ctesiphon

Seamus et al-
My vanity is encouraging me to ask whether the crossword clues made sense, or if they’re as baffling as ever, i.e. did you work out why the Dominicans led to ‘opposite’, for example?

Graham-
Don’t think the stone is Portland, though I’m pretty sure it is stone rather than concrete. I think they were purpose built as warehouses, possibly even for the company that currently occupies them today. I lived in the area a few years ago and I was struck by the ‘facadist’ nature of the buildings, as though the local authority had said ‘You can build bland boxes, but for heaven’s sake put a nice front on them!’ (I’d still lean towards a date no earlier than mid-1980s or so.:) )

Newmarket is a strange place- it reminds me of parts of Edinburgh. I suppose this is mainly because its name recalls the Grassmarket and Haymarket, but also slightly because of its spatial quality. Maybe hard to see when it’s surrounded by crud such as the above and poxy tax-break apartments, but if you squint hard enough… This is why I said it was a dull building ill-befitting the location; I’d love to see Newmarket developed as a proper open space in the heart of the old city instead of being left to the boy-racers to practice their handbrake turns at 3 in the morning (though its openness is one of its best qualities- wouldn’t want it to be cluttered with street furniture junk and inappropriate vegetation). There’s a promising new development at the western end on the way (mentioned in a thread a while back on new Coombe developments), but I don’t know if there are any plans for the square itself. Interestingly, the square isn’t that old. The Edinburgh echoes led me to think it must have been an actual historic market square, but I heard somewhere that it was only laid out like that in the late 19th century or so. Must chase up the facts on it. Anyone know?

@jdivision wrote:

There is only one site in the country that currently qualifies for an Ikea, the one in Ballymun. They changed the legislation just for them so it’d be a bit of a slap in his face if they then applied for an intown store.

Only one site in the whole country? How fortunate! What a felicitous coincidence!! :rolleyes:

Have to say, I’d pay good money to see Dick Roche getting a slap in the face. Even a metaphorical one would do in the meantime… There’s something about his tone of voice that raises my hackles every time- that smarmy, patronising, ‘you obvoiusly don’t understand the issue, little boy’ quality that makes even M. Cullen sound sincere and caring. Sort of.

Spot on, alonso. I was thinking exactly the same thing.

As per the above articles, anyone know whether the Offaly council is FG or FF dominated? (Or, for balance, PD, Green or Labour dominated… 🙂 ) That’d be an interesting comparison- too see if Mr Roche throws the book at them too.

PS Worth highlighting: “I cannot stand over bad planning.” (Dick Roche) I always like a good laugh of a Friday afternoon.

My colleague, who has considerably more crossword experience than I, has suggested that the third clue needs revision. Also, he thinks I shoud clarify that the four words for a (sort of) sentence – something like ‘Baggot Street beside hospital’ or ‘bridge with stone arches’ – that gives the location of the building but not its name. Lastly, he thinks the first clue is a stinker, but I’m not changing it.:)

So the revised clue for word three is:

Here, on Fergus, I’ll buy and sell you at the races. (9)

If I have time before these clues are guessed, I’ll try to do up a little crossword and scan it in.

I’m a frayed knot.:)

Contrary to what some might think, I’m not revelling in anyone’s frustration. I’m dying for someone to get it. If anyone’s desperate for a sound night’s sleep, pm me and I can put you out of your misery.

Also, I’ve been tinkering with some crossword-style clues, if anyone’s interested?:o

Seamus- I think you might be onto something with that guess.

DOC- Sorry, neither DIT nor the church.

Paul- sorry for the torture. 🙂

Another hint? It’s very close to one of the other buildings featured over the last couple of pages. If one were to visit each of those, the location of this would be immediately apparent.

When I was on a language exchange in my teens in Angers in France, the kids in the family were all highly amused by some of the books I had brought with me- they were written by P.D. James, who will forever more be known to me as Payday Jems.

The French ‘version’ of PD has often brought a smile to my face when the Irish PDs get mentioned. Amazing what kids can teach you.

Presumably thought he didn’t need permission.

Yesss!!! I finally thwarted GrahamH.!:) (Sorry- I’m sure you understand.)

@Seamus O’G wrote:

1 also reminds me a bit of Loftus Lane, at the back of the whole cinema (Virgin/UGC) complex on Parnell Street. Unlikely to be, though, if it’s been placed in the 1950’s by Graham H, who knows considerably more than me. (And at a much tenderer age, too.:D )

Oh he makes a good argument alright, but trust your instinct on the dating front, Seamus. Maybe not as late as Virgin, but it’s not as early as the 1950s either. Not Wilton Place either, I’m afraid, jd.

Re the warehouse- I’ll come clean. It’s opposite Grey’s pub on the corner of Ardee Street and Newmarket in the Coombe. It’d be cruel to withhold any more- you were close enough, GH and jd.

PS Graham- fwiw, I’m thwarted by your outstanding one too. I’m presuming it’s a corner seen from under some eaves, but I’m not even sure of that.

😮
Pretty damning evidence.

I note also that the setback seems greater in the ‘original’, even allowing for any possible lens-based distortion. (Nice effort at matching the pics btw, Devin.)

Wouldn’t the actual application drawings have shown precise heights etc.?
Having said that, images like the above tend to be the ones that lodge in the minds of people, whether planners, councillors, members of the public, etc.