Category: Heritage - Reading the Signs

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Leaving His Mark

28/5/2018

I spotted tweets earlier today regarding the formal opening of the former Cork District Model School as the new Courthouse Complex.

There are many photos of the refurbished areas and the new extension – some of the 25,000 replaced bricks

What struck me when the scaffolding came down was not captured in any photograph or clip that I have seen but the mark left of the current generation of craftsmen to remind the future that those in 2017 also assisted its retention.

That April Friday evening, while I was taking my photos, a lady also stopped to look at the newly exposed building. She said that she had gone to school there and was looking forward to being able to look inside.

A few weeks later, in Chetwynd, I was reminded as to the titles I might like on my headstone and wondered if my school or place of employment might be one, probably not for me.

Brits Out – Still Happening

19/5/2018

While the women of the house sit in front of a television, waiting for the appearance of a wedding dress, I am contemplating the removal, deliberate or otherwise, of part of the history that remains from when Ireland was part of the United Kingdom.

I have often blogged on matters relating to postboxes – colour & font; split-personalities; repurposing; quirks of manufacture; and, even, the riddle of Shanagarry. Another blog on a post-box should not surprise too many who pass by here often.

This is another reminder to self to continue the populating of the map that I started – hundreds and hundreds still to do.

This blog has been prompted by a tweet from Eoin Lettice about the upcoming Sheppard’s Auction where Lot 2 is a Victorian cast iron pillar postbox, guiding €2,000 - €3,000, previously resident at Patrick’s Street in Cork.

My recording of postboxes only goes back as far as this website and the VR box from Patrick’s St. was before that. If I were to guess, it may have been replaced by the modern rust-bucket style unit, now at the junction with Academy Street, but I may need to flick through books with old photographs to hunt for more clues.

Maybe An Post needed the money and decided to sell off some postboxes from stores. Maybe some ‘enterprising’ person thought that they were being wasted in An Post stores.

The old boxes definitely are better wearing and hardier than that the modern versions. I would have thought that it would be an idea for An Post to keep the old style to replace the postbox causalities – and there have been a few.

There was an old pillar box in Ballyphehane in Cork that is no longer – or substantially no longer. The base is still there and used as a concrete foundation for the new style box. I suspect this was a victim of a road traffic accident.

The Carron Scotland pillar box at the Holy Ground in Dingle lost its battle with a truck that came down Green Street and ended up in the Woolen Store shop. It was replaced by an old-style Handyside pillar box

The Carron, Scotland pillar-box that stood outside Bandon Road Post Office in Cork city is yet another that is no longer.

But whether this was another victim of road traffic or revenge for the ambush at Ballynamona, Mourneabbey is still open to debate and supposition

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.

Lucky Coins

15/3/2018

With the Taoiseach in the White House today, I was reminded as to a story told, possibly with some truth, of metal detectors picking up some strange findings in the White House a while back.

Last December, I had a novel experience accompanied by nuggets of information – local and traditional – that many might consider trivia, but which I believe are pure gems.

It was my first visit to the refurbishment of and extension to a cottage on one of the hills looking down on the city. This is my fourth decade attending building sites but that December Friday was the first time a client arrived to a site meeting with a pot of homemade hearty soup accompanied by some bread and cheese – very welcome they were, as the regular cold wind was blowing up the hill to compliment the damp environment of a house being plastered.

A sheet of plywood acted as the table and it was standing room only. It was not exactly homely, but the food put a stop to all talk of construction details and contract issues. We fell into general chatter which then veered towards traditions.

I had known of Gobnait’s Measure being used as a good luck charm for those in a building. I had visited the house where one of one of the Eucharistic Tiles was on a ledge over the front door to bless all those who enter the house. Until then, I had not known of the luck believed to follow the placing of coins in the floor of a building as it was being poured.

The builder told of a project, only two or three years previous, where the concrete lorry was on site but the builder was under clear instruction not to start pouring the floor until the client arrived with his coins to be placed in the four corners.

His colleague told a story from years back in Adrigole where the house owner left four sovereigns to be placed in the concrete floor as it was being poured. Seemingly, coins were placed in the floor slab, but not to the value of a sovereign.

As I was writing up this blog this evening, with a dirty black pint in Tigh an Cúinne, CC queried the use of a laptop in a pub. He was aware of coins in the floor – not necessarily four.

The morning of that site lunch, I had read that the architect of the White House had been born on that day in 1755 – 8th December. That lunchtime, I had heard that it is believed that the Kilkenny man, James Hoban, had placed coins in the corners of the White House which led to concern when the metal detectors went beeping, centuries later.
Whether true, embellished or pure fiction, I like.

Another blog post prompted by Folklore Thursday and the traditions associated with money……..

Not Wishing For Love Or Money

15/3/2018

A few weeks back, I declined the option of a few hours at the Kildare Village outlet centre. Instead, I enjoyed chill out time around the town of Kildare, ending in a trip around St Brigid’s Cathedral and the adjoining cemetery.

On the corner of the building that I approached, I noted that one of the corner stones had a hole from one side to the other. I was intrigued.

As I was leaving, I spotted someone looking at this closely. When I asked, I learned that this was a wishing stone – one had to pass one’s hand through the stone and make a wish.
I was warned that one could not wish for love or money, as both were to come to you unbidden.

The topic of wealth and money on Folklore Thursday on twitter brought the wishing stone back to mind – reason enough for a blog post.

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

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.

Michael O’Riordan, b. 12 Nov. 1917

22/11/2017

Touch history while you can

I remember, about 25 years ago, speaking with J and N whose job involved visiting a Nursing Home in Mid-Cork once or twice a week. They mentioned that one of the residents had been involved at the Kilmichael Ambush.

At that time, I knew next to nothing of Kilmichael; Cadet Cecil Guthrie; or the effect the ambush and the death of Terence MacSwiney had in heightening tensions so that when the British Army were ambushed at Dillon’s Cross on the night of 11th December, 1920, it led to the Burning of Cork.

If I had the knowledge and interest then, the chance to hear first-hand of that period may have been available – an opportunity that passed by.

From even further back than 25 years, I remember seeing Michael O’Riordan on the television, particularly in and around election times. I remember him speaking on behalf of the Communist Party of Ireland.

I had no knowledge of his involvement in the Spanish Civil War; or, his book, The Connolly Column which led Christy Moore to write Viva La Quinta Brigada – a book that POF kindly gifted to me and which has come down off the shelf and onto the ‘For Reading’ pile.

Indeed, I had little knowledge as to the Spanish Civil War. That interest was piqued many years later, some years after Michael O’Riordan had passed away aged 90.

I would like to think that I would have sought out an opportunity to listen first hand to his experiences in Spain – but that possible chance to touch history had passed unaware.

Last Saturday, I spotted a wreath on Pope’s Quay in the distinctive Republican colours. Very many thanks to Pat Cadogan.

I stood, with my 11 year old, and we again remembered – leaving a small memento.

Sunday, I watched again the Cathal O’Shannon documentary ‘Even the Olives are Bleeding’ and a documentary on Michael O’Riordan where it is suggested that the first communist in Ireland might have been St. Finnbarr.

All of which is a reminder to self to grasp those opportunities and experiences that might be passing by……..

Connolly Column - Dedication

Headless in the Glen of The Wedge

11/11/2017

I was sorting through some photographs taken during the Summer and spotted that today was the anniversary of the Earl of Desmond.

As good a reason as any to try to get back to more regular blogging.

Logainm assists with the meaning of Glenageenty – Gleann na Ginnte

Another word added to my Irish vocabulary – dícheann – to behead

Dungarvan - Take A Bow

15/8/2017

Public Realm is definitely a recent buzz word.

From what I have observed on St. Patrick’s Street, Cork; Cornmarket St., Cork; Limerick Railway Station; and, Tralee, there appears to be a formula of sorts including:

Limestone paving, laid to an irregular pattern, with some colour or granite thrown in for good measure

Some timber or stone plinths for seating, but not so comfortable so as to encourage one to stay too long

Stainless steel or maybe timber block traffic bollards with some stainless or colourful bike racks

And some funky light fittings

All involved in the reallocation of vehicular space to pedestrian space.

Splitting The Atom

An Spailpín Fánach

Personally, I would like to see more green in these Public Realm spaces – grass; trees; green walls – even herb or vegetable beds maintained by locals. I think that they would encourage greater use by the city residents and visitors.

I would also love to see a sail like covering similar to the Limerick Milk Market and Temple Bar Square – then a town/city would have a useable multi-functional space and would facilitate gatherings and events.

I am a fan of public sculptures and believe that they should be introduced in such Public Realm spaces – as Westport did successfully.

Decent seating would be an improvement.

My recent visit to Dungarvan added another item to that wish list.

Dungarvan - Home of Ireland's First Cycle Club

Westport, Co. Mayo

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.

Cork – Down Under

26/4/2017

Bunratty Folk Park

This may look like many other postboxes – V.R. insignia, made by H & C Smith in Cork – but it has a very unusual feature – a feature that I have not seen on any other postbox, and I have photographed over 850 boxes – new, old, disused, red, green, or many different manufacturers.

There have been more than a few blogs hereabout on various matters relating to postboxes – alternatives use; additional insignia; Queen Elizabeth; old; older; and, oldest.

This postbox, as manufactured in Cork, is likely to have seen service in Ireland. It currently resides in the Bunratty Folk Park where we spent a very pleasant and pleasurable afternoon on Easter Saturday. I do recommend a visit.

There is a second box in the village section of Bunratty – another red box; Victoria Regina; but a Penfolds postbox, similar to Skibbereen.

Bunratty Folk Park

Sbibbereen, Co. Cork

Peter O’Neill-Crowley d. 1867.03.31

28/3/2017

On Sunday, I received a text about events in Ballymacoda at 7.30p.m. on Friday next, 31st March, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the death of Peter O’Neill-Crowley in Kilclooney Wood.

There is to be a commemoration at the grave followed by a display of information in the parish hall.

Then this morning’s Irish Examiner had further details of the Peter O’Neill-Crowley Commemoration Weekend including a talk at 5.30 at County Hall on Thursday and commemoration at Kilclooney on Sunday.

I first heard of Peter O’Neill-Crowley only a few years back when I read the name of the bridge near Victoria Cross.

Where Bridges Stand by Antóin O’Callaghan advises that the construction of the bridge commenced in 1820; it was named the George IV Bridge; in 1907 Cork Corporation agreed to change name; but, this change did not happen for a few years. The plaque on the bridge says 1911.

Since first spotting the name on the bridge, his name has appeared on a few plaques and memorials that I have seen.

With the 150th anniversary of his death coming up, I thought it appropriate to the plaques together.

Letter to Heaven

25/3/2017

In Clooneyquinn, in Co. Roscommon, they have created the impression of a telephone line to heaven.

West Cork, in typical laid-back and chill-out West Cork style, appears to prefer the old snail-mail.

I have seen and photographed many grottos on my travels but this is the first in a post-box. I have also photographed very many postboxes – including quite a number of disused boxes – but this use is a first. As a positive use of old street furniture, it is definitely the best use of a disused postbox that I have seen.

Yesterday was a great day in Ahakista. I spotted this as I left for home – adding to the smile and satisfaction of the day.

A selection of disused/decommissioned postboxes

Cadet Cleve Soady

22/3/2017

A while back, I heard at a talk that Cecil Guthrie was the only Auxiliary buried in Ireland.

Today, after hanging around the courthouse for most of the day, I took some chill-out time, and walked through the cemetery at the former Church of Ireland church over the bridge on the way upto Macroom square.

There I read of Cleve Soady who died of wounds suffered at the Coolavokig Ambush, near Baile Mhuirne, on 25th/26th February, 1921 – one of a few (or three) Auxiliaries buried in Ireland.

I wonder how long it will be before I spot another Auxiliary’s headstone…..

Coolavokig Ambush Memorial