Geotype Submission

The Geotype project charts the rich history of lettering and type forms that have established the identity of cities and towns around the world. Explore the map

How does this letter-form communicate its location?

This typeface is the Gaelic typeface which is a family of Insular script typefaces devised for printing Classical Gaelic. Here it is used on a telephone booth, and these were used in the 1920s-1980s. These were only method of contacting people outside of Ireland. The material makeup of this typeface looks new. While doing some more research on these telephone booths, I found that nearly all were destroyed by 2009 when Eircom took over telephone box services around the country so this one is most likely a replica of the original telephone boxes. John works to restore the remaining old telephone boxes, as well as creating replicas, by combining his business Burke Joinery Ltd and IrishTelephoneBox.ie. I didn’t see anyone using the telephone box, but its intended use is to provide a quiet place to make a phone call. It is located right next to AIB Bank in what would be known as the center of Cobh. Although it’s intended use it to serve as a private talking space, I think it serves more to enhance the touristic vibe of Cobh.

Location

4 West Beach, Kilgarvan, Cobh, Cork, P24 EC94, Ireland