Waterford County Museum

Waterford Women of The Revolution 1914-1923

The book is available from the Museum, Eason’s Dungarvan, The Book Centre Waterford City, Book Market Clonmel and David Walsh’s shop Dungarvan. Cost €25

An illuminating Artwork

Liam Ó Míodhacháin and Conradh na Gaelige in Dungarvan

By Kyle Beresford

In 2022 an illuminated address was donated to Waterford County Museum. It was created in 1914 and was presented to Liam Ó hÍceadha/William Cornelius Hickey (1885-1935), the secretary of Conradh na Gaelige in Dungarvan to mark his forthcoming marriage. Liam worked as a Customs and Excise officer. His wife was Katherine Power of Corballybeg Co Waterford. She worked as a baker and confectioner in Dungarvan.

The work is over one hundred years old and is a fine example of Celtic Revival artwork. The colours are remarkably well preserved. These illuminated addresses were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries to mark events such as retirement, coming of age, weddings, and so on. One of the finest creators of these addresses were John and Florence Gilbert of Cork. Michael Beary the Borough Surveyor in Dungarvan also painted addresses. A fine example of his work is on display at Waterford County Museum, presented to Captain John Veale.

This address is richly decorated with a border of elaborate Celtic Revival motifs, and vignettes featuring the Dungarvan coat of arms, the old gable wall at St Mary’s Church of Ireland, and the ruins of McGrath’s Castle, Abbeyside. The latter was probably included as that is where Hickey lived. It also features fantastic beasts similar to those seen in early Irish illuminated manuscripts. At the top of the address a real photograph of O’Hickey has been pasted on. The following is the inscription translated to English:

Testimonial to Liam Ó hÍceadha.

We, Cuallacht Chosnamha na Gaeilge (the Irish language defence committee) here in Dungarvan, wish to express our respect and appreciation to you for all you have done amongst us to promote the use of and respect for the Irish language and all that accompanies it; and we consider no more timely opportunity to do so than now on the occasion of your marriage. Our respect and esteem for you should not come as a surprise to anyone, as from the first day we came to know you to the present time, neither your enthusiasm or your dedication could be surpassed; and as well as that you were astute, intelligent and discerning, dispensing advice wisely on many occasions.

It is not only ourselves who will forever be obliged and blessed by your support, your efforts will also be appreciated by every other true Irish person whose wish it is to see the ancient and beautiful language of the Gael bloom and thrive again; and if every heart were as favourable towards it as yours is, it would not take long for it to be so.

You have always scorned the bitter enemies of the Irish language and indeed, have often succeeded in thwarting the efforts of those who would see the language suppressed.

We wish you and your wife a long and happy life together and may God spare you to assist us for a long time to come in the successful promotion of that work which we all enjoy so much.

We, the undersigned, on behalf of Cuallacht Cosnamha na Gaeilge, Dungarvan.

Domhnall Ó Fearchair (President); Seán Ó Loingsigh (Vice-President); Mícheál Ó Floinn (Treasurer). Date: 15/9/1914.

Dan Fraher was an athlete, Gaelic scholar, and had a drapery business on Grattan Square, known as ‘The Gaelic Outfitting Store’. The ‘Fraher Field’ in Dungarvan is named after him. At present we don’t have further details about the Vice-President and Treasurer.

The address was created by Liam Ó Míodhacháin/William Meehan who lived at An Rinn in a house which he built. He incorporated a number of Celtic Revival motifs in its exterior and interior. There were wall paintings and furniture made with Celtic designs. He was born on 11 October 1874 to Edmund Meehan and Mary Coffey. He was an amateur artist/craftsman who tried his hand at a number of artistic ventures, such as gravestones, mortuary cards, illuminated addresses, and book illustration. He designed the Stations of the Cross in St Nicholas Church, An Rinn, and the obelisk at Helvick commemorating the Fenian ship, the Erin’s Hope. He died on 30 August 1960 aged 86.

Conradh na Gaelige/The Gaelic League was founded on 31 July 1893 by Eoin MacNeill and others to promote Irish language and literature. Its first President was Douglas Hyde. The League produced their own newspaper – An Claidheamh Soluis. According to an article by Séan Ó Cadhlaigh in the 1902 issue of An Sléibhteánach, Dan Fraher (1852-1929) started teaching Irish classes in 1888 in the premises owned by the Dungarvan Literary Society. They were encouraged by the P.P. Rev. Peter Casey.

On 7 May 1895 a meeting was held in Dungarvan to start a branch of Conradh na Gaelige:

A meeting was held in Dungarvan on the 7^th, at which, among others, the following were present: Rev. M.P. Hickey, chairman; Messers Patrick Carmody, Kilmacthomas; M.T. Foley, Ring; Thomas McCarthy, Town Clerk, Dungarvan; Daniel Fraher, Patrick Sweeney, and James Daly, all of them representative of local men, good Irish speakers and noted supporters of the movement. A branch of the Gaelic League was formed, a number of members were enrolled, and subscriptions were handed in, the chairman subscribing one pound. The central committee was represented by Mr. J. McNeill, Hon secretary.

Irish classes were held in the Town Hall. There were separate nights for the men and women.

I would like to acknowledge the assistance of the following in the preparation of this article: Liam’s granddaughters: Nóirín Westman, Muireann McGrath and Iosoilde Dromey; Áine Uí Fhoghlú; William Fraher, Curator Waterford Co Museum; Nioclás Ó Gríofáin; Eddie Cantwell; and the Trustees of Waterford County Museum for permission to reproduce images of the address.

Stories from Old Newspapers

Claude Chavasse (1886-1971) and the Gaelic Revival

Claude Albert Chavasse was born in Oxford where his father, Albert Sydney Chavasse was Professor of Classics and a fellow of University College Oxford. Claude read Celtic studies at Oxford and visited the West of Ireland with some Scottish students to learn the Irish language. His sister Marguerite was already in Achill having set up a lace school. Claude learned to speak Irish well and eventually he only conversed in Irish. He also took to wearing Celtic Revival clothes as seen in his portrait by Pádraic Woods on display in Waterford County Museum.

In 1917 he married Maureen Fox in Dublin, who later wrote a biography of Terence McSwiney. Douglas Hyde, and Joseph Hone supported Claude, and author and poet Ella Young, Neilí Ní Bhriain, artist Cesca Trench (Sadhbh Trinseach) and her sister supported Maureen. Claude met his wife through his involvement with the Irish school, Scoil Acla, which was established in 1911 on Achill Island. A number of the women connected with the school became involved in the newly formed Cumann na mBan.

Claude was imprisoned at Richmond Barracks in May 1916 but was later released without charge. He wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary on 9 May 1916 appealing for the release of the prisoners, who were, in his opinion, held in very poor conditions:

In the name of God, for your own honour, for the good of Ireland and so that England will not get a bad name…pay a visit to the prisons and do not allow anybody to suffer as they are (a great number of the prisoners are innocent of the rising) or as they suffer yesterday in any case.

I fear that when an account of this bad treatment and the hardship which these Gaels were subjected reaches America and the other countries, that the people there will be angry; that it will do much harm to the cause of our allies and that it will be more difficult to make a settlement between Ireland, England, and the Colonies. I am in a position to speak of this for I spent six days in Richmond Barracks – it was awful! I cannot understand how old delicate people survived it all.

I am with much respect

Claude Chavasse

President of Gaelic League, Oxford.

He was a distant cousin of the Chavasse family who lived at Whitfield Court (later of Cappagh House), near Waterford, and in the early 1900s he visited his relations there.

In 1925 Claude and his wife acquired Ross House, Galway, former home of Violet Martin. They had a small farm and the farm manager was Martin Tobin from Ballinacourty, Ring, Co Waterford. In 1949 Claud was elected Sinn Féin representative in Galway, using the Irish version of his name – Cluad de Ceabhasa.

General Claude Chavasse (1886-1971)

Stories from Old Newspapers

Saunder’s News- Letter 23 October 1818

Bonmahon Races

On Wednesday last, the second annual meeting of these races commenced, and, on that day, and the following there was excellent running; although the weather was very unfavourable it did not present the occurrence of a very numerous meeting. Friday morning was peculiarly favourable for the most interesting steeplechase that ever took place in this county.

Fifteen of the most celebrated hunters from different counties met, and were entered to contest the prize, which was about 100, and twelve of the best appeared on the ground about two o’clock, mounted by gentlemen selected for superior horsemanship. They started near Newtown, and ended in Bonmahon, and the ground for four miles was so judiciously marked out, that the spectators could witness the entire of this admirable chase. For the first 3 miles it was difficult to discover which horse had the advantage, but on ascending the hill commencing, the fourth mile, after a desperate struggle, Mr Ronayne’s famous horse, rode by Mr Carew, and Mr M Power’s horse rode by Mr Briscoe, took the lead, followed closely by the rest. Mr Ronayne’s horse was the victor, and never was there witnessed so severe and well contested a chase, or so numerous and respectable an assemblage. They ran the four miles, carrying 12 stone, through a very enclose country, in 14 minutes. The joyous scene closed without any accident, and at the hospitable mansion of Gardenmorris [owned by the Power O’Shee family], where festive board invited the passing stranger, bumbers [glasses] were filled by the generous host and amiable hostess, who have spared neither expense nor trouble to make the beautiful village of Bonmahon one of the most eligible bathing-places near our city [Waterford].

Engraving of Bunmahon Village, Circa 1849

Waterford Women of the Revolution 1914-1923

Congratulations to Eddie Cantwell and Christy Knight – O’ Connor on the official launch of their book Waterford Women of The Revolution. It was launched by historian and author Sinead McCoole. Amongst the special guests was Judy Condon O’Donovan, daughter of Peg Condon (née English) whose home was wrecked by the Black and Tans in 1921. The only artefact to survive was a statute of Our Lady which the family has donated to Waterford County Museum.

The book is available from the Museum, Eason’s Dungarvan, The Book Centre, Waterford City, Book Market, Clonmel and David Walsh’s shop Dungarvan.

Stories from Old Newspapers

The Irish in America by John Francis Maguire

This book which is in our reserve museum collection was published in New York in 1868. He made the journey in 1866.Maguire was a writer and politician, founder and editor of the Cork Examiner. The local connection is that he was MP for Dungarvan from 1852 to 1865. In 1870 he joined the Home Rule Party.

His book The Irish in America covered topics such as the Irish view on slavery, problems encountered by the arrival in America, the perils of living in cities, the journey out, etc. He comments on the positive traits of the Irish – a love for life, a sense of loyalty, a strong work ethic. However, he was concerned at their overindulgence of alcohol.

What is interesting about the book is the inscription written inside which says: ‘James Breen Esq, with the respects and fond regards of his friend, Jas. A. McMaster. New York 1868’.

James Alphonsus McMaster was born in 1820 in Duanesburg New York, the son of a Presbyterian minister. He entered the seminary to study as an Episcopalian minister, however, while there he converted to Catholicism, influenced by the writings of John Henry Newman. He added Alphonsus to his name in honour of Alphonsus Liguori founder of the Redemptorists. He went to a seminary in Belgium but left before taking holy orders.

The New York Freeman’s Journal which was owned by the Catholic diocese had a large Irish-American readership. In 1848 McMaster purchased the paper. He was very opinionated and was obnoxious to work for and expected his staff to share his predjudces. The New York Times said – ‘he had bold things to say and he said them without fear’. However, this outspoken attitude infuriated Archbishop Hughes. This came to a head when McMaster published an editorial on the Bleeding Kansas controversy (A series of violent confrontations in Kansas between 1854 and 1861 over the legality of slavery in the proposed state of Kansas. About 200 people were killed as a result.)

McMaster wrote that if a person shot and killed the abolitionists; Horace Greeley, Theodore Parker and William Lloyd Garrison, it would be a ‘great relief’ to many people throughout America. McMaster supported slavery and the secession. In 1860 he urged Americans ‘not to throw away their future and all bright aspirations of American liberty, for the sake of four million black slaves’.

In 1854 he wrote an attack on Thomas Francis Meagher. The latter assaulted McMaster with a whip in the street one day for refusing to withdraw his remarks on Meagher’s character. McMaster fired his revolver at Meagher but missed. They were both arrested but later freed on bail. Each agreed not to press charges against the other. His editorial assault on President Lincoln in 1861 resulted in his arrest and imprisonment for 11 months. McMaster died in Brooklyn in 1886 aged 66.