. Not to mention old soldier’s outfits. And old soldiers’ flasks. You can actually find a lot of old army equipment. Kruje is an ancient fortress town. As you climb up the hill, you can see all the ramparts. If you like to find old stones, this town is also for you.
If you like crystal blue water, you have two options. The first one, and the one which is certainly better, is to go to Koman artificial lake. To have the best bathing time ever, we advise you to organise something with one of the boat companies around the lake. They will take you to a private beach and prepare the lunch once you arrive. The water might be quite cold, but the landscape surrounding you at this very moment will make you forget the fact that your toes might be freezing.
The other option is to visit the Blue Eye (in Delvinë District). Blue Eye, called Syri Kalter in Albanian, is a water spring from which you can see the source. What’s so special about that? Well, the depth of the source hasn’t been determined yet. But it appears to be more than 50 meters, and that is pretty impressive. If you’re brave enough, you can try to jump in at the source – good luck with swimming back up!
If you are more of a city person, Korçë is made for you. You can visit museums as well as Korçë’s Orthodox Church. You can find a various range of restaurants and bars in the city. There is a nightlife in Korçë, and young people are always happy to go clubbing. Korçë is also famous for its annual beer festival, which happens around the 13th of August. Families and people of all ages are often outside, giving to Korçë a friendly and convivial atmosphere.
If you would like to learn more about the country’s culture, history and religion, Voskopojë is the right village to go too. During the 18thcentury, Voskopojë was the cultural centre of the area (Korçë). Nowadays this small village is not considered to be the main cultural centre, but you can visit five ancient Orthodox churches, where you will be able to admire great murals. You can also go to Apollonia (Illyria) in Vjosë. Apollonia was an ancient Greek city, in which there was a theatre, a library and an entire street with shops. Nowadays, you can walk through the archeological site and see the ruins of this ancient city.
If we did not convince you that Albania might actually be a brilliant idea for your next summer destination, we advise you to actually go there and make up your own mind. Come on, you can’t say you don’t like it if you don’t try it!
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Monday, 2nd February. Text & Photos in the Slideshow by: Defné Cetin
Are you into psychedelic music? Do you feel that you might actually enjoy an experience in which your mind will be psyched away? In which you will feel your body floating in a mystical atmosphere? I will assume that the answer is YES, I REALLY DO.
We would like to introduce you to Pond, a psychedelic band coming all the way from the other side of the planet. Or coming from outer space, who knows. Active since 2008, they just released their sixth album “Man It Feels Like Space Again” on the 22nd January 2015 (AUS). You might not have heard of this Australian band yet, and it’s fine, we will not judge you.
But if we tell you that three of Pond’s members are also playing in another Australian band called Tame Impala, we are pretty sure that you will be able to figure out which kind of psyched-outer-space-music we are talking about.
We are talking about fuzzy psychedelic beep-beep-boop pop. We lost our words, but once you are into the atmosphere set up by Pond, you can not really describe how it feels. Your problems go away, you feel that your brain is floating in an unknown yet comfortable world – you actually feel good. This is part of the magic brought to you by good psychedelic bands. This is what Pond can do for you.
In other words …
Pond is coming to Dublin on the 19th February 2015, at Whelans, and you’d better save the date!
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