ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE IT WAS DEMOLISHED
Today, 14 October 2014, I used the Sony VG10E which is a video camera which produces excellent stills. Today 20 Lune 2024 I digitally remastered the images.
Windmill Lane in 2014: A Street Steeped in Musical History, on the Cusp of Change
Ten years ago, in 2014, Windmill Lane in Dublin was a place of pilgrimage for music fans worldwide, drawn by its association with U2 and the legendary Windmill Lane Recording Studios.
The Graffiti Wall, covered in scribbles and messages from fans, was still a prominent feature, although the studio itself had ceased operations in its original Ringsend location in 2009. The iconic building was no longer a hub of musical activity, but its legacy remained etched in the walls and the memories of those who had worked and recorded there.
A Brief History
Windmill Lane's story began in 1978 when Brian Masterson and James Morris founded Windmill Lane Recording Studios. It quickly gained international recognition, attracting artists like U2, Van Morrison, Kate Bush, Sinéad O'Connor, and many others. The studio's Ringsend location, in particular, became synonymous with U2's early success, with albums like "Boy" and "The Joshua Tree" recorded there.
Over the years, the studio's exterior walls became a canvas for fans to express their admiration, transforming into the iconic Graffiti Wall. The wall itself became a landmark, a testament to the studio's cultural significance.
Development Since 2014
In 2015, both the original recording studio building and the Graffiti Wall were demolished as part of redevelopment efforts. While the physical structures are gone, the spirit of Windmill Lane endures.
The area has seen significant redevelopment, with new businesses and residential buildings springing up. However, the musical legacy of Windmill Lane is preserved in various ways:
Photographs and Documentation: Numerous photos and videos of the Graffiti Wall exist, capturing the messages and artwork left by fans over the years. These serve as a digital archive of the wall's history and significance.
Cultural Memory: The Graffiti Wall and the recording studio remain firmly embedded in the cultural memory of Dublin and music fans worldwide. They are frequently mentioned in articles, documentaries, and discussions about U2 and Windmill Lane's history.
Continued Fan Engagement: Fans continue to visit Windmill Lane, even without the wall or the studio, to pay homage to the site's musical legacy.
Historical Recognition: The Windmill Lane Recording Studios and the Graffiti Wall are recognised as important landmarks in Irish music history. Their story is often shared as part of Dublin's cultural heritage.
Windmill Lane Today
Today, Windmill Lane is a blend of old and new. It's a place where history and modernity intersect, where the echoes of past recordings mingle with the sounds of a vibrant city. The street's musical legacy is still palpable, a testament to the enduring power of art and creativity.
While the physical recording studio and Graffiti Wall may be gone, their spirit lives on through the collective memory of those who experienced them, the documentation that preserves their image, and the ongoing recognition of their importance to music history. Windmill Lane remains a symbol of Dublin's rich musical heritage, a place where the past continues to inspire the present.
Windmill Lane in 2014: A Street Steeped in Musical History, on the Cusp of Change
Ten years ago, in 2014, Windmill Lane in Dublin was a place of pilgrimage for music fans worldwide, drawn by its association with U2 and the legendary Windmill Lane Recording Studios.
The Graffiti Wall, covered in scribbles and messages from fans, was still a prominent feature, although the studio itself had ceased operations in its original Ringsend location in 2009. The iconic building was no longer a hub of musical activity, but its legacy remained etched in the walls and the memories of those who had worked and recorded there.
A Brief History
Windmill Lane's story began in 1978 when Brian Masterson and James Morris founded Windmill Lane Recording Studios. It quickly gained international recognition, attracting artists like U2, Van Morrison, Kate Bush, Sinéad O'Connor, and many others. The studio's Ringsend location, in particular, became synonymous with U2's early success, with albums like "Boy" and "The Joshua Tree" recorded there.
Over the years, the studio's exterior walls became a canvas for fans to express their admiration, transforming into the iconic Graffiti Wall. The wall itself became a landmark, a testament to the studio's cultural significance.
Development Since 2014
In 2015, both the original recording studio building and the Graffiti Wall were demolished as part of redevelopment efforts. While the physical structures are gone, the spirit of Windmill Lane endures.
The area has seen significant redevelopment, with new businesses and residential buildings springing up. However, the musical legacy of Windmill Lane is preserved in various ways:
Photographs and Documentation: Numerous photos and videos of the Graffiti Wall exist, capturing the messages and artwork left by fans over the years. These serve as a digital archive of the wall's history and significance.
Cultural Memory: The Graffiti Wall and the recording studio remain firmly embedded in the cultural memory of Dublin and music fans worldwide. They are frequently mentioned in articles, documentaries, and discussions about U2 and Windmill Lane's history.
Continued Fan Engagement: Fans continue to visit Windmill Lane, even without the wall or the studio, to pay homage to the site's musical legacy.
Historical Recognition: The Windmill Lane Recording Studios and the Graffiti Wall are recognised as important landmarks in Irish music history. Their story is often shared as part of Dublin's cultural heritage.
Windmill Lane Today
Today, Windmill Lane is a blend of old and new. It's a place where history and modernity intersect, where the echoes of past recordings mingle with the sounds of a vibrant city. The street's musical legacy is still palpable, a testament to the enduring power of art and creativity.
While the physical recording studio and Graffiti Wall may be gone, their spirit lives on through the collective memory of those who experienced them, the documentation that preserves their image, and the ongoing recognition of their importance to music history. Windmill Lane remains a symbol of Dublin's rich musical heritage, a place where the past continues to inspire the present.
ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE IT WAS DEMOLISHED