Project bringing Dundalk’s ghost signs back to life
FADED shop signs from over a century ago are being brought to life thanks to an innovative project being undertaken by Dundalk BIDS.
As the first part of the Facades Project, the old sign for H O’Connell’s grocery, wine and spirit store, at Earl Street has been repainted.
Dundalk Town Centre Commercial Manager Martin McElliott said the initiative is being undertaken as part of a pilot scheme to improve the facades of the upper storeys of shop front premises along the town’s main streets.’
He recalled that during last year’s highly successful Seek Urban Arts Festival, which saw eye-catching murals painted in the town centre, local photographer Darran Rafferty suggested that it would be a good idea to restore some of the old ‘ghost’ signs which can be still be faintly seen on a number of town centre buildings.
‘It’s a really good idea and one which we are incorporating in the Facades Project, which Bids has got funding for as a pilot scheme,’ continued Martin.
Barry got in touch with local artist Barry Finnegan of Thinking Cap Design to take care of the the sign-writing and they two of them braved the elements last week to begin work, so that the sign, which is over a hundred years old, is back to life.
Martin added that it’s hoped to reveal other ‘ghost’ signs in the coming months as part of an on-going project to highlight the town’s built heritage.
‘We will be doing a lot of work cleaning up the upper stories of buildings in the town centre,’ he said. ‘BIDS will be doing all the labour and they businesses will provide the paint.’
He also thanked local TD Declan Breathnach for his help and support in bringing the project to life, as well as Louth County Council and the various property owners.