I remember reading some weeks ago about a County Wexford publican, and former councillor, who was fined for having an unlicensed cigarette vending machine and also having antique signs advertising cigarettes.

I really hope that the publican annoyed the official majorly and the charges for the signs were added to the main offence – otherwise I suspect that there may be many signs around the country that may need to be taken down.

These signs are a record of a previous time.

The HSE insisting on these being removed is akin to rewriting history.

If this policy continues, the effect of any suggested ban on alcohol advertising and sponsorship could be extreme with regard to old signs.

I had wondered about the sign on the parapet at 4, Patrick’s Quay. It stated that it was established in 1869 – but was this the original occupier of the building; or, was it McKechnie’s who occupied the building since I can remember upto about eight years ago or so.

I could not make out if the established date was painted or plastered.

When in the Irish Examiner this morning, I noted that they have launched a series of cards with old photographs – one of the cards is of Patrick’s Quay. Number 4 is occupied by Nat Ross.

This is consistent with the two photos in Éabha Landers book, A Scrapbook through Time which has two photographs of the start of Patrick’s Quay and the signage on the building was Nat Ross – Household Removals – Pantechnicon – Depositories.

This did introduce a new word to me – Pantechnicon -  but I could not make out if 1869 was present in the black and white photographs.

There are two dates on ground floor keystones at 7 and 10 Patrick’s Quay – 1869 and 1842. I would have guessed that the buildings would quite possibly have been built from the bridge down so would have expected Nr 4 to predate Nr.7 but that is pure assumption.

Reference to the internet did provide the answer in that the McKechnie company was established in 1869 and so most likely the sign is painted.