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MIXED MESSAGES.

Using signs, advertisements and messages as the inspiration for observation and comment - enlightened and otherwise

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Dr. Thomas J. Fehily d. 1918.04.13

23/2/2017

3 Comments

 
Yesterday, I learnt of Thomas Joseph Fehily of Ballineen and was prompted to do some searching.
​
Some years ago, I came across the treasure trove of a website, Irish War Memorials. It records memorials to those who died in wars – not graves but a memorial to those who died in any war, anywhere, anytime. I have sent on photographs of a few that I have come across on my travels. On my journey home from West Cork yesterday, I came across another.
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What do these mean?

15/2/2017

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​I now recognise many of the things that might be engraved on walls – benchmarks / crow’s feet ; B.O. – Board of Ordnance; and, W.D. – War Department.
​
These two are on the same wall on Railway Street and are completely new to me.
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One is the letter ‘P’ with an upward-pointing arrow.

The other appears to be a ‘W’ or maybe an upside-down benchmark, if the stone was salvaged and re-used from elsewhere.
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​These are definitely on the ‘To Find Out More’ list – all suggestions welcome
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What A Chimney…

6/2/2017

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When in Castletownsend photographing the sundial that accompanied Saturday’s blog about that lovely word – Gnomon – I noted the chimney.

I stood in appreciation for a while.

In my working life, I have had to read many construction drawings – just reading, not making.

Since September when I admired the chimney from across the road, I have wondered as to the unfortunate draughtsman who had to represent the chimney in two dimensions from a number of different perspectives,

Maybe this was one of those instances where no design detail was provided, where the designer nodded and yielded to the skill and expertise of the mason/bricklayer.
​
I have never seen anything like it.

It so goes against what I had understood to be the rules of brickwork and chimneys. To prevent water ingress, surface area should be minimised to one exposed face of the brick. Surfaces where water can lodge should be avoided and not encouraged with shelf effect.
Maybe those rules explain why I have never seen the likes of this before.

I should have knocked on the door to ask as to whether there are leaks around the chimney – but I didn’t.

As good a reason as any for a return visit to Castletownsend.
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What is a 'Gnomon'?

4/2/2017

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Sundial by Seamus Murphy
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It Was The Time Of Our Lives

​Books  - Notebooks

I have gone through phases with my books. In my teens and twenties, I used to write my name, date and place of purchase on the flysheet.

Somewhere, I read that writing on flysheets devalued a book. This had an effect. For years, I did not mark my books. The impact of that message wore off some time ago. Maybe I woke up to the fact that I will not be disposing of my books for value. They are mine and likely to remain so until my last day.

Since that Eureka moment, my books are full of notes - any references to another book; things demanding further investigation; or maybe just a new word or interesting expression. These were originally margin notes – but easier to find later if on flysheet and blank pages to back.
​
Those who inherit (or borrow) my books will likely have some fun reading the notes.

​Shakespeare & Joyce


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Here’s Looking at You Kid

3/2/2017

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​Two weeks ago I spotted this in Limerick, near King John’s Castle.

The art installation did bring a smile to this observer.

On Twitter yesterday, I learned that I had only had a preview.

The final version combined art with some guerrilla gardening. It now appears complete.
​
Cue, bigger smile hereabouts.
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Photograph from LimerickWalkingTours on Twitter
​
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    From Cork.

    Old enough to have more sense - theoretically at least.

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