Yesterday I had the honour of giving the first seminar in the Long Room Hub Methods Series at Trinity. I presented a paper entitled ‘Visualising Historical Data’ to a packed room. We had 45 people in the room, some sitting on the floor, and apparently another dozen or so were turned away at the door. Jennifer Edmond gave me a warm and thoughtful introduction and I then launched into a high-level discussion of a few of the very interesting and innovative tools and methods available for working with both structured and unstructured text and numbers. The talk was intended to merely spark interest and hope that attendees might be inspired to try something new with their own research data.

The talk explored tag clouds of a couple varieties, tree maps, timelines, and introduced OpenCalais as a machine driven means to apply context to data. We had a very fruitful discussion afterward as attendees raised some very intriguing questions ranging from issues of visual misrepresentation, the role of the consumer of the visualisation in the making judgements, as well as privacy and the crucial importance of not losing sight of traditional research fundamentals in the glitz of technological toys. I attempted to convey the use of data visualisation for both analytical process and as a means of presenting research findings. Technology forced me to present using PDF as the presentation driver and thankfully the last minute change came off without a hitch. Hopefully, if technology cooperated, the talk will be available for public consumption through iTunes U very shortly.

It was my pleasure to be invited to give the talk and I thank Jason McElligott and Jennifer Edmonds fo the opportunity. I was enormously pleased by the interest in data visualisation in the humanities and certainly this looks like a very ripe area for the DHO to focus some efforts as part of our mandate.

The talk was delivered in the Trinity Irish Art Research Centre which is housed in the renovated Provost’s House Stables. A very unique location and a rather cool architectural reuse.

I have been truly blessed to have enjoyed some spectacular weather here in Ireland. In my travels I have experienced periods of moisture (some intense, but most rather subtle). The last few weeks have delivered especially lovely weather - conveniently and assuredly on the weekends. Today was bright, sunny, clear and with an autumnal sharpness in the air. To broaden my irish experience today it was very enjoyable round of golf at the Stepaside Golf Club. It’s a public course, but certainly finer than many Canadian private ones. I will admit to having not been golfing in probably a decade. So today was a big trial. Would I still have a semblance of ability?…might I still have some proper form?…would I embarass myself in front of my partner? Heaven forfend. As it was the day was brilliant, the course was a delight and I seemed to be able to still drive a good ball. It was just great to be out in the Irish countryside and soaking in the rays and ambience. The long game was reasonable, the short game - well, alas needs a bit of work. But, if this were to be bringing me out to the Irish golf courses with greater frequency, I say: let’s do it!

A couple of weeks back I booked a pair of tickets to see Luka Bloom at Vicar Street. I had heard of the venue and catching a big name there seemed like a fine idea. Then I saw in my email from ticketmaster that Art Garfunkel was playing the local venue. Wow! Art Garfunkel live. Checking ticket prices I found they were double normal rates and a bit steep so was reticent about booking. Last night a sweet angel confirmed that seeing Art Garfunkel would be an amazing experience. We figured we’d see how it seemed in the morning and go from there. Unfortunately, although there had been tables and seat available yesterday morning all available today was standing room. €70 for a place to stand seemed a bit steep and was not sure of the venue. Then to complicate matters, my office was broken into last night, so when I arrived today to do a little work I found a lot of glass and bits of pieces of wood, and no laptops. That was troubling enough in itself, determining how to actually proceed in such a situation in a foreign land was an additional challenge. No one from the building was available, then couldn’t reach anyone from my own organisation. So…managed to contact the local police and arranged for a constable to visit. On the upside, we got some good prints and no one was actually injured or the like. So…the distraction of the B&E was a little off putting. It means about 3 months of work down the tubes for me, but now its just a matter of focusing on how to get past it. So, I tried again to get tickets for Mr. Garfunkel. Alas only standing room, despite going to the online site, phoning ticketmaster and the venue itself. As my lovely companion was reticent about standing through the show I was disappointed, but she resolved that we should go for it…and she could not have been more right! I made a couple lamb chops and some sides and after wolfing them down we jumped in a taxi for the venue. Our luck held and sure enough there had been cancelations and we got absolutely awesome table seats on the floor. Vicar Street is an amazing venue. Amazingly intimate. Art Garfunkel gave an stunningly romantic show and spending it with someone special makes the world seem right. A perfect night.

Ah ’tis a fine Sunday when you can slip on up to the six counties for a leisurely visit. I decided in the am to see where I might find myself and Cork was approachable, but a slower trip. belfast made the most sense at just over two hours. Its a fine ride to the north and all the better when the weather’s sweet and Sunday’s was a peach. As we crossed the Boyne I sensed the day would go well- there’s always a certain pang of significance to the crossing especially when one is pushing on into Ulster.

Belfast has a strange gateway railway station. The central statin doesn’t quite seem that central, and yet I gather is more central than it once was…so it’s all rather relative I suppose. What sort of image does Belfast conjure up for you? Recent times of course remind us of the troubles, of sectarian violence, of division, and of extremes. yet, when I was through in April on my way up the north Antrim coast, it was clear that Belfast is a city of resurgent affluence, new construction, investment and certainly different circumstances than the view from outside might portend. You may also remember the Harland and Wolf shipyards that produced the Titanic and of a working-class urban centre. Belfast is not the place of memory. The first impression as you walk into town, even on a Sunday is that its a bit of a shopping town. They have some quite large city centre malls - the Tesco is even situated in a restored neo-classical masterpiece. There are pedestrian friendly streets, a wealth of high-end boutiques, cafe’s and … as of last week a bright spanking new Apple store. The scale of the city is a pleasant surprise. Very walkable and very densely rich. The architecture has the feel of fin-de-siecle turrets, arches and fine craftsmanship. A lot of red, sandstone mason’s pride.

I had a superb and filling late lunch at ‘Made in Belfast’ - a wonderfully eclectic eatery. A pint of Guinness along with some Belfast crab on brown bread (with olive oil, pesto, cherry tomatoes). I was warned that the burgers were not available (some incomprehensible explanation) and that the special of the day as a substitute was roast beef. Well, when in belfast, go for the special. It was delicious and was served with a wonderful au jus, carmellized onions, broccolli and green beans. I was able to charge my mobile at a plug alongside my table, pop onto the internet on a dwindling laptop battery and satiate my noontime needs.

After some wandering about to get feel for the city, I did feel obliged to pop into the Crown pub for another pint. Don’t be counting…I may have had more than one with lunch. But, the Crown is renowned. The only disappointment was the unavailability of fresh oysters…my heart had leapt at the possibility. All the more so as it would have been a sense of connectedness with the west on Sunday. The stores close at a very generous 6pm on Sundays, so this worked well for me catching a 7pm train back to Dublin. The trains were all on time, comfortable and quite reasonable in cost. The trip home was a packed crew…presumably returnees from a full weekend in the north.

The currency situation is rather odd I find. Having gotten used to Euros, all is well…you just don’t do the conversion and life seems alright. In point of fact in Dublin, you are paying in euros, directly what you would pay in dollars, so life is more expensive here. There has been a lot of press lately about how many of the chains are gouging customers in the republic. However, despite this, I found that I was actually paying in sterling what I am paying in Euros. That’s a wee bit more again. This was not the case in all venues, as the pints cost me £2 as opposed to being as high as €5 in some Dublin pubs at certain times…curiosity…liquor costs vary by time of day in Ireland. Novel.

All in all, though, a fine place for a visit and I’ll look forward to tripping up again to get further afield.

Today’s objective (as tho’ the day needed an objective) was to finally explore the National War Memorial Gardens and Phoenix Park. Bottomline: It’s a really, freakin’ enormous park. We already knew it was the largest walled park in the world, but the scale is not really appreciable until move about its extents under your own steam. It’s a rustic park for most parts - thankfully the more rustic, the more quiet and peaceful. The smell is delicious. I rode placidly appreciating the views of distant villages, across vista’s entirely within the parkspace itself and occassional glimpses out of the greenery and off in the distance towards the cranes in Dublin. Parts of the park are more developed than others - near the Aras an Uachtaran (the President’s House) is very ceremonial, where the Ordinance Survey offices are tucked unobtrusivelly into a forest nook. The around the Wellington Monument was crawling with people. Apparently it was Septemberfest and Some sort of Soccerfest as well. There was a cricket tourney all coexisting within a mere corner of the park. The Dublin Zoo (also a constituent part of the park) was busy with families coming and going.

The National War Memorial gardens were the polar opposite. Its also a substantial park, but it’s somber and respectful (as it should be) the hilly grounds very much a manicured space festooned with ruiney-looking monuments. Respect and reverance. On the downside I swam back in the pouring rain. Well, at least the larger portion of the day was dry. Quite the change from yesterday, the sunburn effects of which I can still feel

The day dawned bright in Dublin and with contingency set to continue my cultural tour of the north side of the Liffey, I set off early. The day was fresh, but stunningly bright. Lovely, lyrically so, and if I have learned anything from the past few week…when you have the chance, seize it. So at 8am I trundled off on the old (new really, but I use the term endearingly) Trek Urban rider. Destination: Casino Marino. My Bank Manager Niall has suggested the visit on more than one occasion. A passionate north sider he, there’s a less than subtle attempt to convince me to balance my impression of Dublin by straddling the Liffey. I discovered I could be in Kilester in a very short time, and also that that was too far to have gone to find the Casino.
Yes, when he first mentioned it, I thought it was a neon-emblazzed place of gambling. I was actually quite far off. If you followed the link above, you’ll have discovered that the casino is in fact a palace of pleasure, but in this case a neo-classical masterpiece that’s a listed national monument here. It was built by the first Lord Charlemont (also the founder of my employer, the Royal Irish Academy). A casino is a building dedicated to entertainment and impressing acquaintances - I would know it more familiarly as a Belvedere. The Petit Trianon springs to mind as example. Casino Marino is stunningly proportioned, full of wonders and a trip well worth making. I had a private tour by a passionate guide.
I left Clontarf and headed north to Malahide. Eventually the four lane busy highway gave way yo a winding country road, lined with trees. It was an easy, long ride on one of the finest days of recent memory. Up past north of malahide, then a decision to turn around and find a nice lunch. Back through a very busy central Malahide, I passed on towards Portmarnock. The beach was well populated and the sun streamed off the surf. I kept pushing towards Howth, which I also found packed with wanders. I eventually stopped at the Bay Food and Wine for a yummy lunch. starting with some spectacular spring rolls and followed by eggs benedict (I liked the heavier lemon, but found that the more tart goats cheese overwhelmed the salmon). Quaffing some fine Pinot, the brunch was delightful. The only thing lacking was the right company.
A long leisurely brunch challenged my crystalizing plan to visit my man Jimmy in Dun Laoghaire for a trim. Back onto the horse I set off along the Dublin Bay cyclepath at a good click. At one point I sensed another cyclist in my peripheral vision. Not wanting to delay, I cranked up my speed a notch. Next thing I know he cruises up easily to my side and asks if I’d accept a question. I was a little surprised at the ease which he matched my pace, especially as he had a good 20 years on me. Nice chap as it turned out and we shared a good portion of the ride to Dun Laoghaire.
Jimmy’s is a busy parlour on a saturday. When I entered the cramped shop with people spilling onto the sidewalk, a couple of the teenaged boys confessed that they weren’t there for a cut and as it turned out five were there along with a single buddy getting a good trim. Jimmy is a pro. As fast with the scissors as with the blade. He does a fine job, maintains a lively banter and efficiently carries out his trade. He’s a one man bad again. When I last graced his door, he had a young apprentice who has since found a full time gig in the city.
The cut took me to past five and in town I decided I wanted to find a copy of Brian Friel’s Translations at Hughes and Hughes. The Dun Laoghaire outlet is one of the bigger ones. Two stories and featuring a Costa shop on the upper. Costa makes the best latte in town here by my experience thus far, so quickly grabbed a quick one to go. Finding my book and hitching the steed back up, I motored it back to town. Getting home around 6:15 I realized I was pushing it a bit to get to our 8 date to hear the songs of Harold Arlen at the Cobalt cafe, but the day’s activity card was nicely full and satisfying.
All in all, probably travelled a good 50-60 kms today. By a wide margin the longest of my stay here, but an absolutely brilliant day. Mind you, I sense I have probably ended up with some pretty strange shaped tan lines, having not planned for a full day in the sun. Tomorrow will tell the tell physically as well as aesthetically.

Originally published en route over 3 3G network
On the early train from Heuston to Galway this morning. It’s a dry day, but not the brightest.
Fingers crossed for a pleasant appearance in Galway. I have not been here since 1991. Remember fondly the advice to hit the Quays and finding accommodation in a convent school during the Galway Music Festival. As I recall, Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves had come out and was showing at the cinema. Went out, found the theatre and when the mercenary ‘celts’ (when I think of historical realism I always value the Costner touch came over the hill to attack the merry band…the whole audience cheered.
So far a very flat trip outwards. Sedate and a time for pleasant reflection. Transported by lovely notes from border crossings in Cyprus.
Arrival in Galway to greyish skies, but greeted warmly by Bruno, our man in Galway. Tucking into the Quays, we enjoyed some absolutely stunningly fresh and tasty oysters. The skies cleared as we got a chance to wander about thew town. Galway has grown up much since I was last here and it has a very, very European feel to it. Almost a central European feel. The core is full of wide cobblestoned pedestrian roadways and features an amazing variety of shops, bars and restaurants. Its a wonderful stroll and far more charmingly European than Temple Bar.
The Corrib river also featured very strongly. It was a raging river right through town. The sheer power of the rush of water was quite spectacular.
The sun has now come out fully as we journey back to Dublin. The waiting train for the return is one of the old orange bone-shakers. We did well the way out in one the new modern intercity railsets. The Diesel powered one for the return sat belching smoke in the train shed, the ventilation system, not quite keeping up. The exhaust gathered in the rafters, leaving one top wonder wether they actually had opened the presumed louvers in the roof. Created a rather old world sort of experience.
All in all a very nice trip. Galway scores high. Pity about the hurling juniors.

Was up to the border this morning via train. A soggy beginning, but the sun won out in the end. We set off south passing through Slane and appreciating the main square where four identical Georgian houses are places octagonally on the main intersection. Very stately.
Armed with a neat new TomTom One GPS unit we set off for Tara. With the sun bursting through we find the sacred hill. There is little scale to the actual mounds themselves. There’s sheep wandering about and many pats to avoid. The moats around the mound are just enough to keep you on your toes, but just grassy knolls really. Now, I had taken a look at pictures of the stone of destiny…and somehow it all seemed much bigger.
But lest ye think that I was dismayed by the scale or setting…it’s a magical experience! The view from the mound is absolutely spectacular…according to accounts you can see all four provinces (kingdoms) from the hill. I am convinced. The vista is amazing. The stone is smaller than expected, but here’s the thing…it pulses with energy. No kidding. I used the stone like a divining rod and could easily feel the energy flowing from it. Now, if things were all as they should be, it should have been wailing…as it is claimed when the true king touches it, it will cry out in a shriek that can be heard throughout the island. For me…it was silent. Imagine my disappointment I was thrilled to visit Tara. What a treat and what a special guide.

You can’t possibly imagine the joy as I discover that I can once again communicate with the world from my own home. For the past month I haven’t been able to reach any of my own websites from my house. Try as I may I simply could reach my own server. Entered the IP number, tried reflashing the router, blowing away prefs on everything, all to no avail. OSX, Windows, didn’t matter. shawnday.com of all flavours was simply beyond my reach. So, no more excuses for not keeping in touch. Time to catch up. Wow…what a treat!

The videophone is one for a hasty jaunt through St. Stephen’s Green.

Jaunt Movie (Click to Watch)