In ‘pre-mobile’ Ireland, the cream-and-green liveried phone boxes, launched in 1925 by the Department of Posts & Telegraphs, were an essential public utility until the late 20th century. The kiosks featured heavy Bakelite phones and black metal coinboxes with clunky push-buttons: ‘A’ to release the coins when a call was put through; ‘B’ to retrieve them.
Today, almost all have vanished. Mountmellick, Co Laois-based craftsmen Ian Farnan and John Clooney salvage and restore derelict boxes which they’re hoping will become as collectable as British red phone boxes. The price? About €5,000.
Contact, by email, ianfarnan1@gmail.com
