Shipwrecks in Dungarvan

 

Waterford News 5 April 1850.

Dungarvan, 4 April 1850

We have had very stormy weather here for the last week, accompanied with heavy rain, which still continues to fall in torrents.  The tide rose very high and broke across the fields at Abbeyside as far as the new road.

The vessels were driven ashore in Ardmore Bay on Saturday last.  One of them (the brig ‘Grace’, of Newcastle, Captain Thompson, and bound to Cork from Alexandria) was laden with wheat, and the other with iron.  The crew of the latter were all saved by the exertions of the Ardmore fishermen, who bravely risked their own lives in rescuing them from a watery grave.  Nine of the hands of the Grace were unfortunately lost, and two only were saved.  She became a total wreck, and her cargo was all destroyed.  Some portion of it was scattered on the beach and carried away.  The iron-laden vessel was much injured, but she may be yet got out of the bay.

The brig ‘Kate’, of Dublin, Captain William. C. Mason, bound from Cadiz to Dublin, laden with wine and corkwood, was through stress of weather, obliged to take a pilot at Helvick Head, on Friday evening to bring her into this pool.  The gale was so strong that she dragged her anchor, and drifted up on the black strand, where she now lies in a dangerous position.  Crew were saved, and the cargo has been discharged by J. Dower, Esq., Lloyd’s agent for this port.  Great merit is due to Lieutenant Carmichael for the services he rendered in this case.

The schooner ‘Hibernia’, of Youghal, laden with coals, bound for Newport from Youghal, was near being stranded at the pool of this harbour on the evening of the 29^th, and had to slip her anchor.  She soon after got in here having lost a part of her sails, and with eight feet of water in her hold.  

Visitors

 

Callum, Hollie and Amanda Ryan from Thurles

The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10.15 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. each day. 

Throughout the year and especially during the school holidays we welcome visits from families.  This week Callum and Hollie Ryan with their mother Amanda from Thurles, Co.Tipperary enjoyed our exhibitions.

Let there be Light - The first street lighting in Dungarvan 1851

 

Maurice Flynn's Hardware Store, Main St, with a gas street light in the foreground

Extract from: Waterford News 2 January 1852.

Dungarvan did not have fully lit streets until 1860 when the Dungarvan Gas Consumers Co. was established.  Michael Mahony lived in Mary Street [then William Street] and was also a ship owner and Town Commissioner. He died from a fall from the top floor of his house.

Dungarvan Dec. 30 1851

Our enterprising and spirited townsman, Mr. Michael Mahony, merchant, has purchased four splendid lamps for the use of the public, and has placed them in William Street.

They were lit on the night of the 24^th inst, amidst the cheers and acclamations of the people, who assembled on the occasion to witness so novel a scene in this town, where the eye of a spectator never beheld such a treat, during the dreary dark and dismal winter nights.  There have been many valuable lives lost here these years past, in consequence of having no lights to guide the footsteps of the stranger, or the unwary traveller passing through dirty or impassable streets.  And obliged to remain inside doors, rather than endanger his life.  This has not been the first kind act that this generous and noble-minded man has done to render a service to this town, and I hope and trust that other merchants will imitate this good and humane example, to set up a few more in the other streets; most particularly on the Quay where lives have been lost – and at all hours of the night persons are in imminent danger of walking over it, as there has been no precautionary measures adopted to preclude the possibility of any such danger occurring.

J. Mc C.

Donation to the Museum

 

The museum was delighted to receive a donation of a silk embroidered postcard from Mary Enright, a recent visitor to the museum.  The post card was made in Paris and is in mint condition. 

Museum Opening Hours

 

The museum is now open Monday to Friday from 10.15 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. each day.

We are delighted to be open again to welcome our old friends as well as new visitors.

 

Irish Arts Review

Irish Arts Review summer issue

The summer issue of the Irish Arts Review is just published.  William Fraher and Julian Walton have an article on Curraghmore House titled ‘Stags and Dragons’ which gives the history of the house with attractive illustrations.  Available from Easons.

Privateers in Dungarvan 1710

Extract from: Dublin Intelligencer 25 February 1710

(Dublin).  We have the following account from Dungarvan, viz. a privateer [A private citizen or ship that engages in maritime warfare under authority from a sovereign] of the guns (that lately took the Elizabeth of Chester off the Holy Head); being homeward bound for France was forced into that bay, [Dungarvan] where thinking themselves secure, they hoisted the English colours and came to anchor on the 12^th Instant in the said bay; and at the close of the evening, at high water, came to a fresh berth close under shore; but a Company of Foot that was in Barrack there, having notice given them by a small fishing boat that had observed the Privateer. The said Company of Foot was by their lieutenant immediately marched towards the seaside, and drawn up in ambush, having strict orders not to fire till the lieutenant gave warning by firing his pistol.  The Privateer’s crew about eight a clock at night came ashore, (designing as they have since owned to plunder some farmers’ houses about a mile thence) and as they marched silently between the Grenadiers [A specialist unit of soldiers founded in mid to late 17^th century, composed of the strongest and tallest soldiers, derived from the word grenade] were saluted by a volley on either side, which killed one of their crew; so the privateer’s men returned the volley, and killed one of the Grenadiers, who having a plain sight of the French men, by the fire of their own arms, let fly at them, and killed three more, which so disheartened them, that they cried out quarters; which was granted.

The country coming in, they surrendered by command of their captain who was in shore.  There was found on board eleven ransomers, among whom was the master of the Elizabeth, likewise abundance of rich goods. The master is now on board of his own ship The Elizabeth at the Passage of Waterford, intending for this harbour [Dublin] as soon as possible he can meet with a convoy and a fair wind.

Condolences

We would like to extend our sympathies to committee member Dennis Barron on the recent death of his brother.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

 

Seed Potatoes for Waterford Farmers

 

Irish Independent 28 March 1905

When it was announced that a supply of seed potatoes would be given this year, the Guardians of Dungarvan Union decided to make application for a supply of Scotch Champions, a quantity of seed which proved very satisfactory in the district on former occasions.  They invited tenders, and Messrs Power & Son, seedsmen, Waterford, were declared contractors.

The other day a steamer loaded with one hundred tons of potatoes landed at Dungarvan Quay.  The unloading and transfer cartage of the seed to the store in the Town Hall (kindly lent by the Urban Council for the purpose of storage) afforded some needed employment.

The people were busy for three days carting away the seed, and one and all were delighted with the appearance of the potatoes.  It is earnestly hoped that they will prove productive and turn out the boon to the small farmers it is intended they should be.  The seed, which was put up in sacks, each containing two hundredweight, came direct from Glasgow to Dungarvan Quay.