Around the World in Analogue: Dublin Memories Before Lockdown

Ireland's capital, Dublin, affectionately called "the crack" by its residents, is home to not only its history-filled cobblestone pavements and architecture, or the chilling seaside and cliffs. Dublin is home to witty, artistic, and intellectual people. Lomographer Carl Foran a.k.a. foranfilm returns to Lomography to share his beloved memories of his hometown Dublin through his own words and film shots, taken before the lockdown.

Dublin is a place for tourists. A place for pints and a place for the oul craic. Dublin is my home and a fine home at that.

I always dream of seeing Dublin through the eyes of a tourist. Walking around the temple bar and feeling the cobbles stones beneath. Even Strolling up Camden street for the first time and feeling drunk whilst attempting the Camden mile. This being a pub crawl the length of Camden street. Some amazing streets and shops in Dublin which would keep you busy for an entire day.

My typical day off involves getting lost in the city with a camera in hand. Starting my journey from Smithfield then up along the Quays trying to capture the faces I pass. Making my way to the top of Dame street where the sun burns its way down through the traffic. I take a quick left into the narrow cobbled road of temple bar snapping some couples holding hands or some tourists with the map out in front of their face. The Vintage tea tours bus is parked up on the side, and for unknown reasons, this draws my eye in to capture a shot.

From taking a stroll through George's street arcade and peeking at all the little gift shops and then having a Guinness and some Tapas in the Market Bar, to grabbing a Dublin bike up to Ulysses Rare Books store on Duke Street for a quick read. Grafton street packed to the rafters of shoppers and flower sellers. The sun is peaking through but there is still a drizzle in the air.

Upon looking back now, the idea of being able to walk wherever my legs will take me seems to be a distant dream. Covid-19 preventing us from seeing the city. But she is still there waiting for us. Still there wanting us to pummel her cobblestones with our boots.

For those who don’t frequent the city too often miss out big time on the surprises it holds. I have a passion for this city and I owe it all to keeping a camera in hand. You would never know the wonders of your surroundings unless you stop. And take a glance around you. The rooftops of Dame Street are just something you would not care for unless you really cared for them. The busker in the archway after the Happeny bridge has been passed by, so many times without a glance, but he is there, she is there, and they provide the vain which leads into Temple Bar.

Harcourt Street not just a pulse from Coppers but holding the statues of long-forgotten in the Iveagh Gardens which continually gaze upon the Dubs. McGrattan's Pub is hiding behind Merion Square but longing for a drinking buddy to come sit on its many stools and couches.

You could pass by so many surprises if you didn't intend to look. If you hadn’t planned to stroll if you weren’t hoping to find. You could walk for hours and end up anywhere. Alan Hannah’s book shop in Rathmines is just screaming for a page to be turned and coffee to be drank. The back roads have the prettiest little houses which haven’t had their photo taken since before the first lockdown. The Bowery needs its Captain to set sail and pull the porter, but we have to wait.

We will sit in and shoot some selfies, snap some portraits, and gaze out the window. Those who are lucky enough to live inside the walls of the cities heart can still pummel her cobblestones with their boots but do so within range. She will open up her arms and hug us warmly, and when she does…I’ll be happy to share her with the world.

Want to take us Around the World in Analogue? Drop a line to ciel.hernandez@lomography.com with the subject Around the World in Analogue and share your unforgettable travels with the rest of the community! Read the guidelines here. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are hoping everyone's taking the necessary measures to remain safe and healthy.

written by cielsan on 2020-12-06 in #people #places #around-the-world #dublin #around-the-world-in-analogue