countydublin

I remember, as a child, digging down in the sand in Skerries (perhaps 65 years ago). Obviously not digging far, but hitting a layer of black stuff. My parents told me it was oil. It had a very particular smell. I still remember it. I still wonder what it was. It happened more than once.

The answer, according to A.I.:

The Science Behind the 'Black Oil' Layer

The Lack of Oxygen (Anoxia): On popular beaches like Skerries South Beach or North Strand, the top few inches of sand are constantly turned over by waves and the tide, keeping them well-oxygenated and clean. However, just a short distance below the surface, the tightly packed sand particles block fresh water and oxygen from penetrating.

Decaying Organic Matter: Over time, bits of seaweed, marine organisms, and organic silt get buried under the shifting sand. In an environment devoid of oxygen, normal decomposition cannot happen. Instead, specialized anaerobic bacteria take over to break down this organic material.

The Chemical Reaction: These bacteria "breathe" sulfates (which are abundant in seawater) and exude iron sulfides. It is this iron sulfide that dyes the sand grains a deep, jet-black color and gives it a slick, greasy texture that looks identical to oil.

Boo hoo! The Tower Tearooms and The Tuck Shop are no more ...
In February (brrr!) 2023 via Paul McNamara [https://www.flickr.com/photos/pauljmcnamara/52713096446/]

Red Island again

This Faecsbook page reckons "circa 1928" - www.facebook.com
Includes another Eason near the tower with a motor car - catalogue.nli.ie

I’d say he’s getting it ready for some bowling.

Somewhere near the Marine Hotel, Sutton Cross ?? Googlesphere - goo.gl/maps/26jpzKbqMNveNq6J7 Satellite 3D - www.google.com/maps/@53.3892929,-6.1132911,71a,35y,123.65...

"The Hotel was built in 1897 in what was a sleepy outlying area of Dublin City. The Hotel was then known as the Golfers Hotel later becoming the Strand Hotel and finally in 1913 the Marine Hotel. It was one of the first businesses to have a telephone, its number being “Sutton 25”. The Gerarty sisters owned and managed the Hotel until 1959 when it was purchased by Oswald Johnson who built a seawater indoor swimming pool, a most unique feature at the time. ..." From - www.marinehotel.ie/en/the-hotel/ [possibly a wild goose chase]

The 25" map calls it the "Strand Hotel". The 1901 tram to Howth would be visible in the photo if it was built, so possibly before 1901. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_of_Howth_Tramway

Gardens for a very newly built row of houses, by the looks of it.

sheilscharity.ie

"Around 25 years ago, sadly the original Sheils buildings in Dublin had fallen into disrepair and were not up to standard.

A developer bought over the original buildings and constructed 27 new houses and apartments, fully up to modern standards."

…and a splendid bicycle! 😀👍

Built in 1868 per the DIA.

Today's word is Ruskinian.

dia.ie

Also at Archiseek www.archiseek.com

www.archiseek.com
The Sheils' Institution comprised of 24 self contained almshouses built circa 1869 by Charles Sheils Almshouses Charity for poor ladies. A wealthy merchant from County Down, Sheils devoted his life and money into helping the elderly particularly women after the death of his own wife.