Image: Séamus Dooley @seamusdo

TLC for Tenters Signs

Some of the early 20thC street name signs in The Tenters have been carefully restored to mark Tenters 100

09.11.22

Life, Love The Liberties

Residents of streets such as St Thomas Road, Pertie Road, Gilbert Road and Oscar Square in The Tenters are marking the return of some of the original street name plaques to the area, after recent restoration. The green and white enamel name plates, which were installed in the 1920s when Fairbrothers Field Housing Scheme as it was originally known was constructed, feature the distinctive cló Gealach typeface. The signage style was once prevalent in the city but was gradually replaced by the more familiar blue and white steel signs, which lack the character and distinctiveness of the earlier Celtic Revival-inspired design.

The project to restore 10 early signs in The Tenters forms part of the celebrations to mark the centenary of the housing estate, the first major housing scheme in the city undertaken by the new Irish Free State in 1922.

The work to restore the fragile enamel panels was undertaken by specialist firm Decowell Restoration, based in Belfast (which also has a heritage of such signage). The project was commissioned by Dublin City Council Conservation Section with support funding from Creative Ireland and in partnership with Tenters 100, the resident’s commemorative programme.


If there are old cló Gaelach street signs in your neighbourhood, Dublin City Council Conservation Office would like to hear from you. Please email and let them know the street and address. Email: conservation@dublincity.ie.

Image: Séamus Dooley @seamusdo

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