Dungarvan’s Crumbling Quays
Before the present stone-fronted quay was created in
the 19th century there were just two small quays, ‘Rodericks Quay’ by the
castle, and ‘George’s Quay’ around the area of the present Anchor Bar. When
Dungarvan was rebuilt by the Dukes of Devonshire from the 1820s onwards, a new
quay was built and supervised by the noted engineer/architect Jesse Hartley
(1780-1860). However, since its completion it has suffered from partial collapse
every couple of decades. The minutes of Dungarvan Town Commissioners record
having to rebuild it in 1855,1864, 1886, and 1901. The following letter written
in 1853 shows how far it had deteriorated. This is all the more surprising as
Hartley is now famous for his Liverpool dock complex, which is a listed example
of the finest engineering technology of its day.
Cork Examiner 1 April 1853
Dungarvan Harbour – To the Editor of the Shipping
& Mercantile Gazette
Sir,
Perhaps this would not be an inappropriate time to
call the attention of the government to one of the most valuable bills
introduced by nearly the same government about twelve months since…the bill for
the management of the small harbours and creeks of the United Kingdom…
This port is, indeed, an exemplification of its
necessity. What was once a very comfortable harbour, with a nice commodious
landing quay, a desolate heap of ruins now meets the eye, alike dangers to the
traffic along the quay – from the countless fissures opened up to the extent of
20 feet and more by the action of the tide, as well as destructive to the
shipping resorting here – by reason of heaps of stones drawn by the tide till
it has now become a serious difficulty for our shipmasters to select a single
berth to lay a vessel where she would not strain. If the necessary repairs had
been last year effected, some hundreds of pounds would be saved, and so the
injury will be increasing faster than compound interest. Surely this state of
things will not be allowed to continue…
I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,
Christopher O’Brien, Merchant & Shipowner,
Dungarvan, March 20, 1853.
(Note: Christopher O’Brien was the older brother of
the noted Fenian, James F X O’Brien)
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| Public works at Davitt's Quay, Dungarvan- Circa 1901 |