GOOD TO GO

On a sub-zero morning at the Milk Market this poster gave me a chuckle. While I can't vouch for Peter's pies (I have yet to indulge) obviously his sense of humour is intact and that no mean feat in these perilous times !

~GOSh.~

TIME GENTLEMEN TIME

DRINKING TIME

In these difficult times pubs like every other business are feeling the pinch, so this enterprising publican in Ennistymon is covering all the bases in this inclusive sign that mentions everything bar the kitchen sink.



This must be the most redundant book title ever to grace the shelves of an Irish bookshop. There are many areas of human endeavour that we as a nation may need guidance and instruction in but how to drink is not one of them. In fact a more necessary title might be 'How To Stop' ! I spotted the book in a tourist shop in beautiful Ballyvaughaun.

Gerard O'Shea

UNDERWORLD MOVE ?

Relax… this rather terrifying notice spotted on
William Street in Limerick
is merely notifying customers that a tattoo
shop has moved to a new location..

STREET SIGN

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TROUBLED TIMES

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I spotted this sandwich board outside a pub in Patrick Street, Limerick this morning as I was on my way to the Market. I can see the humorous intent but it’s a pity that those words from the Masters own lips are debased for a cheap laugh. Such is the general apathy and cynicism to all things religious at present I doubt if too many eyebrows will be raised by this pavement display. Don’t get me wrong I don’t want to see this type of jibe banned, I believe in freedom of speech, but it just struck me as yet another sign of these unsettled times. ~GOSh.~

SOUNDS GOOD !

EXOTIC EMPLOYMENTS

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Continuing our occasional series on curious signs, I spotted this one while awaiting a hospital appointment recently. The aim of the poster is laudable in encouraging people to quit the noxious habit, but what took my eye was the grand sounding title of the lady entrusted with the task of stamping out the practise ,a SMOKING CESSATION FACILITATOR . What a mouthful ! Reminds me of a summer job that I once had in Roches Stores, a large (now departed) store in the middle of Limerick where amongst my duties was the task of keeping the main door free of obstructing prams! The daily brigade of women with prams queuing up to park in the restricted area became the bane of my workday life. To alleviate the monotony of my task I invented a fancy title for my occupation - A PERAMBULATOR EXTINGUISHER ! In my defence my exotic job description was a bit of fun while I think the notice in the hospital was meant to be taken seriously !
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Gerard O'Shea

WHAT GOES AROUND...

BAD KARMA

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While browsing in Ennis lately I came across this shop front. Apparently the recession has hit hard and even the exotic name of the premises could not save it from closure. ~GOSh.~

P.J. CORRECT

The notice on the window of this cafe in Finglas reads..

' All customers must be wearing

appropriate clothing - NO PYJAMAS '

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TO SLEEP - PERCHANCE TO SHOP !

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Synonymous with the economic boom in this country arose the youth phenomenon of the pyjama shopper. Especially in the larger housing estates it was not uncommon to see teenage girls (mostly) out and about in daylight hours attired in pyjamas. This peculiar cultural practice continues as far as I know, I am indebted to super-snoop Antoin for clicking the picture above. ~GOSh.~

A CRYING SHAME ! (ALLEGED)

The missing word at the top is 'Allegations' !

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HEAR YE...HEAR YE

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On a recent blazing hot afternoon I was alerted by a clanging bell to the exotic sight of a Town Crier in full scarlet-robed regalia sweeping through the main street of Limerick city ! As this is the 21st century the sight of this Victorian costumed gentleman certainly grabbed my attention. On closer inspection I noticed he was holding aloft a placard (pictured above) with some damning allegations against a well known firm of solicitors in town. I managed to speak briefly with the Crier but did not manage to get details of his alleged grievances, only that he was very angry and wished to highlight his case to as wide a public as possible. He gave me a leaflet with the words from the placard on one side and a history of the Town Crier on the reverse. Many people feel disaffected and disillusioned in these days with various arms of official Ireland and at least this man had the courage of his convictions to air his grievances in this most public manner. I don’t know the rights and wrongs of this particular case but it is refreshing to see someone who dares to be different and stands up to be counted in such a colourful and dramatic way. It’s another one of the signs of our times !

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Gerard O'Shea

CHANGING TIMES

As seen in Limerick this afternoon

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TRADING THE BOOT IN !

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A sure sign that everything is changed, changed utterly in the Irish economy. This tempting offer is displayed outside a shoe shop in Bedford Row, previously the only thing we Irish 'scrapped' were our old banger motor vehicles in exchange for gleaming new models. Now that the motor business is going into meltdown are shoes the new 'status' symbols ?. Truly it indicates to me that we are no longer footloose and carefree, and that our national 'sole' has been well and truly auctioned off to the highest bidder ! Or maybe this is the first stage in our tentative walk back to the real world, as we head for the nearest shoe shop , our old trade-ins tucked under our arms and the prospect of a new pair of walkers putting a pep in our recessionary step !

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Gerard O'Shea