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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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I was not expecting that.......

16/3/2014

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I think that I can see:

- A skull and crossbones

- A coffin

- A jester’s hat

- A timer, and

- Some lettering that I could not fully make out

An unusual engraving I thought.

Where do you think it might be found?


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How many people does it take to design a bus shelter?

15/3/2014

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Notice Board, Frank O'Connor Library, Mayfield
Maybe it is just me and my particular outlook, but the words ‘camel’, ‘horse’, ‘designed’ and ‘committee’ immediately came to mind.

Have to wait to see if the outcome proves me wrong.

I expect that patience will be required of the architects.

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Riddle for Bank Holiday Weekend - March 2014

14/3/2014

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Question:  There are 2 separate junctions in Cork city where 5 roads meet.

 

Do you know where?


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Hallmark - An Echo

13/3/2014

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Winthrop Street - March 2014
If Hallmark think it is appropriate to re-use a banner, then I suppose it is just as appropriate, and lazy, for me to re-use a blog.

One would think that a company such as Hallmark would have a good proofreading department. I suspect they would not sell too many cards saying – hapPY BITRHDAY. There is an expectation that what is printed is correct.

Imagine my surprise today when spotting an apostrophe instead of a dot, as well as capital S and DAY. Not fatal to anyone. Most people will probably read as a dot as intended but that does not alter that it is incorrect.  Everyone can make an error but what is surprising is that within Hallmark or its subcontractors, the sign must have been read on a screen or as printed by the graphic designer who came up with the proof; the sign maker; the people who erected the sign; and, all staff entering the building.

That suggests that these people did not spot the missing dot, the misplaced apostrophe or the capital letters. Alternatively, it suggests that they did not care as to what potential customers might think. I think that the latter would be worse but need to consider it further.
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Where is the 'E' in Spud?

12/3/2014

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Yesterday, as I frequently do, I had lunch at the Sandwich Stall in the English Market. Very nice toastie and soup.

They definitely know how to do a lovely soup and how to do attractive combination of sandwiches and salads.

I obviously cannot say the same about their spelling.


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Lovely Hurling

11/3/2014

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I am a sucker for artwork done in metal. I have a perception, real or otherwise, that it is a difficult form of artwork.






I smiled and appreciated the artwork on the gate in Ennistymon last weekend.

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Keep Right On To The End Of the Road

10/3/2014

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Last month after doing a blog, I learnt the source of the reference ‘ Meet You Further On Up the Road’ .

Since then I have viewed graveyard headstones with a more inquisitive eye.

Yesterday we were in Dromcliffe in Ennis and ‘Keep On To the End Of The Road’ did raise my curiosity. YouTube mentions the circumstances that accompanied the writing of the tune so one could definitely see the title having more than face value.

"Keep right on to the end of the road
Keep right on to the end
Tho' the way be long, let your heart be strong
Keep right on to the end
Tho’ you're tired and weary still journey on,
Till you come to your happy abode
Where all you love, you've been dreaming of
Will be there, at the end of the road"

Harry Lauder


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From Quin to Kalgoorlie

9/3/2014

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When we were up in Ennis over Christmas, I came across this plaque in Quin.

As we are in Ennis again today, it is a good a reason as any to upload to the blog.

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1893       1993

KILGOORLIE GOLD RUSH

PATRICK HANNON, A NATIVE OF QUIN

EMIGRATED TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA CIRCA

1863 IS CREDITED WITH THE DISCOVERY

OF THE FIRST GOLD STRIKE IN

KALGOORLIE WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ON THE 15TH JUNE 1893

WHICH RESULTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF THE TOWN OF KALGOORLIE
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Forget Seven Degrees of Separation

8/3/2014

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In Cork, only two is required.

Last month, Sr. M. Faustina of The Poor Clare Monastery wrote to Cork City Library and the City Archives seeking any information on YHS tiles in Cork.

Within two connections, I was in the loop and was emailing the library and Sr. Faustina. The Poor Clare’s in Cork are celebrating their centenary this year. It is also the centenary of the introduction of the YHS tiles.  

So that gave me the push to eventually uploading details of the YHS tiles in Ennis.

If a similar tile were introduced in 2014, I wonder if as many would publicly display their religious beliefs…..


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Who Is He?

7/3/2014

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Abbott's Lane, off North Mall
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I have come across many public walls and surfaces painted with artwork.

There have been some sculptures and ceramic works.

This, I think, it the first photographic street art that I have encountered.


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Hirelings

7/3/2014

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It was only when I was reading a book about Cork’s past that I first recall coming across the word ‘Foundling’ – a Foundling Hospital previously occupied the site of Murphy’s Brewery.

Some time after, I came across this sign in Clonakilty and was introduced to another word that was new to me – ‘Hireling’.

It is a bad day when I do not learn something new.

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“Hewitt’s distillery, until it amalgamated with the Cork Distilleries company, was in Watercourse Road. Murphy’s Brewery was established in 1854……in the Watercourse Road area situated on the site of an old Foundling Hospital”




The Story of Cork – Sean Beecher  (1971)

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Irish National Anthem

5/3/2014

1 Comment

 
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I was in Dublin last week and came across this plaque just off Gardiner Street.

What struck home with me was that Amhrán na BhFiann was originally written in English and then translated into Irish.

I did not know that before then.



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Multifunctional Fire Assembly Point

4/3/2014

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There I was, sitting on a high stool in The Corner House enjoying a pint.

The sign brought me back to my recent blog on That’s It – and I smiled at whether the Assembly Point was set for those successful or otherwise in escaping the fire; or both.

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A Sense of Place

3/3/2014

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If you are in or around U.C.C., you could do worse than visit the Seomra Caidrimh in the O’Rahilly Building.

Last week, I did enjoy the exhibition by J G O’Donoghue – not just the art but the informative notes that accompanied them.

Formal opening is 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday 5th – otherwise Seaomra Caidrimh is open 10:30 - 12:00, 15:30 - 16:30, 20:15- 21:00 Monday to Friday.

Enjoy.

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Opting Out at The Bodega

2/3/2014

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Similar to Sin É, a pleasant opt-out awaits at the Bodega.

That is assuming you are seeking a quiet and contemplative moment…

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings. I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

By William Butler Yeats

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Having just finished reading Staring At Lakes by Michael Harding, I am not sure that I can associate lake shore with relaxation

……..or maybe I just don’t do relaxing….

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    From Cork.

    Old enough to have more sense - theoretically at least.

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