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Newsletter Autumn Edition 2009

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Autumn 2009

EAST PIER BATTERY TO BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC

Contents

  • East Pier Battery
  • Open House Dublin
  •  
  • Book festival 10-13 September
  • Green Dragon Welcome
  •  
  • FOWC 2009
  • 175th Steam Festival
  •  
  • Hidden Gems - Sundial

Hidden Gems

Analemmatic Sundial
Analemmatic Sundial

Battery as it appears today

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company are pleased to announce that the East Pier Battery will be open to the public on weekends from Saturday, 29th August 2009 until Sunday, 18th October 2009

Opening hours will be:
Saturday, 29th and Sunday, 30th August [FOWC]
10:30 - 17:00

Thereafter:
Thursdays to Sundays
10:30 - 17:00

until Sunday, 18th October

For more information on the East Pier Battery please see: http://www.dlharbour.ie/content/
history/harbour/east_pier_battery.php

East Pier Battery is one of only two gun saluting stations in the country, the other being at Spike Island in Cork.

Members of the public were last admitted to view the facility during 'Harbour Week 1991', when the Department of the Marine assumed responsibility for the Harbour in 1989.

Tremendous interest was shown by visitors in the origins of the Battery.

The Battery was built to protect the coast and to replace Glasthule battery which stood near the site of the present-day baths. The building of the Harbour, however, rendered the Glasthule fort comparatively useless since it stood to far inshore; in 1843 Commissioners of Public Works agreed to demolish the old battery and build a new one at the end of the East Pier.

East Pier Battery view from Sea

The Kingstown Battery was built in the 1850's (around the existing East Pier Lighthouse which was completed in 1842) of high granite blocks with the top of the walls rounded to deflect shot. The battery was equipped with high calibre guns, a powder magazine, shell and artillery stores, a shot furnace and quarters for 25 soldiers and an officer.

A drawing of the battery surveyed in 1859 lists in addition to the facilities already mentioned officer's and soldier's water closets, a wash house and ash pit, a gyn rack and hand spike sheds. There was also a water tank with a capacity to hold 3,000 gallons. The Battery never saw action and was and still is used only for firing salutes.

Open House Dublin
Open House Dublin

The doors are open for Ireland's largest architectural event, Open House Dublin 2009.

It is a simple and powerful idea where over one weekend, - from 8 to 11 October - buildings selected for their architectural quality and interest open to the public.

Explore your city's architecture with over 160 events; ranging from building, walking, boat and cycling tours to children workshops, architectural lectures and the ever popular Open Debate.

This year the spotlight is on 'next generation' buildings. Visit Dublin's most innovative designs - including the new sustainable landmark, Eircom's 1 Heuston South Quarter and the pioneering housing scheme, Timberyard by O'Donnell + Tuomey.

All Open House Dublin events are free of charge.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour will feature Harbour Lodge and the East Pier Battery

To find out more please visit our website www.architecturefoundation.ie. A full programme of events will be available in September 2009.

Join us and discover your city!
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