Category: Arts - Reading the Signs

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Cork – Remembering the R.I.C. and the British Army

22/5/2021

There is an exhibition running at the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork in which the artist, Dara McGrath, has returned to the locations where people died in the Republican War, or Revolutionary Period, one hundred years ago. The exhibition concerns itself with the period 1919 to 1921 – the War of Independence.

The artist returns to the scene of death a century later and records the current aspect – regularly with people in the photograph who are quite likely oblivious to the past events, such events not being commemorated by a plaque or other memorial.

To promote the exhibition, billboards around Cork city were used with details of the person deceased, how they died, as well as photograph of the location.

Nobody Listens Anymore

12/6/2020

This piece of sculpture was in place for 10 years before I realised it existed – unfortunately the time I had to enjoy it was very limited.

2018.08.19

In May 2016, Micko told of his encounter walking the dog one evening. Coming up the quays by Penrose House, and approaching the bridge, he heard someone talking but there was no one nearby. Some investigation revealed that the four stainless steel structures were responsible for the sound of voices – only two of them actually.

Today I spotted a retweet from the Crawford Art Gallery that reminded me of the chat, my subsequent visits to the Listening Posts, and my promise to self to write a short blog on art installations not just being for the unveiling ceremony and plaque unveiling – some art needs some maintenance, a little love and affection.

A few days after the chat with Micko, I went down to Penrose Quay. Two of the pieces were damaged and being used as litter receptacles. The other two were broadcasting lists relating to exports and passengers from the Port of Cork. I stopped and listened for a while – some nice chill out time. After this, I went a bit out of my way a few times to hear the messages – but then they were gone.

Time Out & Letter to Santa

28/11/2019

The Crawford Gallery was a place of refuge – a place where I could sit with my own thoughts, trying to put things back in some sort of order. Since we moved office, my visits have not been as regular but I need to correct that. The first floor gallery houses many of my favourites including Time Flies.

In 2015, I was delighted when the Gallery put on an exhibition called W. B. Yeats: Resonances where they matched a piece of Yeats poetry with a painting – a combination of different art forms. My visits were longer.

I was reminded of the poem/art combination on a visit to the City Library earlier this week and there was poetry from Gerry Murphy with art on the walls – perfect for a lunchtime recharge.

I have been a Gerry fan since I read of the statue at Stalin visible in the distance from Knock for the first time over thirty years ago. His work has been quoted hereabouts on more than one or two occasions. I even followed the example of Poe-A-Tree and pinned one of his poems to a tree on Grand Parade one day – radical or what….

I met Gerry at the swimming pool recently. He mentioned that he is retiring, again, around now – Happy Birthday.

I would dearly love if his poems and the work of other Cork poets could adorn the gables of buildings, just like Leiden in The Netherlands . I have a folder of photographs on my drive of walls suitable for the receipt of poems. I even have my choice of some of the poems. But I expect that Cork street poetry will remain a dream.

For a bit of fun and relaxation, I recommend the installation at the library – John & Gerry. My list of wishes for a Christmas present has doubled.

This latest blog post from Eoin MacLochlainn hit the Inbox this morning. I was well impressed with his work on fireplaces in disused houses when showing in Limerick a few years back – if only funds had permitted.

In this morning’s read, the artist has donated a piece of work of Glencar Waterfall, associated with a poem to the Phlebotomy Dept. at St James Hospital – the waiting rooms that I have graced have never had such an art combination.

Three connecting dots are enough reason for a blog post after a bit of an absence.

Look at those Knockers

28/6/2018

One of the things noted on our recent trip to Amsterdam was that there were two or three ironmonger shops – reasonably central and sharing street frontage with coffee shops and the like, not tucked away in some side street, or as appears to be the case in Cork, restricted to an aisle in Woodies or a builders’ providers.

On a walkabout on our final day, the benefit of having ironmongers was spotted.

In Amsterdam, the choice of door knocker is obviously much greater than here.

You can have a have a right hand with a pleated cuff and a ring on second finger

You can have a .right hand with simple cuff and no ring.

You can even have a left hand with a fancy cuff and a ring on the wedding finger.

To me they are all beautiful and so added to my appreciation of the city.

For there’s more enterprise in walking naked.

27/6/2018

Leiden – Take a Bow

We had a family weekend break to Amsterdam – absolutely lovely, clean, easy transport, attractive and interesting buildings. There was so much to keep me distracted.

On the Sunday, we visited an old friend in Leiden and got the short version of the guided tour.

Benny McCabe and the Munster Lit have done their bit in Cork. Poe-A-Tree can pop up anywhere. Galway has long been the gold standard in public poetry but that mantle now rests with Leiden.

We only spotted three of the poems painted onto the walls of buildings. They were impressive enough. Wikipedia advises that there are actually 110 – in very many different languages.

I think it would be great if the grant from Cork City Council for painting the external walls of buildings in parts of the city centre could be enhanced for such a venture.
There are so many gable walls that could give back to the city a few chill-out moments, a chance for a tabularasa episode – just a poem to distract.

It has prompted me to start a map of street art, including poetry, that I have encountered and photographed. Hopefully it will get completed within the next few months.

Urban Oasis & Urban Myth

18/5/2018

Twitter threw up a beauty last Tuesday.

I was reading down the twitter feed and spotted an open invitation by Alex Pentek to the National Sculpture Factory today to view his ferns which have been commissioned by Brisbane – my RSVP was nearly immediate.

Even in the horizontal position their height is so impressive. The horizontal definitely allowed greater appreciation of the fronds and especially the curves in every direction.

I thought they were brilliant.

They were calling out to be touched

I stood in admiration. In doing so, I overheard some conversations.

One advised that the fronds on the taller straight pieces are in two parts to facilitate transportation, which seemingly happens next week, via Rotterdam and Singapore.

There other brought to mind a similar situation in Cork, or so I thought.

Seemingly, the original intended location in Brisbane could not be used as the concrete base for the ferns could not be provided due to the extent of underground utility services. This immediately brought from the recesses of my mind a similar story – that of Christ the King church in Turner’s Cross, designed by Barry Byrne.

I spend a while this afternoon checking the internet and reading through some of my books on Cork to try and find where I had learned/dreamt that Barry Byrne had understood that the site was at a t-junction and so the church would be much more prominent as one approached the intersection – but to no avail.

Brisbane and Turner’s Cross may well be connected by Urban Myth.

Poe_A_Tree

26/4/2018

As I have mentioned more than once, I really appreciate poetry in the public realm.

I got a very pleasant surprise heading over town for lunch, a few chill out moments, compliments of PoetryDayIRL

When walking back to work, I could have been mistaken for a dog with the level of interest I gave to every tree en route. Unlike the dog’s bladder, I was unsatisfied as I did not spot any more.

I had hoped to get to the launch of Gerry Murphy’s new offering today at the City Library (17.30) but it looks like life will intervene.

In compensation, one of Gerry’s poems will form my contribution to @Poe_A_Tree when I leave work today – maybe there will be time for more when I get home later.

Three Cathedrals, A Funeral and A Painting

17/3/2018

Sketch for the Funeral of Terence MacSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork 1920 by Sir John Lavery

Above is a painting by Sir John Lavery held in Crawford Art Gallery.

Below are photographs of the interiors of three Cathedrals.

Take your pick.

Cathedral of St. Mary & St Anne, Cork

Southwark Cathedral

Cathedral of St George, Southwark

This blog post has been rambling around my brain for over two years – hopefully it will not be as long when you get to the end.

Memories of Confession

24/2/2018

These steps have been closed for many years.

Growing up, I passed them regularly on my way home. In receipt of religious instruction, I travelled down them.

I cannot dance, or maybe don’t dance, but I clearly remember that there was a sense of rhythm in the moving down those steps – a sense of rhythm that was brought to mind when I walked past earlier this week, for the first time in a few years. It did allow a moment to look back.

Health & Safety affecting literary history

Exquisite Pain

23/2/2018

Guerrilla Poetry

2/2/2018

I have long been an admirer of public poetry.

I think Galway is the gold standard with carved stone, tile, and cast metal forms of poetry on display – just there, where you are not expecting it, where you can take a minute or two to read, pause, reflect and take time-out.

We all need time-out – well, I need time-out.

This morning, my journey to work took much longer due to the many poetry extracts that appeared overnight on poles.

Seán Ó Ríordáin b. 1916.12.03

3/12/2017

Today’s listing from Stair na hÉireann advised that on this day in 1916, Séan Ó Ríordáin was born.

This prompted a reminder to self to finish the grouping of the very many photographs and start uploading here. I have spent a while this afternoon putting together the different aspects relating to Seán Ó Ríordáin that I have encountered in the past few years – as well as a bit of a distraction on YouTube.

SEE ALL HERE

It has also provided a reminder to get back to the exercise of using the poems of Ó Ríordáin to increase my vocabulary.

A Hidden Gem in Dingle

23/7/2017

My conversational Irish weekend took me west of Dingle last April.

Saturday late afternoon had me walking around Dingle when I came across this manhole cover.

It records the raising of the Green Irish Republic flag over the G.P.O. in Easter 1916 by Eamonn Bulfin. Finola on Roaringwater Journal educated that there were actually two flags raised with Gearóid O’Sullivan’s raising the tricolour, remembered in Skibbereen.

Dingle

Skibbereen

I was intrigued as I had not seen one of its type previously, or since – and I do look out for the likes of manhole covers.

Last week, we left our holiday location for a spin over the Conor Pass to Dingle where I was hopeful of discovering more about the manhole cover. It was the first that the Tourist Office knew about the manhole cover. They suggested a visit to the library who were equally unaware.

On the off chance that it was a specially commissioned piece, I did ask at the Green Lane Gallery but they had not spotted what is near their door.

My next step was to be a visit to the Council offices on my next trip west but the internet has provided some answers.

There were manufactured by EJ Co in Birr, Co. Offaly – the former Cavanagh plant. The August 2016 edition of the Local Authority News publication advised that the commemorative covers were designed in conjunction with Siobhan Bulfin.

Twitter revealed that Kerry County Council installed one in Listowel.

I do think that such covers are a great way to record and commemorate, as well as display art – I do hope that there will be more such commemorations to be spotted under our feet.

A Swanzy Connection

20/3/2017

Last Saturday, I attended the talk by Dr. Michael Waldon on the current exhibition at the Crawford Art Gallery – Crawford at the Castle. It was very well delivered and full of information.

One of the paintings in the exhibition is by an artist called Mary Swanzy.

When her surname was mentioned, I immediately thought that I had only heard of one other person with that surname – Detective Inspector Oswald Ross Swanzy was believed to have organised the killing of Tomás MacCurtáin on this day, 20th March, in 1920 – his 36th birthday.

Just over a month before, I attended a talk by Vera Ryan, the curator of the ‘Made in Cork’ exhibition . At that exhibition, less than ten paces from where the Mary Swanzy painting now hangs, was a painting of Terence MacSwiney, a friend and successor Lord Mayor to Tomás MacCurtáin – this heightened my curiosity further.

‘Swanzy’ is not a very common name and I wondered as to whether Oswald and Mary were related.

There have been a lot of web-searches over the past two days and I have learned a lot about both.

Terence MacSwiney - Crawford Art Gallery - Nov 2016

Oswald Swanzy

Oswald Ross Swanzy – RIC Officer – is believed to have ordered killing of Lord Mayor, Tomás MacCurtáin.

Oswald Swanzy was killed leaving church in Lisburn, 22nd August, 1920, by Tomas MacCurtáin’s own gun - a gun held by Tomás MacCurtáin’s granddaughter upto when she donated it to Cork Museum recently.

He was stationed in Carlow R.I.C. Barracks and lived 33 Athy Road, Carlow from 1910 to 1916. The rootsweb directory says he was born 15th July 1881 and baptised on 11th December in Castleblaney.

He is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery in Dublin as is his father, James (7/9/1849 to 26/2/07) and mother (1855 – 1922). The headstone includes the words ‘who gave his life in the service of his country’.

His parents married in Co. Monaghan in 1877. His father was a solicitor.

His brother, Captain Henry Hubert Swanzy, died of plague when serving in India, aged 28 years on 10th April, 1907. He was born 18th August, 1877.

It appears that the Swanzy had family connections in Belfast, Dublin, Antrim and Monaghan.

They are not listed on the 1901 census online.

Mary Swanzy - Crawford Art Gallery - March 2017

Mary Swanzy

Mary Swanzy was born on 15th February 1882 and died on 7th July, 1978. Her parents were Sir Henry Rosborough Swanzy and Mary Knox (née Denham). Her sister, Clair was six years older. Her other sister was Muriel.

Her first one woman show was in 1913. She continued to paint until her death, aged 96.

She was one of the first Irish abstract painters. Former art critic with the Irish Times, Brian Fallon, believes her to be the best female Irish painter. Elsewhere, I read that she was one of the best artists of her generation.

I learned that her father was an ophthalmic surgeon; wrote 2 books that are still available; was knighted in 1908; and was President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland from 1906 to 1908.

There is a bust of Sir Henry at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Adelaide Road in Dublin, where Dr. Kathleen Lynn, of 1916 fame, was the first female Doctor.

Connection Made

The R.C.S.I website has a few pages on Sir Henry Swanzy which include that his father was a solicitor, and that the family were descended from Co. Monaghan – a tenuous link to Oswald’s father.

But I had to go back to where I started to get confirmation that Oswald Swanzy and Mary Swanzy, born exactly six months apart, were cousins.

That is one curiosity itch scratched.

If you are interested, details of the Swanzy’s listed in the online census returns are below.

Tomás MacCurtáin bust by Seamus Murphy at Cork City Hall

This Grave to be Closed Forever

18/1/2017

I do like visiting cemeteries. I do like mosaics.

It is not often that the two combine but they did so in Castlebar a few months back.

I had an early morning stroll around the cemetery. I stopped to ponder at the ceramic mosaic.

It appeared to be a triple grave but if anyone else was to be buried on the left section, it would mean destroying the mosaic.

Briefly I wondered as to whether that section was full; whether a decision was made that no more would be buried on that side; or even none buried at all on that side. Then I walked on and it was mentally filed away as a potential blog, sometime.

Over the Christmas break, I spotted a tweet from GraveyardDetective where he had spotted a headstone in Anfield Cemetery upon which was engraved the message that the grave was not to be reopened after the couple were buried.

It did add a sense of mystery and intrigue.

Why?

Liam Burke (near Castletownroche)

I have seen similar messages only relating to Irish Republican Memorials but to effect that gate/wall remains until Ireland is fully free. I have never seen such a message in a cemetery.

Donal Shinnick (near Mitchelstown)

Back to Anfield - Why? Why was it necessary to have engraved? Was it obeyed?

I have no answers so your imagination is probably as good as mine, if not better – let it loose on that for a while.

A final reminder to self – better upload those mosaics that I have spotted around Cork. Until then, a taster.