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Following publicity in 2025 about the Clóscape research project (see https://nicolevolmering.ie/closcape/ for more details) the Association began work to record local signage of historic interest. We share some samples here. You will note how the older green bilingual signs and a small number of the later blue signs use the traditional Irish “cló Gaelach” typeface. The earliest bilingual signs date back to the beginning of the 20th century. Below are some local examples.
Belgrave Place - An original name plaque and opposite an one of the early blue bilingual sign with "cló gaelach"
Belgrave Square - (at the corner with Belgrave Place) an early green bilingual sign with "cló gaelach"
Palmerston Road - (at the junction with Belgrave Road) an early green bilingual sign with "cló gaelach" and below a modern blue sign. Apart from the "cló gaelach" note that the Irish version "Bóthar Stiguaire" in the older sign. A paper on the website logainm.ie gives the following explanation.
Steach or Stigh is another form of Teach occurring in North Leinster placenames. Steach Guaire, ‘the house of Guaire’, is an obsolete name which was formerly located in the vicinity of Palmerston.
See https://www.logainm.ie/download/south-dublin-streetnames.pdf
Belgrave Square North - The original name plate for this terrace can bee seen above the modern blue sign. As explained in Elizabeth Smith's History of Belgrave Square this row of houses was an early development on what would in due course become Belgrave Square. A curiosity of the original name plate is the spelling.
An restored historic name plate at the topp of Charleston Road (side of No. 1 Belgrave Square) and below the bilingual green sign with the "cló Gaelach" on the opposite side of the road at No. 1 Charleston Road.
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