Traditional shopfronts and hand painted signs are being revived as part of the conservation of Clonakilty.
Tá meas ag muintir Cloich na Coillte i stair an traidisiún agus ar an mbaile mar atá sí sa lá ata inniu ann, agus is maith leo é a chaomhnú.
The west Cork town of Clonakilty has never looked better, due in no small measure to citizens like architect Billy Houlihan who championed the development plan adopted by Clonakilty's Urban District Council which seeks to find a balance between the conservation of old buildings and planning for new developments.
Chateaulin Park, named after the town in Brittany with which Clonakilty is twinned is a good example of this. Formerly an old garden, it was restored with the help of a Community Employment Scheme and is now a public orchard and park.
The aim of the council is to incorporate the town in its entirety as one conservation area. Shopfronts are seen as a valid part of the area's built heritage explains Billy Houlihan, as they,
Bring out the Irish flavour and in particular the local Clonakilty flavour.
Another project in the town will soon come to completion. The Old Mill on Kent Street which dates from 1820 is currently under restoration and will become the administrative centre for West Cork County Council, and will house Clonakilty Public Library in the not too distant future.
The bright and beautiful bilingual signs above the doors of Clonakilty's many shops, pubs, hotels and business premises all come from the studio of Tomás Tuipéar, third generation sign writer and shop front designer. His interest in the Irish language is one shared by the community here in general,
Tá siad ana-shásta an Ghaeilge a úsáid.
A 'Cúrsaí' report broadcast on 5 May 1987. The reporter is Seán Ó Mealóid.
