2008-04-09T00:01:05Z this is diopter : a photoblog based in dublin, ireland. tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2 Movable Type Copyright (c) 2008, thisisdiopter 2008-04-09T00:01:05Z 2008-04-09T00:01:00Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1282 2008-04-09T00:01:00Z

a swan on the grand canal, dublin.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (Dublin) ]]> 2008-04-08T01:43:27Z 2008-04-08T00:01:00Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1281 2008-04-08T00:01:00Z

close detail of a swan, the grand canal, dublin.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (Dublin) ]]> 2008-04-08T01:42:36Z 2008-04-07T00:01:00Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1280 2008-04-07T00:01:00Z

a swan on the grand canal, dublin.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (Dublin) ]]> 2008-04-06T00:01:04Z 2008-04-06T00:01:00Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1279 2008-04-06T00:01:00Z

plants growing in the garden of castle ward. castle ward sits on the south shore of stangford lough, nestled amid woodlands, gardens and the beauty of the lakeshore. this manor house is unique because it is made up of two completely different styles of architecture and décor. bernard ward, the first viscount bangor, and his wife, anne, built the home in the 1760s. according to history, they could not agree on the style for their new abode, so they each chose what they liked for half of the mansion. lord bangor took the front portion, and chose a classical, orderly and restrained style of architecture and furnishing, while anne’s half, located at the back of the house, was designed and furnished in a more gothic style of architecture and furnishing. the two styles converge in the entrance hall, where classical stucco fruit and figure ornaments mingle with more humorous articles, such as a genuine fiddle, basket and hat, coated in plaster and mounted on the wall. a particularly interesting feature is the victorian playroom, equipped with a rocking horse, books, and dress up clothes. children can play with period toys such as hoops, stilts, and tops. on the grounds, there is ample opportunity for scenic walks on the paths through the forest and along the lake. restored estate buildings of all types are a testament to the amazing amount of effort and cost expended to sustain an aristocratic way of life on a country estate in centuries past.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Horticulture ]]> 2008-04-06T00:01:06Z 2008-04-05T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1278 2008-04-05T00:00:01Z

full side profile of castle ward. castle ward sits on the south shore of stangford lough, nestled amid woodlands, gardens and the beauty of the lakeshore. this manor house is unique because it is made up of two completely different styles of architecture and décor. bernard ward, the first viscount bangor, and his wife, anne, built the home in the 1760s. according to history, they could not agree on the style for their new abode, so they each chose what they liked for half of the mansion. lord bangor took the front portion, and chose a classical, orderly and restrained style of architecture and furnishing, while anne’s half, located at the back of the house, was designed and furnished in a more gothic style of architecture and furnishing. the two styles converge in the entrance hall, where classical stucco fruit and figure ornaments mingle with more humorous articles, such as a genuine fiddle, basket and hat, coated in plaster and mounted on the wall. a particularly interesting feature is the victorian playroom, equipped with a rocking horse, books, and dress up clothes. children can play with period toys such as hoops, stilts, and tops. on the grounds, there is ample opportunity for scenic walks on the paths through the forest and along the lake. restored estate buildings of all types are a testament to the amazing amount of effort and cost expended to sustain an aristocratic way of life on a country estate in centuries past.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (National) ]]> 2008-04-05T00:58:45Z 2008-04-04T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1277 2008-04-04T00:00:01Z

leaves on a hedge in the gardens of castle ward. castle ward sits on the south shore of stangford lough, nestled amid woodlands, gardens and the beauty of the lakeshore. this manor house is unique because it is made up of two completely different styles of architecture and décor. bernard ward, the first viscount bangor, and his wife, anne, built the home in the 1760s. according to history, they could not agree on the style for their new abode, so they each chose what they liked for half of the mansion. lord bangor took the front portion, and chose a classical, orderly and restrained style of architecture and furnishing, while anne’s half, located at the back of the house, was designed and furnished in a more gothic style of architecture and furnishing. the two styles converge in the entrance hall, where classical stucco fruit and figure ornaments mingle with more humorous articles, such as a genuine fiddle, basket and hat, coated in plaster and mounted on the wall. a particularly interesting feature is the victorian playroom, equipped with a rocking horse, books, and dress up clothes. children can play with period toys such as hoops, stilts, and tops. on the grounds, there is ample opportunity for scenic walks on the paths through the forest and along the lake. restored estate buildings of all types are a testament to the amazing amount of effort and cost expended to sustain an aristocratic way of life on a country estate in centuries past.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Horticulture

]]> 2008-04-05T00:54:47Z 2008-04-03T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1276 2008-04-03T00:00:01Z

the side of castle ward. castle ward sits on the south shore of stangford lough, nestled amid woodlands, gardens and the beauty of the lakeshore. this manor house is unique because it is made up of two completely different styles of architecture and décor. bernard ward, the first viscount bangor, and his wife, anne, built the home in the 1760s. according to history, they could not agree on the style for their new abode, so they each chose what they liked for half of the mansion. lord bangor took the front portion, and chose a classical, orderly and restrained style of architecture and furnishing, while anne’s half, located at the back of the house, was designed and furnished in a more gothic style of architecture and furnishing. the two styles converge in the entrance hall, where classical stucco fruit and figure ornaments mingle with more humorous articles, such as a genuine fiddle, basket and hat, coated in plaster and mounted on the wall. a particularly interesting feature is the victorian playroom, equipped with a rocking horse, books, and dress up clothes. children can play with period toys such as hoops, stilts, and tops. on the grounds, there is ample opportunity for scenic walks on the paths through the forest and along the lake. restored estate buildings of all types are a testament to the amazing amount of effort and cost expended to sustain an aristocratic way of life on a country estate in centuries past.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (National)

]]> 2008-04-05T00:49:47Z 2008-04-02T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1275 2008-04-02T00:00:01Z

diagonal perspective of the gothic side of castle ward. castle ward sits on the south shore of stangford lough, nestled amid woodlands, gardens and the beauty of the lakeshore. this manor house is unique because it is made up of two completely different styles of architecture and décor. bernard ward, the first viscount bangor, and his wife, anne, built the home in the 1760s. according to history, they could not agree on the style for their new abode, so they each chose what they liked for half of the mansion. lord bangor took the front portion, and chose a classical, orderly and restrained style of architecture and furnishing, while anne’s half, located at the back of the house, was designed and furnished in a more gothic style of architecture and furnishing. the two styles converge in the entrance hall, where classical stucco fruit and figure ornaments mingle with more humorous articles, such as a genuine fiddle, basket and hat, coated in plaster and mounted on the wall. a particularly interesting feature is the victorian playroom, equipped with a rocking horse, books, and dress up clothes. children can play with period toys such as hoops, stilts, and tops. on the grounds, there is ample opportunity for scenic walks on the paths through the forest and along the lake. restored estate buildings of all types are a testament to the amazing amount of effort and cost expended to sustain an aristocratic way of life on a country estate in centuries past.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (National) ]]> 2008-04-05T00:49:38Z 2008-04-01T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1274 2008-04-01T00:00:01Z

a single window on the gothic side of castle ward. castle ward sits on the south shore of stangford lough, nestled amid woodlands, gardens and the beauty of the lakeshore. this manor house is unique because it is made up of two completely different styles of architecture and décor. bernard ward, the first viscount bangor, and his wife, anne, built the home in the 1760s. according to history, they could not agree on the style for their new abode, so they each chose what they liked for half of the mansion. lord bangor took the front portion, and chose a classical, orderly and restrained style of architecture and furnishing, while anne’s half, located at the back of the house, was designed and furnished in a more gothic style of architecture and furnishing. the two styles converge in the entrance hall, where classical stucco fruit and figure ornaments mingle with more humorous articles, such as a genuine fiddle, basket and hat, coated in plaster and mounted on the wall. a particularly interesting feature is the victorian playroom, equipped with a rocking horse, books, and dress up clothes. children can play with period toys such as hoops, stilts, and tops. on the grounds, there is ample opportunity for scenic walks on the paths through the forest and along the lake. restored estate buildings of all types are a testament to the amazing amount of effort and cost expended to sustain an aristocratic way of life on a country estate in centuries past.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (National) ]]> 2008-03-31T00:01:02Z 2008-03-31T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1273 2008-03-31T00:00:01Z

the gothic side of castle ward, looking upward. castle ward sits on the south shore of stangford lough, nestled amid woodlands, gardens and the beauty of the lakeshore. this manor house is unique because it is made up of two completely different styles of architecture and décor. bernard ward, the first viscount bangor, and his wife, anne, built the home in the 1760s. according to history, they could not agree on the style for their new abode, so they each chose what they liked for half of the mansion. lord bangor took the front portion, and chose a classical, orderly and restrained style of architecture and furnishing, while anne’s half, located at the back of the house, was designed and furnished in a more gothic style of architecture and furnishing. the two styles converge in the entrance hall, where classical stucco fruit and figure ornaments mingle with more humorous articles, such as a genuine fiddle, basket and hat, coated in plaster and mounted on the wall. a particularly interesting feature is the victorian playroom, equipped with a rocking horse, books, and dress up clothes. children can play with period toys such as hoops, stilts, and tops. on the grounds, there is ample opportunity for scenic walks on the paths through the forest and along the lake. restored estate buildings of all types are a testament to the amazing amount of effort and cost expended to sustain an aristocratic way of life on a country estate in centuries past.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (National) ]]> 2008-03-30T00:01:02Z 2008-03-30T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1272 2008-03-30T00:00:01Z

trees on stranford lough, from the grounds of castle ward, county down, northern ireland.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (National) ]]> 2008-03-29T00:01:04Z 2008-03-29T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1271 2008-03-29T00:00:01Z

stranford lough towards portstewart, from the grounds of castle ward, county down, northern ireland.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (National) ]]> 2008-03-28T00:01:05Z 2008-03-28T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1270 2008-03-28T00:00:01Z

the gothic main bay of castle ward, county down, northern ireland. castle ward sits on the south shore of stangford lough, nestled amid woodlands, gardens and the beauty of the lakeshore. this manor house is unique because it is made up of two completely different styles of architecture and décor. bernard ward, the first viscount bangor, and his wife, anne, built the home in the 1760s. according to history, they could not agree on the style for their new abode, so they each chose what they liked for half of the mansion. lord bangor took the front portion, and chose a classical, orderly and restrained style of architecture and furnishing, while anne’s half, located at the back of the house, was designed and furnished in a more gothic style of architecture and furnishing. the two styles converge in the entrance hall, where classical stucco fruit and figure ornaments mingle with more humorous articles, such as a genuine fiddle, basket and hat, coated in plaster and mounted on the wall. a particularly interesting feature is the victorian playroom, equipped with a rocking horse, books, and dress up clothes. children can play with period toys such as hoops, stilts, and tops. on the grounds, there is ample opportunity for scenic walks on the paths through the forest and along the lake. restored estate buildings of all types are a testament to the amazing amount of effort and cost expended to sustain an aristocratic way of life on a country estate in centuries past.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (National) ]]> 2008-03-27T00:01:05Z 2008-03-27T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1269 2008-03-27T00:00:01Z

three gothic windows on the gothic side of castle ward, county down, northern ireland. castle ward sits on the south shore of stangford lough, nestled amid woodlands, gardens and the beauty of the lakeshore. this manor house is unique because it is made up of two completely different styles of architecture and décor. bernard ward, the first viscount bangor, and his wife, anne, built the home in the 1760s. according to history, they could not agree on the style for their new abode, so they each chose what they liked for half of the mansion. lord bangor took the front portion, and chose a classical, orderly and restrained style of architecture and furnishing, while anne’s half, located at the back of the house, was designed and furnished in a more gothic style of architecture and furnishing. the two styles converge in the entrance hall, where classical stucco fruit and figure ornaments mingle with more humorous articles, such as a genuine fiddle, basket and hat, coated in plaster and mounted on the wall. a particularly interesting feature is the victorian playroom, equipped with a rocking horse, books, and dress up clothes. children can play with period toys such as hoops, stilts, and tops. on the grounds, there is ample opportunity for scenic walks on the paths through the forest and along the lake. restored estate buildings of all types are a testament to the amazing amount of effort and cost expended to sustain an aristocratic way of life on a country estate in centuries past.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (National) ]]> 2008-03-26T00:01:30Z 2008-03-26T00:00:01Z tag:www.thisisdiopter.org,2008://2.1268 2008-03-26T00:00:01Z

the gothic side of castle ward, county down, northern ireland. castle ward sits on the south shore of stangford lough, nestled amid woodlands, gardens and the beauty of the lakeshore. this manor house is unique because it is made up of two completely different styles of architecture and décor. bernard ward, the first viscount bangor, and his wife, anne, built the home in the 1760s. according to history, they could not agree on the style for their new abode, so they each chose what they liked for half of the mansion. lord bangor took the front portion, and chose a classical, orderly and restrained style of architecture and furnishing, while anne’s half, located at the back of the house, was designed and furnished in a more gothic style of architecture and furnishing. the two styles converge in the entrance hall, where classical stucco fruit and figure ornaments mingle with more humorous articles, such as a genuine fiddle, basket and hat, coated in plaster and mounted on the wall. a particularly interesting feature is the victorian playroom, equipped with a rocking horse, books, and dress up clothes. children can play with period toys such as hoops, stilts, and tops. on the grounds, there is ample opportunity for scenic walks on the paths through the forest and along the lake. restored estate buildings of all types are a testament to the amazing amount of effort and cost expended to sustain an aristocratic way of life on a country estate in centuries past.

thisisdiopter http://www.thisisdiopter.org tom@thisisdiopter.org Ireland (National) ]]>