Category: Offaly

Irish National Foresters

6/9/2016

More than once, I have commented that I have learnt from various plaques and signs that I have spotted – today’s blog is another lesson learnt.

I assumed that the Irish National Foresters was a trade association for those working in woodlands and forestry. It made me immediately think of Monty Python and their lumberjack song.

Today, a tweet of a ghostsign in Edinburgh for the Ancient Order of Foresters reminded me of the visit to Tullamore last month and this sign over Fergie’s Bar on Market Place. It prompted some education from the web.

The Ancient Order of Foresters was founded in 1834. The Irish National Foresters broke away in 1877 and became the largest friendly society in Ireland, supporting Irish nationalism and ‘government for Ireland by the Irish people in accordance with Irish ideas and Irish aspirations’. A procession in Dublin in 1923 was attended by 25,000.

There are some branches remaining, particularly in Ulster but also in Navan where those in the Irish National Foresters Brass Band are still blowing.

It is a bad day when one does not learn something new.

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Who is TG?

20/8/2016

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Clara, Co. Offaly

More than once or twice, I have mentioned that I am on a bit of a Seamus Murphy trail – looking for and admiring his work at very many locations.

When in Tullamore recently, I had to travel the extra twelve miles to Clara to appreciate and photograph the headstone erected to remember William Cochrane Mercier.

I am getting better at recognising his headstones – the thickness, the stone, the profile. The lettering, the edge detailing and the distinctive red engraving are generally confirmation only. The sculptor’s name is regularly observed for my own particular game – R.H.A., A.R.H.A. or no letting; Murphy, O Murcaḋa, or O Murchú. Each of these alternatives are engraved on different works.

Since I learned that most engraving is now computerised, I have been keeping an eye open for what appears to my eye to be hand-engraving. I have spotted a few by Ken Thompson in graveyards. I do like the images of @PoorFrankRaw.

In the graveyard of St. Brigid’s Church in Clara, I spotted a headstone which appeared to be hand engraved and detailed. It had what appeared to be the initials of the craftsman – TG.

TG has now gone onto my ‘To Find Out More’ list.

Clara, Co. Offaly

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Awfully Offaly

18/8/2016

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I wonder if I have spent too much time looking at signs. I did not spot anything wrong with this when photographing, admittedly from the other side of the road – that happened only when reviewing the photographs from my trip to Tullamore recently.

I like the script for the streetnames as gaeilge but there appeared to be a fada missing - Uíbh Fhailí.

I did check with logainm.ie who confirmed that they have no record of an Offally St but do have for Offaly St. – which does translate as Sráid Uíbh Fhailí.

I cannot be the first person to have spotted this particular spelling.

I wonder if there is a story to its name or maybe the signmaker may have wished to be a BIFFO…

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A Precious Commodity

1/12/2015

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Today, Brendan came to mind.

Brendan was one of those things that when said always needs clarification. He was a small builder. His six foot plus on a large frame and large worked-with hands clarifies that he was not small in stature. His was a self-employed builder who carried out renovation and small extension works and the size of his enterprise was never very big.

Brendan served his time. He learnt at the hand of a qualified carpenter for years. On an awkward timber roof, I would trust his judgement ahead of many university qualified engineers.

He studied the drawings. He understood what had to be done. He then went ahead and did it. In doing it, he was neat, clean, and tidy. There was never a sense of rushing or panic.
One day I met Brendan and was surprised to see him in working clothes as it was what was designated a builders holidays when many of the building companies closed.

I did pose the obvious question and was told that ‘that was only for the real builders, not for the likes of me’.

Brendan has been retired for a few years and probably would not be overly impressed with the plethora of rules, regulations and the multiple TLA’s – that is, three letter abbreviations.

Every construction project now must have SOP’s (safe operating procedures) and SWP’s (safe working platforms) as well as H&S Plans, not to mention Assigned Certifiers. The forms and regulations now in place would majorly restrict the amount of time Brendan could enjoy himself some tools in his hand - timber being preferable to paper.

Those years working with his master did provide him with that precious commodity, a commodity that is rarer than many think.

Brendan had an amount of Common Sense. He was expert at using it – not just in construction but in life.

Without checking the regulations or the procedures, he, and those of his training, knew what was the safe and correct thing to do.

Rules and regulations can be ignored or have a blind eye turned. Common Sense is inbred.

Standing there today, taking this video, I was thinking that this was not the way that Brendan would have done that job of work.

MIXED MESSAGES.

Irish National Foresters

Who is TG?

Awfully Offaly

A Precious Commodity

Manchester Martyrs

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