Blog Archives

Moving Fada

30/6/2015

Sr. Éoin Baiste – Sráid Eóin Baiste – nó, Sráid Eoin

In Ireland, it appears that it is not only the holy statues that move.

Last year, I spotted these streetsigns off Thomas Street in Dublin.

The ‘síneadh fada’ appears to have moved from ‘E’ to ‘O’. Logainm suggests that it should be over neither – and drops the reference to Baptist.

In good old Irish fashion, it looks like multiple answers to the same question…..

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65 Thomas Street

29/6/2015

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Thomas Ellis

A tape weaver, lived here
at 65 Thomas Str., when
he was arrested by
Crown Forces for his part
in the United Irishman
rebellion.

Nothing is known of him
after being taken to
Dublin Castle in
June of 1798.

I foresee a new sign being added to a building.

These photographs were taken when in Dublin last August. They have remained on the To Do list since then- hoping that there might be a time when I read more about Thomas Ellis of 65 Thomas St in Dublin.

Then today, I read that there were meetings in the pub that were attended by O’Donovan Rossa – more historical dots joined…..

Glac bog an saol

agus glacfaidh

an saol bog tú

UPDATE: Thanks again to @OldEire – the pub may be where Wolfe Tone was waked

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Square Dealt

28/6/2015

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Maybe the tide has not fully turned with this economy yet.

I spotted last week that Square Deal on Washington Street is having a closing down sale. I wondered if the much reduced parking due to the cycle lanes had contributed any nails into the coffin.

I like the building façade and hope that it is retained.

I suspect that it will not be replaced as a furniture shop – possibly prompting the opening of yet another in the anonymous parks on the edge of the city and beyond, where parking is free and there is absolutely no chance of impulse shopping in the city centre.

If you browse local, do shop local – please, before what is local may not be no more.

“Lee Boot Factory (Furniture Centre, Washington St)

This Guy’s photograph taken in 1913 shows the staff of the Lee Boot Factory in sidecars outside their place of employment on Lancaster Quay prior to embarking on their annual excursion. The Lee Boot Manufacturing Co. was established by the Dwyer family around 1890 to complement their wholesale drapery business. Originally located in Hannover Street, it soon moved to larger premises on Washington Street , and about the time this photograph was taken had expanded to take over the old Lancastrian Schools, which were replaced by a new building on the Mardyke.”

CORK In Old Photographs – Tim Cadogan (2003 Gill & Macmillan Ltd)

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Flights of Fancy

27/6/2015

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Not a sign that one sees often

Those birds have some high standards.

No garage or run-down shack is good enough. No.

Only the inner sanctum of Ballaghaderreen Golf Club will suffice for chosen residence – and without the necessity to cough up green fees.

Many thanks to SOK for the photo which set me down on two separate memory tracks.

Flight 1.

What is the connection between Ballaghderreen and Ballyvaughan?

Other than the obvious beginning with Ball?

Flight 2.

Can you read Cork?

ABCD Birds
DMRN Birds
DR Birds
OBJURI DR Birds

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Buy A Book

26/6/2015

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Go on. Go on. Go on.

Get out and buy a book.

I have had these photographs for some time. I have had the inkling of a blog post rattling around for over a year. CornflakeGirl’s post this morning prompted some action.

For me, there is a joy and elation in seeing a book that you have never seen before, are unlikely to see again, and so must buy there and then. The book can be new or secondhand. But it is that moment when I realise what I hold and must bring home.

Dingle

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On your bike

25/6/2015

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The Archive

24/6/2015

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Yesterday, I picked up the latest issue of The Archive.

There are articles on old buildings, holy wells, people of Cork from times past. There is even one article as Gaeilge.

And it’s free.

The only downside is that it will be a year until the next issue.

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Stolpersteine

23/6/2015

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Images of Elsewhere – 4

This evening I learnt about Stumbling Blocks.

Don’t hang about here – get over to That’s How The Light Gets In, and learn for yourself

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Crowley's Music Centre - Craftsmanship

22/6/2015

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Yesterday, I commented on the length of time that a headstone may be viewed and so the pressure on the sculptor.

Later yesterday, I was in St FinnBarr’s Cemetery and spotted another Seamus Murphy headstone, this time to Tadhg Crowley, of Crowley’s Music Centre.

I hope that most can appreciate craftsmanship when they see it.

When trying to improve my Irish via the online dictionaries, I smiled at the lot of the owner/director of small enterprises , there is only one letter difference between Stiúrthóir and Sciúrthóir – possibly an Irish version of Chief, Cook and Bottlewasher.

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Losing skills

21/6/2015

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I don’t know about you, but I like watching the re-runs of the ‘Hands’ series on RTE – about old trades. I find watching the skill and craft of watching someone work with their hands and tools – without the modern computer or mechanical intervention- so enjoyable and deserving of respect.

Even when standing at the butcher counter, I can admire the skill of extracting a consistent cut while leaving the remaining carcass in a clean and solid mass. I can only picture the hacked remains and uneven surface that would be the result of any of my efforts.

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Uillinn

20/6/2015

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I was reading Robert’s entry on Roaringwater about the opening of the West Cork Arts Centre.

I could definitely understand why there may have been conflicting opinions as to the design – size; height; impact; without even getting to finish.

Me – I like.

Well I like the design. The execution may be a different story.

Some staining on framed image

I like the fact that it is a new modern building located in the centre of the town. I like the height and the different shapes. I like the double height effects. I like the metal and the exposed concrete. As in City Hall in Cork, exposed concrete does not always need a plaster finish.

As one approaches the door, there is a low concrete wall on one’s left that provides a viewing opening up to the building and the sky. When you go there, I recommend taking a moment to appreciate the image framed by the structure.

Streaks

More Streaks and Snots

The execution and the detail is where I was so very disappointed.

More than nearly all, I can appreciate the need on occasion to make cost savings on a building project. Budgets only stretch so far. There is no benefit in having nicely plastered walls to stairs if the overall budget is broken so much that the building is not built and there are no stairs.

However, cost saving on finishes can be no excuse for poor detailing that will be there forever.

I like the metal cladding and understand that it will take some years to each its final colour. Unfortunately, over that time, the poor edge detailing will mean that it will continue to streak down the wall.

I am a fan of polished concrete finish but why continue into a landing where it must attach to a stairs with a same but different finish – a definite NO from this observer.

As for the other stairwell with the poorly finished blockwork, the water stains and joints on the concrete finish, I only hope that a strategic decision was made not to concentrate on finish as, when funds prevail, this stairwell can be finished later. I really do hope that is the case. But am not so sure.

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Gortaneidin

19/6/2015

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A first – for me anyway.

As those who stop by here regularly probably realise, I stop and photograph every grotto that I pass on my travels. I have even been known to alter my travel path so that I might find another grotto.

Last week, heading to West Cork, I spotted this grotto at Gortaneidin, outside Inchigeela. Speaking with CC, he said that the statue was seen as moving which prompted a web search.

For the first time, I came across a website about a grotto.

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A New Chapter

18/6/2015

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There it was – gone.

Coming back from West Cork last week, I decided to call to Eve’s Chocolates at Dennehy’s Cross.

When our nine-year old left the maternity hospital, we gave a gift hamper from Eve’s to the nurses. And even before then would we have been regulars. The orange peel and the Corkies were particular favourites of mine.

Our nine year old came late to milk chocolate but managed very nicely on Eve’s bags of white chocolate buttons.

My anticipation of what was to be purchased was quickly burst.

Being involved in construction, I have seen many people changing careers in the last ten years or so – many not of free-will and definitely of restricted choice.

Many of those who were self-employed struggled on.

I do think those employed consider changing jobs much easier than self-employed. They appear to be able to take career breaks and career changes much easier than the self-employed that I know.

I was full of admiration of Eve’s balls and courage to close up and take up a new challenge – I do hope she is happy with the new chapter.

Me – I am a bit jealous.

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More Cork Heads

17/6/2015

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Prince's Street

Sometimes I can be so blind – it was only last week that I spotted such a thing for the first time.

I have seen carved heads over windows and at other feature locations in buildings but I could not recall having seen carved items at ends of shopfronts previously.

Are they not so much nicer than the bland, standardised, machine made options that one now sees.

Give me more animals from the zoo, please.

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The Inchigeela Lass

16/6/2015

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Another from my recent visit to the graveyard at Inchigeela.

This prompted some searching about The Inchigeelagh Lass – Maureen O’Reilly.

A story I had not heard before – in either word or song.

Enjoy.

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MIXED MESSAGES.

Moving Fada

65 Thomas Street

Square Dealt

Flights of Fancy

Flight 1.

Flight 2.

Buy A Book

On your bike

The Archive

Stolpersteine

Images of Elsewhere – 4

Crowley's Music Centre - Craftsmanship

Losing skills

Uillinn

Gortaneidin

A New Chapter

More Cork Heads

The Inchigeela Lass

Author

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