Waterford
Standard 18 June 1870
New Industrial
School Kilmacthomas (Woollen Mill)
The laying of the foundation stone of the new
Industrial House, Kilmacthomas, was celebrated here today before a very large
and enthusiastic assemblage, by the Marquis of Waterford…twenty years ago it
was undoubtedly one of the poorest and most miserable spots in the county
Waterford. About that time, while
passing through the town, Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, was struck by the
destitution which prevailed…she set about devising a plan for
giving…employment. It occurred to her
that the establishment of a woollen factory at Kilmacthomas would be the means
of causing a circulation of money. Of
late years the factory was found to be quite too small. At the present time there is but seven looms
at work under the management of Mr. J Abbott…when the present new building is
erected it will afford full employment to upwards of one hundred persons. The wool will there undergo every process from
its imperfect state until it is made cloth. The new building will be 78 feet by 35 feet,
and will be three stories high, and will cost £3,000. Up to
the present the profits of the present factory, have been expended on the
inhabitants for their comfort. The town
was beautifully decorated with evergreens. A triumphal arch very beautifully
conceived…spanned the main street. The
band of the Waterford Militia was engaged by the committee…The Rev Mr. Parker
Rector of Kilmacthomas then called upon the assembly to give his lordship a
real Irish Cead Mile Failte which was given heartily. The Rev Parker then said that the next part of
the programme was that his lordship should put on the apron which all
journeymen masons wore. Mr. Thomas
Browne…put the apron on his lordship amid much merriment…Dr Green then
presented him with the square which he applied to the stone, Mr Shanhan, the
level, and Mr Abbott, the mallet, and Captain Coghlan, the trowel, which was a
handsome silver one, manufactured by Mr James Mosley, the Quay, Waterford.