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 This book also looks at how this period is covered in unpublished local eye-witness accounts written by Anglo-Irish women.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.

 

 

 

 

27th Edition of Sliabh gCua Annual 2021

 

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This Annual is on sale in various outlets in the County, including Shalloe's Newsagents, 1 Grattan Square Dungarvan and Kenneth Shop, O' Connell Street Dungarvan.

Stories from Old Newspapers

 Dungarvan Leader 12th June 1943

 

Grand Irish Entertainment At Monalour, Melleray Cappoquin

 

On the evening of Ascension Thursday, June 3rd a grand All-Irish Entertainment was held at Moin-na-lobhar under the auspices of the local Irish Class, which was in charge of the well known Irish Teacher, Mr. Sean Prendergast who is also conducting very successful Irish classes for the Co. Waterford Vocational Education Committee at Cnoc-buidhe Carrig-na-gabher and Baile-na-sagarth, Lismore.  The weather proved gloriously fine for an open-air entertainment as the warm rays of the sun were tempered by refreshing and heather-scented breeze which blew down from the lofty Knockmealdown mountains, while the beautiful and stately buildings of the New Church and Monastery of Mount Melleray provided a delightful setting in the rich golden rays of the western sun.  A large and substantial stage had been erected in the open, and there was a wonderfully- large attendance of all the Irish Irelanders from every part of the wide and rugged area extending from Mount Melleray to Ballysaggart.  A stirring Irish Play entitled “The Heiress", which had been specially written by Mr. Sean Prendergast, was performed in faultless style by the various characters, who numbered 20, and all of whom were members of the local Irish class.  The rich and cultured "blas" of the vernacular was a predominent feature throughout, while the splendid acting of the various artists was a treat to witness and was a tribute to the careful training they had received from their patient and efficient teacher. Several stirring Irish songs and choruses figured in the play all of which were rendered with great purity and sweetness being all the more effective in the clam and serene surroundings of such a picturesque spot.  Several beautiful Irish dances were also performed by Mr. W. Farrell, Miss Brigid Tobin, Monalour, Mr. Frank McGrath, Boherberay and others, splendid music being provided by Mr. John O' Brien (violin), and Mr. Thos McGrath (piano-accordeon).  The large and enthusiastic audience present was delighted with the play and the general Entertainment, and Mr. Sean Prendergast the clever author of the play, was warmly complimented by all.   The stage had been kindly erected by Mr. Thos Tobin, Monalour, who also kindly gives the use of his house for the Irish classes, for which the teacher and all the pupils feel deeply grateful.