Cork Examiner 25th May 1859
Close to the town of Dungarvan, in fact, so close is it to form what
might be termed a continuation of the same town- is the picturesquely situated
village of Abbeyside. It is a little
place of modest and unpretending appearance, its permanent inhabitants
consisting principally of fishermen; but in the summer its natural advantages
as a watering place make it a resort of sea- bathers from different parts of
the Counties of Waterford and Cork, as well as from more distant
localities. Situated on a spot where the
breeze of the ocean blows into cool the heat of the summer sun, and with a fine
strand washed by the waves of the broad Atlantic, a more suitable or healthier
place for a saltwater residence could hardly be found. Some old ruins, from which the village takes
its name, contribute to the attractions of the place…Abbeyside labours under a
misfortune… it has received little improvement at the hand of man. The inhabitants are generally poor, and their
houses one of corresponding class, so that the architecture, with one
exception, is of an order anything but pretending. Some years ago, when the people will still
suffering from the effects of the fearful famine of ’46 and ’47, the parish church
of Abbeyside was fast going to ruin; the roof had got into such a state that no
one could calculate on the lapse of an hour…before it might fall in, and often,
in stormy weather, when the congregation collected inside on a Sunday, and heard
the fierce howling of the wind around the tottering walls…would the telling of
the beads be suspended, while anxious glances were cast upwards, in fear best
the crazy old covering that but imperfectly kept out the storm, might fall and
crush them. The Rev. Mr. O’ Mera, the
present active and respectful parish priest …commenced a collection for
repairs…with the funds raised among them [Abbeyside people] and in the
neighbouring parish of Dungarvan, and among the charitably disposed of the
gentry around, the good priest went to work, and succeeded in converting what
was before but a crumbling, uninviting looking structure, into a handsome and
elegant finished county church. The porch of the church is formed of a
venerable old tower. The interior… has been fitted up in a commodious and
elegant style.
The decorations of the walls and interior of the roof are neatly and tastefully
done, and the mouldings and sculpture around the altar are in keeping with the
rest of the work. The altar itself,
which has lately replaced the old one, is very pretty one of marble, ornamented
with some finely sculptured figures.
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