Blog Archives - Reading the Signs

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Battle of Keimaneigh

16/7/2013

For a good while, but especially since starting this site, I do read plaques and commemorative crosses – wherever I am.

I even hope to categorise the plaques that I have photographed and upload to the website section – probable categories are Civil War/War of Independence; Nineteenth Century; Eighteenth Century; Other Wars.

When at Gougane Barra recently, we passed through the Pass of Keimaneigh and took a photograph of the plaque. What was surprising to me was the naming of John Smith of the Crown Forces.

I know that there are commemorative crosses to the Unknown Soldier, to those who died in the first World War, to those who died in the Boer War – among others. These all commemorate those who died while members of the British Armed Forces – however, these did not die fighting against Irish people.

I cannot recall another plaque commemorating a member of the British Forces who died with Irish rebels who are
also commemorated.

Maybe, I just need to get out more and see more signs.

Signs I do not believe - Part 4

15/7/2013

Cornmarket Centre, Paul's Avenue

Is a gate in use when it is closed?

After all, if the purpose of a gate is to keep people out, a closed gate is in use.

Am I alone in thinking that a gate is in use when it is opening and closing? And so, the sign is untrue – to me
anyway.

Michael Cusack

14/7/2013

Carron, Co. Clare

After decades of hearing of the Cusack Stand in Croke Park and of Cusack Park in Ennis, it was only when I was in Carron a while ago that I learnt what his first name was. And where he came from.

There is so much that we absorb and take for granted without wondering why or asking who.

Learning the origin of every street name, bridge, building or structure is well beyond everyone – but it is nice to learn something new everyday.

Signs I do not Believe - Part 3

13/7/2013

Tank Field, Montenotte

Other than one dog, it is clear that the pitch is not in use.

I think it correct and appropriate to request no dog fouling but not for the excuse stated.

By all means mention diseases that may be caught from dog faeces. Mention that many children play on the pitch every week and so may be susceptible to such disease. They could even mention a dog owner’s legal obligation to pick up dog poo.

But why tell an obvious untruth.

Can You Read the Sign?

12/7/2013

Bridge St., Cork

There I was one morning enjoying my Americano in Cork Coffee Roasters on Bridge St.. I probably had also indulged in a scone. I was seated at the window counter watching the world go by on Bridge St. and Coburg St.. I was minding my own business.

Then I started to overhear the conversation of the couple next to me. They were trying to make out the old painted writing on the wall of the shop opposite.

The lintels over the windows appear to have been replaced which has resulted in some replacement brickwork. This in turn requires a greater degree of guessing or interpolation.

Joining into their conversation, the three of us were still unsure as to the wording.

Later I was able to search the internet and found mention of Landon’s premises in a lovely webpage from National Library of Ireland – Nineteen minutes past 11 o’clock – where the answer can be found.

Derrynane Hotel - Deadly

11/7/2013

Last weekend, we visited friends who were staying in one of the holiday houses attached to the Derrynane Hotel. The house was very nice – great layout and lovely view over the bay.

When I read the folder left in the house outlining nearby attractions and outlining facilities in the hotel, I did stop and the camera came out.

I know that there is regular reference to the number of people who die when jogging but I think this warning in the manual about the danger of using the gym may be taking things too far.

Clankittane

10/7/2013

“Some Irish placenames no longer found on the city streets .. .include..near the present Collins Barracks, Glancatane, this name
survives today as ‘Clank Atan’”

Layers: The Design, History and Meaning of Public Street Signage in Cork and other Irish Cities – Tom Spalding

There is an old map on the wall of Henchy’s at St. Luke’s Cross which does indicate a townland of Clankitane. A similar, if not the same map can be viewed on OSI website with Clankittane south of Collins
Barracks.

Some other items of interest on that map include what is now Murphy’s Brewery(or Heineken if you prefer), was a foundling hospital; and, the fever hospital is evident.

In a later map, the area is built up and is called Barrackton. Interesting to note in this map that Military Hill church was Methodist; that the former St. Luke’s Home and current Ambassador Hotel, was a Home for
Incurables; that Dillon’s Cross had not yet been named as it is Barracks Cross Roads; and that Harrington Square was then Harrington
Avenue.

In The Story of Cork (1971), when discussing the Old Youghal Road area by Collins Barracks, Sean Beecher states that it “was here that the first soccer team in the city was formed – Barrackton”.

Growing up, I would have known the area as the top of Military Hill or ‘up by the Barracks’. Neither Barrackton nor Clankitane registered with me.

The ESB electrical cabinet unit does preserve the name of Clankitane and the Post office does refer to Gleann Ciotáin. My Irish speaking friends tell me that Ciotáin and Ciotóg mean the same – a left handed person; or an awkward person.

Irish Rail - Providing Comfort

9/7/2013

Heuston Station

I fully understand the contention that the installation of CCTV cameras will enhance security levels as it will act as a deterrent to potential thieves.

However, I do not believe that it improves my comfort.

I suspect that the CCTV was installed primarily, not for passenger safety and definitely not for passenger comfort, but to reduce insurance premium; to reduce damage to Irish Rail property; and, to assist in apprehending anyone damaging Irish Rail property.

I think my comfort levels would have been improved if there were shops or coffee shops open at 8.00p.m. for those waiting for the 21.00 Heuston to Cork train.

My comfort levels were totally unaffected by the CCTV.

4 Washington St. West

8/7/2013

I thought it strange that the plaque recording the foundation
stone was at first floor level – well away from the foundation.

It asked a number of questions to which I do not have the answer:

-        Is this plaque actually the foundation stone laid in 1827by Richard Nevill Parker?

-         Was it laid at this level or subsequently relocated at a higher
level?

-      If not the original, why and when was the first floor plaque
erected?

I need to keep an eye out for old photographs of Washington St. My guess is that the foundation stone was not laid at first floor level.

Butter Exchange - Wall Art

7/7/2013

Church St, Shandon

I am unsure if it was painted as part of the Shandon Street Festival but I only spotted the street artwork recently

Camden Palace - Wall Art

6/7/2013

I still picture the building as a Garden Supplies premises – despite it ceasing as that well over ten years ago. Every time I walk past, they appear to have found another section of the wall, doors or gates to use as an opportunity for a new image.

I do like the black and white geometric images.

My favourite would be the trail of human from the apes to post-bailout Irishman.

Is a Half Moon a Crescent?

5/7/2013

Side of Crawford Gallery

South Douglas Road

‘Moon Phases Simplified

The first quarter and third quarter moons (both often called a "half moon"), happen when the moon is at a 90 degree angle with respect to the earth and sun. So we are seeing exactly half of the moon illuminated and half in shadow.

The word crescent refers to the phases where the moon is less than half illuminated.’

Moonconnection.com

I would have been fairly simple in my understanding. A half-moon is a semi-circle with one straight line down the middle of a circle. A crescent would have the outer part of the circle but the inner part would also be curved - not a straight line like a semi-circle. A crescent would be as the Pakistani flag.

Those responsible for translating the streetsigns in Cork appear to believe that there is no difference between a Crescent and a Half-Moon.

Dr. Who Mini Library, Ballinahown

4/7/2013

Last weekend, we travelled to Athlone. Passing through, Ballinahown, I spotted an old telephone box.

One of my strange failings (among many some may say), is a soft-spot for old telephone boxes. A few summers ago, the Daily Telegraph did a Saturday Magazine that featured a lot of gardens of well-known people and there were three or so that had old red telephone boxes perfectly positioned as garden ornament/feature.

There is a house on Blackrock Road in Cork that has an old P&T telephone box in its front garden. It fills me with jealousy even time I travel past.

I had to stop to look at and photograph the telephone box in Ballinahown.

The smile was wide and big when I read the message on the door – absolutely brilliant.

Frederick Douglass

3/7/2013

but it took until 31 August 2012 to put up the plaque

A while ago, I was searching the web looking for blogs about Cork and came across Kevin Doyle’s blog and an article he had written about President Obama not coming to Cork to unveil a statue to Frederick Douglass.

It was only then that I remembered the photograph taken in the Imperial Hotel of the above plaque.

I cannot find any web reference to a statue in UCC – maybe that plan fell when President Obama was unavailable, and a plaque in the Imperial Hotel in 2012 was a fallback.

Images of Elsewhere

2/7/2013

If you have arrived here, you may also be interested in these recent entries on other blogs.

Come Here To Me – Post about video clip of Corkman, former International Brigade member and Communist party of Ireland member, Michael O’Riordan

Bock The Robber – Post on a political poster erected in Wexford