Dalkey Dog Delves into a few Dalkey Delights during the Dalkey Book Festival 2012

http://www.dalkeybookfestival.org/

 

Hey there my growing fan club... I was most pleasantly surprised in my wanderings on Friday, as I strolled through my lovely Village of Dalkey... snoopinng and sniffing to see if any festival goers had been so kind as to drop a sausage or two.. for my convenience, you understand.... When I was approached by a young fellow, in an orange t-shirt who asked my assistant quite nicely if I was the famous Dalkey Dog around town..... OMG.... I am famous now?!!!!  How cool was that....  He gave me some lovely pats, and even asked me to sit ... which of course I did... being very aware that 'sitting' does have it's rewards at times.... teehee... to bad he did not have one of those sausages I was smelling....  better move on... teehee.... 

My new working clothes... how I love  my new bright pink t-shirt!!!

Castle St.

 Well, this will be a short journey as my assistant is in a rush.. but you can see all the people wandering around....  might even get lucky with a sasuage!!!

Ticket sellers..  these ladies are cool!!

Don't the posters match my tee-shirt beautifully??

Oh wait!!!  what's that smell???

 

Dalkey Tramyard and some nice ladies enjoying the festival

Yes!!!  it's coming from here.... here in the Dalkey Tramyard.... come on, stop gawking and doddling along......   The best of the scoops and snoots and smells..  Yum... and what smiley friendly folk...

M. Kennedy... Lampshade Artist.... 

These shiny Mosaic Lampshades caught my eye.... and so did the very friendly Artist/shopkeeper!!  He tells me he has a dog very like me.. only a different colour (If my memory serves me well!!).. He is selling out of one of the new small artists chalets that have appeared in the Tramyard.. Gorgeous blue and white...  it is nice to see the growth of artists/craft people in our Tramyard.... M. Kennedy can be reached through his website... these lovely shades are made from small pieces of colourd glass and pieced together by hand... each a unique design...

Another view of the lampshades... and ME!!  teehee!!!

Going Home and childrens writings

I  have to go home now, as my assistant needs to keep another appointment.. harrumph!!  fortunatly though, I was able to ge a little look at some of the wonderful information all the school children have shared in the windows of all the shops in the town!!  have a look above.. 

Pretty shop in Dalkey selling Unique interior design wares..

That shop accross the street is all decorated for the day... they not only sell Interior design linens and bits and pieces but also super Flowers and arrangements.... Well I guess I better move on... I am sorry I was not able to do more on the day, but sometime life just has to many goings on in it.... Tomorow my assistant will be away.. darn it!!  this means I may not make it to the Saturday goings on... Oh well, I know .. we can't always do what we want, and after all at least I got to visit a little bit of it... perhaps we might just make a little visit in the evening tomorow to see if we can catch the 'Tail End' of the festival... I hope so....  Bye... ;-D

Dalkey Dog says Dalkey Book Festival is the Best!!

Dalkey Book Festival is taking place this weekend!

Dalkey Book Festival

I am very very excited, that the Dalkey Book Festival will be taking place here in my village this weekend.  It is a beautiful place to visit, and there will be so much going on...  I only wish that my minder could be here for it, but it looks like she'll only have one day to play... still.. as a run up to the festival, I thought I would share some of the beautiful photos that we took on our walk the other day.. it might make you decide to come out and have a look around for yourself...  If you would line to get more information on what is going on in the Village, you may click on the thumbnail above, or visit the Dalkey Book Festival facebook page for the event information too.

These fotos are not of the village, per se, or the main street, but they do show a lovely walk one can take when you have finished eating all the wonderful yummy stuff that will be available all over town... Unfortunately I have lost my I Love Dalkey T-Shirt.. so I am not wearing it in these fotos, still it is a good thing that a number of these will be on sale again this year.. I may be about to get my assistant to purchase a new one for me... After all, an Ace Hound Reporter should NOT be seen on festival days without proper attire.... !!!

Convent Road, Dalkey

 What a beautiful sky and colours to match... it is rather warm and I'm feeling a little lazy....

However, with delightful blooms like these to discover along the way I'm encouraged to keep on going...

Dalkey Dogs favorite Shop

I pass by my altime favorite shop THe Pet STop... it is staffed by just the nicest of people and they always allow dogs inside, and ever ready with a small treat or two for me and my friend... tip: if you are walking your dog in Dalkey?  We are a rather particular breed here, and do like to keep things tidy.. so if you think of it, this is a good shop to get a pooper scooper, or bags to help keep our town clean... I would not want my assistant to get a fine... I would rather he used that money to buy my tasty bones from this shop....

,The Club Pub

We walk past the Club Pub
(a great place for a pint and some pub grub, or so my assistant tells me... good on a hot day, after a long walk..... hmmm ... may on the return journey, we have places to sniff out now...

What a nice house!

Like having a look at some of the beautiful houses along Colimore Road by the sea... they say that the coastlines in this area remind one of the Italian Coastline....

Dalkey Island and Me!!

We arrive at the viewing station where one can sit and relax looking at the view of Dalkey Island, and its old tumbled down church and fort... there are telescopes here to get a better view.  It is an old island with a history too.. and in summer they tell me you can get row boats out to it from the adjacent harbour and have a walk round it...

Another view of the island and fort...

Dalkey Harbour

A view of the ancient old Harbour, which also has a very interesting history, from which one can hire boats out to the island.

Goat Park

Next up the road is Goat Park... You can also get a good view of the island here, where there used to be a herd of goats living.. and a statue of two goats in this park, however I believe the sculptures are gone at the moment and being refurbished. There are a number of other thing to see in this small green space.. it is a good place for a picnick too... Oh look...

What beautiful flowers!!

And the old victorian bandstand by the sea... I can just imagine a musical quartet here.... magic...

Poppy

And here is one of the old setting places, it looks like I have an audience of wildflowers...!!!

What a wonderful warm rock... my assistant likes to sit here from time to time to soak up the view and the warmth from the sun....

Fishermen

These two young fellows seem to be having a good time on the rocky shores of the park...

Goin Home

Whew... I'm panting and tired now... well, I hope you enjoyed the tour... if you like you can stay here and enjoy the view, or wander back down into the main street of town along the way we came.  I will be going home now though as it is time for a drink!!! 

I do hope you will come and visit us this weekend, June 16-17 2012, and if your lucky, you just might see me on the Saturday... if my assistant bothers to buy my a new tee-shirt... I'll be the Ace Hound Reporter Retriever... The Dalkey Dog Around Town..... dressed to impress... sniffing out the stories around here... what's the scoop??

Dalkey Dog Discovers Chess.....

I first must appologise for my long absence, I had a very inconvenient illness, and my assistant was very boring indeed, not allowing me out too much around town, while I was getting better.  They were so busy with me and other things that they did not get a chance to catch up with my entries... bother the thing is, paws and claws are just not up to typing on keyboards... so.. I now that I am a little better, I have asked if we could at least include a few main news items that took place over the last while...  Just before I got sick, I was invited to attend the inaugural Dalkey Chess Championship.. this was really cool, and I do hope that it continues, as my own boy was once a school champion at chess and it was so much fun for him... and a great learning experience too.. Chess has a cool history... and has a lot  to do with math amazingly enough...

I only made it to the afters of the competition... but then, that is my favorite part of these events, as often the children are very happy to see me, and the best part is there is usually some pretty good snacks left for a hoover nosed reporter like myself to discover, and tasty treats they were too!  

Hmm what a nice smell!!  popcorn perhaps?

Oh my... See these pictures of me with some chess pieces, I wonder if there has ever been a dog chess champion?  hmmm  ... I bet I would do well!!  Check mate!!

Don't I look proud!!!

 Hey, look up there, now if I were a kid, I'd love to be taught in as colourful a classroom such as this.. it's neat!!

I'll bet there was some fun learning with those colour wheels!

I was very excited when I received this from a fellow reporter who attended the event, it was so well written I decided to post it here...along with a good photo of some of the young champions.  Congratulations!!

Dalkey Dog friends & Champion, cool!.. teehee...

All the primary schools around Dalkey are so much fun.. there is always something going on... have a read of this event....

Dalkey Schools’ Chess

Competition 2011

                    

This inaugural chess competition was held on Sunday December 4^th    in the Harold Boys’ School NS in Patrick’s Street. The event was run in conjunction with the Dalkey Business Group and our local schools. This was a non profit making event with the aim to promote chess, enable children to represent their school and keep it all local.

Thank you to Harold Boys’ NS for hosting the event. Their hall was a perfect venue and very convenient. Thank you to Eurospar for sponsoring runner up prizes. Thank you to all the parents who were involved, chess teachers and Ivan Baburin our adjudicator.

Thanks to all the supporters who gathered in the hall, dodging the showers and waiting to enjoy the rest of the activities in Dalkey on the day. We were also visited by Megan Hound, the Dalkey Dog about town.

Congratulations to Castlepark school who won triumphantly on the day. Harold Boys’ NS came in second place and runners up St. Patrick’s NS and DSP put up a good show against these experienced teams. Concentration was intense and energy was high in the room from all the players and it is certain that all the players enjoyed the afternoon.

There was talk of the possibility of a new chess club in Dalkey….so here’s hoping this is a start with lots more to come.

I'd like that too... oh look... some more crumbs for me!! teehee!

 I do hope the organizers have luck with this as my assistant says that Teachers should take note that Chess is fun and extremely good for developing thinking skills... They could get some very good ideas by clicking on that link.   I wonder if I could better thinking skills by learning this game?  What do you think?? 

Due to some technical difficulties experienced by my assistant, I was unable to report much during this month, however we hope these will be rectified soon... I just wanted to say that our Christmas tree smells lovely and I hope that yours does too... Merry Christmas to all Dalkey folks and hope to see you soon around town... Woof!! Woof!! ;-D

Dalkey Dog Discovers some New Business

Dalkey Business Group

Well, sniffing around this afternoon, I discovered some interesting news, it seems that unlike some towns around this country, Dalkey is holding it's own business wise.  One of the reasons for this has been the formation of the Dalkey Business Group, which has taken on task a commitment to help and look out for the businesses and those involved in them.  This is just so cool... it is run by local business people and traders and is just a shinning example of how communities could/can help keep their neighborhoods alive during bad economic times.... I just LOVE DALKEY


By holding it's own, I mean, I discovered that, unlike some areas that are losing their businesses to the economic crisis... this little village, actually has NEW businesses starting up.. and some of them are really going strong... I was looking into this, and decided I would take my assistant up the town and get the scoop on a sample of these...

Charity Begins at Home

Hmm that dumpster smells interesting... oh bother.. that van is in the way... oh look!!  there is that Childrens Charity Shop that appeared recently.... let's go have a look.. come on assistant, stop chatting with people, we have a job to do!!!  Why, I think this place is called Charity Begins at Home.. hmm, from what I gather about it, it is an Irish Charity, and this is just one of several of it's shops. It  targets the wishes of specific disabled/disadvantaged children and then raises money for that specific need, by getting folk to donate unwanted items to sell for that specific purpose.. or so I understand... hmm sounds like a neat thing... The particular person they are raising funds for at present is a young local girl called Niamh... there is a website for her too..and Niamh's Wish to Walk. he is looking to have an expensive operation on her legs so she can walk again... poor Niamh.. I love kids.. maybe someday I will get to meet her...

Oh dear there is a bear in here.. can I come in Mr. Bear?? what? the nice volunteering teenager says I can if I am good?  Well, then I guess we will...

Look at all these neat things... toys, shoes books.....

And the prices are right too!!  one could pick up alot of inexpensive stuff here for Christmas.. hey.. at that price 5 items for 10 Euro.. I could buy alot of t-shirts... teehee.. they are looking for volunteers and items for sale.. so if you have some stuff to give, or time on yours hands, it might be a plan.. sadly.. dogs are not allowed bother.. I tried to donate some dog hair, but they politely said no... maybe they had too much already... anyways, I do want to say that the young volunteer I spoke to was most pleasant... and I do hope it helps Niamh get better and walking again.  Wait.. what's that smell..??  it is delectable and scrumptious..and.. oh so fishy!!! Quick.. let's go... and stop hanging back...

Roberts of Dalkey

MMM... yum... yah.. oh what a lovely fishy smell... and what's this?  No  video shop??  Well, this looks much more promising.... look at all the people having a look around.. Peter Roberts, of Roberts of Dalkey, came out and explained that due to those pesky health and safety rules I was not allowed in, but he would give me a bit of info here on the corner anyways.. He told me that this shop was the fulfilment of a dream and also hard work... Peter, although a local resident to Dalkey, spent 4 years learning the fishy trade and flaying fish in Howth, before this corner shop opportunity became available.. and he has snapped it up... and taken the chance... hmmmm I do so hope he does well and stays.... for me,  this is one heavenly smell to have on our high street, and he is a young man that certainly deserves a chance to succeed..You can also find him on Twitter at @RobertsofDalkey.

Here is the immaculate fish and meat counter...

Beautiful mussels or are they Oysters??  I'm a dog, so I am not sure but they sure look yummy.....

He sells many other wonderful products that can compliment a fishy or other meal....

And to balance it all out... you can add your vegetables in store too!!!

Afters???  Yup... some   sweeties for afters as well... yummmmm....

Now, this guy has been telling me all about the yummy fresh salmon next to him......

Hey,  don't stare at me that way!! Fresh fish every  day.. look at the depth of orange in that salmon..

And these golden guys..... they are just... well almost magical.. amazingly cool....

And these lovely cookery folk.. giving out samples and making the most amazingly wonderful smells.... yum.... and smiles too...

Needless to say, I really like Roberts of Dalkey, not only cause his windows are just magic.. and at a level to let dogs look in and have a view at what's going on, but he is a young man, with a dream and a business spirit, and I do hope he has some success...Ok... now... I my nose seems to detect something  sweet going on... hmmm wonder what that could be... must investigate... ..

Now... on the corner of Ulverton Road and Castle st. one finds a scrumptious sweetie shop.. it is magical in that it hold with the old time traditions of shelves and shelves of sweets in large jars.. a happy,.. idealistic place... but unassuming as well..


This is what it looks like from outside... La Bonne Creme has a Facebook page, and an email -lacremebon@gmail.com

Here I am inside.... see the cool shelves behind me???  let's take a closer look at what is on offer...

Oh ya.... I could put a paw or nose in  those... I'm sure any kid at heart could too... they also have some yummy Italian ice cream, and smoothies on offer too..what a treat....

The nice lady from Brazil, who was working there also thought these might be scrumptious as well...

Lots of happy kids with lollys!!!! oh dear.... I think my assistant is moving again... these winter evenings are short and light is scarce so we must hurry on to the last shop we wanted to cover... Just to get us in the mood for Christmas....

The Tramyard Gift Shop

 Oh, Ya.... I love Christmas.... always look forward to the left over candy cane bits and mince pie crumbs.. !!!  This is a tree I found in the Tramyard Gift Shop.  It's a bit late now, but you can see a picture of the shop below... I'm really excited as the Tramyard itself will be having a big Tramyard Christmas party on Dec. 2nd, and Santa is coming too.... in a Tram!!!

The Tramyard Cafe and Gift Shop

This is the sign, and doesn't it look old world Christmassy with the iron railing on top and that beautiful street lamp outside... kinda like Narnia...  anyhow, the Tramyard Website is not quite ready yet, but Dave and Evelyn would be happy to answer any questions, or orders on this email address for the time being.. evelyn.coulson@hotmail.com.  
 

Oh....  see the soft lights inside??? hmmmm I have to go investigate again.. come on assistant get the camera ready.... this is going to be good...

Now, let's see what is on offer around this tree....

Why it is a giant Teddy bear!!!  TeeHee... did you know I have one of these in my own bed??? So soft and warm and cuddly.... many kids would love one...

Look at this bird house all painted up, and the twinkly lights as well... and the holly berries... lucky birds... I wish someone would paint up my doghouse like that for Christmas!!!

Cool Cloth Santas!!!

Hey, how about me under the tree!!!  Bother... no bits of candy cane on the floor here... I'm getting hungry now and it is late so I will say thank you to the nice young lady who let me come in and do my story on this shop...If you are reading this, You should really come and have a look around... I certainly feel like it's Christmas in here..... This is also part of the Tramyard Cafe, and don't forget that the Tramyard Christmas Party will be on Dec. 2nd... That would be a great day/evening out for all the family, and you could pick up a few things in here... anyhow,  let's head for home... It's really getting dark out there.

I just LOVE DALKEY!!!!! People are the friendliest ever here.... and they like dogs.... Teehee... I'm gonna wiggle and wag all over for this kind gentleman... do you think he has a biscuit in his bag??

Ok assistant lets hurry, I am starving now, and it is defo to late to be out and about for me now... I can almost taste/smell my chicken flavoured dog pellets calling me home....  I promise to write a bit more about what's happening in the rest of the Tram yard complex next.... and now.... home to dinner and my Teddy Bear Bed..