https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/Historic-stone-culvert-from-the-1850s-is-uncovered-in-perfect-condition-in-Cork-38676d5d-d169-4310-98fe-3e3196bffda3-ds
One of my Victorian heroes was Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He wouldn't have been concerned about some pernicious perennial root on his allotment, oh no. This man was bordering on architectural and engineering genius.
Any road. Or railway. The man who built ships that crossed the oceans and connected telephone cables under the sea to India... He also built the Cork to Midleton railway in county Cork.
Some Irish wit once remarked that the English built the railways and the Irish got on them and emigrated!
They still lament the demise of the Cork, Bandon and South Coast railway in 1962. Imagine if people could commute to Cork from down here by train? I could go to Rock concerts, shop, watch a football match, go in Wetherspoon's or even work there. If anywhere needs rural jobs, West Cork does.
I think my dad caught the train to Cork and caught the boat train to Holyhead in the black fifties. He was only 17!
I read the above article today and was awestruck with the craftsmanship of the people who built this stone culvert. It reminds me of the tale of some stone Mason carving a gargoyle high up on the roof of some English cathedral. His workmate remarked:
Nobody will see that.
The stone Mason continued chiseling and said:
Yes, but God will.
Didn't they have pride in their work way back when?
One of my Victorian heroes was Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He wouldn't have been concerned about some pernicious perennial root on his allotment, oh no. This man was bordering on architectural and engineering genius.
Any road. Or railway. The man who built ships that crossed the oceans and connected telephone cables under the sea to India... He also built the Cork to Midleton railway in county Cork.
Some Irish wit once remarked that the English built the railways and the Irish got on them and emigrated!
They still lament the demise of the Cork, Bandon and South Coast railway in 1962. Imagine if people could commute to Cork from down here by train? I could go to Rock concerts, shop, watch a football match, go in Wetherspoon's or even work there. If anywhere needs rural jobs, West Cork does.
I think my dad caught the train to Cork and caught the boat train to Holyhead in the black fifties. He was only 17!
I read the above article today and was awestruck with the craftsmanship of the people who built this stone culvert. It reminds me of the tale of some stone Mason carving a gargoyle high up on the roof of some English cathedral. His workmate remarked:
Nobody will see that.
The stone Mason continued chiseling and said:
Yes, but God will.
Didn't they have pride in their work way back when?
I like a good bridge or a viaduct come to that .
ReplyDeleteThat aside ,purpose of comment is to pick your brains . As you have gathered from my blog the bug has bit and I now have poly tunnel envy .
I have an e mail address on my blog - what are the chances , if you get a moment , of dropping me a line with some advice of which way to go . Its needs to be reasonable price wise and I don't mind improvising or some hard graft . What do you think ?
Thanks for your comment Angela. Reminds me of when I was on a Employment scheme not too far from Manchester when a old supervisor showed me theoy's of dry stone walls with words like bucks and does and through stones. I bought my tunnel, three hoops for 500 Euros. First Tunnels are also very good. Course I will drop you a line. Thanks.
ReplyDelete...the Joy's...
ReplyDeleteWell, well. My dad was all Irish (half Catholic, half Presbyterian--go figure) and could not tolerate any uncraftsman type job.
ReplyDeleteYes, but God will.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
Enjoyed this post, Dave.
I think the quote is William Barclay quote Valerie. I use to read him every day. I am pleased you enjoyed the post.
DeleteThe Victorians did things proper Joanne. Even if it was only functional it still had to be strong enough to last one hundred and sixty years of wear and tear. I bet that culvert will be still working in another one hundred and sixty years, even longer.
ReplyDeletemy house is victorian and no expense was spared. The chimney pots alone are a work of art.
DeleteYes Sol the Victorians made and did things proper. An amazing generation.
ReplyDeleteGreat pride indeed ! Your story reminds me of my Dad who left the Northside in the mid thirties by boat to glamorous Burton On Trent, some brothers & sisters stayed, a sister to San Francisco at 13 not to see her again until she was 65 years of age...
ReplyDeleteHi Sean. My great grandfather s sister emigrated to America and worked in a big house . She was a maid. People are still leaving here for work and people move here too. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHe had an amazing name. Lived up to it, too. There are some canny pictures of him.
ReplyDeleteHi Gwil. Isambard had an amazing name and his engineering feats were amazing too. There are some very canny pictures of him. Thanks.
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