One would suspect that such a sign could be erected in almost every town that had a courthouse when Daniel O’Connell was practicing. Have we got to the stage that every place where Daniel O’Connell once stood warrants a
sign? Imagine if we then add Collins, Pearse, Parnell and others as to how many such plaques will need to be
commissioned.

To me it is odd that details of the ‘decisive political action’ are not outlined. One could be pedantic and say that every court case involves a judge’s decision and so every case is ‘decisive’.

Personally, I do not think that this sign is warranted – but I am well used to being in a minority.

Recently, I was on Gardiner’s Hill and spotted the above plaque to Daniel Corkery. 

It is of a similar style to the plaques for Seamus Murphy (both of them) and also the plaque in Harrington Square to Frank O’Connor.

All four plaques are within 2 bus stops of each other – and I haven’t spotted any others of this style. I wonder if there were more; how the three men were selected; why not others? Need I keep going?

Last week I was in O’Rahilly Building for Conversational Irish classes and spotted Daniel Corkery on the UCC timeline.

A good a coincidence as any for a blog entry.

Is a burst of colour not refreshing and a lift to the spirits?

It was to me anyway.

Books can definitely affect the mood of the reader. The Bodhran Makers is one I recall that made me angry. Brave New World, I read in my teens, definitely left an impression to this day – not all progress is good; will the society and surroundings that we are helping to form be a better and happier place than what currently exists.

I was reminded when reading Ian’s blog of the hours I spent in my youth in new and second hand record shops – and that was before sitting down to listen. With tracks now individually downloadable and with shuffle on the iPods, listening to one album from start to finish (preferably having to change sides half-way through) has now been consigned to history.

So too have the record shops but they are not alone. The bank welcomed me when my grandfather brought me to open a bank account with my saving box (for some reason in our house called a Congen Box but do not know why). They also welcomed each little deposit. Now that branch and many others are closed, those that are open encourage customers to interact with a machine.

They are not alone in discouraging customer personal interaction – Insurance Brokers once occupied many buildings in South Mall and Oliver Plunkett Street had so many Travel Agents. The ESB and the Gas Company had their own large public area for customer payments and queries.

Now we are encouraged to use the internet or else listen through automated options on a telephone. This can be beneficial at times but should it be the only option?

There are even self-service taps in pubs so one does not have to talk to the barman.

It is not always the businesses who are promoting online transactions. We as customers will browse through a shop and then see if it can be purchased cheaper online – not the safest method of ensuring that the business stays open and trading; and the city continues to live as a commercial centre.

Are we becoming a society that does not wish to converse – somewhat ironic that this thought is being communicated through the internet.

Is conversation likely to go the way of the record shop and travel agency?

I do not like the vision of such a society.

Welcome to Brave New Cork.

A few weeks ago, we headed towards Bantry and stopped for a coffee and nibbles at Manning’s Emporium in Ballylickey. The fare was excellent and great value.

Their Local Hero Awards system I thought brilliant. A very nice way of rewarding and recognising those who regularly willingly give without expectation of receipt.

Well done.

Depending upon the opinion of the viewer, it might be considered art, marketing or graffiti.

I would be more inclined towards marketing art as it is feelgood and to me wholly appropriate to promote a hostel.

The laneways of Cork are prone to graffiti and litter. I find that wall art tends not be receive graffiti. This is much more welcoming than very many others steps and laneways so take your pick.

I have spotted four such troughs on the approach roads into the city as well as one within the centre island of the
city.

Where are they?

I was in Clonakilty for work last Friday.

 Work finished earlier than anticipated so I took the opportunity to take a walk around the town. Expect some more blog entries with a western  influence over the coming weeks but for now you might want to check out theimages of Clonakilty Jungle City that I have uploaded to the Co. Cork section.

On a wet day, they definitely provided a lift.

Do you know where to find Neptune in Cork?

There are very many streets where there are more than one spelling of the Irish translation of the streetname.

This is one of the few where the difference is in English - and both are visible from the same position.

‘Mahony’ does appear older than ‘O’Mahoney’. Guys Almanac from
1945 does call it ‘Mahony’s Avenue’

A few lessons learnt were learnt yesterday:

 -          Be careful when reading someone else’s private journal, you might not like what you see
-       Parental disciplining skills and methods need to be reviewed
-        The message is much more powerful when read than if screamed once
 
Proof, if needed, of the power of a seven year old.

I have never been a fan of fundraising campaigns where the organiser goes abroad to do something.

There are very many such charitable events – walking across South Africa or Australia for injured rugby players while the organiser also gets to some World Cup or Lions matches; even walking up Kilimanjaro, Peru, China or the like.

If I am to donate, I prefer to know the money is all going to the charity. I cannot recall ever making a donation where the organiser gets what some might consider to be a foreign holiday as commission.

But I have now had to make an exception to that rule.

The Hope Foundation has a scheme for Transition Year pupils, Children Helping Children, where schoolboys and schoolgirls from Ireland spend nearly two weeks helping out children in Kolkata, India. A friend’s daughter is collecting to go. The experience at 15 of having to raise €3,100 – the different tasks and the organisation of each of them – is so positive and is sure to be long remembered. Very tough but the amount required keeps reducing.

Meeting and helping the street children in Kolkata is sure to be etched on her memory for life.

I doubt if there will be very many exceptions to the rule but there is at least one.

Does the photograph read correctly to you?

It did to me.

 FOB submitted the photo which was taken of the television image of an advertisement in the commercial break during the Late Late Show on Friday night. She has questioned my suitability to host this site if I could not spot
the error.

I took the photograph last Monday to illustrate the different days on the new and old signs at Collins Barracks for a blog entry.

It was only after reading the full text of the sign on the screen when reviewing the blog that another question came to mind?

What is a Defence Forces holiday?

I had never heard of such a holiday but the web did reveal some forum discussions informing that members of the Defence Forces get three days holidays in addition to public holidays:
2nd Wednesday in May – 1916 Commemoration Day
11th July – National Commemoration Day,  and
15th August – Feast of the Assumption

My limited knowledge of the Days of Commemoration is of parades and guards of honour and the like – so I had thought it was a normal working day but where different duties were performed.

The religious day appears to be a throw-back to a different time. 
 
If the army were being set up now, I wonder how many, if any, Defence Forces holidays would be provided.

When I spotted these signs on a house recently, I thought it one  way to try to avoid receiving bills and other potentially unwelcome mail.

 I suspect Bord Fáilte would not be too keen on the image.

 When I passed, the gate was open so definitely a mixed message.