Blog Archives - Reading the Signs

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Remembering Times Past

31/12/2015

The last day of the year is often said to be a day of reflection, of looking back.

Today’s blog may bring some back beyond the year that has just passed.

I have got around to uploading the many sundry/uncategorised Old Ads that I have spotted over the past few years.

Enjoy.

Slideshow of Old Ads - HERE

Harp, Heineken - or Insurance

30/12/2015

I have nearly completed the uploading of the Old Ads that I have spotted and photographed over the past few years.

Today’s updates include:

Harp,

Heineken and

Insurance Companies.

I have not yet managed to spot an ad for Sally O’Brien and the way she might look at you but that is reason enough for further research…..

Old Ads collection HERE.

Beamish - A Taste of Cork Modesty

29/12/2015

The Right Name for Stout Was and Is Beamish

I do like the definitive statements. There is no ‘Carlsberg-like’ 'probably' about the advertising slogans.

‘The Cream of Irish Stouts’…..

‘’Beamish is a Better Drink’…..

It must be something about the Cork inherent modesty

Old Beamish Ads - HERE

Aaaaahhhh! That's Bass

28/12/2015

Continuing with uploading the photographs of Old Ads that I have spotted when carrying out ‘research’ in various public houses, today is a day for Bass, or as the ad says ‘Then, Now & Always’. I do not remember that campaign but do like the slogan.

The slogan that I recall from my youth was ‘Ah! That’s Bass’ but I haven’t got a photograph of that –yet.

Bass Ads - Here

Memorials - War of Independence & Civil War

27/12/2015

I have spent whatever free time over the Christmas mapping the nearly-200 memorials to War of Independence and Civil War that I have photographed over the past few years,

The map can be viewed HERE.

Only some of the Limerick and Kerry memorials have the photographs uploaded – next task is to upload all the other photos.

Provisions - A Partial Ghost

17/12/2015

This ghostsign has only recently been revealed. It looks like the stripping of the blue paint remains ongoing.

I spotted ‘Provisions’ yesterday and have tried to find out some more information but unsuccessfully.

In 1863, Mary Quinlan operated a Seminary for Young Ladies – so is unlikely to be the source of provisions. Brian McSwiney was a clerk operating from there in 1850.

By 1897, William Wheeler operated as an Ink (Writing) Manufacturer. In 1913, Michael Ryan has a Furniture supplies company in 35 and 36 King Street so maybe the source. He was still there in 1921, House Furnishings Warehouse. In 1935, Michael Ryan still traded from there – although King St had become MacCurtain Street. 1945 still finds them there.

This brought me to the end of online directories so Michael Ryan remains the best guess as source of the ghost.

Something else has now been added to the list of things for which the eyes are to be kept open.

Well Done & Thank You, Cork City Council

16/12/2015

It is not often that I, or many others I suspect, write to commend their Local Authority.

Enforcement of rules and regulations is not always compatible with an attitude of bending them to or beyond limits; a belief that the rules are for others and not me; and, an acceptance among many of ‘Ah, Shur, they’ll get away with it’ and ‘What is the point of complaining?’

Today I spotted that the decorative panels were once again viewable on the Superdry building on Patrick St. and that the paint had been removed.

The Good Guys do not always win but they appear to be winning this one – for now.

Drink. Drink. Drink.

13/12/2015

There is a very large selection of Old Ads for drink products – alcoholic or not; still available or part of history; original ad and reproductions.

Little Norah was among the products that were completely new to me.

Double Diamond working wonders will be forever kept on my brain.

Dingle Cherubs

12/12/2015

In Dingle recently, I spotted these little faces. They were looking down at all passers-by from Murphy’s Ice Cream shop.

At the start of the year, I spotted nice gutter brackets.

I wonder how many features I miss on my travels…..

A Pushbike

11/12/2015

When I started photographing the Old Ads that I spotted in pubs and Heritage Centres, I did not expect there to be a sufficient quantity to justify a separate section for Bicycles.

I was wrong.

Jameson Whiskey

10/12/2015

John Jameson & Sons Whiskey is the order for today.

The Old Ads section is now nearly half-finished – I might get completed pre-Christmas.

Phoenix & Chocolate

9/12/2015

A retweet by Brand New Retro earlier prompted me to upload the few Old Ads for Phoenix that I have photographed.

The Brand New Retro book is edging its way onto the Santa List.

I also uploaded the few Old Ads for Cadburys.

Enjoy

Pint of Plain

8/12/2015

How many Guinness advertising slogans can you remember?

I have uploaded the many old Guinness Ads that I have spotted on my travels – visits to pub for research cannot be bad.

The slogans include:

Ar scath a cheile a mhaireann na daoine - arís

7/12/2015

There have been two blogs previously on this expression.

Last week, I spotted this street art on Sullivan’s Quay opposite Gael Taca.

It was as good a reason as any for another blog post.

High Street Conundrum

6/12/2015

Dunmore, Co. Galway

Logainm.ie has details on its website of the translation of 21 different High Street locations in 12 separate counties. All the translations are generally consistent – An tSráid Ard. One is An tSráid Mhór which has been subject of a different blog post.

There is a stray fada in Dunmanway and in Cork city but generally An tSráid Ard is what I have seen.

A few months back, we passed through Dunmore in Co. Galway and I had to stop to photograph their own High St.

At first, I thought it may be a trick of translation similar to Listowel but neither ainm.ie or dúchas.ie have a record of a family name “Muchtar”.

Resorting to dictionaries Foclóir.ie, Teaglann.ie and Pota Focal all drew blanks – and not a suggestion as to an alternative.

My best guess, and completely without substantiation, is that it may have set out as ‘Uachtar’ meaning ‘top’. However somewhere between the spoken word and the sign-maker, ‘Ua’ became ‘Mu’.

As for the tuiseal ginideach, they would not be the first or last to not get their head around it – so did it start verbally as An tSráid Uachtair and end up as Sráid Muchtar?

Maybe a return visit is required…