The photograph above was in the Irish Examiner earlier this week in a feature on the birth of Jack Doyle. Seemingly, there are a number of events planned in Cobh this weekend.

Stunning to see that many people so interested in the result of a boxing fight. In this wireless age of immediate connectivity, it is a reminder as to the speed of news in a previous age.

 I was particularly interested in the business names from 1932. The Efficient Engineering Company could claim to be seventy years ahead of the market.  The Cork Examiner – both name and lettering – would be familiar.

 I thought that the London & Newcastle Tea Co. was completely new to  me but it appears that the name was shortened to L& N which was taken over by Musgraves in 1995 and transferred to Supervalu Brand. The Supervalu shops in Youghal and Ballincollig are still referred to as L & N by some.

I took these photographs last Sunday when in Co. Clare and have had them uploaded to the blog since Monday as a draft entry. Even now, five days later, I am not sure as to my thought and reaction.

 Decades ago, I gave up Catholicism and became a confirmed agnostic – and have had no reason to change from that position since. I would have been anti-Catholic for a while but have mellowed in that  point.

 I do see the benefit of community spirit engendered by an organised
religion – especially with the sense of self-interest that appeared to me to
thrive in Celtic Tiger days. I think that I would like the Sunday Assembly that I read about a while back in  The Guardian. 

My attendance at religious services would be limited – substantially to give my seven year old an experience of different services. However, the common impression would be low numbers in attendance and a quiet  congregation. This would be consistent with the attendance at Eucharistic Procession compared to the memory from my childhood.

Having deliberated for the few days, I think I was surprised that such a level of religious belief still exists among such a number to leave the extent of prayers and momentoes.

 I suspect that I would be uncomfortable if such religious fervour were the norm but maybe it is the general lack of religious public expression that caused the level of awe and amazement that I experienced last Sunday.

I read recently about the formal opening of the Ballinahown Dr Who Library, of which I blogged a while back.

It reminded me of this old phone box that I spotted earlier in the summer. In this age, it probably qualifies as
antique.

A friend told of heading to Irish language college one summer years ago and getting totally befuddled by the A and B buttons and more often than not did not manage to connect to home. Many times, he lost his money to the phone.

My own memories include one local payphone where the front was not fully secure thus permitting thieving vandals (or opportunists, depending on your perspective) to stuff the refund chute with paper and prevent any coins due to be returned after pressing the B-button from reaching its owner – such coins to be collected when paper removed.

 Another memory was the ability to force a connection by tapping out the number – something I never managed to achieve. Even now, so far removed, I cannot remember whether a friend could actually do it or whether he just said
he did and I have now filed a do-able.

In a blog a few weeks ago, Ian Poulton wondered who actually designs the signs that we see.

Last Sunday, I was thinking the exact same thing.

Does it mean that one can bring one’s livestock on this cliff edge walk that is unsuitable for one’s dog?

Does it mean that one might see or be close to livestock? Think of the number of such signs that ought to be erected in the country if this is the intended interpretation.

Or maybe something  else….

Are those stones and rock falling from a cliff still correctly  called a cliff?

Or is the correct term landslide or rockfall?

If the latter, how can an immobile and inactive object perform an active verb?

As I came to this junction yesterday, the car in front did take a very long time to decide whether to turn left or right at the T-junction. When it was my turn to reach the junction, I could see that it would take some time to read all the signs.

I find it hard to believe that a local authority would actually grant permission for such a concentration of signs in one location. I find it easier to believe that a local authority may not be too vigorous in the policing of signs erected without permission.

 Whether permitted or otherwise, I would suggest that it is not picturesque or attractive to visitors – well, this visitor at least.

Thanks to JohnM for link to MySuper2012 entry on proximity of signs and their combined message.

 You might want to check out  BockTheRobber for his  entry regarding the new sign in Limerick.

We will be in Ennis today.

 That is as good a reason as any to upload the Wall Art that I noted on my last trip in May.

Earlier this week, I was reading in the Irish Examiner of the organised walk from Doneraile to Derrynane as part of the Canon Sheehan Commemoration. The walk is next weekend, 31 August and 1 September. Interesting to note that
there are 6 possible sections on the Saturday with all requested to do the final section on the Sunday – so no-one is asked to walk the entire.

 It reminded me of our trip to Derrynane House in where I took the photograph and it related to the time when Daniel O’Connell was imprisoned and his call for no violent action.

 The visit really brought home how little I knew about Daniel O’Connell – and probably so much more.

If there was a real intent and desire to implement a ‘No Smoking’
policy as assumed from the two signs, I would have thought that removing the cigarette-bin might be more effective than putting up the
signs.

I know the Munster crest refers to the three kingdoms – Ormond, Desmond & Thomond.

 I recall reading somewhere of the difference between the Munster three  crowns and the Sweden three crowns – Munster having five points whereas Sweden has three.

 But in all the Munster crests I have seen, the three crowns were
always the same – until I saw the Freemason’s Banner.

As part of Cork City Council’s Heritage Open Day, I popped into the Masonic Hall on Tuckey Street on Saturday – always good to find another source of signs.

 The photograph brought Warren’s Place to my attention. The City Library website provides a list of the various names on Parnell Place. Interesting that this was previously Nelson’s Quay (sign still in place) and that the City
Library’s date of the change of name pre-dates the picture in the Masonic
Lodge.

 Also interesting to ponder whether Brian Boru Bridge was even built or whether it had opening sections that allowed the large boats to travel up as far as the now bus station. The web provides the information.

Further on from my post last week, this is the first time I have ever seen messages of thanks on the premises of a business that has closed.

 Issue 16 of The Archive magazine is well worth a read.

UPDATE EDIT: 20130819
I have just reread the Archive article - how prophetic of Sheena Crowley...

Sometimes, I see notices where the apostrophe is placed incorrectly.

Very often, I see signs and notices where the apostrophe is missing.

 This is one of the few signs where I cannot fathom why the apostrophe is there at all.

 I am open to any suggestions.

O.K. – so it is not a written sign today. But it is a sign and record of what happened and so justifies its inclusion in a blog entry.

With today being the start of National Heritage Week, that counts as another reason for inclusion.

Like me, you might see a roll-top desk. Nice. Similar to others that you might have seen before, nothing to make you stop in your tracks. Like me, you may not have spotted the hole.

 I even had to be told of the existence of the hole and then was informed as to its cause.

 In 1919, Michael Collins, as Minister of Finance of the Provisional Government, placed notices in newspapers requesting funding (not sure if part of the National Loan). The notice appeared in the Cork Examiner.  The offices of the Cork Examiner were raided by the Crown Forces searching for any seditious material. 
 
The roll-top desk was in the office but locked and shots were fired at the lock to force it open and view its
contents.