Blog Archives - Reading the Signs

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Words of, and on, Thomas Kent

30/4/2016

Kent Railway Station, Cork

Bridge over Blackwater, Fermoy

This morning, I attended the commemoration ceremony at the railway station – remembering Thomas Kent, from Bawnard, Castlelyons.

M.C. for the event was Andrew Roche of Irish Rail who imparted quite a bit of information on the history of station, and, the railway system. I had not realised that there were six stations in Cork – the first being at Kilbarry.

Kevin Barry

29/4/2016

On recent visits to Dublin, I came across two completely different memorials to Kevin Barry.

As I was walking down Fleet Street, I had passed the Morgan Hotel and had completely missed the plaque commemorating the home of Kevin Barry until I was distracted by Parliament Row.

A month later on Marlborough, I stopped to appreciate the stencil art.

Ghost of Cork Examiner

28/4/2016

I spotted this old advertisement in the window of a shop premises in Ballyphehane yesterday.

1996 saw the last printing of the Cork Examiner – it being renamed The Examiner, and then The irish Examiner.

20 years later, it probably qualifies as a ghostsign., or a GhostAd at least.

Sir Roger

27/4/2016

Plaques, Statues, Railway Stations, Bridges, G.A.A. Clubs – I have seen many of them commemorating those who died in 1916.

Last Sunday, on way home, I detoured to Ardfert and Banna to photograph memorials to Sir Roger Casement.

Lies, Damned Lies, Statistics……and Marmalade

26/4/2016

My Irish vocabulary was seriously challenged when trying to discuss this label over breakfast on Sunday, at the end of my conversational Irish weekend.

My Irish vocabulary was seriously challenged when trying to discuss this label over breakfast on Sunday, at the end of my conversational Irish weekend.

50g of fruit in 100g of jam definitely looks like 50% fruit as claimed.

But if you start with 60g of sugar and 50g of fruit, that represent 45% of the original weight – and that ignores any water added to facilitate the boiling of the fruit.

When I have made jam and apple jelly, I have never really considered the chemical make-up or percentages but I have observed steam which I always assumed was the added water and some water within the fruit.

If some liquid from the oranges has evaporated in the jam-making process and if the sugar does not evaporate, then the percentage of fruit has reduced below the starting 45%.

Next year, I will try to enhance my vocabulary to include mathematical and chemical terms. This year I had toast and marmalade – and nice it was too.

Life is like…

25/4/2016

…not a box of chocolates, but maybe a mobile phone.

This morning, I turned off the ‘Out Of Office’, somewhat unfulfilled.

On previous years, I was buzzing after returning from the conversational Irish weekend in Ballyferriter, having had a weekend where work was completely forgotten.

This morning, there was a definite sense that it was too short. The desire to return to the office was absent.

Just like my mobile phone battery, maybe recharge time takes longer with age…..

Before Star Wars

24/4/2016

2014.03.21

Two years ago, I headed down to Ballyferrier for a weekend of conversational Irish.

Four of us arrived down early and went for a walk. There was no definite plan but we ended up walking up to an old look out fort just up the hill from Ceann Sibéal golf course.

The views were so impressive. The sharp drop to the water heightened the visual sensation.

I am just back from my third annual conversation weekend and smiled when I spotted that Star Wars also appreciated the view from that hilltop.

A new metal road has been installed. Two cranes operating at 7.30 on a Saturday morning. Security guard was on duty to prevent the curious from venturing beyond the closed off barriers.

I suspect it will be another few years before anyone may be able to walk to that hilltop again.

2014.03.21

2014.03.21

2014.03.21

2016.04.23

Some View in Kerry

23/4/2016

On days like this, there cannot be too many better places to be than the Dingle peninsula.

Peig to the left of me. StarWars to the right. And here I am stuck with this view.

Mousetrap

22/4/2016

I really liked this street art that I spotted in Newcastle West.

It was probably difficult enough to see before but the metal leg of the ALDI sign make it even harder now.

The fact that many walk past completely unaware of its existence probably added to the appreciation in the viewer.

Camino reminder

22/4/2016

Any plans I had for doing my own Camino have not developed in the recent years. They remain a notion with a probable route.

As mentioned before, every so often I will spot a book or something that will remind me of the unfulfilled wish.

When in Boolteens on the Dingle peninsula, I was surprised by a Fire Hydrant cover, complete with scallop shell. Those conscience prickers again catching me when I least expect.

Buckley Brick

20/4/2016

It is not often that the name of a brick manufacturer is visible in a structure – any such name generally is faced up or down and so covered by mortar and the next layer.

A while back, I spotted this in a wall near Seminary Buildings off Great William O’Brien Street. It is the only dark brick in an otherwise red wall.

I can make out ‘Buckley’ but no more from the wording – possibly ‘Hancock’. I have not yet come across a brick manufacturer called ‘Buckley’ – it remains on the ‘To Find Out More’ list.

Here’s hoping someone does know some more about this rogue brick.

The Man who Bought Croke Park

20/4/2016

I suspect that many do not know that Jones Road site was purchased by a Limerick man who then sold to GAA ‘for the same consideration’.

Yesterday, I spotted a tweet from Jean with a copy of the notification of the death, 100 years ago on 18th April, 1916, of Frank Brazil Dineen and it reminded me of this plaque on the side wall of a building in Ballylanders.

Joining those two dots of knowledge was justification for today’s blog.

“This plaque was erected by Baile an Londraigh CLG in honour of the late Prionsais Breasil O Duinnon – Frank Brazil Dineen (Athlete, Journalist, Patriot)

Born in this house 28th December 1862, Frank B. Dineen came to prominence as an athlete holding the record for the 100 yards sprint and high jump in the 1880’s.

Úachtaran Cumann Luithchleas Gael 1895-1898 agus Ard Stiurthoir 1898-1901.

He was the first President of the Athletic Council and published the “Irish Athletic Record” in 1906. He founded Ballylanders Shamrock Football Club in 1886. Frank will be best remembered as the man who in 1908 purchased Jones Road now Croke Park, which he gave to the GAA for the same consideration. He was the Athletic Editor of “SPORT” published by the Freeman’s Journal when he died on 18th April 1916.

This plaque was unveiled on the 15th August 2009 by Criostóir O Cuana Úachtaran Cumann Luthchleas Gael”
Plaque at Ballylanders

Katherine Cecil Thurston - Woods Gift

18/4/2016

I cycled past this house last night. This morning the name appeared on my computer screen. More than enough reason for a blog – even just to add to what was mentioned before.

I was reading today’s update from Stair na hÉireann as to what happened on this day in history and they mentioned that Katherine Cecil Thurston (née Madden) was born in Cork on this day, in 1875.

This name was new to me and I wondered as to whether there was a plaque to her somewhere.

My web searching treated me like a nail, hitting me straight with the comment that ‘often forgotten today, was a highly popular and successful writer of short stories and novels at the beginning of the twentieth century’. She ‘had two books simultaneously on the New York Times best seller list in 1905, the first time any author had achieved such a feat’.

It revealed that she was born at Woods Gift in 1875. She died of asphyxia in her hotel room at 13 Morrisons Island, also in Cork city, in 1911, one month before she was due to remarry.

I suspect that I will be requesting a book from the City Library – to find out more. Even a walk through St Joseph’s Cemetery might be prompted.

What was a ‘Boot Factor’?

17/4/2016

I am supposing that it was not a ‘Boot Factory’ – primarily for reasons of layout in that an additional letter would have brought the word a bit too close to Walsh.

If a Motor Factor sells car parts and equipment, did a ‘Boot Factor’ sell parts for boots, or the full pair of boots?

I spotted this ghostsign a few weeks back in Roscommon town. I cannot recall ever seeing reference to a ‘Boot Factor’ prior to this. Chambers does confirm that to factor is to act on someone’s behalf, but that does not really help.

Was ‘factor’ used in times past instead of ‘shop’?

Today, once again, is a day for question, not answer.

Katie Buckley - Lost on RMS Titanic

16/4/2016

“In loving memory of
Catherine (Katie) Buckley
Knockanemore, Ovens, Co. Cork.
March 6th 1889 – April 15th 1912
Lost on RMS Titanic
Beloved daughter and sister
Interred St. Joseph’s Cemetery,
West Roxbury, MA, USA.”

Memorial by Muskerry Local History Society October 2012

Yesterday was the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. 104 years ago, on 15th April, 1912.

News reports reminded of this plaque close to the church in Ovens, Co. Cork which I spotted a while back.

When there is a name and an image, it lifts the news beyond cold facts and numbers.

Twenty three years old and setting out on a new challenge.