If you ever wondered about the stories behind the shopfronts and names of Donegal’s mix of shops, then wonder no more.
As part of Culture Night, the County Donegal Heritage Office, Culture Division, Donegal County Council will be hosting a short talk on historic shopfronts by award-winning architect Orla Murphy.
And to set the scene, the talk will take place in Ernest Speer’s shop, Main Street, Letterkenny on Friday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m.
“Taking Ernest Speer’s beautiful shop front as an example, this event entitled ‘Ampersands & Mullions’ will explore some of the elements of shop fronts and signage that give our towns their unique character and distinctiveness” explained Orla Murphy, UCD Assistant Professor of Architecture.
“From colours, proportion, material, typography and craftsmanship, our shop fronts represent the local culture, stories and memory of place. Be sure to share your own story of your favourite shop fronts in Letterkenny with us at the event.”
Orla Murphy is a part-time Assistant Professor and Deputy Co-Head of the School of Architecture Planning and Environmental Policy, University College Dublin and Co-Director of the UCD Centre for Irish Towns.
Her research and practice focuses on Irish towns, housing and participatory design, especially in the context of climate resilience and a just low carbon transition. She was lead applicant and principal investigator on ‘Ripple: Making Connections between Water and Climate Change in our Towns’ that won one of 12 Jury Awards out of over 1,450 entries at the New European Bauhaus 2023 Awards.
A Design Studio tutor with over twenty years’ experience, she was awarded the UCD Teaching and Learning Excellence Award in 2023. An advocate of public engagement with architecture, Orla was co-presenter of the RTÉ documentary series ‘Building Ireland’ and was Co-Curator of ‘Free Market’, the Irish Pavilion at the 16th International Biennale Architettura in Venice in 2018, which toured Ireland in 2019.
“Traditional shopfronts, both individually and collectively, have a major impact on the overall character, quality and attractiveness of place” said Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.
“The County Donegal Heritage Office has produced a free booklet on ‘Donegal Traditional Shop Fronts & Signage’ based on research undertaken by Orla Murphy. The booklet draws upon best practice and encourages appropriate, sensitive and informed interventions in relation to our traditional shopfronts, vernacular signage and historical streetscapes.
“New shopfronts can also learn from existing traditional shopfront character to inform and guide future developments. The Donegal Traditional Shop Fronts & Signage Booklet will provide advice and guidance on best conservation practice to business owners, community groups and planners. The booklet will help to raise awareness of the importance of traditional shopfronts.”
Free copies of the Donegal Traditional Shop Fronts & Signage booklet commissioned as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan will be available at the event and from the County Donegal Heritage Office on (074) 916 3824.
Photo 1 caption:
Ernest Speer’s shop on Lower Main Street in Letterkenny is a fine example of a nineteenth-century Protected Structure that makes an important contribution to the streetscape and sense of place of the town. The retention and maintenance of key landmark buildings by their owners is one of the greatest expressions of civic pride in our towns and villages.
Photo 2 caption:
Cover of the ‘Donegal Shop Fronts & Signage’ booklet by architect Orla Murphy that was commissioned as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan.
