It’s time for another review of signs we see around us. Signs are often put up to warn us to be careful (there are some of those here), but they don’t always need words. This large fishy fellow above looks as if he might bite! And I’d be careful in the vicinity of this ceramic pail below . . .
Sometimes it’s not just signage that catches the attention – this little ensemble makes you look twice:
As does this happy couple celebrating in a field not too far from here . . .
An old sign revived (above): it seems so poignant somehow.
Not sure what stories are being told in the two images above. Certainly, they are arresting.
Some objects speak for themselves.
Please! I know you were going to throw those wellington boots at the hens . . .
A somewhat dramatic juxtaposition which we came across in Kerry. (Below) just imagine . . . !
One could start a collection of mail boxes.
No comment required.
Where do you suppose this sign is situated (below)?
Another fishy tail (above) and a dire warning (below)!
It’s just one way of looking at our environment: we are being hunted down by a pair of mechanical eyes on orange stalks. Another way of seeing it is as a public work stand for cyclists! I certainly prefer the former…
It’s a dangerous world . . . You never know what you have to watch out for. Obviously it’s time for another selection of signs and similar. Mostly, these recent examples come from not too far from home. But keep your eyes open at all times – wherever in the world you are.
It has to be Ireland if there’s a carrot in a tree.
Also if there’s a traditional music group on a window-cill.
Friendly advice always welcome…
This one is just down the road from us: it can’t fail to attract customers.
We might call this ‘accidental art’ – it’s a long abandoned hull in a decaying boat-shed near Leap, West Cork.
A very long way from here, as it happens. Perhaps a slightly strange way to sell your services?
This – on the other hand – is service with a friendly face, in Cork Market.
I liked this giant mural on the railway station in Greystones, Co Wicklow.
Another mural – and a few recognisable faces.
A whole lot of the signs in focus today don’t need any comment from me!
Last, but by no means least – the one below greets us every day as we make our way along our West Cork lanes: hope you get a kick out of them all!
My collections of signs, posters and visual images expands all the time. If I see something quirky, I can’t resist a photo. I share these with you every so often. Today’s selection comes from far and wide: mainly here in Ireland (principally West Cork) with the odd stray from outside. I will only explain something if I feel an image demands it. The example above – from our own Ballydehob – certainly doesn’t, but the one below, which I also came across today in our little village, probably does.
It’s a straw doll representing St Brigid. Often also known as Brídeóg, ‘Breedhoge‘ or ‘Biddy‘, it was once common to see these made to celebrate spring (which traditionally begins on her day, February 1st). This year Ireland has its first ever St Brigid’s bank holiday (tomorrow), to balance out St Patrick’s Day which we have always celebrated around his own feast, March 17th.
Let’s get back to signs. Wouldn’t you expect that one might visit a holy well for health reasons?
This surviving poster in Bray, Co Wicklow, somewhat irreverently makes light of the Bloody Sunday events of 1920. I can’t help being amused by the little insertion underneath Up To 5,000 Male ExtrasRequired – “Women Welcome Dressed in Male Clothing”.
An impressive Christmas tree, built by the artistic fishermen of Greystones, Co Wicklow.
A long way from West Cork, we found this sculpture in False Creek, Vancouver last autumn. Titled “The Proud Youth,” the six metre high figure was created by Chinese sculptor Chen Wenling.
. . . Simple and truthful, this work creates a direct communication between man and nature, and initiates a sincere conversation between people and society. The cheeky expression and arresting pose are a celebratory call to the audiences, inviting them to embrace their inner child . . .
Vancouver Biennale
This may seem out of place, but we visited a Van Gogh exhibition while in Dublin recently. Described as an ‘Immersive Experience’ it is quite mind-blowing and we recommend the immersion if you are in the area.
We’ll finish today with some shopfronts decorated for Christmas: in Dublin, and back in picturesque Ballydehob.
It’s Hallowe’en. When I lived in Devon, England, in my younger days, we didn’t know the meaning of the word. We certainly celebrated the coming of the dark time of the year, but there the story was all about Guy Fawkes, the ‘Gunpowder Plot’, bonfires and fireworks. Here’s a pic I retrieved from my old files: Hatherleigh, Devon, around the beginning of November. Huge barrels were soaked in tar, set alight, and pulled down the very steep hill that runs through the town at dawn and dusk. It was certainly scary – but not Spooky!
Here things are different. In Ballydehob we are preparing for our own celebration of the shadowy times. There will be a procession through the streets tonight. It will be scary, in a spooky way…
The whole town enters into the ‘spirit’ of things. This post sets out to look at the preparations for the night’s events. I particularly like the display – perhaps slightly understated – put on at the ice cream counter in Camier’s garage and shop at the bottom of the town:
Levis’ Bar is at the centre of things, and I called in to see the workshops taking place to prepare for the evening’s events:
I think this evening’s activities are going to be spectacularly spooky! I will let you know. Elsewhere in our village of Ballydehob, everyone is getting into the right mood.
It’s never ‘half-measures’ in Ballydehob. Everyone joins in with complete enthusiasm. And there are plenty more celebrations of this spooky time going on around us in West Cork. Don’t stay at home!
As you know, I’m keen on signage, and always on the lookout for unusual examples. Not just signs, but anything a bit out of the ordinary – like that suspended boat, above, seemingly related in some way to a large ice cream cone. Every few months I present you with examples taken from our travels – this time from near and far. I’m not going to reveal where they all are, unless anyone is really desperate to know. Just enjoy them!
This fish shop sign is rather wonderful. It’s not actually a fish shop (but it ought to be) – It’s a first nations exhibition centre in Sidney, Vancouver Island. We spent a while this summer visiting Finola’s Canadian family (there are lots of them) and we had a wonderful time. These two are also from British Columbia, but thereafter you are on your own!
What’s in a name? You have to wonder whether this one (above) is deliberately suggestive.
I liked these cement tanks…
While this message is instructional.
Bees, bears or big cats – wherever you are, be prepared to fight back!
Colourful cabinets: I’m always looking out for decorative street furniture. The one above is in Ireland; the next four are not!
Instructional….
Informative…
I wouldn’t mind this number plate for myself!
I have captured lots more in my latest collections, but I will leave the rest for other times. Just finishing off with something a bit offbeat: an impressive new mural at Killruddery House, Co Wicklow.
Another post about signs in Ireland: I ‘collect’ them and update them every few months. The slippery banana – above – is a classic and is to be found in the City Hall in Cork. Following it are a whole variety of examples with – hopefully – some touches of humour about them. Others have to be classified as eye-catching curiosities, including this magnificent bright blue cockerel.
Mostly, the signs just speak for themselves…
These cheerful cups can be found at a wayside Holy Well.
The gate above, also from Cork city, shows what architectural gems are waiting to be discovered on the streets. I was pleased – and puzzled – to come across the following:
If you visit Knock (above) you can collect your own holy water. This is my report on the place. Here (below) is a curiosity – not far from our West Cork home: an old signpost marking the distance in miles. You might say it’s one that got away!
Quite right! The orchids at Toormore Church are spectacular, and have to be looked after.
A coded message from another world, perhaps?
Signs can be enigmatic here in Ireland. There’s usually a reasonable explanation for them, though.
There’s plenty more where these came from (in fact they come from all over Ireland). Keep a watch out yourselves!
Welcome to the UCD Library Cultural Heritage Collections blog. Discover and explore the historical treasures housed within our Archives, Special Collections, National Folklore Collection and Digital Library
Roaringwater Journal 