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JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL
MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER


Our favourite Felix family hit the press.  Our bro Dalton Felix was already familiar with Japan as part of business and we benefited from his experience and advice, although we'd already holidayed in Tokyo back in June of 2023. Getting familiar with the local landmarks and orientation, where to get taxis etc.  A "just in case you get lost" card for Marianne to keep with her in Osaka. The first short leg of our flight is to Cebu and from there direct to Kansai airport in Osaka.  We walked out to the plane.  I feel much safer on a turbo prop than in a jet says Mal.  It can land on a sixpence.   Only 2 seats together but it was about an hour flight.  Did we get a three course meal?  No ‐ a packet of little biscuits.  Marianne videoed the take off on both flights ‐ see movies below. Here's Marianne in the beautiful new Terminal in Cebu airport. Melanie's McCauley selfies. Off we go to Osaka ‐ For whatever reason the vents filled the plane with misty dry ice thick as a 50s London pea souper.  Why?  Answers on a postcard please. We arrived at Kansai and found the train but Tennoji station didn't come up on the screen so we were a little worried but were assured that we were on the right line.  As we had a lot of luggage we took a taxi for the short ride to our hotel.  The hotel was unmanned and all automated ‐ the room key was in a locker with a combination, also another combination required to get inside the main door.  Small room but cosy with all mod cons including the computerized bog.  Close to Shensekai markets. We unpacked and as it was still light, ventured forth to have a look around and find a place to eat. After Marianne had tried the local Takoyaki under the Tsutenkaku Tower, we walked to the market and found a little Ramen restaurant "Gyumon".  We dined and the food was delicious but expensive and quite a lot to eat.  We asked for a "doggy bag" which they didn't like at all as they fancied themselves as gourmet chefs.  Oddly, nobody in there was Japanese, the 3 chefs dressed in black looked like they were from Arabia and the owner or manager who had popped in looked like a young European spiv.  So ‐ no doggy bag but we enjoyed it.  We went to a shop chain called 'Lawson' for some holiday essentials and goodies. We took a few snaps and planned to explore further on the following day. I'd read that the tower had been rebuilt following wartime destruction of an original building and that the area had something of a dubious reputation up to the 1930s. Marianne loves the slot machine emporiums and dispensers and soon finds out that you don't get much for your money!
The Google Lens app is a godsend and amazing, especially for our aircon remote!  Today ‐ Tennoji Zoo.  The entrance a few hundred yards away on our street.  Things start late in the vicinity as we head out and about again in Shensekai markets. This ubiquitous character is called 'Billiken' ‐ it's good luck to tickle the soles of his (or her) feet. Marianne is hungry already ‐ mmmmmm GIANT Takoyaki. Open later at 10:30, at this DIY restaurant, says Melanie. No shortage of restaurants hereabouts. No rain when I bring a brolly ‐ Tennoji Zoo entrance. Ultra efficient staff ensure an easy time for getting tickets and accessing the zoo. Pretty Flamingo. All around are wonderful brass sculptures of various animals.  The Hungry Hippos. Lovely m&m.  Magnificent Lions and Tigers here. Are those your footprints, Marianne? The snow wolves and a ring tailed Panda. More filter for me, please Melanie. Marianne and Nelly. Bears, Elephants, Penguins darting about and the Polar Bear. The Eggcellent Marianne. Nice chicks and how they hatch. The Aviary is magnificent ‐ and huge.  Wear a hat as it's all open as you walk through.  All the birds have enough space for good exercise and they look spectacular. Here we are for lunch ‐ I ordered a DIY dish where m&m got chef made meals from the menu.  You get an illustrated instruction on how to cook your food ‐ and this a beef pancake of sorts which took me a while to chop and cook on the hotplate plus I made a bit of a mess with the batter.  It tasted pretty good, nevertheless. Marianne singed a stray finger on the red hot hotplate Next ‐ Up we went in the Tsutentaku Tower.  The view from the top, the tall building is at Tennoji Train Station and is the 2nd tallest building in Japan. A fine view at the top. Vertigo? me ‐ yes, Melanie ‐ no. Here's a glass case showing how the original tower looked in the c1915 times. Some views from the top, including one of our hotel (bottom right). A souvenir.  Marianne collected the stampings in her notepad.  The DIY stampers are at all the Metro stations and most of the exhibitions and tourist venues in Japan.
A nice sunny day and a date at Dotonbori Markets via Ebisucho Tube station about five minutes walk from our hotel. Plenty to see and we dined on some lovely fruit on sale in the Dotonbori street. We somehow avoided a ticket queue for a canal trip "the beating heart of Osaka's entertainment district" on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-EilTC4cbQ" target="_blank"> Dotonbori River</a>.  Our lovely tour guide gave an excellent, entertaining and knowledgeable narrative and especially warned us in plenty of time about the extremely low bridges! <br /><br /> <a href="tonbori.mtc-project.com" target="_blank">Link here.</a> Sights to be seen on Dotonbori River. We did quite a bit of walking on that day.. well those two did for shop browsing and purchase reasons.  I bought postcards and went with Marianne into another slot machine money extraction emporium, hoping that she would soon learn how to start a slot machine business and make me and mummy millionaires‐ no such luck. Great weather for most of our holiday, don't remember any downpour. One thing to watch out for ‐ people like to ride their bicycles on the pavement in Osaka ‐ and at top speed!  We had some near misses.  e.g. Two of the photos ‐ I rest my case. The ice cream is delicious. Psycodelic man, especially inside Miracle World.  A dizzying house of mirrors and AI projections.  Woe betide you if you're prone to headaches.  We enjoyed it. Miracle World ‐ 2 of 4 Miracle World ‐ 3 of 4 Miracle World ‐ 4 of 4 We took a different tube line on the way home and had an even longer walk exiting the tube.  Marianne you're sweet enough! I thought we'd left earthquakes behind but an alarm went off back at our room and there were tremors.  Over as quickly as it started and only one time during our holiday, thank goodness.
A visit to the park in 'Golden Week' when many of the people take their holidays.  Impressive infastructure and people are polite and kind.  Everything in the Metro system is run to perfection; clean and efficient.  As we leave the train, everthing seems to have been built after 1980 and we are surrounded by modern buildings and environment.  Many older places have traditional houses, shops and restaurants but these also are really well kept and maintained.  They love automation here, for example no ticket offices at the stations, only machines.  I had to go to the gents in one station ‐ as usual everything ultra clean.  Thinking it was a WC I opened a door and had a shock.  Inside was a young girl surrounded by cleaning materials, mops and such.  The funny thing was that there was only barely enough room for her with the cleaning stuff.  Obviously cleaning staff are ordered to hide in there at the footfall of gents for whom Nature calls.  I apologised and she closed the door pronto! We took the long way round to Ebisucho station from the hotel. We arrived early and enjoyed the walk along the park avenue towards park buildings and fountains, admiring the flora.  Not many people here yet. We are looking at the famous mosaic staircase Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park (Flower Expo Memorial Park).  It is well‐known for its vibrant, detailed tile work covering the entirety of the steps.  The mosaic depicts intricate designs, ranging from celestial themes like the Earth and the Moon to playful Japanese folklore creatures (including the famous water spirit, the Kappa). The staircase is situated on the former site of the 1990 International Garden and Greenery Exposition (Hanahaku).  Just a few steps away from the stairs, is the massive Sakuya Konohana Kan (Japan's largest greenhouse) and the iconic Netherlands‐inspired windmill. More of the cascading mosaics. A commemoration of Expo 90 at the park. Marianne is going to love this petting zoo.  Movies below. Watch the birdie. Melanie's nemesis ‐ snakes.  Marianne steered clear too. Marianne enjoyed a session with a guinea pig where you can sit and pet for a few minutes. Melanie's favourite passtime is looking through the goods at a boot sale ⁄ flea market, and this one was inside the park. Well I never did.  A lady taking a tortoise for a walk on a lead.  Must have been a very SLOW walk. We spotted a takeaway vendor for chicken and decided to stop for lunch. Marianne's wish is fulfilled with this slushie. Not exactly fast food but Karatto was worth the wait.  The last snap shows yet another covered market street worth exploring on our journey back to the hotel.
All are taking phone snaps as we exit the subway station on to the Universal Citywalk. Instead of the American Edwardian decorations of Disney, Universal Studios are strictly Art Deco.  Melanie snapped some house flowers en route, most of the shots are from the train station exit heading on the citywalk of Universal Studios. m&m on the Citywalk snapped by Marianne. Approaching the Studios entrance and massive queues. A 3d sculpture of the movie logo complete with special effects.. and m&m. Inside in about 20 minutes, so efficient they have crowd handling done to a T. Pretty much crowded inside we sought out the Harry Potter area. Could there be a fan revival of Harry Potter etc. this year? Kids all around dressed in the movie costumes.  The set is superb. A good place for phone snaps. Many of the shops sell HP related produce which is pretty good quality schmutter. There was a great long walk to the ride, meandering and winding to accommodate a queue which hadn't fully formed yet as we were early.  ..but it was still crowded.  You had to leave your loose belongings in a locker in the dark cellars so we anticipated a thrilling ride. A souvenir shot.  We were not disappointed it really was thrilling as you feel as though you are flying about, following Harry and Ron through the air on their Nimbus broomsticks.  A good long ride too, with sprays and mists and sound to match.  We all really enjoyed it. This unlikely and excellent station master gave us some great chat.  I think he might have done it before.  Wonderful. Playland and Sesame Street next. We found this indoor place for Marianne to play while we had a rest, but Marianne did have a climb in the playground.  No rest for the wicked and me and Marianne had a go on the Snoopy Flying Ace ride. You might be able to tell from our faces that I enjoyed this extremely violent ride but Marianne's nerves finally broke.  No red Fokker Triplane and no Red Baron but 100gs nevertheless. Hello Kitty and one of the characters from Sesame Street entertain. We leave playland and head towards the JAWS entertainments.  No photos allowed it was a thrilling water cruise with great scary animatronic episodes.  Quite a queue. Resting in Jurassic Park we eat our dino‐burgers. We enjoy the screams from the Jurassic Park roller coaster above.  Should we?  It's a no‐no from us! After a rest, finding comfort rooms, eating (not in that order) we headed for Minion Park. In the queue for a Minion Park ride. After a very long queue, it was a rough movie ride inside the Minions world.  Quite disappointing. We head back to the station ‐ a lovely time with lots of souvenirs, photos and our phone movies. For you, Marianne x x x.
No spectacular panoramic vistas of wildebeest herds roaming across the verdant plains of the veldt from our hotel terrace.  Just the japanese motorscape ‐ but the room is cosy and we love it. <br /><br /> We set out for Nara.  Bela and Ernesto (Melanie's cousin) are coming to meet us under the Tsutentaku Tower. Love this photo of us three by Bela? Quite a long train ride out to Nara.  Ernesto works near there as a carpenter while Bela works closer to Osaka.  The countryside is lovely on the way out of town. In my opinion a great selfy shot of the five of us in the Nara Station by Ernesto. Marianne with Ernesto and Bela. Can't get over how modern everything is in Japan ‐ even out of town.  We walk up towards a deer park. Of course, Marianne gets distracted ..and so do we at the sight of the delectable ice cream.  Excellent fake, but the real thing is even more delicious. We seek out a restaurant for lunch and eventually find a chinese one in this Shopping Street. Upstairs there is a queue but the wait is well worth it.  We dine in private booths, oddly with curtains.  The food is superb and this time we were allowed doggy bags! We continue our walk on up towards the park, visiting the Ruins of Kofuku-ji Chumon (Central Gate) a Historical landmark in Nara and a <a href="https://www.kohfukuji.com/english/" target="_blank">UNESCO World Heritage site</a>.  Superbly maintained and treasured in Japan.  The monuments too. A lovely sunny day ‐ not too crowded and cool enough for the walk. We reach the deer park and enjoy feeding them.  They are SO tame and come close when there is food to be had.  Ernesto very kindly went away for about 20 minutes to get us some more treats for the deer. The beautiful creature. Bela and Marianne. Bela related that it's a tradition to kowtow to the deer and they will bow back and we have the footage to prove it's true. Hello Dear. Marianne loved the petting ‐ we all did. The best ‐ so kind, and we are so fortunate and grateful to have both of them as our guides in Nara. Back to the station.  I'd spotted a wonderful shop on the way up to the park that sold origami papers and all sorts of other papers, inks, pens and brushes.  I bought the most beautiful papers as shown (Hand Dyed Yusen-Washi Paper).  Marianne and the baboy outside a famous restaurant.
We have a 'day off'.. well not quite ‐ Melanie sets out for the shops as by now she knows where the bargains are to be had.  Marianne and daddy set out locally for eats and to look in the Pringles shop. There was a tiny elevator inside to take you up to the clothing and misc. merchandise floor. Outside a Japanese herb store.  I think it's an advert for fertility treatments. The colorful neighbourhood of Shensekai. A handbag?  Yes, says Melanie. Macha ice cream for Marianne with added strawberries.
Today I finally posted my postcards outside the office near Ebisucho tube station.  Maybe because of "Golden Week " it had been closed for the last few days.  Off we go to Osakako station and the Osaka Aquarium. Another fine sunny day for our visit to The Osaka Aquarium. Fancy joining me and mummy on the big wheel, daddy? "Er no thanks dear." We are early so we relax in the Piazza until our ticket time comes up. We are attacked by giant crabs. A very good place to wait.  We note that there is a Legoland in the shopping Mall and promise to return tomorrow.  Also a boat tour in the harbour. In we go ‐ a lovely historical display at the entrance. Osaka Aquarium 1 of 7 Osaka Aquarium 2 of 7 Osaka Aquarium 3 of 7 Osaka Aquarium 4 of 7 Osaka Aquarium 5 of 7 Osaka Aquarium 6 of 7 Osaka Aquarium 7 of 7.  A wonderful place to visit. Now for something to eat.  Takoyaki for Marianne is her hors d'oeuvres.  We ordered chicken and very nice it was too. After five minutes, to my dismay I noticed that Marianne had left her bag and phone on the food court table while we waited for our chicken.  They were both still there when she ran back to the table.  That should give you an idea about what the honorable people in Japan are like as it did us.  Ernesto had reported a similar incident with his wallet, which he recovered after some hours! There through the window was the Santa Maria ‐ tickets available for harbour tours. On the big wheel ‐ without me ‐ a) vertigo and b) abject fear. Big Wheel 1 of 5 Big Wheel 2 of 5 Big Wheel 3 of 5 Big Wheel 4 of 5 Big Wheel 5 of 5 We survived! A fantastic Lego Giraffe in the exit plaza. Dark when we exited Ebisucho station. An extremely useful landmark for us.  The Tsutenkaku Tower.
Off we go again to Osakako station.  This time for the harbour cruise aboard the Santa Maria.  Also Legoland! Hello again Mr Giraffe are you still here? Good morning did you sleep well? Quite a cool day ‐ no rain but lots of wind. I think it's a modified barge, myself. No rain but a chilly breeze 'up the English Channel'! We just missed it!  Thar she blows, all hands on deck aaaaaaaaaaaaar haaaaaaaar.  Return to me. All aboard. Can I have my jacket back please Marianne ‐ Hypothermia you know. Marianne starts channeling the Titanic movie. Beautiful bridges and a few spectacular tall buildings.  We can see the Universal Studios site across the water. Just before disembarking me and Marianne went down below decks where the fun SS Santa Maria museum complete with dubloons, rifles is stored. Outside, Melanie took some shots of the lovely flora as she has the green fingers. This wonderful Lego Penguin stood before the entrance to the Mall. Our tickets for the Lego show was timed so we waited outside a petting area for a while. Into Legoland we go! Staff watched like hawks as, following printed instructions, Marianne constructed a customised racing car. A quick bite before Legoland ‐ 2 odd photos.  In my opinion, Marianne did well to make the little car. Some wonderfully detailed exhibits usually with a button or lever to animate. Fantastic Exhibits. Osaka Castle which we were arranging to visit the following day. We enjoyed a great 3d movie in a little theatre in Legoland. Marianne has been locked up in this fun climbing police station.  Several other nippers were locked up with her. Many incredibly expensive goodies in the store.  Marianne bought a pick and mix of bricks and a small kit. En route back to the station, I took a photo of this traditional japanese restaurant.  I'm sure the food is as beautiful as the exterior.
We are headed for the Osaka Castle.  A few stops and one change on the metro.  The mural is located in the Sakaisuji‐hommachi Station on the Osaka Metro.  It was created by students specializing in art to represent the theme of "Senba Culture," a historical commercial district in Osaka.  The artwork illustrates a timeline of the city, depicting historical scenes, modern street life, and even futuristic elements. We got on a little bus which took us about half way through the park and walked the rest of the way towards the castle. Another nice warm sunny day. Marianne cools her hands from the spring water. Beautiful blooms. The largest stones fortify the Castle defences.  Erected in 1624. We find an hotel for some lunch. Very crowded inside but we got ourselves some fine souvenirs, and found a burger bar ‐ standing room only. We reach <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle" target="_blank">the castle</a> and appreciate the magnificent structure, mosaics and pure Japan style. Osaka Castle 1 of 4 Osaka Castle 2 of 4 Osaka Castle 3 of 4 Osaka Castle 4 of 4 Walking further on and crossing lofty castle defences we reach a bridge over a wide river and wait for a motor train to take us to the other side of the park and another metro station. Some fine views to be had from the train which stopped a couple of times to pick up up more passengers.
Marianne's dear school friend Yesha gave this birthday invitation to her ‐ "to be opened in Japan".  Marianne added the stamps from the Metro station and other places. Marianne used the back of the souvenir photo to add the stamps from the Tsutentaku Tower Like Moses before the parting of the Red Sea ‐ my dear cousin Maria‐Teresia.
The early morning of our departure ‐ outside our very posh hotel.  We wait for the taxi. Again ‐ "No spectacular panoramic vistas of wildebeest herds roaming across the verdant plains of the veldt from our hotel terrace."  We never opened the window! At Tennoji Station.  Melanie made sure we took the right train this time. All aboard on the Hello Kitty express. Whizzing along, no stops, direct to Kansai Airport which is off the coast on an island. Nice and easy to cope with all our luggage and the check in. The Duty free dreams of Melanie and Marianne.  As on our outward flight, a massive fog of dry ice drifts over the vents in the plane.  Another pea‐souper, but we are soon on our way. All smiles on our way to home sweet home ‐ Osaka ‐ Manila ‐ Davao. Mariannecam shots as we come in to Davao airport.

May 2026 Osaka Japan Holiday Video Playlist:

1.  30th April 2016 Davao to Cebu to Osaka ‐ Mariannecam  7:37
2.  30th April 2016 Davao to Cebu to Osaka  :21
3.  30th April 2016 Davao to Cebu to Osaka  :35
4.  30th April 2016 Davao to Cebu to Osaka ‐ Hotel on Mariannecam  0:28
5.  30th April 2016 Davao to Cebu to Osaka ‐ Exploring Shensekai  0:37
6.  1st Tennoji Zoo  3:10
7.  1st More at the Tennoji Zoo  0:29
8.  1st Tennoji Zoo ‐ Mariannecam  8:04
9.  1st Tennoji Zoo  3:09
10. 1st At the Tennoji Zoo ‐ Bats in the Belfry  1:03
11. 1st More at the Tennoji Zoo  1:16
12. 1st After the Tennoji Zoo ‐ Chef Daddy  1:37
13. 1st Mariannecam  1:22
14. 2nd Dotonbori Markets and the River Cruise  2:10
15. 2nd More at Dotonbori ‐ It's all done by mirrors  14:14
16. 3rd Out to the Park  0:50
17. 3rd Inflatable in the Park  3:04
18. 3rd The Petting Zoo  3:39
19. 4th Universal Studios  3:18
20. 4th Universal Studios  2:29
21. 5th Feeding the Deer in Nara  6:08
22. 6th With Ernesto and Bela  4:47
23. 6th Pringles Sweet Shop  0:10
24. 7th Osaka Aquarium  2:06
25. 7th The Aquarium  3:59
26. 7th The Aquarium  1:36
27. 7th The Big Wheel  11:43
28. 8th Osaka Bay on the Santa Maria  0:22
29. 8th All aboard the Santa Maria ‐ Tugboat Annie  0:52
20. 8th In Lego Land  1:25
31. 9th Osaka Castle  1:14
32. 11th We're on our way home ‐ Mariannecam  0:09
Scenes from Osaka:  Sumiyoshi‐taisha, View from the Castle, Shensekai and the Tsutentaku Tower, Dotonbori and the River, Osaka Bay, Kofuku‐ji Chumon Pagoda

.. and here are the other May snaps and videos..

My cousin John McCauley sent this 2026 New Year family photo ‐ Siobhan, Maeve, Maureen and Johnny Jr.  New Year's Eve show with the family in Bord Gáis theatre in Dublin. I am full of admiration for Maureen and John Sr. who took a good part; 64 miles of this long walk ‐ "part of the Camino from Tui in Galicia, Spain to Santiago de Compostello about 100k in 5days".<br /> <br /> "To walk the Camino de Santiago, choose a route, build your physical stamina, and purchase a Credential (pilgrim passport).  Choose Your RouteCamino Francés: The most famous and popular route.  It spans 780 km from Saint‐Jean‐Pied‐de‐Port (France) to Santiago de Compostela, taking about 30‐35 days".<br /> <a href="https://caminoways.com/camino-de-santiago" target="_blank">camino-de-santiago</a> The fix it fest with Niño Klarc, Phat, Carl, Marianne and Yesha. The lovelys Debbie, Judith and Lynn in Jersey. Marianne's dental advert. Where this came from I know not but it looks tasty.  Bridget? Here is our dear Nanay, attending hospital with hubby for a few days. Why do these sweets put me in mind of Willi Wonka?  Lexi and Marianne. L&M say goodnight. It's Yesha's birthday party at Jollybee. More from the Jollybee party. More from the Jollybee party. Getting spruced up in Tambacan. Contestant Number 119, please return to earth.  Izzie and Frankie. We missed a lovely wedding when we were away ‐ as Eduard and Sheila 'got hitched' but we received THE most beautiful giveaway souvenirs.  A beautiful wedding colour scheme.  Every good wish from m&m&m. Are those egg yolks in your hair Marianne? Here are my cousins Zoé Craig and Caleb Maresca.  From 2nd cousin Ruth Craig: "Caleb and Zoé (my Uncle Walter's daughter).  They both completed their PhDs from NYU, Zoé in Public Health and Caleb in Economics.  Zoé is going to London for a postdoc at some sort of institution that studies virology.  Caleb may move to Austin, Texas." Caleb and Zoé.  From Ruth: "Here you can see Racquel who is across the table from Caleb.  The person at the end of the table is another student who is from Israel". This is Alice, Zoe and Caleb's Great Grandmother; Ruth's Grandmother and my Grandfather's sister.  With great help from Ruth, I am researching her photo album from the 1900s. More genealogy.  The 1929 Irish Census was released and with persistant determination my cousin John McCauley thankfully discovered the document following research in Dublin.  Our name had been misspelled in the index; McCawley or McCamley.   It was not a happy time for Annie (Granny Mac) ‐ her husband, my Grandfather John McCauley had died earlier in the year.   Both of our fathers are included, John's father (John Patrick was only 11 and mine ‐ Francis Joseph was 8.  Letitia was the sister of my Grandfather John, not Annie. My Grandparents lived in Anne House next to a one‐time RIC Police Barracks.<br /><br /> This, from 'Royal Irish Constabulary 1816‐1922 ‐ A forgotten Irish Police Force'<br /> by Gerard McEwan<br /> <br /> The former Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) Barracks on Anne Street in Dundalk, Co.  Louth, is a historic site that served as a key police station, becoming the first Garda Síochána station in town in November 1922.  The building, dating back to the early 20th century, has been used as a residence, a nursing home, and in 2020 was considered for a health facility.<br /> <br /> Key details regarding the Anne Street Barracks:<br /> <br /> History: It was one of the last RIC barracks evacuated in County Louth on March 29, 1922, before being taken over by the Irish Free State's Civic Guard (Garda Síochána) later that year.<br /> Significance: It was a focal point of conflict during the Irish Civil War in 1922.<br /> Architecture: The site includes original outside gates and walls, along with a distinct cream‐colored building that was once the District Inspector's house.<br /> Current Status: It has undergone several uses, including as flats and a volunteer centre, and is now considered a key, though currently underutilized, historic structure in the area.<br /> <br /> Note: The Anne Street Barracks is separate from the military Aiken Barracks located on Point Road in Dundalk.<br /> Royal Irish Constabulary 1816‐1922 ‐ A forgotten Irish Police Force<br /> Gerard McEwan<br /> <br /> Site of Anne Street Barracks and 'St Ann's', Dundalk.<br /> <br /> The house called St Anne's is original but the barracks has been replaced by modern flats.  The original Barracks can be seen in the earlier photograph.<br /> <br /> The early OSI map shows the position of Anne Street Barracks quite clearly and shows that 'St Anne's' and the barracks were originally attached.  The map can be seen on the following link:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18.0&lat=54.00141&lon=-6.40771&layers=6i&b=ESRIWorld&o=100" target="_blank">1888 to 1915 6 inch OS Map ‐ National Library of Scotland</a> <br /> <br /> Tempest's Annual, 1917, lists the Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks and 'St Ann's' next door to each other in Anne Street, Dundalk.  <br /> A lovely house for the McCauleys; I'm assuming that it came with my Grandfather's Civil Service grade as a District Inspector.  and I understand that it was adviseable to be close to RIC Barracks and you can't get closer than next door! The only picture I've ever seen of the original Barracks ‐ St. Anne's House on the left in the photograph.  On the right the building that replaced the Barracks. Claire, nephews Joe and Jack Bryer getting some sea breeze and sunshine. My sister Bridget with son Joe Bryer and little Jack on the Irish Coast. Mount Stewart.  Why does this remind one of Harry Potter?

May 2026 Extra Video Playlist:

1.  16th Rojcarl aka Carlo aka Kuya Carl kindly helps with the chores for Tatay and Nanay  0:55
2.  24th The Crescent, Haggardstown and Anne House, Dundalk   3:51

APRIL 2026 JUNE 2026
Malachy McCauley • Philippines • 2026