The Museum would like to congratulate Cian Flaherty
and the Ballyvoyle History Group on their recent book publication:
THE BALLYVOILE AMBUSH- a centenary study.
This book was sponsored by the Department of
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gealtacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of
Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative and Waterford City and County Council Commemorations
Committee.
This book is available at the Museum, we have a limited
amount of this book and it is free of charge.
Dungarvan Observer February 1918
Lismore Coal Fund
"The poor will
always be with us", is an old and true saying, but somehow or other they
have appeared to be forgotten this season by our wealthy friends. From time immemorial it has been the custom
of traders to give presents at the festive season, but in 1916 some or we should
say the majority of them failed to do so.
The excuse given, of course, was the war, which was a legitimate
one. On that occasion a collection was
made and a quantity of firewood secured gratis, we understand, from the Duke of
Devonshire. Carters had to be paid for
distributing some, and the result was poor helpless women had huge logs of
firewood delivered to their doors for days.
It was then stated that this was a ruse of the traders to discontinue
the custom of Christmas present, but we cannot vouch for the truth of that
assertion. The fact however remains, at
1917 Christmas neither presents or firewood had been given, and it is to this
that we intend to chiefly allude. The district
of Dungarvan set us a worthy example in this respect-when they collected £163
odd and had distributed over 63 tons of coal to the deserving poor. When are we to make a move here. What are our City Fathers doing? Are there not
tons of timber still in the locality knocked by the recent storm? Surely the public men of the town are not
going to allow the occasion to pass by.
The traders also, we are certain, will not be content until the wants of
the poor are satisfied. Any movement
initiated with the object of planning a coal or timber fund for the poor will
have our hearty co-operation. Since the
above was written a Jumble Sale in aid of the coal and timber fund organised by
kind ladies in the district, has been held at the Courthouse. The sale was a splendid
success, but the amount realised was nothing compared with what it should be if
the traders co-operated the same as they did last year.
Stories from Old Newspapers
Waterford News 3rd August
1900
Dungarvan Improvements
What
we want here is a few enterprising broad-minded businessmen who would now take
advantage of the “rising tide " and give the town a push forward. It must be admitted that members of the Urban
District Council are doing their best... and cannot effect any radical
alteration without taxing the people... Nature has done everything for
Dungarvan, which if it were situated across the water... would, in 24 hours,
make its fortune. We have here a
splendid landlocked harbour with miles upon miles of sanded beach for sea
bathing, and with a foot bridge to the Cunnigar, which would cost inside of £
1,000.
The
railway company, who derive a considerable increase in their funding from the
advantages offered to tourists by the situation and surroundings of the town,
would no doubt, assist in the undertaking as they have done with the
construction of the sea wall at Youghal.
The Urban District Council are now constructing a boat slip at the Promenade
[The Lookout] and when this is completed it will be possible for tourists without
any inconvenience to reach the boats from the end of the Promenade.
Another
great want here is that visitors must wait for the tide morning and evening to
have a “dip”, whereas at the very trifling cost, part of the bathing place
could be enclosed by a concrete wall, and fresh sea water could be stored up,
so that people could enjoy a bath at all hours of the day. We trust this matter will receive the
attention of the council.
The
Council of the Irish Genealogical Research Society have announced that the 2021
recipient of the Wallace Clare Award is Julian C. Walton, MA, FIGRS.
"Julian has made a truly remarkable contribution to the study of Irish
genealogy over five decades. Through his meticulous research and scholarly
articles, his transcription of memorial inscriptions and his engaging
communication of genealogical and local history topics, he has contributed
greatly to the furtherance of ancestral research in Ireland."
Julian
is a long time supporter and current Trustee of Waterford County Museum. On
behalf of all in the museum I would like to congratulate him on this well
deserved honour.
Dungarvan Observer editorial, 26 October, 1940
IN THE EVENT OF AN INVASION
Were an invasion to be attempted, it can be taken as a
certainty that an air armada would form the vanguard of the invading forces.
Conquered Continental countries have experienced examples of this, and similar
methods are being applied across-channel as a prelude to an invasion. This
aspect of the situation must not be neglected.
The Old Borough of Dungarvan here is a very vulnerable
seaport town. The dangers from bombing must be guarded against. Up-to-date
fire-fighting appliances and an adequate number of well-trained A.R.P. warders
are absolutely essential for the defence of the town, which by the way is
already receiving admirable voluntary services from the Parish Council, Local
Security Force, and Sub-Branch of the Irish Red Cross Society. It has been
established since the bombing of the English Metropolis that civilian
casualties are four to one of military. Many and varied are the ways A.R.P.
wardens could act – even as auxiliaries to the Red Cross in the aiding of
civilians in the event of any bombs being dropped. Dungarvan dwellers should be
alive to the position, as well as the inhabitants of other towns. Every strictly
necessary precautionary measure must be taken immediately to reduce the number
of casualties in air raids.
Irish Ships Attacked
The Government Information Bureau has issued the
following statement on behalf of the Dept of External Affairs:
‘The Irish-registered vessel, M.V. Edenvale (44 gross
tons), was fired on by an aircraft at 6.15 p.m. on October 17, near Helvick
Head, co Waterford. Members of the crew identified the aircraft as German. None
of the crew was injured. The damage to the vessel is not serious. The Charge
D’Affaires in Berlin has been instructed to lodge a protest with the German
Government and to claim compensation’.
The Nazi had drafted “Operation Green” in the summer
which included a plan to invade Ireland along the coast between Wexford and
Dungarvan.
Dungarvan
Observer 7 March 1925
Mr Miller’s Sweet Factory
In times of
depression and trade stagnation, it is a cheerful thing to see new industries
started and trade developed along the lines hitherto neglected. Recently we
have had the opportunity afforded us of inspecting the sweet factory
established by Mr Miller, Main Street, Dungarvan, and it is proof of what can
be done by initiative and business enterprise combined and properly directed.
There has always been and ever will be a demand for sweet things. The taste is
not confined to children, as in most cases those who have left the stage of
youth a considerable distance behind are as enthusiastic for delectable sweets
as they were in the days of their youth.
To meet
that demand and to cater for the general deficit in the matter of sweets of all
sorts and to meet every palate, Mr Miller has spared no expense in equipping
his new factory, and with a specially trained staff he is turning out his goods
in the most finished style and up to the standard of the best and most famous
manufacturers. In the hard days which have come on our country and which, we
are told, are part of the freedom we have got, our people must be up and doing,
and only in the development of our multifarious resources and the establishment
of new industries ion a proper basis can we hope to achieve success. Mr Miller
deserves well of the community at large for what he is doing…Now that the
government are fostering the production of sugar beet, 20 acres of which will
be grown in the County of Waterford this year, it is quite within the theory of
probabilities that in a short time Mr Miller will be using locally manufactures
sugar for his factory.