Category: Ghostsigns - Reading the Signs

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Ghost of Cork Examiner

28/4/2016

I spotted this old advertisement in the window of a shop premises in Ballyphehane yesterday.

1996 saw the last printing of the Cork Examiner – it being renamed The Examiner, and then The irish Examiner.

20 years later, it probably qualifies as a ghostsign., or a GhostAd at least.

What was a ‘Boot Factor’?

17/4/2016

I am supposing that it was not a ‘Boot Factory’ – primarily for reasons of layout in that an additional letter would have brought the word a bit too close to Walsh.

If a Motor Factor sells car parts and equipment, did a ‘Boot Factor’ sell parts for boots, or the full pair of boots?

I spotted this ghostsign a few weeks back in Roscommon town. I cannot recall ever seeing reference to a ‘Boot Factor’ prior to this. Chambers does confirm that to factor is to act on someone’s behalf, but that does not really help.

Was ‘factor’ used in times past instead of ‘shop’?

Today, once again, is a day for question, not answer.

B.P. Service

7/4/2016

Do you remember ‘Erik from Oslo’ in the ads for Statoil?

He cropped up when doing some web trawling regarding this sign in Strangress, Glenfarne in north Leitrim. Statoil bought out BP in 1992. It later bought Jet and subsequently sold on to Topaz in 2006 and rebranded in 2008.

This sign was 22 years out of date when I photographed in June 2014. It may not be a ghostsign in the strict interpretation of old painted sign but is definitely deserving of some ghostly classification.

I hope it survives for another 22 years – at least.

Hoskings Hotel & Restaurant

3/4/2016

I spotted this ghostsign on Oliver Plunket Street yesterday.

This morning a question was posed on twitter so this prompted some online searching a bit earlier than I had intended.

Oliver Plunkett Street was previously called George’s Street. I did think that the trade directory might educate as to a hotel on George’s Street but this was not the case.

Hoskings Hotel & Restaurant actually had an address at 36 Prince’s Street as per page 177 of the 1910 directory.

That helps to distinguish the letters on the sign. But as to why I did not spot it before yesterday, I do not know.

As an aside, as one enters Ivory Towers, there was an old timber noticeboard notifying as to the different organisations working within the Exchange Buildings.

Home Farm Stores

27/3/2016

To many, or even to all but very few, this building on Leitrim Street might appear to be an old shop where the signage has been painted over.

I was walking past last month and the light was such as to help make out the ghost that was lurking behind the numerous coats of bright white oil paint.

John Spillane’s album, The Man Who Came in from The Dark, is regularly played in our car. Our nine year old has the words of The Sirius and others learnt off at this stage.

My own favourite is Prince’s Street where John Spillane and Cónal Creedon combine. On Cónal’s grandad’s scove from Blackpool into town, ‘he’d know then he was on the right track so he put his hands into the pockets and whistle, whistle all the way from Poulraddy Harbour to Home Farm Stores, eyes wide shut.’

Youtube only has the two separate components. The combined effect is well worth the purchase.

The Home Farm Stores may have closed down many years ago but it is still there in word and song – and as a ghost that can be viewed in a certain light.

Go on. Take a stroll past to spot the ghost.

Murphy's Gives Strength

6/3/2016

Murphy’s Stout has now been uploaded to the Old Ads section - HERE

This includes quite a number of old moulded plaster signs which I do very much like.

Enjoy.

Revealing a Ghost

4/3/2016

Today, I spotted the old shop front revealed on Pine Street.

Its replacement, Out of Afrikai, can be seen in my montage of Derelict Cork.

I noted some building work being carried out so maybe C. Johnson & Co may not be around for very long.

I really need to get my head straight with regard to old signs, ghost signs, and signs of the previous occupant. I think this is an old sign – not a ghost sign. My head is inclining towards restricting a ghostsign to one that remains after the business moves on a new business operates from the building.

Bringing a Ghost to Life

10/2/2016

Sráid Chaeimghein or Sraid Chaoimhín

An Old Sign or a Ghostsign?

When in Dublin on Saturday, I spotted this old sign on Kevin Street. It was so very much highlighted by the modern An Post signage elsewhere on the façade.

Checking the web, there are photographs with modern green signage on the shopfront – Indy Kev ;and, Irish Mirror in August 2015.

To my understanding, it is not a ghostsign if the business still trades from the premises so there may need to be another classification to deal with signs that come back into appropriate use.

Another question to self with no answer.

Oh for a real fancy cake……

1/2/2016

Amiens Street, Dublin

Previously, I commented on the use of the word ‘Fancy’ in old shopfronts in Liscannor and Mallow.

In Amiens Street in Dublin last week, I spotted a reference to ‘Fancy Cakes’.

Maybe it is a sign of getting old when those cakes that were once fancy and exotic are now plain and everyday; cakes that were once a treat are now on par with a scone; cakes that contained cream that tasted a luxury rather than homogenised or fake.

Beam me back, Scottie

Oh for a real fancy cake……

Amiens Street, Dublin

Amiens Street, Dublin

Knock, Co. Mayo

Where is Cork in Dublin?

22/1/2016

The Cork Coat of Arms has the motto Statio Bene Fida Carinis which translates as ‘A Safe Harbour for Ships’. Most of it is on two separate plaques on a building in Dublin.

But where?

Is the Public House no longer the Church of the People?

12/1/2016

I have seen former churches converted into Museum/Display Centre use, Houses, Hotels and Concert Venues among other uses. In Mary St, Dublin a church was converted to a bar and restaurant.

I have heard of many pubs closing down. I think that I had only seen the buildings turned into shops or residential but I had never seen a pub converted to a church– until my recent trip to Co. Roscommon, that is.

Google Maps shows a Guinness sign in 2011 – where the Grace Community Church sign now hangs.

What is a 'Victualler'?

10/1/2016

I spotted this ghostsign in Lahinch over the holidays. It got me thinking as to the word ‘Victualler’.

I remember it on some of the older butchers when growing up. When I checking for this blog entry, I learnt and realised.

I learnt that a ‘victualler’ was not only a butcher’s shop – as had been my experience. It extended to any shop selling food or drink.

I realised that, excluding those in the English Market, O’Flynn’s is the only butchers in the city centre. Olden’s of Liberty Street and Prince’s Street are now part of heritage only.

“victualler or (US) victualer noun, formal 1 a shopkeeper selling food and drink. 2 (in full licensed victualler) Brit a publican licensed to sell food and alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises. 3 a ship carrying supplies for another ship.”
Chambers Dictionary

“victualler
noun
a supplier of victuals, as to an army; sutler
(British) a licensed purveyor of spirits; innkeeper
a supply ship, esp one carrying foodstuffs”
Collins Dictionary

Lahinch, Co Clare

Bresnan's, English Market

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.

Teenage Kicks

14/9/2015

Mark's Lane, Dublin 2

I tweeted a photograph of this sign when I was in Dublin on Friday.

When I saw the name, I was immediately brought back in time to teenage years, to when it was fun to make play on names.

Days when it was a laugh to call a house and ask for John Wall, and then Mary Wall and when told they were not there to ask if any of the Walls were there. When answer was in the negative, the obvious question was how the roof was staying up. Easily amused.

Annette Curtin was a name used to liken something to see through – it gets worse.

About ten years ago, I was working on a project and copied on some emails from Mike Hunt – that name also brought me straight back to teenage humour and discussions as to why not Michael Hunt or Mickey Hunt.

Hugh Jarse was another such name to bring a smile back then – and now in memory.

And to think that Hugh Jordan remains in big painted letters. It should really be a protected structure to bring a smile to those of us wishing to be brought back to teenage years.

Anita Salon International

31/8/2015

I suspect that this counts as a ghostsign.

It is on the fanlight over the door to a doctor’s surgery but the fanlight has been covered over externally, so one can only read the message in negative.

Interesting that 5 digits were sufficient for all Cork numbers – a huge increase from three digits.