You may have walked right over them.

But mystery surrounds a curious set of five welded initials set into a metal hatch in the ground in the heart of Cork’s historic cultural quarter 67 years ago.

Yay Cork reader Anna Keely from St Luke’s got in touch to find out if anyone knows the story behind the curious graffitied panels on John Redmond Street.

Ann, who began exploring and photographing the city as a hobby during the lockdown before taking a course in Cultural and Heritage Studies at Colaiste Stiofain Naofa, has reported the unusual panels to the conservation office and they will soon be listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

“They are on John Redmond Street, outside the wall of the Maldron Hotel. They look to have been spot welded (graffitied) in 1954 to mark the Marian year.” Anna told Yay Cork.

“They also contain the initials JOC, DH, JOC, MM and FOM.”

“I would be interested to know if anyone knows any more about them.”

The Marian Year was called by Pope Pius to commemorate the centenary of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. As part of the event, hundreds of events and gatherings were held all over the country, with countless shrines and grottos erected.

It’s possible someone in possession of some welding equipment saw an opportunity to mark the year in a lasting way – one that’s still clear to see more than six decades later.

Do you know who the initials belong to? Email editor@yaycork.ie if you can fill us in.