Blog Archives - Reading the Signs

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Cork City Centre - Death by a thousand closures and relocations

16/8/2013

I took this photograph two months ago – in the week after RDJ moved from South Mall to Mahon. A few times I started on a blog to accompany the photo but never finished.

I have written previously on the closure of Incide and Fitzgerald Electrical. Despite not being a customer, the closure this week of Crowleys Music Centre is beginning to feel like my ‘Network’-point.

I am from Cork City. For the vast majority of my life, I have lived no further than a walk of 15 minutes from St. Patrick’s Bridge. I like Cork City. I am biased.

Why did the Chicken Cross the Road - in Dingle?

15/8/2013

To write graffiti on the hoarding……

While taking shelter from a shower in Dingle last week, I noted the artwork that had been placed upon the site hoarding by the town council to improve the aspect.

It took me a while to spot the footmarks painted on the roadway and the association with the chicken image –
Brilliant.

While waiting for the shower to stop, quite a number of people walked past and the chicken footprints were not spotted by very many – their loss.

The other artwork images are below.

Toilet - Open Door Policy

14/8/2013

Goat Street Café, Dingle

One cannot close a closed door. One can only close an open door.

If one is obliged to close the door when finished, there is an implication that prior to being finished, the door should not be closed.

Ireland of the Welcomes

13/8/2013

Kilgobbin, Camp, Co. Kerry

I doubt if these are two of the hundred thousand welcomes that
Tourism Ireland had in mind when they refer to Céad Míle Fáilte.

Crowleys Music Centre

12/8/2013

‘Regrettably Crowleys Music Centre ceased trading on August 10th 2013.

We dedicated ourselves to our musical heritage and after 87 yrs of looking after musicians, we are at the end.

We loved it so much and it will be missed so much. Best Wishes to all of ye and thanks for your business throughout the years.

1926 – 2013’

Sheena Crowley

I was so disappointed to receive a text earlier today from KH with photographs of the signs on Crowleys Music Store on MacCurtain St.. I was never musical but the Music Store was always there. It had the association with Rory Gallagher.

It had a normal honest shop front. It just was part of life.

In the week leading upto Heritage Week, another small link in the chain of Cork Heritage has been lost.

UPDATE Further Blog Entry on 19 August 2013

Dingle Writers' Wall

11/8/2013

Goat Street, Dingle

Similar to the Opera House gallery, my thought when I spotted this wall in Dingle recently was that what did it say about anyone else from Dingle area who has written a book.

I am currently reading ‘The House on an Irish Hillside’ by Felicity Hayes-McCoy. As she has not made the writers’ wall, is one to assume that she is not considered a good enough author?

Bedsteads

10/8/2013

34 Washington St

Similar to my recent post on O’Leary’s Office Supplies, this building is further up Washington St. with a dated script in the wall writing.

Interesting that at the time Bedsteads were considered to be the most important item to advertised. I do not think they are generally advertised by bedding and furniture.

I suppose this records what was important at a time.

120, Oliver Plunkett Street

9/8/2013

120 Oliver Plunkett St

I noted the proud plaster writing on the façade of the building
on Oliver Plunkett St.

I went to Tom Spalding’s book ‘Cork City: A Field guide to its Street
Furniture’ where he listed the main manufacturers of wrought and cast iron street furniture but no company listed at 120 Oliver Plunkett
St.

When I did some web searching, I almost missed it as Oliver Plunkett St was George’s Street in 1913. But I was able to find that R Pulvertaft &
Sons were the Brass Foundry who traded from the building.

A Nod to Decimalisation

8/8/2013

Cork Coffee Roasters

Isn’t it strange that the quantity is 227 – not 225, 230 or even 250.

It is over 40 years since decimalisation was introduced.

My understanding is that at this stage, ounces and pounds should not even be noted on packaging.

But the Irish still want their half-pound of coffee and will still get it – but there just has to be 227g written on the
outside.

King William IV

7/8/2013

Bridge between Scartaglin and Ballydesmond

History was not one of my favourite subjects in school and was dropped after Inter Cert. My knowledge of the kings and queens of England would be rather limited.

From the likes of the Antiques Roadshow, I would have come across Edwardian, Victorian, Regency, etc but would not have heard of Williamite furniture. In my recent post on Kingwilliamstown, I ought probably have admitted
to also not knowing of King William IV.

This was a perfect example of linking pieces once the initial knowledge is comprehended. There are at least two other references to King William IV – and no doubt having written this, I will come across even more.

Cork Courthouse, Washington St

Dick Mac's Roll of Honour

6/8/2013

When in Dingle recently, I noted that there was a Roll of Honour
in the path outside Dick Mac’s.

I suspect that it pre-dates the roll of honour at the Arcadia.

I found it thought provoking that Charles J Haughy was included in the Roll of Honour. If the roll of honour were created now, would he still be
included.

Wall Art - Cloghane

5/8/2013

While gathering in Cloghane in preparation for the Cloghane Pattern and the walk to the top of Mount Brandon, I noted the artwork on the side wall of the shop/bakery.

The effect, I thought, was very good.

O'Leary's Office Supplies, Washington St

4/8/2013

I am a fan of painted adverts on buildings, especially when they stay for many decades.

O’Leary’s Office Supplies Relocated some years ago but the signs do bring a smile for the script, the regularity and their appropriateness with the brickwork.

Is it not strange that there was an age when a company’s unique selling points include stocking bags and twine.

Kingwilliamstown - Where is that?

3/8/2013

Only when I stopped on the bridge on the western end of Ballydesmond and read the plaque that I realised that Ballydesmond was called Kingwilliamstown from 1833 when it was founded up until
1938.

I knew of King’s County becoming Laois: Kingstown becoming Dun
Laoighaire: and, Queenstown becoming Cobh. But these changes took place shortly after the War of Independence.

I thought it odd that Ballydesmond waited another 16 years.

Riddle for Bank Holiday Weekend - August 2013.

2/8/2013

“The earliest surviving pillar box still in daily use is the unusual little one…. Remarkable for having its letter aperture in the top rather than the side of the box, the result apparently of an oversight on the part of its designer, Richard Redgrave of the Department of Science and Art in London, it was manufactured by Cochrane & Co of Dudley and dates from 1857-1859”
The Irish Post Box – Silent servant and symbol of the State – Stephen Ferguson

Where is this post box?

ANSWER