Bill Power of Mitchelstown has just launched his latest book - The Blackwater - History & Images from the Irish Rhine. This magnificent tome of 300 pages is profusely illustrated with Bill's own photographs, old engravings, drawings, and photos. It follows the river from its source, to the sea at Youghal. It is available in paperback and hardback.
Derby Mercury 21 November 1849
Continued Festivities at Lismore
Castle
‘The
Duke of Devonshire [William Spencer Cavendish 1790-1858, 6th Duke] has during
his long and most welcome visit to his magnificent Castle of Lismore, given
large dinner parties every Tuesday, and frequently a ball and supper followed
afterwards. [He had arrived in Lismore in September] On Tuesday week he gave
what was intended for his farewell party; but in his great hospitality, he gave
way to his feelings and had another, the largest for the season, on Tuesday
last. And further to display those feelings of goodness and kindness…he gave on
Saturday a large dejeuner à
la fourchette (a luncheon or light meal of eggs, meat, etc), which was attended
by over 80 of the gentry and their families. Such has been the kindness and
affability of his grace since his arrival…that the utmost gloom and despondency
would affect every one of every class there, were it not for the positive
certainty that his grace will return early next season and pay a more
protracted visit to his Irish estates.
He
expressed himself highly delighted with his visit, and thinks every day, better
and better of the people. As a proof of his feeling, he has gone constantly amongst
them, walked into the houses of some of the humblest, and entered into
conversation with them. As a further proof of his intentions, he has already
devised a great addition to the castle, the works for which are to be commenced
early in the spring. The east wing of the castle was not uniform with the rest;
being of a more modern form, and not of the castellated style. This is to be
taken down, and a more appropriate building to be erected on its site. A
ballroom and supper-room are also to be built on another part, where an ancient
ruin at present stands. His grace, by these improvements, will thus effect a
double object…placing himself in a better position to indulge in that princely
hospitality…and at the same time the carrying out of those works will afford
vast employment to the tradespeople of the town and neighbourhood…He has
already laid out a beautiful walk cut in the majestic cliffs on which the
castle stands…The surrounding grounds are all now planted with evergreens. On
Friday night Mr and Mrs Currey gave a large evening party, or rather a ball, to
the tradespeople and workpeople connected with the castle, to the number of
over 100. His grace and every member of his household were present. He remained
till 3 o’clock a.m. A sumptuous supper, laid in an adjoining apartment… The
dancing was kept up with great spirit, the pianoforte being presided over by Mr
John Quin, a young gentleman of this town’.
The
duke recorded his impressions of the people: ‘A week at Lismore goes like an
hour anywhere else. My neighbours throng to see me, and all are admitted. They
have got a natural bonhomie and want of pretension that makes them very
captivating, never wanting to appear what they are not…They are always gay.’
The duke also brought along an artist- Samuel Cook, who painted a beautiful
series of watercolours of the castle before its rebuilding.
The
work of rebuilding the castle was entrusted to Joseh Paxton (1803-1865) and
photographs taken at the time by pioneer photographer Francis Edmund Currey
(the duke’s agent in Lismore) can be seen currently in an exhibition – ‘Ways of
Seeing – the albums of Francis Edmund Currey’, at St Carthage’s Hall, Lismore,
which is on show until 16 July.
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| William Spencer Cavendish 6th Duke of Devonshire Circa 1852 |
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| Engraving of Lismore Castle Circa 1824 |
Bill Power of Mitchelstown has just launched his latest book - The Blackwater - History & Images from the Irish Rhine. This magnificent tome of 300 pages is profusely illustrated with Bill's own photographs, old engravings, drawings, and photos. It follows the river from its source, to the sea at Youghal. It is available in paperback and hardback.
Waterford Evening News 24 November 1904
Rejoicing at Strancally Castle
‘Not for a long time was there such rejoicing in this
part of the country as that which took place on Saturday evening, at Strancally
Castle, on the return of Mr George Whitelocke Lloyd and his bride off their
honeymoon. There was nothing left undone to make the occasion a real Irish
welcome. Beautiful arches were erected at intervals along the avenue…bonfires
were to be seen everywhere for miles… [He is] one of the kindest and most
popular gentlemen, and largest employers of labour in the south. At 6p.m…a vast crowd of the tenantry and
people from the surrounding district, headed by their local band, had taken up
their position…When the carriage arrived, a ringing cheer which rent the air,
and cries of ‘You are Welcome’. When the cheering subsided, Mr. Michael Whelan
stepped forward on behalf of the tenants…and welcomed the return of Mr. & Mrs.
Lloyd…Mr. Lloyd acknowledged in return their gratitude and hoped that the good
feeling would long continue…the whole party adjourned to a large building in
the courtyard, decorated for the occasion…Messrs Whelan & Dunne left
nothing undone to make everything most comfortable…The ball was opened by Mr.
Whelan, D.C., Camphire and when he rose to drink the health of Mr. & Mrs.
Lloyd, the toast being joined by all present, who sang, ‘For he’s a Jolly Good
Fellow’. Dancing commenced at 9p.m. and lasted till 6 in the morning, when the
pleasant party broke up, well pleased with their night’s amusement’.
Mr Lloyd was married three times. His first two wives
were Selina Jane Henry 1854, and Lady Anne Margaret Butler 1861. His third wife
was Anna Maria Bennett of Buttevant Castle, Co Cork.
Ardmore – Memory and Story Book
The History, Traditions and Stories of
an Irish Village
By Siobhan Lincoln
Stories of growing up in an Irish
village told with a "blend of history, tradition and humour". Siobhán
Lincoln records the social history of Ardmore village, tales of school days,
dances, fishing, work, language and tradition. This book will be of interest to
anyone who wants a picture of life in rural Ireland from the late 19th century
to the dawning of the Millennium.
This book can be purchased at County
Waterford Museum.
Paperback €20 Hardback €25
Co Tipperary Independent & Tipperary Free Press 4 August 1900
United Irish
league – Ardmore Branch
A public meeting was held in Ardmore on Sunday in
furtherance of the objects of the United Irish League. A number of police were
present from Cappoquin, Lismore, Dungarvan, etc., under District Inspector
Egan, and with them a government note-taker. The D.I. having approached Rev.
Father Queally on the subject, the note-taker was accommodated with standing
room on the platform. During the day the proceedings were enlivened by the Old
Parish and Ardmore fife and drum bands. Mr M. Cunningham, R.D.C., proposed that
Father Queally take the chair, seconded by Mr M. Flavin, Co Councilor…the
Parish Priest, Father Walsh, was absent through illness…He had a letter from
him enclosing €2 towards the
General Election Fund, which would be started in the parishes of Grange and
Ardmore on the first Sunday of September. It was many years since he [Rev.
Queally] had seen such a splendid gathering. Having dwelt on the necessity for
unity and organization, the Rev. Chairman exhorted all to work on the lines of
the U.I.L. and as a result they would soon have their Parliament in College
Green. William Spratt, R.D.C.,proposed the following:
1: Approve the programme adopted at the great
convention held recently in Dublin.
2. We hail with delight the existence once more of a
United Irish Parliamentary Party…like a solid wall to block the way of the
British House of Commons until Legislative Independence is restored to Ireland.
3. Pledge to subscribe to a fund to defray the
expenses of the General Election.
4. People of Grange/Ardmore pledge to form a branch of
U.I.L…whereby felonious and oppressive landlordism can be swept away…
5. We call on the government to amend the Labourers’
Act to enable labourers to purchase their own holdings.
6. We approve of better housing for the working
classes both in town and country.
Mr. Cunningham, R.D.C. seconded the resolutions. Mr.
J.J. Shee, M.P., Mr. A Heskin, Tallow, and Col. Fitzgerald supported the
resolutions.
Ardmore – Memory and Story Book
The History, Traditions and Stories of
an Irish Village
By Siobhan Lincoln
Stories of growing up in an Irish
village told with a "blend of history, tradition and humour". Siobhán
Lincoln records the social history of Ardmore village, tales of school days,
dances, fishing, work, language and tradition. This book will be of interest to
anyone who wants a picture of life in rural Ireland from the late 19th century
to the dawning of the Millennium.
This book can be purchased at County
Waterford Museum.
Paperback €20 Hardback €25
Waterford Standard 16 February 1867
Kilmacthomas
Clothing Club
Lately the annual sale of clothing to the poor of the
above village took place, at which considerably more than 100 poor persons
purchased warm clothing, blankets, etc. This charity is maintained by the
Marchioness of Waterford [Christiana Leslie (died 1905), married Rev John de la
Poer Beresford, 4th marquis of Waterford (1814-1866)].
Poor persons of good character, by regular monthly
payments, create a fund, at the year’s end an equal sum is added by Lady
Waterford, and with this the purchases are made by the people. Thus, by
inducing habits of saving, and self-reliance, good is effected, to which after
the indiscriminate ‘giving’ of many kind-hearted individuals, fails to produce.
In addition to the above, all the labourers at Curraghmore, have been, we
believe, supplied with full suits of clothing, leggings, etc., by the same
noble house. Those who by suchlike efforts, and example, benefit the poor, may
well be called benefactors in the true sense. Messrs Locke & Co of this
city [Robert Locke & Company?] supplied the goods which give such
satisfaction.
Marchioness of Waterford