The Bad Times- Waterford Country Houses During the Revolutionary Period

New Book

The Bad Times – Waterford Country Houses During The Revolutionary Period By William Fraher

This fascinating book that focuses on the impact of the War of Independence / Civil War on the owners of big houses in County Waterford. Most of these houses were modest in size and some were hunting lodges. This book approaches the subject from the viewpoint of the owners of the Big Houses and how it impacted on their lives and their attitudes to England and the new emerging Ireland.  The role of the house and estate staff is also examined. It looks at the efforts of the owners to obtain compensation to rebuild their houses which were burned or damaged. Fortunately, a number of primary sources became available during the research which have now been brought together for the first time. This book also looks at how this period is covered in unpublished local eye-witness accounts written by Anglo-Irish women.  These are key primary sources by Emily Ussher of Cappagh House, Mildred Dobbs of Camphire House, the Hon. Mary Olivia de la Poer of Gurteen le Poer, Beatrix, Lady Osborne Beauclerk and Frida Keane of Cappoquin. There are numerous illustrations of the various different houses and related aspects connected to them.

The cost of this book is €20, and is available to purchase at Waterford County Museum, Friary Street Dungarvan. If you purchase this book at the Museum you can get an exclusive signed copy by the author.  The Book is also available at David Walsh Office supplies shop Main Street, Dungarvan and The Book Centre Waterford City. 

County Waterford History Books

 

Books for sale in Waterford County Museum

We have a large stock of books for sale in the museum.  The following  are available at the moment.  Stocks of books may vary from time to time.

A Century of Trade and Enterprise in Waterford by Bill Irish and Andrew Kelly.  Cost €5.00

Beyond the Breakwater by Catherine Foley.  Cost 15.00

Decies Journal - Journal of the Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society, vol. 77 by Various Contributors.  Cost €20.00

Declan by Liam Suipéil.  Cost €10.00

Desperate Haven - The Poor Law, Famine and Aftermath in Dungarvan Union by William Fraher, Bernadette Sheridan, Seosaimh O Loinsigh and William Whelan.
Cost: Hardback  €25.00 and Paperback €20.00

Dungarvan Historical Guide and Town Trail by William Fraher and William Whelan.  Cost €5.00

Illustrated History of Dungarvan, featuring an Eyewitness account of the town's Victorian, Edwardian and Revolutionary Periods by Edmond Keohan.
Cost: Hardback €25.00 and Paperback €20.00

Julia M. Crottie by Donald Brady.  Cost €20.00

Medieval Dungarvan by Dave Pollock.  Cost €10.00

The Bad Times - Waterford Country Houses During the Revolutionary Period by William Fraher.  Cost €20.00

The Comeraghs 'Gunfire and Civil War' by Séan and Síle Murphy. 
Cost: Hardback €25.00 and Paperback €20.00

The Déise Divided by Tommy Mooney.  Cost €20.00

The Irish Revolution by Pat McCarthy.  Cost €20.00

Tramore by Andy Kelly and Frank O'Donoghue.  Cost €15.00

Waterford City - The East Waterford Brigade IRA and The Struggle for Independence 1912 -1921 by Pat McCarthy.  Cost 15.00

 

 

Stories from Old Newspapers

Dungarvan Leader 12^TH July 1952

Letter to the Editor

 

A Chara, - I read with interest the recent appeals by Bishops, Priests, and laymen to save the language, music, and culture.  The warning note was not sounded too soon and not without very good reasons.

The language is far from the spoken tongue and there are good founded fears for its safety as Gaeltacht areas, the most important strongholds, are dwindling, Irish music is being put aside and being replaced by foreign nonsense.   Enter dance halls pictures-houses and some concert halls and you will find there alien culture promoted and encouraged.  Thousands of foreign papers and magazines are sold weekly which are injurious to Ireland’s youth. The destruction of Irish Nationality is fast becoming a reality the ideals the Irishmen laboured unselfishly to save, and died that Ireland might live are being forgotten.  In some places Irish dancing and music are unknown. Is it any wonder that some of our boys and girls in England have no respect for their name and race.  Emigration is doing as much harm today as it did in ’47. Rural Ireland is fast decaying, youth between the ages of 18 and 25 are now very few in some parts of Ireland.  The argument that they could remain at home serves no purpose as the fact must be faced that they could not find employment.  I have met a number of them returned on holidays who are prepared to remain here if they could work at £5 weekly.  Much has been spoken of emigration but little of practical work to provide employment.  Ernest, determined, unselfish Irish nationalists prepared to make sacrifices should undertake the work, step into the gap of danger as good Irishmen have always done in the past and then it may not be too late.

LIAM LEDDY

Waterford City The East Brigade IRA and the Struggle for Independence 1912-1921

 Waterford City

The East Waterford Brigade IRA

& the Struggle for Independence 1912- 1921

By Pat McCarthy

 

This publication on the East Waterford Brigade which recognises the contributions of the Brigade, Cumann na mBan and Fianna Eireann in East Waterford.  This publication offers an enduring legacy for the people of Waterford to gain a greater understanding of the important period in the creation of our nation state and in the contributions of Waterford in the struggle for independence.

The cost of this book is €15, and is available to purchase at Waterford County Museum, Dungarvan and The Book Centre Waterford City.

 

The Bad Times- Waterford Country Houses During the Revolutionary Period

  The Bad Times – Waterford Country Houses During The Revolutionary Period  By William Fraher

This fascinating book that focuses on the impact of the War of Independence / Civil War on the owners of big houses in County Waterford. Most of these houses were modest in size and some were hunting lodges. This book approaches the subject from the viewpoint of the owners of the Big Houses and how it impacted on their lives and their attitudes to England and the new emerging Ireland.  The role of the house and estate staff is also examined. It look at the efforts of the owners to obtain compensation to rebuild their houses which were burned or damaged. Fortunately, a number of primary sources became available during the research which have now been brought together for the first time. This book also looks at how this period is covered in unpublished local eye-witness accounts written by Anglo-Irish women.  These are key primary sources by Emily Ussher of Cappagh House, Mildred Dobbs of Camphire House, the Hon. Mary Olivia de la Poer of Gurteen le Poer, Beatrix, Lady Osborne Beauclerk and Frida Keane of Cappoquin. There are numerous illustrations of the various different houses and related aspects connected to them.

The cost of this book is €20, and is available to purchase at Waterford County Museum Friary Street Dungarvan, David Walsh Office supplies shop main Street, Dungarvan and The Book Centre Waterford City. 

Stories from Old Newspapers

 

Dungarvan Leader 16 August 1952

 

Very Successful Gala and Water safety Championship held at Dungarvan.

 

A record crowd attended the Tenth Annual Gala of the Dungarvan Swimming Club which was held this year in conjunction with the Munster Championships of Water Safety under the auspices of the Irish Red Cross Society at the Swimming Pool Dungarvan, on Sunday Last.

 The day was ideally fine and the large attendance thoroughly enjoyed a grand evening of aquatic sport, many voting it one of the best galas ever held. 

Highlight of the programme was the swimming of Miss Tess Nagle and Paddy Arrigan of the home club. Both made unofficial attempts on the Irish record times for the Ladies 100 yards, breast-stroke and Men’s 100 yards back-stroke.  Miss Nagle paced Miss Mary Lewis, Newport S.C., Wales and on the last lap by Miss M O’ Donnell clocked 89 seconds over the distance which we understand is faster than the Irish record time and certainly about four second faster than the Munster record time for that distance.  Paddy Arrigan making his solo attempt equalled the Irish Backstroke record time as he flashed over the two lengths of the pool in 67 seconds.  The exhibitions given by the lady members of the Dungarvan S. C. under their coach Mrs. B. Hooper, Newport S.C. in their Water Ballet showed the grace and ease of rhythmic swimming.  On the diving side there were exhibitions by Paddy Arrigan, nine year old Jocelyn Hooper, Newport, and young Johnny Butler Dungarvan, which drew great applause from the fans.

Subsequently the swimmers and water safety teams were entertained at Lawlor’s Hotel.  Later in the evening a very enjoyable short Gala Dance which was largely patronised was held at the Town Hall, where all the dancers had a merry time dancing to the strains of the Brideside Serenade Band.

 

 

 

The Bad Times- Waterford Country Houses During the Revolutionary Period

 The Bad Times – Waterford Country Houses During The Revolutionary Period  By William Fraher

This fascinating book that focuses on the impact of the War of Independence / Civil War on the owners of big houses in County Waterford. Most of these houses were modest in size and some were hunting lodges. This book approaches the subject from the viewpoint of the owners of the Big Houses and how it impacted on their lives and their attitudes to England and the new emerging Ireland.  The role of the house and estate staff is also examined. It look at the efforts of the owners to obtain compensation to rebuild their houses which were burned or damaged. Fortunately, a number of primary sources became available during the research which have now been brought together for the first time. This book also looks at how this period is covered in unpublished local eye-witness accounts written by Anglo-Irish women.  These are key primary sources by Emily Ussher of Cappagh House, Mildred Dobbs of Camphire House, the Hon. Mary Olivia de la Poer of Gurteen le Poer, Beatrix, Lady Osborne Beauclerk and Frida Keane of Cappoquin. There are numerous illustrations of the various different houses and related aspects connected to them.

The cost of this book is €20, and is available to purchase at Waterford County Museum Friary Street Dungarvan, David Walsh Office supplies shop main Street, Dungarvan and The Book Centre Waterford City. 

Waterford City The East Brigade IRA and the Struggle for Independence 1912-1921

 

Waterford City

The East Waterford Brigade IRA

& the Struggle for Independence 1912- 1921

By Pat McCarthy

 

This publication on the East Waterford Brigade which recognises the contributions of the Brigade, Cumann na mBan and Fianna Eireann in East Waterford.  This publication offers an enduring legacy for the people of Waterford to gain a greater understanding of the important period in the creation of our nation state and in the contributions of Waterford in the struggle for independence.

The cost of this book is €15, and is available to purchase at Waterford County Museum, Dungarvan and The Book Centre Waterford City.

 

Stories from Old Newspapers

 

Dungarvan Observer 15^th February 1919

 

Wreck of the KINCORA

 

Between  the hours of 3 and 4 on Monday morning the “Kincora” , a small sailing vessel, of a registered tonnage of 44 tons, and owned by Messrs Beatty and Craig, Cardiff, was wrecked on the Cunnigar sands , a short distance from the town of Dungarvan.  She carried a crew of three, including the Captain.

 

The schooner left Cardiff on the 5^th February bound for Brest with a cargo of coals.  Shortly after leaving port and when in sight of Trevese Head a violent storm sprung up, which carried away her sails, damaged her steering gear, and left the small ship completely at the mercy of the waves.  This was on the 6^th.  For the greater part of three days the vessel tossed about in the water, and only struck land after having drifted a distance of over 170 miles.  To make matters worse she had sprung a leak, her cabin and hold were filling with water, and she was on the point of foundering. Owing to the compass bearing broken, the Captain had no means of finding his bearings… They had to subsist on the ships biscuits and remain on deck all the time.  When the schooner struck the sands, they managed to launch their boat, and by means of this were able to gain the Cunnigar, where they remained until 7 o’clock on n Monday morning, when they were conveyed to Dungarvan in one of the ferry boats. Here all their wants were looked after by Mr. Thomas Cooke, local agent for the Shipwrecked Mariners Association. The names of the crew are: - Captain Smith, Carl Odguard and Bjarne Berg Jensen.  All three of them are quite young, and seen after their occurrence certainly did not look much the worse for their trying experience.  They all, however, admitted that it was the worst they had been through, although the Captain had been twice torpedoed and Carl Odguard wrecked on six different occasions.  Through the courtesy of Mrs and Mr French, Main Street: our reporter was successful in obtaining an interview with the Captain who noted” we signalled to some passing steamers to come to our assistance, but our signals were not responded to”.  Coming into Dungarvan harbour he said that they signalled the coastguard but received no answer.  “At one time I thought – all was over and was ready to jump and swim for my life”.  The reporter noted that the boat had become a “total wreck”.

 

 

 

 

 

The Bad Times- Waterford Country Houses During the Revolutionary Period

 

The Bad Times – Waterford Country Houses During The Revolutionary Period  By William Fraher

This fascinating book that focuses on the impact of the War of Independence / Civil War on the owners of big houses in County Waterford. Most of these houses were modest in size and some were hunting lodges. This book approaches the subject from the viewpoint of the owners of the Big Houses and how it impacted on their lives and their attitudes to England and the new emerging Ireland.  The role of the house and estate staff is also examined. It look at the efforts of the owners to obtain compensation to rebuild their houses which were burned or damaged. Fortunately, a number of primary sources became available during the research which have now been brought together for the first time. This book also looks at how this period is covered in unpublished local eye-witness accounts written by Anglo-Irish women.  These are key primary sources by Emily Ussher of Cappagh House, Mildred Dobbs of Camphire House, the Hon. Mary Olivia de la Poer of Gurteen le Poer, Beatrix, Lady Osborne Beauclerk and Frida Keane of Cappoquin. There are numerous illustrations of the various different houses and related aspects connected to them.

The cost of this book is €20, and is available to purchase at Waterford County Museum Friary Street Dungarvan, David Walsh Office supplies shop main Street, Dungarvan and The Book Centre Waterford City. 

 

 

 

Stories from Old Newspapers

 

Dungarvan Observer 29th June 1940

 

Prominent IRA Man's Death

The late Mr. Thomas Veale, Kinsalebeg

 

Impressive Funeral Tribute

 

We regret to announce the death, at an early age and following a brief illness, of Mr. Thomas Veale, Moord, Kinsalebeg.  A member of a popular, highly respected and widely known family, deceased who was of a most genial and unassuming disposition, was a general favourite and his untimely demise cast gloom over his native district.  He played a prominent part in Ireland's fight for freedom.  A member of the Republican movement since its inception as a leading and active member of the IRA, he took part in several engagements and proved himself an unselfish and fearless solider and had several narrow escapes and underwent severe hardships.  On being arrested he was interned for a long period and underwent 21 days' hungerstrike at Newbridge [Curragh camp, Co. Kildare].  This ordeal and other privations he underwent on active service adversely affected his health, which never fully recovered and no doubt accelerated his early death.  At the cessation of hostilities he continued to take an active part in the National Movement, always putting his country's cause before any personal considerations.  In a word, in the period of Ireland's greatest travail he was one of her most faithful sons.  His sad death leaves a void that is hard to fill and deepest sympathy is extended to his bereaved mother, sisters, brothers and relatives.  A huge concourse from all parts of West Waterford and East Cork accompanied the remains to Kinsalebeg Church.  Included in the sad procession was a big body of deceased's former comrades of the Old IRA, who despite the fact that there was a hearse in attendance, carried the coffin in relays the whole way to the Church.  Here the remains were received by Very Rev. Fr. Murphy, P.P., Clashmore; Rev. Fr. Power. C.C. do; Rev. Fr. O'Donovan, C.C. Waterford and Rev. Fr. Dawson, C.C.  Subsequently the interment took place in the adjoining cemetery in the presence of a huge concourse of mourners and amidst many manifestations of deep regret. The chief mourners included - Mrs. Veale (mother); Statia Veale, Mrs. Allen (sisters); John Veale and Patrick Veale (brothers); James Meskill, Thomas Meskill, John Meskill, James Meskill, Thomas Meskill, Master Allen, Mrs. Leahy, Alice Meskill,  Lena Meskill,  Joe Meskill, Mary Flavin, Michael Flavin, Thomas Cashman, Mrs. Cashman. A number of beautiful floral wreaths and Mass cards were handed in and numerous messages of sympathy were received.