what is this piece of equipment

richardjjd

Hi

This blue box is bolded to the side of a building on Bride Street, here. I'm not too sure what building this is (perhaps the National Archives?). Out of pure nosiness (as I've been looking at it for years and can't figure out what it is) can anyone shed any light?

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Gyalist

I don't know what the box bolted on to the building is for but I seem to remember that building being the Government Publications Office storage facility.

Wishbone Ash

Strange alright. Looks like a little bird house!

Gyalist

That building is the National Archives. The Govt Publications place was around the corner on Bishop Street.

nxbyveromdwjpg

What the hell is that thing??

Micilin Muc

Isn't there a security camera in it?

richardjjd

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Isn't there a security camera in it?

Well I've looked at it from all angles (I accept I'm a tad obsessed) and I can't see any outlet for a camera. streetview gives a good opportunity to look at it close up.

Hermy

I too have wondered about that box for some time now.
Thanks for posting.
Shame we can't be put out of our misery.:)

hXci

If, as one of the posters earlier on mentioned, its the Government Publications Office storage facility, I'd presume its a barometer or some kind of instrument for measuring air pressure/ humidity, which would effect the storage conditions inside the building? Pure speculation but...!

Victor

hXci wrote: »

If, as one of the posters earlier on mentioned, its the Government Publications Office storage facility, I'd presume its a barometer or some kind of instrument for measuring air pressure/ humidity, which would effect the storage conditions inside the building? Pure speculation but...!

I had the very same thought as I walked up to it - well that it was an air monitoring station.

However, I went in and spoke to the porter in the archives building. He walks by it himself every day and never really noticed it. Someone already asked him the question today, so he had an answer ready for me. It seems that its just a marker / artwork to represent the houses that had previously been on the site.

richardjjd

Victor wrote: »

I had the very same thought as I walked up to it - well that it was an air monitoring station.

However, I went in and spoke to the porter in the archives building. He walks by it himself every day and never really noticed it. Someone already asked him the question today, so he had an answer ready for me. It seems that its just a marker / artwork to represent the houses that had previously been on the site.

Thanks a million Victor. While I drive by it, I'm never around that neck of the woods during working hours. Next challenge is to find out which houses were on that site, and where they of any historical significance.

richardjjd

According to the National Archives website the building stands on the site of the formers Jacobs factory, "a Dublin institution from the 1850s until it was destroyed by fire in 1987". Perhaps this is what the bird box/weather box/air monitoring box is representing.

Its an unusual marker, however, and not one that I've seen elsewhere in Dublin (either in relation to Easter 1916 or anything else).

Victor

Look at this map: http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,715341,733476,7 and change the settings to Historic 25"

At that point, the factory only occupied half the block.

jeckle

According to Dublin City Council there was an exhibition done some years ago by an artist who erected some of these on buildings in the area - this is the only one that remains. It meant to resemble the style of the houses that were originally in the area.

hXci

Their replies have been too shady. I've changed my mind. I reckon its some kind of government mind control device. Tinfoil hats when you guys are walking past in future.

User Friendly

That there is a modulator.

Gillo

Interesting answer Victor, a little less exciting than we'd all expected but makes sense, I'd have guessed it was some sort of weather monitoring station as the others suggested but it appears to be a solid box, don't they need some sort of hole's in them?

happyfriday

Victor wrote: »

Look at this map: http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,715341,733476,7 and change the settings to Historic 25"

At that point, the factory only occupied half the block.

Loving that map, not seen it before!! Cheers!!

bad mongo

it was the site of a bird market (canaries, finches etc.) for hundreds of years so I presume it is a little commemorative monument. I vaguely recall a Documentary on the market filmed in the 80s that was repeated recently enough,

edit: a quick google uncovered these clips;

http://www.dublin.ie/forums/showthread.php?10527-the-old-dublin-bird-market

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnndiypCKeE

Hermy

richardjjd wrote: »

...the building stands on the site of the formers Jacobs factory...

Originally posted in the Ghost Signs thread:

mwrf

Victor wrote: »

Look at this map: http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,715341,733476,7 and change the settings to Historic 25"

At that point, the factory only occupied half the block.

That is a fantastic resource, can't believe I haven't seen it before.