Blog Archives - Reading the Signs

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Tupac in the Glen

31/3/2014

I noted this art installation during a recent walk through the Glen River Park.

It appears that it was done in 2005 and to my eyes it looks like each individual tile was made by a separate individual – and probably someone then in school.

It is probably a reflection of my age and interest that this was my first introduction to the name ‘Tupac’

I do like the concept, the installation and that it has aged well.

Peig - A Challenge

31/3/2014

Dún Chaoin

I recently completed a Conversational Irish course – 20 Wednesdays.

During the course, we were asked as to what books in Irish we may have read. When reading Peig for Leaving Certificate was mentioned, the almost universal reaction was one of ‘never again’.

I was an exception which posed a query as to whether my memory may be failing.

I understand that Peig is no longer on the Leaving Certificate reading list – a further disconnect between my generation and the current Leaving Certificate students. I found this out when trying to purchase the book in a second-hand schoolbook shop.

I had to purchase a new copy and hope to read within a year.

There is nothing like writing down a challenge and communicating to others……..

As for An tOileánach, that may take quite a bit longer…..

Atlantic Film Trail

30/3/2014

Inch, Co. Kerry

Playboy of the western World (1962) – A milestone in the cannon of English language theatre in Ireland.

Ryan’s Daughter (1970) - This multi award winning film based upon Flaubert’s Madame Bovary is renowned for its depiction of Ireland’s glorious scenery captured on film by Freddie Young.

When in Kerry, I spotted these two information plaques – one at Coumeenoole and the other overlooking Inch.

This led me to Atlantic Film Trail.

I cannot ever see myself ever getting to all of these locations in person.

As a tourist route map, it could form as good a basis as many other suggestions…..

Great Oceans of Eternity

29/3/2014

Dún Chaoin - West of Dingle

For a number of reasons, I was struck by this headstone.

I really like the circular opening carved out and the view through it. I like the appropriateness of the porthole and the sail-like curves of the stone to the solo-navigator.

Recourse to the web reveals that the Pat Lawless was in his seventies when he completed the round the world sailing – how uplifting and motivating. (My base level is low today so the uplifting effect is even greater).

When I spotted this last Friday, Christy Moore’s lyrics from the Brendan Voyage came to mind with the calm sea and miles of visibility doing its best to tempt the navigator back.

Maybe Brendan isn't the only one badly needing a break.

Pat Lawless

Solo World Circumnavigator

Died 20th August 2010

Aged 84 Years

May he rest at peace forever

In the great ocean of eternity

'Worn down by rejection that pierced his humble pride,
“Begod”, sez Brendan “If I run I’ll surely catch the tide”
Turnin’ on his sandals he made straight for the docks
And haulin’ up his anchor he cast off from the rocks.
As he sailed past Inishvickallaun there stood the albatross
“I knew you’d never stick it out, ’tis great to see you boss”
“I’m bailin’ out” sez Brendan, “I badly need a break
A fortnight is about as much as any aul saint could take.”'

Christy Moore

Dingle Numbers

28/3/2014

In 1975, Tiede Herrema was kidnapped. I remember being rather puzzled with the number of the house in Monasterevin in which he was held – 1410 St Evin’s Park. We would have driven through Monasterevin on our way to Dublin. As a 10 year old, I had difficulty in believing that there was a park with 1410 houses in a town that size.

Some years later, someone suggested to me that the number of local authority houses in Kildare were allocated in order of when they were completed – so maybe house 100 could be in one town and house 101 could be in a different village; and also a park could be constructed with houses 100 to 116 with no house numbers before or after.

This may or may not be true but did provide some explanation of house 1410.

I was reminded of this in Dingle at the weekend where there are gaps in the numbers of the houses of The Cottages at An Choill – 16 houses starting at number 119 and finishing at 140.

Maybe Kerry has a similar numbering system as Kildare.

Something that I have to try to find out more about….

Ryan's Daughter, Coumeenoole

27/3/2014

Leac Cuimhneacháin ar “Ryan’s Daughter” Commemorative Stone – 1969

For the past number of years holidaying in Kerry, we would have travelled for a day to the beach at Coumeenoole. A lovely little beach with great waves.

Last weekend, I was west of Dingle, staying at Ballyferriter. Friday’s planned walk up to Mount Brandon was deferred for weather reasons so we loitered around the Dingle Peninsula.

It was shocking to see the absence of sand from the beach caused by the recent storms.

What was also startling to me, as host of this site, was the engraved stone that had bypassed me completely on previous visits. I really like the film spool engraving on the stone.

Dragged Up

25/3/2014

One can definitely fool oneself regarding fitness.

Last summer, we went up Mount Brandon from the Cloghane side. There was some small stiffness in the legs afterwards but the walk was generally of little difficulty. Fast forward eight months and I thought that I was of a similar level of fitness but my walking has been on the level and there has been no cycling so it was the thighs and the breathing that complained last Saturday.

Last Saturday, four of us set off up Mount Brandon from the Ballybrack, Cosán na Naomh side. Time of year meant that there was snow from half way up which did not exist last July. Also this route does not place the mountain between the walker and the Atlantic Ocean – and more importantly, the wind coming off the sea.

There are sixteen crosses from Ballybrack to the summit – one part way up; 14 marked as Stations of the Cross; and a final cross at the top. Just after Station of the Cross VI, my thighs and body dictated to the mind that it was best to return so I wished my walking colleagues well and turned around.

A short way down, I met Gerard and Marie from Glin and was persuaded to carry on up through the snow with them.

I got as far as Station Cross 14 before the driving sleet and wind and my aching body compelled an about turn. I would not have got even that far without the patience of my fellow travellers stopping to chat and take on food at the frequency that I did, without the enjoyable conversation to distract this walker from the gradient in front, and without that unspoken encouragement of company.

Company can be so undervalued.

A few days later, the aches have abated but determination has hardened :

- that hill fitness will be attained and that Mount Brandon will be ascended frommthe Ballybrack side before the end of this Summer, and

- that a visit to the Magpie Bar in Glin is in order to thank Gerard and Marie again.

Competition among bus-stops

25/3/2014

The Tracks, Dingle

Last week, I did wonder how many people did it take to design a bus shelter.

I was in Ballyferriter for the weekend and spotted this bus shelter in Dingle.

It does prove that there can be an unusual and nice design for a bus shelter.

The bar has been set for Mayfield.

What the weekend was all about....

24/3/2014

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I was in Castlelyons last weekend.

For the past few months, I have been keeping an eye out for old ads. I was able to add to my collection.

I am not alone

22/3/2014

Last month, I was reading on Liminal Entwinings about the different aspects of old post boxes and I owned up to an infatuation or addiction in stopping to photograph and record post boxes that I might see on my travels.

I have even adjusted my travels so that I am on roads not previously travelled.

Last weekend, I was on such a new road in Bride Bridge by Castlelyons and spotted this old postbox and the informative sign.

It helped me accept that I am not alone in having an interest in old post boxes. There may not be many but there is more than me.

Death of a street

21/3/2014

Last month, I referred to Ian’s blog about the decline of commercial centre of a town.

Many like the new Opera Lane development. Me, I find it anonymous – full of multi-national chain outlets and totally lacking in individuality which I like. The development could be in any city in the UK.

All shops have had to deal with the economic downturn and the reduced spending power as well as the competition from online sales and out-of-town centres.

Academy St has also had to deal with a substantial proportion of foot traffic now using the former Faulkner’s Lane.

If one would like to see what a street might be like with little or no shop open, one could walk down Academy Street. My fear is that this will be replicated on other streets.

Dangers of Rebranding - Ch. 5 - Brown Thomas

21/3/2014

Maylor St

That small part of me that might be considered romantic hopes that the plaque was left as a reminder of the history of the city and the very many who lived with and purchased in Cash’s.

That part with a concern for building conservation has a slight suspicion that its removal may have damaged the stonework and so it was retained for pragmatic reasons.

The cynical part, a not insubstantial part, is convinced that someone made a mistake……

Has it stopped falling?

19/3/2014

Last week, I drove from Glen Avenue to the bottom of Summerhill.

Google Maps tells me that this is a distance of 2.0km – not that long. In that distance, I saw these three signs and not one for a property for sale.

Maybe there is movement in the property market after all……

Off the Wall Poetry

18/3/2014

Earlier today, I spotted new Wall Art on North Main St.

I do like the art. I do like the poetry. I do like the sense of fun.

I don’t like the sensation that painting the hoardings on empty sites and buildings is the way forward for the city.

Gas Mask

17/3/2014

Recently, I had an opportunity to inspect an old gas mask – still in its box.

What struck home with this reader was the absence of a diagram. I think it is a much more difficult task to describe the required actions in words only rather than with figures and diagrams.