The Blackwater - History & Images from the Irish Rhine

 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.




Stores form Old Newspapers

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.


William Spencer Cavendish 6th Duke of Devonshire Circa 1852


 

Engraving of Lismore Castle Circa 1824


 

 

 

 

The Blackwater - History & Images from the Irish Rhine

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.





Stories from old Newspapers

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 by Siobhan Lincoln

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        




                                      

Stories from Old Newspapers

 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 by Siobhan Lincoln

 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                                               

Stories from Old Newspapers

 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