There had been efforts by locals to establish a paper in Dungarvan in the 1830s, but nothing came of the project. John Power with an address at William Street, Dungarvan established The Munster Citizen in 1852. The first issue appeared on Saturday 28 February 1852 and consisted of eight pages in four colours and cost 5 pence. The front- page heading noted that it was published simultaneously in Carrick-On-Suir and Dungarvan. Twenty- seven issues were printed, the last on 11 September 1852. The editor was Joseph O’Grady and the printing staff included: James Campbell, William Hoare, ‘foreman printer’, and Michael O’Farrell, printer.
The paper had a mixture of articles, local news,
adverts, politics, and local history. Power had very strident political views which
were anti landlord/establishment. Slater’s
Commercial Directory 1845 and 1856 list a John Power, publican and coal
dealer, William Street, which may be him.
The paper ceased production apparently because Power had difficulty
retaining professional printing staff. Copies
are extremely rare and only survive to our knowledge in the British Newspaper
Archive.
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| The Munster Citizen - first issue |