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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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4, Hopefully 5, Brave (and Lucky) Pigeons

23/5/2020

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Dowcha Boy,                           White Vision,


Paddy,                                         The King of Rome       
​

        &                         IHU 15 67080





“Few people can claim that they owe their very existence to a pigeon”
This is the opening line of story that I heard last November on Sunday Miscellany. Gail Seekamp tells the story of White Vision after her heroic experiences during World War II, 60 miles in 9 hours. She was renamed White Saviour.
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The Dickin Medal is the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. White Vision was one of the first three recipients in December 1943.   Nine months later, Paddy was similarly honoured. I read of Paddy in Ireland’s Own. A plaque was erected in his honour at Carnlough, near Larne, and is on my To Visit list. It looks like there may be two plaques and a song -  and another song, of sorts. In 2010, there was a flypast in commemoration.
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A Bishop Lucey Park pigeon

​This week I read of Cónal Creedon’s excellent book, Begotten Not Made, being selected for an Eric Hoffer Book Award in the U.S., and was reminded of Dowcha Boy whose exploits in World War I pre-dated the Dickin Medal. Feted on returning to Cork, the Legend of the Northside, a small but critical figure of the book, has not been forgotten by this reader.
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Sunvalley Drive
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The Northside
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Fly, Dowcha-boy1 Fly like the wind

Paddy lived until he was 11. White Saviour lived for 10 years after her rescue night. Based in Rialto in Dublin, IHU 15 67080 was ringed in 2015, which I think may also be year of birth. I hope that she is now competing in races for pigeons with disabilities. On Thursday, a ringed leg was spotted in the grounds of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
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Dowcha Boy survived being shot. White Vision survived the stormy night flight that her fellow pigeon did not. Maybe IHU 15 67080 is flying, and hopping, about quite contentedly having evaded the peregrine around the golden trumpets mentioned in a tweet this morning.
 

​“In the West End of Derby lives a working man
He says "I can't fly but me pigeons can
And when I set them free
It's just like part of me
Gets lifted up on shining wings"
 
"Come on down, Your Majesty
I knew you'd make it back to me
Come on down, my lovely one
You made me dream come true"
 
June Tabor

Orla Peach’s tweet and listening to The Unthanks earlier, was enough of a co-incidence about pigeons in one week to warrant this rambling blog.
​


For further distraction from Cónal Creedon, take a few minutes HERE


​If it is good enough for Dowtcha Boy
Paddy Comerford on the Northside Pigeon
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We are waves of the same sea…….

22/5/2020

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‘We are waves of the same sea,
Leaves of the same tree,
Flowers of the same garden’

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There is such a range of messages on premises with regard to the Covid lockdown but I think that this on Probys Quay must be near top of the pile.

​
 
I have not been to Tiramisu previously but expect to be there when they re-open.
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Dog Poo Sign With A Difference

21/5/2020

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We spotted this stencil art when up around.
 
Maybe the dogs are reclaiming the streets during this lockdown.
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Thuesday

21/5/2020

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​Tuesday or Thursday – or Both

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This was spotted when out for our walk today – Thursday.

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I will have to check on Tuesday next if the sign is on display again. Maybe there is an effort from the Marketing Dept. to create a new word to mean both days.

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Make Friends With Murphy

20/5/2020

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I spotted this old advert this afternoon.
 
It is not my drink of choice, but I would dearly love an opportunity to make friends with Murphy.
 
Oh! For this lock-in to end………

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Religious Pizza

19/5/2020

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It is not often that I get my religion in a Supermarket. I have never before spotted it in the frozen food section of a Centra.
 
A pizza made by the Fellows of God – and a reduced price on last Sunday.

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Remembering Mary Kate O’Leary

18/5/2020

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From Old Kilcrumper Cemetery outside Fermoy.


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I have seen many headstones with references to I.R.A., Old I.R.A. and Volunteers but I think I can only recall one with reference to Cumann na mBan.
 
I suspect there will be time spent checking photographs of other cemeteries as lockdown continues. 

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Lock, Stock & Barrel – A Variation

17/5/2020

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It is not often that I nod in acknowledgement and appreciation at the work of any Marketing or Advertising Department.
 
Today passing the Lough Credit Union was an exception.

I wondered if it may have been inspired by Vinnie Jones’ stag weekend

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    From Cork.

    Old enough to have more sense - theoretically at least.

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