Last week was the centenary of the commencement of the Battle of the Somme. There were very many tweets on the matter. Many included CWGC headstones to those who died. Many of the headstones are without the name of the deceased – Soldier of The Great War; an Irish Soldier of The Great War; Eight Soldiers of The Great War; A Comrade in Arms Known but to God; and, A Soldier of the Great War Known Unto God. With so many deaths in the first day and days of the Battle of the Somme, recording the names of locations of all of the deceased fell back in priority behind fighting and staying alive. These unknown deceased reminded me of this headstone that I spotted in Bandon – to a man who died 85 years later. A man who died anonymous to those who found and buried him. I remember the most recent census in April. I was in Kerry that weekend for my converstional Irish break. I did think, seriously, of staying late and driving through the night so that I would not have resided in any house and so could avoid the census. Maybe it was a sense of frustration as to over regulation, classification numbers and passwords. Maybe it was a desire to just step off the Magic Roundabout for a little while. In 1999, it was some achievement to survive unknown to those. Just thing of all transactions that require identification – bank accounts; state payments (pension; social welfare); even employment. That Mother’s Son was a smart man to remain unknown. I am not sure that I would like to stay off the Magic Roundabout for too long but it would be nice to experience it, to be the man from God Knows Where. |
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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.
“Every Man’s Work Shall Be Made Manifest. For The Day Shall Declare It.” This morning, I was reminded of this anniversary by Stair na hÉireann, Irish History Links and Don MacRaild .
An interesting tweet this morning included a photograph of notice offering a reward for discovery of a body of a Lusitania passenger, Robert Preston Prichard. A few weeks back, I blogged about the statue of Robert Emmet in St. Stephen’s Green. This was made by Jerome Connor who also made the Lusitania Memorial in Cobh. This week, we were well impressed with the exhibition about the Lusitania at the Liverpool Maritime Museum. As well as a poster from the White Star Line agent in Caherciveen – John Dennehy, the Museum had a map showing the addresses of those travelling on the Lusitania. William Lawrence was originally from Wales but his then address was Whitegate, Co. Cork – the only Cork address and one of only six from Ireland, Hugh Lane was not among them. All of these connecting dots were prompt enough for me to put together the photographs from different places linking the Lusitania. And there may even be more. I have spotted a few tweets about the number of ‘Quarters’ in Cork. When the list was at four, it was thought that Cork had reached Peak Quarter, but then the list reached five - Huguenot, Victorian, Trinity, Digital and Brewery. It appears to be the latest buzz-word for marketing people so there could well be others lurking around the city but there are at least three more to add to that list – Shandon Historic, Shandon Cultural and City. I suspect that those marketing people may need to start thinking of something new. I wonder how long it will take for those ‘quarters’ to be consigned to the less desirable addresses as could be argued happened to the ‘Lanes’ as remembered by Frank McCourt before Opera Lane attempted a revival. Yesterday, I learned that I had photographed a memorial to the wife of Thomas MacDonagh – and had not known of it.
A tweet from Changed Utterly told that Muriel MacDonagh had drowned while swimming in 1917 and she is one of the names recorded on the memorial pole in Skerries. I had photographed the memorial and each of the individual plaques – part of a gathering of maritime related plaques and memorials. I had not read each of the individual plaques and attempted any connection of the dots of knowledge. That task may need to be carried out sooner rather than later. I suspect that many do not know that Jones Road site was purchased by a Limerick man who then sold to GAA ‘for the same consideration’. Yesterday, I spotted a tweet from Jean with a copy of the notification of the death, 100 years ago on 18th April, 1916, of Frank Brazil Dineen and it reminded me of this plaque on the side wall of a building in Ballylanders. Joining those two dots of knowledge was justification for today’s blog.
A while back, I spotted a tweet about the new roller shutter at Broderick’s Pharmacy on Barrack Street. I had to go and take a photograph myself. I think that I prefer the painted shutter of Vikki’s but I do very much like the printed shutter at Broderick’s. It is such an improvement on the dark and cold streetscape created by roller shutters. Would it not be good if the local authorities insisted that each and every roller shutter was treated as an art canvas and the artwork had to be submitted for approval? On Thursday, I was in Dublin and spotted this streetsign off Fleet Street.
I mentally filed this away as something needing further investigation as my recollection of Parliament Street in Cork was a similar word to Parliament. Tearma.ie confirmed Feis is a festival or feast - as in Feis Cheoil or Ard-Fheis. Yesterday, Logainm.ie’s update was on Parliament Street in Waterford – the Irish translation for this and the three other Parliament Streets throughout the country is Sráid na Parlaiminte. ComeHereToMe advises that Parliament Row was called Turnstile Alley upto 1775. Maybe the turnstiles were an entrance to a feast or a festival. Or maybe, those in Temple Bar equate those in parliament to feasting for themselves. I suspect that there is a better explanation – but that remains on the ‘To Find Out More’ list.
There I was heading over town for lunch earlier. Looking up, an unusual looking Micheál Martin was smiling down on me.
For a few years now, my eyes have been open to many forms of Street-Art – painting; stencil art; mosaic; poetry and even full installations. This is a definite first for me. I have also seen some election poster graffiti – in person and online. Again another first. This mind is unsure as to the intent of the artist - a suggestion to Micheál Martin as to a possible hair colour; deference to his magnetism; a reference to loose screws,;or maybe something else entirely….
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