THE FIRST SIGN indicating St Patrick's Day is approaching in Ireland comes in the form of elected politicians announcing their official visits to warmer climates. It's happening even in the small town of Cashel (population 2916) as taxpayers pony up to pay for possible exchange visits to Florida. The second indication appears in greeting card shops as ribbons, cards and party favours with a green theme appear. I get a long-range sign from five time zones away within two day of Paddy's Day when friends on Facebook start chatting about what they're going to do to celebrate their non-Irishness. And finally, a day before the streets are closed for parades, lorries start parking near town centres and delivery vans begin topping up pubs and restaurants located near hotels that are booked full for the celebration. I like signs themselves, the ones on street corners and the urban markings located within a foot of the ground. Vincent Gallagher captures that well in his short film "Signs".
