Category: - Reading the Signs

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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.

Here’s Looking at You Kid

3/2/2017

Two weeks ago I spotted this in Limerick, near King John’s Castle.

The art installation did bring a smile to this observer.

On Twitter yesterday, I learned that I had only had a preview.

The final version combined art with some guerrilla gardening. It now appears complete.

Cue, bigger smile hereabouts.

Photograph from LimerickWalkingTours on Twitter

Is there a link?

20/1/2017

Last October, I spotted this on the wall on Washington Street, near St FinnBarre’s Bridge. I had a vague recollection of seeing a message in a similar style somewhere previous – but had not photographed, unfortunately.

Taking the photograph, I was hoping that I would again pass the one that I had previously seen; that I could then take a photograph; and then compare the two.

At the start of November, a family break to Paris saw us walking back from Basilica Sacré-Coeur towards Montmatre. I spotted this.

To my eyes, there are definite similarities with the eye and the four teeth/triangles – but any more than that had me beaten. I do not know.

The Paris message appears to translate as ‘To Victory Always’ which does not relate to ‘Rocking The World’.

This is still a riddle waiting to be solved.

Are the eyes and teeth a coincidence?

Is there a link between the messages?

UPDATE 2017.02.15

I found the photograph of the original marking. It is at St Patrick’s Quay.

It is of similar style to the other two I have seen – but I am still completely lost as to the meaning.

UPDATE 2017.02.16

Thanks to Miscellanea Curiosa on twitter who has advised that they are the work of Oré – a street artist from France.

His website reveals that there are a few more in Cork that I have yet to spot.

It is great that the riddle has been solved.

Traffic was Cat

21/10/2016

Heading home this evening, this cat was watching me walking down Cotter Street.

Maybe, it is his eyes but I sensed a smile of approval of my decision to walk to work that day.

For The City Is Made To Be Walked

7/7/2016

WALKERS ARE PRACTIONERS OF THE CITY

FOR THE CITY IS MADE TO BE WALKED

BÍONN SIÚLACH SCÉALACH

Kruger has hit top of the charts this month.

It is still early in the month and there are not too many search topics bringing people to the home of my ramblings, here. The search topic topping the list is ‘kruger-gael siulach scealach’ – one of my posts on the family Kavanagh.

It reminded me that I had photographs of the entire street art installation in Dublin that had posed a question. Reason enough to share.

IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE ROAD YOU ARE WALKING START PAVING ANOTHER ONE

Cork – not just a welcome for Corkonians

7/7/2016

This week I have spotted a few new utility boxes painted around town by ReimagineCork, People’s Republic of Cork, and Alan Hurley with the Cope Foundation.

Enough of a reason for a blog post.

I have updated the slideshow.

Maybe a day will come when utility companies will have to engage artists to regularly paint the boxes that are a graffiti magnet otherwise.

Shandon Street Renewal Project – Phase 2

25/6/2016

June 216

This week I spotted and admire the street art installation on the concrete wall towards the bottom of Shandon Street.

It is a definite improvement. I suspect that it was not supported by the National Development Plan.

I do wish that the sign for Phase 1 (NDP 2000 to 2006) had been removed – maybe there is a concerted effort by someone to have the most out of date sign n display.

June 2016

Sept 2015

Sept 2015

Boxes, boxes

7/6/2016

The ReimagineCork crew were out a short while back adding to the range of messages on utility boxes.

There are five locations where one can learn of some Cork words. A few years back, I posted an Evening Echo calendar to the UK with a similar message for each month.

For those wishing to improve their Cork vocabulary, there is a book.

I decided to put a slideshow together of the many utility boxes that I have spotted. Enjoy.

Art - under your feet

4/6/2016

We spotted this outside Lime Street Station in Liverpool.

There were a good number of paving slabs with similar engravings.

I assume that they are computerised/automated engravings from original sketches.

I do like the image as well as the inclusion of co-ordinates. Anything that makes a streetscape, building or place unique is good in my opinion.

Compliance with regulations and need to meet CE, or I.S./B.S standards are such that I believe they are encouraging a small number of manufacturers and a smaller range of products in all construction materials.

It could be argued that shopping centres and main streets are similarly affected with stores from the same chains occupying the centres of cities - each city turning into a version of the other.

I am definitely fed up with standardisation. I have long since determined to support to support the local independent over the branch of the chain.

These paving slabs are just another reminder as to the value of difference and being unique.

I read of proposals for art on the pavings in The Liberties in Dublin, and smiled. Well done, The Liberties.

The Rising Overthrows the Joker

1/6/2016

The joke is over.

Last year, I did a blog post about the street art on hoardings near Portobello in Dublin. At the time, I complimented the artist at work.

A few months later, I was back in the same area what I had appreciated had been overpainted with new work.

Two weeks ago in Dublin, I was again reminded that street art is a bit like an opportunity – catch in when it passes, it may not pass again.

I do like street art installations. I do like matters relating to Irish history.

Maybe it is a factor of Rising Commemoration overload or a liking for Jokerman but I preferred what was over what is…

Cork is Daycent

30/5/2016

I have spotted quite a few of the directional signs around the city.

I thought that they warranted a blog post on their own.

Someone obviously disagreed with one of the statements.

We Owl The Night

27/5/2016

I spotted this street art recently on Mary’s Lane, off Lower John Street.

I like.

When compared to treatment of wall on opposite site of the steps, I like even more.

The more street art I see, the more I agree that it generally is not subject to graffiti and so does brighten and tidy the streetscape.

Kevin Barry

29/4/2016

On recent visits to Dublin, I came across two completely different memorials to Kevin Barry.

As I was walking down Fleet Street, I had passed the Morgan Hotel and had completely missed the plaque commemorating the home of Kevin Barry until I was distracted by Parliament Row.

A month later on Marlborough, I stopped to appreciate the stencil art.

Mousetrap

22/4/2016

I really liked this street art that I spotted in Newcastle West.

It was probably difficult enough to see before but the metal leg of the ALDI sign make it even harder now.

The fact that many walk past completely unaware of its existence probably added to the appreciation in the viewer.

Papering the Town

15/4/2016