DEDICATION
",4nd when the corn is drawn in and the Orchards shook and October frosts make it pleasant to come within the glow of the farmers fire, see if the mention of Tramore will not call a dreamy look into the eyes of stalwart youths and blushing maidens".
'I he great Irish patriot Charles Kickham aptly described the charisma wl~iclz Tramore held for the ~lisitorsfrom L'Kno~knagou~"in the middle of th~19th century. There's an eve71 drea~tzierlook in the eyes of those forcetl to stray from the old towt~. .YO ))latter where the old Trainoreite rc~andersthe love of the old town and it's mernories stay with him forever. He can remember almost every stone in the old storm wall, and every rock clad with the greenest seaweed. Father Desmond McCarthy and Larry Domelly arc two Tramoreites exiled from tlte town of the Big Strand since back in the 'ZO's, but despite the passage of time their love for the old town ALC rzcver waned. TO thein, and the late Ger. Stubbs I resI~~~ctfullyrfedicate this booklet, 1t)itllout their invaluable help I'd have never been able to get aglimpse of other days.
Andy Taylor
STATION AND MARINE TERRACE, TRAMORE TRAMORE
It's a delightful little town, clusteri~igon a In tlie 1880's Martin J. Murphy turncd his hillside. looking down on a bay that is kept within attention to the land reclaimed by Mr Malcolmson bounds by two long stately arms. I-ougli-hewn in 1863. He transformed tlie Back Strand area Ilcadlands, carpeted with soft precn grass. Thc into a sportsman's paradise by t.nclosing portion of town derives it's name from thc Gaelic which it as a beautiful level Racecourse, and laying out means the "Great Strand". It is truly a a nine holcs Golf Links closeby. This racecourse magnificent strand where the sporting. mirsical, hosted the first ever Gaelic Athletic Sports Meeting white-crested wa\;cs arc forever kissing the goldcn in 1885 when famed Dungarvan man Dan Fraher sands. Here the visitor and local may rcst and won the Hop, Step. and Leap. A Chicago visitor inhale the Atlantic breczes laden with ozone 011 a described the Tramore of the 1890's ? s follows:- beach that is carpety. rich, and expansive. "Traniore is mostly composed of lodging Tramol-c is onc oS thosc \>cnutifulspols where land houses and hotels. Street after street I and sea arc linked - a bright gem in the rich r:~inblcd thro~igh. and if I \hrils regarding garment of Nature. which lurcs the visitor in everything I saw with interest. I in turn search of health and pleasure. became an object of interest. A stranger Thc tourist has been lured her? ever since a is soon located herc. and I tl~ouplitI could man named Bartholomcw Rivers took an interest see every house-keeper at the door, looking in the development of the srnnll fishing hamlct out for a newcomer who might want nice into a tourist resort. tlicreby providing amenities lodgings. The little town consists of a for the general public whicll up to [hen had bcen mixture of modern dwellings and quaint et?joyed by a privileged few. He built the Great old-fashioned thatched houses and trim Hotcl (now Grand Hotcl) ahow the village and cottages. whicli gives it a rather picturesqne nunlcrous bathing lodpcs togctllcbs I 311 appearance. and what adds still more to it's Assembly Rooms. I lc, cstahlishcd ra~*cson tllc picrlircsqiieness is thc cmokedness of the Strand and obtainc,d a Charter for tile holding of \tlcc'ts". r,I, ' \Vhilc his aztivitics wcrc in progl-css small The old thatcheci houses have been thatched ~vttagi's h~~iltalong tllc I-O;ICI Icatli~l~ohiitcrat~d in il \LII-~C01' ~~~~dcrnisrn.Tllc Trainore [[I tllc Strand. forn~i~?g;I kind OF irn~g~!1;11-,.trc~>t - 'T'r,lin i\ h~~t;I pliostly rncmosy for those of' 11s no~vMail1 Street. ,ZIXJLI[ ~11c'.;,IIIIC 111111' IIOIISC~~ I'ol-~lil~alcLv liavc hccn passcngcrh on thal nlusl
\\..(x~~, Il~liltalong an ;~\~:n!rc.!t.;ic.iing T;1.1:1,11', l.;~nr. tlrliglltful of jo~~rnclys.Ovcr the' l~stf'cw d~cades ('Pond Road) bccotning kno\\;li ;IS C;I-C~.IIStsi'c~. 'Tr:r~norc. lids bet11 dcvciopctl as thc premier rcsor-t (later ()ticen Strcct). A passagr lexling to the witli a 50 acre amusements and rccrcation complcx back conccrns of the Great Hotcl hccame a public wllicll includes a boating lake. pitch and p~itt road (Markct Street.) courses. miniaturc railway and many other The opening of the Waterford/Tramore attractions. Tl~ousandsflock to Tramorc to enjoy Railway Line in 1853 was a tremendous boost to these wide range of amusements. but the main tourism in the resort. Anyone building a house in attraction is still the golden Strand which enticed the town had thc building material carried t'rec by Bartholomew Rivers to invest heavily over 200 the Railway C'o. ~/hilethosc purchasing houscs in ycars ago. Tramore were provided with a first class free Railway pass available for 5 ycars. The rcsdt of thc Railway's enterprising gestures was that somc imposing Ilouses were built in tlic town including the dcliglltful tcrraccs of Bc>llcv~iciincl Gurtccrl. The town began to cxpand rapidly both as :I seaside resort and a dormitory tow11 Sot- \\l;rtcrford.
Page 1. This page sponsored by MR. PADRAIG WHITTLE, TALBOT STREET, TRAMORE. A MEGALITHIC HERITAGE
-Tlic area within a te~imi!c radiusof'Tramore Ballindud Cromlech is extremely rich in megalithic structures, proving beyond a shadow of doubt that this area was Often referred to as the Sheep's Bridge inhabited long before the lamp of Christianity 3omlecl1, and known also as the Couse-ma-Keal shed it's kindly light upon this little Island of ours. 3omlecl1, this hoary old remnant of pagan days Historians have to be content to accept these ies covered in briars. From it's mass it seems to massive structures of unhewn stones as the work of lave been as large and impressive as the other prehistoric men, who existed far down the negaliths in the area. According to Ryland corridors of time. These men of old were '1824) it was in a ruined condition as a result of possessed of a very strong sense of immortality. 3 local farmer's effort to remove it from his land. For them, this world was only the threshold of the other world, a place of preparation. To that other world their thoughts constantly turned, and DOLMEN to that other world they raised these gigantic monuments of stone. To these primitive men. thesc stone monuments were just as important as the Church of the Holy Cross was to Father Cantwell and his parishioners in the mid nineteenth century. At these houscs of the dead the men of the dawn were joined in spirit with clansnlen who had crossed the threshold into the great unknown. Unlike modern man these men of old did not become pre-occupied with earthly things alone but geared themselves to that other world in the invisible beyond. The .. - - . .. .-- .. -"-& - .,..- --6- .--.---a. <- - .- following is a brief summary of the megalithic , - _.. structures in the area surrounding Tramore, truly an area with a rich heritage in stone. Ballynageeragh Cromlech In the very heart of a cornfield, hushed in perpetual stillness and peace stands this sepulchre KNOCKEEN DOLMEN of stone. The massive capstone measures 13ft by 9ft. It rcsembles it's counterpart in Knockcen in that it also has a supplemental stone measuring 5ft by 3ft. This secondary horizontal stone is propped up on a modern wall of cement which detracts from the appearance of the stone The largest of the ~lprightstones is over 8ft. tall.
Knockeen Dolmen
This megalith is situated about 3 miles from Tramore, and is said to be the most beautiful specimen of it's kind in Ireland. The word Dolmen is derived from the ancient language of Brittany,, and mcans 'stone table'. Despite the
This page sponsored by SMURFIT PLASTICS, NEWRATH, WATERFORD. Page 2. derivation it has nothing wliatsoevcr to do with an \cry large capstone is balanced on an upright while altar stone. and consequently the t~r1-11'Dri~ids Cjnt. end rcstb on tlic ground. There was a school Altar' which is oftcn applied to this monument. is c)f thought which maintained that this type of a misnomer. Tliis megalith was erected long tructure was an unfinished Cromlech but before the Druidic priests performed their rites. 1~owada)ls they are thought to be as complete as The stri~cti~rc:is comprised of 6 huge 11pright slabs C*vcr they were. being referred to as primary or of varying heights - the tallest being about Xft. C.,~rthfuft Cromlcclis. T~I\sce~nc to indicatc that (iins. Thc captone mcasurcs 17'/Xt hy 8ft. .A t hey arc of ;I nlorc primitive or crudcr type of smaller c;ipstonc acts :IS ;I sort of st~j~plcmc~~itto cm;i\trl~ction the I~rgi'ron<. 2nd m:asures Yft. try 7ft. The. end Matthewstown Passage Grave of tht iargc stone rests on thtt cc~~ir-cof thc supplcmcntal stonc. The total !~~,igl~tot the strilcturc is almut 1 2Y.ft. ;~ndth~ cstcrnal cl?amher. and it's internal height is almost 9ft. Scarhp. is a soi~tc'xaiti !now covcred in). testif!!ill~ 10 thc importance of this drea in ancicnt tinleb.
Gaulstown Dolmen Harristown Passage Grave
I
I
I Carrigavantry 3assage Grave
Dunhill Cromlech 111 ;I SCL~I~IO~~~II;II~L~w~I~~ Ie~;~(lin~ lo ';i~~ry~\.:iiit~~~I ;iLL> ! nict :in old IOL.;II\\.lie told 111~-t11:1t thi, ro111b WLIS u\c\d :I\ ;I %lass Altx duri~iy Ithv I)~\n;llil,~h.s. Onz ci'~.t:~~~~ly~,ouldn't I'ind a Page 3. This page sp~nsoredby SMUR FIT PLASTICS SOCIAL CLUB. more secludcd spot than th~cwhcrc tlic Pricst and Monmahogue Passage Grave his congregation must have felt very secure from the prying ryes of thc Priest Iiuntcr. Tlic tomb is This very ancient tomb 1s situated quite close situatcd inslde thc dltch where the laneway t~~rnsto the slte ot the Knockeen Dolmen, which at right angles in tlic direction of thc lake. It indicates the importance of this place in pre- cons~stsof a transvcrse stone (6ft. by 5ft.) resting historic times. Unfortunately on my visit to the on four uprights, which are about 2%ft. high. spot. the passage grave was covered in a dense As is customary with these structures the growth of briars, and the opening at east end was alignment is East to West, but in this instance the embedded in a fence. The upright stones are opening is at the west end. When I visited this old about 31/2ft. high and as far as I could ascertain relic of bygone days in 1975 it was neatly the transverse stone measures roughly 6ft. by surrounded by a circle of very small stones. 41/2ft.
Ballinaclough Pillar Stone BALLYMOTE PILLAR STONE This monolith is situated in a field close to the Crotty homestead in Ballinaclough, and no doubt this stone is responsible for the placename. It seenis to be about 8ft. high and 2ft. wide.
BALLINACLOUGH PILLAR STONE
Ballymote Pillar Stone
Ncar the mound \vhich gives it's name to the townland one finds this tall standing stone, about
This page sponsored by MR. MARTIN CULLEN, T.D. (PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS). Page 4. I 1 ft. high. These monoliths are probably slln~lar to our modern gravcstones, and mark the last resting place of our primitive anccstors.
Carriglong Passage Grave
According to local legend this is the last rcsting place of a giant named Longa. When this V-type passage grave was excavated in 1939 food vessel sherds were found which suggested colonization from Brittany. This is a good reason for Tramore to twin with some seaside resort in Brittany. Perhaps our legendary giant was a Breton chieftain who ruled this area. The outlincs of his abode (a Ring Fort) can be identified in the same field, while two more Forts were scratching stone. The fine Dolmen in Ballypl~illip destroyed in a nearby field niany years ago. has also disappeared. Fortunately I came across Great credit is due to the local landowners an old photograph (1894) ol' it, and I've inserted for preserving these rncgalithic structures, but a sketch from it in this booklet, with a hope that i~nfortunatcly. some monuments have been it might stimulate an interest in the preservation of clestroyeci. The pillar stone or Dallan in Moonvoy these n~a~vcllousold monuments - which if imtouched will surely outlast every handiwork of has been rcmovcd, probably mistakcn for a our own day. A GLIMPSE OF THE NEIGHBOURING TOWNLANDS Not only did oul- ancestors leavc 11s a rich rcrnnant of a Cairn in the locality, nor indecd is heritage in stone. but as a rcsitlt of their tendency there any local tradition of the existence of sitch to nanlc. their places of sc,ttlc~ncntafter some local an antiquity in the townland. Pcrhaps the remains characteristic. they hWC left 11s all even greater of a Ring Fort on Mr Parkinson's farm is the 'Hcap' Icgacy in Placc\-n~l~nc~.whic~li gives 11s a ~lcscription which ~ivc.5it's narnc to the. townla~ld. Thc of thc physical appearance of the placc. as well as owncr of thc townland in 1640 was Thomas the type of flora and fauna to bc. found in the area Wadding, an Iris11 Papist. As a result of the long before there was a written record of such. Cro~nwellian Forfeitures the l1ew proprietor was Tlic Tramore area has some very i~t~restingAndrew Rickards. The population in I659 was ;~nd strange sounding Place-names, which an 14 Irish. The owncr in I8 14 was the heir of' Amcrican Priest discovcl-ccl to his dismay when on Stcpllcn Wnrthevalc (unknow~~at the time). At a vacation here in the 1940's. At ten o'clock Mass that time there wcre 8 houses on the townland. one Sunday morning lie had thc i~nenviablctask wit11 a pop~~lationof I9 rnalcs and 31 females. (for a \.kiting Priest) ot' having lo rc>acl out thc BAL.LINATTIN: Bailc an Aitinn. Tlic Fur/.e 'Stations' from thc Pulpit. After t\vo ahorti\lc~ S~~rrountlcdtlomcstead. This is a very apt placc- attcnll,ts to twist his tongue around 'I\!lonmahog~rc.' nanic as tlic poldcn gorsc' gro\\b in great profubir)n 11e tliri'\v in t11e towel \vIie11 confronted \virh in this to\\nland. T1icl.c \+.as a spa well on ~nc 'Coolnacoppogl~c'. and said I-athcr I.LIC>~LIII~to townland in the mid ninctcc~ithcentury. and \+:as the ~,o~igrcgation- "to hcll \\lit11 it I Icaw it to youl- of' consitlc.rablc ~cputc. so ~nt~chso, tll;~t imagination". Tlic. following is a brict' summary of Altbxandcr Knox ~nciitioncd it in his hook 'Irish thc to\vnla~ic!s in thc gcncrnl \;icinil); (31' I I-:imorc:- W;~tei.ingPlacc.;' ptrl~li~hetlill 1845. 7'hc owncr BALLYCARS.4NE: Bailc an C'harnkiin. 01' tllc townland in l b40 \\/as Tlio~na~Wadding: :in Ilomestcad of tlic Ileap (cairn). Thcrc is no Irish Papist. who lost it to Sir Gcorgc Lane after
Page 5. This page sponsored by MRS. KATHLEEN TAYLOR. tlic Cromwellian Settleinent. rlic owncr in 18 14 thc Civil Sunq (1654- 1659) Carrigeivron tory (as was James Fox, and there werc 12 houses it was written) means Rock of the Quern-Stone inhabited by 36 malcs and 40 females. On this Maker. Compare this with Moin na townland lived thc changeling known ds thc ~nBaintrcabhach(Monamintra) meaning Bog of the Siobhra of Ballinattin. It was in this townland Widows. The townland abounds in mill-stone that Michael McGrath and Thomas O'Brien fcll material, providing plenty of raw material for thc in the War of Independence. IQuern-Stone Maker. The owners according to the BALLYDRISLANE: Baile Ui Dhrisleain. ICivil Survey were John Power of Dunhill and Sir O'Drislane's Homestead. The owners of the Thomas Sherlocke. This townland is in two sub- townland in 1640 were Robert Walsh and Thonlas divisions - a smaller portion in the Parish of Wadding (Irish Papists) and the new proprietors Islandikane and a greater portion in the Parish of under the Cromwellian Settlement were Sir Robert Kilbride - hence the two owners. The grantees Walsh and James Devereux. In 18 14 there were 8 under the Cromwellian Forfeitures were Andrew houses in Ballydrislane and the population was 27 Rickards and Lord Power. This townland boasts a males and 25 females. Rev John Cooke suggested Passage Grave near Carrigavantry Lake and a that the Place-name meant Red Brambletown - Souterrain at the rear of Willie Power's cottage. probably from the Irish Baile an Drisle. There is There are two interesting field names on Tom a Well on the townland called Tobar Sagairt - thc Power's farm:- Fiodh na hAidhle which means Priest's Well, the Priest probably being Theobald Wood of the Breezes. and Pairc na mBothan Bourke who was a rcgistcrctl Priest in 1704. and ~ncaningField OF the Huts. Near the Bog Road lived in Drumcannon - moving latcr to thc roadway over the little stream is called An Ballydrislane. Cabhaisin (thc Crossing Place) while the Cathaoir BALLYKINSELLA: Baile Ui Chinnseallaigh. na Baidhbe is s~tuatedon the hill above the Lake. O'Kinsella's Homestead. The owner of the town- CARRIGLONG:- Carraig Longa. Longa's land in 1640 was an Irish Papist, Walter Power. Rock. Longa was a Giant according to local and ownership passed to the See of Waterford after tradition and the Passage Grave on the townland the C'ron~wellianforfeitures. The population in 1659 is said' to be the 'Giant's Grave'. The outlines of a was 13 Irish. James Fox became owner in 18 14 Ring Fort can be seen in the same field as the when the townland had 34 houses with a Passage Grave, while closeby is a Well known as population of 65 males and 63 femaies. There is An Tobar Dubh. The large hill on the townland is a Well on the townland called Tobar na Mi01 called An Cnoc Reamhar - the Stout Hill. No meaning Well of the Insects. and is situated on the doubt it proved a useful vantage point for Longa in West side of the Bridge on the Old Waterfordl his rock flinging encounters with Conan of Tramore Road. Drumcannon who was the greatest Rock Star of his BALLYKNOCK: Baile an Cnuic. day. Part of the ancient highway which ran Homestead of the Hill. The Civil Survey gave westwards from Gaultier passes through this Thomas Wadding, an Irish Papist, as thc owner of townland and is known as Bothar a' Chapaill 'Hilltown'. Under the Cromwellian Forfeitures it Chaoich (the Road of the Blind Horse), while was disposed of to the See of Waterford. In 18 14 another section of the same highway is known as the owner of thc townland was James Fox, and Bnthar a' Mhuilinn - the Road of the Mill. There thcre were 5 houscs on thc townland with a is no doubt that this and adjoining townlands were population of 20 males and 18 fenialcs. of considerable importance in ancient times. The BALLINACLOUGH: Baile na Cloiche. The owner of the townland in 18 14 was John Homestead of the Stonc. The stonc which gives Strangman. Esq., and there were 9 houses with a it's name to the townland is probably the population of 36 males and 24 females. remarkable Pillar Stone close to thc Crotty COOLNACOPP0GUE:- Cul na gcopog. homestead. John Allworth (Irish Papist) forfeited Ridge-Back of the Dock (Leaves). In 1659 the land to Henry Nichols. Coolenegopoge, as it was then known, had a CARRIGAVANTRY: Carraig a'Bhrointeora. population of 8 Irish. The Baron of Dunhill The Rock of thc Quern-Stone Maker. There are (John Power) was the old owner of this townland rany who mistakenly think that this Place-name until Cromwellian soldiers hung him from a tree mcans Rock of the Widows. but it is cvidcnt from -outside the Castle of Kilmeaden. The new owner This page sponsored by MRS. KATHLEEN TAYLOR. Page 6. was Henry Nichols. The townland later passed great fanlily who did so much to build Tramore into the ownership of Lord Doneraile. 111 I8 14 into the Premier Resort. In the middle of the there were 26 houses on the townland with a 19th century a Mr Strange famed extensively here. population of 57 males and 67 females. On the gi\ ~nghis name to Strange's Bohereen which is now farm of John Joe Rockett there is a Ring Fort. called 'Strangers'. The area also has a Well - Tobar C:lu~nl~ach(Mossy CASTLETOWN :- Baile an C'haislealn. well). On the northern end of the townland stands a C'I -9 Page 7. This page sponsored by MRS. KATHLEEN TAYLOR. Protestant in order to hold on to his estatc. It was iamil), of the Decitls This townland gives it's then known as "Cullen" and had a population of name to the Parish. and the ruins of the Church 18 Irish. The Castle which gives it's name to the still stand. townland 1s situated on an outcrop ol' rock. rhere ISLANDTARSNEY: Oilean Treasna. Island is no tradition as to it's former proprietors. but it Across (over against). is thought to have been a Castle of the De le Poers. KILBRIDE: Cill Brighde. Church of Brigid. The Civil Survey doesn't mention a Castle on the The little Church which gave it's name to the townland, and the name Cullencastle wasn't in townland is now only a mound of earth and stones. use in the 17th century. The population of the townland in 1659 was 4 DRUMCANNON. Drom Chonain. The English and 16 Irish. Ridge of Conan. Conan was a Giant according to KILFARRISSEY: Cill Fhearghusa. The local tradition, and was a follower of Fionn Mac Church of Fergus. The old owner of the townland Cumhaill. He was noted for his bald head and his was John Power who forfeited it to Sir John Cole. boasting. He indulged in a constant feud with KNOCKENDUFF: Cnocan Dubh. The little Longa of Carriglong and his 'Practise Stone' Black Hill. John Power was the old owner can still be seen in a field in Drumcannon. The forfeiting it to Andrew Rickards in 1659 when the ruin of the old pre-reformation Church stands on population was 4 Irish. In 1814 there were 9 the ridge like a ghost of the long dead past. A houses with a population of 28 males and 31 'Pattern' was held here on the 14th Sept but was females. The owner at that time was Samuel later transferred to the neighbourhood of the Morgan, Esq., nearest hostclry (nowadays called Katle Reilly's). LISDUGGAN: Lios Dhubhagain. Duggan's Thc old owner of the townland was Jasper Lios. On the townland stands the remains of a Woodlock who forfeited it to the See of Waterford. mote which may indeed be the Lios (Ring Fort) In 1814 it was owned by James Fox. The which gives it's name to the townland. There is townland I,ad 17 houses with a population of 53 a townland of similar name near Waterford City. males and 54 females. LISSELAN: Lios Fhaolain. Phelan's Lios. DUAGH. Duach or Dubh Ath. The Black The Phelan's were Lords of the Decies. The owner Ford. Probably derived it's namc from an ancient of the townland in 18 14 was James Fox. The roadway (now obliterated) which entered the townland boasted 18 houses inhabited by 60 townland at south-east angle across a shoulder of males and 60 females. bog. Close to the north boundary sfthe townland MOONLOUN: Moin Lom. Bare or shallow remains of an earthwork are thought to be a Bog. Crornwellian Encampment. The population in MOONVOY: Moin Bhuidhe. The Yellow 1659 was 2 English and I I Irish. Thc old owner Bog. Derived it's name from the growth of Tliotnas Wadding forfeited his lands to the See of ragwort or other yellow flowering weeds in the Watcrlord. James Fox was the owner in I8 14 area. Thomas Wadding was the old owner of the w!un tlicrc were 8 houm on the townland with a :ownland forfeiting it to Elizabeth Wade and population of 29 male3 and 28 females. As a others in 1659. During the reign of Queen matter of passing interest the old name for the Elizabeth I it was known as "Monewee". In 18 14 Rabbit Burrows was Duaghmore which was owned ths population was 49 males and 60 females. The by Mauricc and William Power who forfeited it to townland had 23 houses at that time. The owner Lord Power and Henry Nichols. was Matthew Villiers Sankey Esq.. GARRARUS: Garbh Ros. Rough MONMAHOGUE: Muin Muchoige. Wild Shrubbery. In 1659 it was known as Gaverus and Vetch Neck. There is a Passage Grave on the had 12 inhabitants who were all Irish. In 1814 townland as well as a section of the ancient the population was 56 males and 67 females and roadway Bothar a'Mhuilinn. In the Civil Survey it there were 24 houses on the townland. Joseph was known as Monvohogie. Power of Newtown House was the owner. The NEWTOWN: Baile Nua. Walter Power the Rev. John Cooke suggested that Garrarus meant old Catholic landowner forfeited ownership of Rocks of Danger. 'Great Newtowne' to Henry Nichols. In I814 ISLANDIKANE: Oilean Ui Chein. the townIand boasted 41 houses with a population O'Kanc's Island. The O'Kanes were a minor- of 97 males and 1 14 females. The owner at that This page sponsored by MRS. KATHLEEN TAYLOR. Page 8. time was Lord Doneraile. houses on the townland inhabited by 12 males and PICKARDSTOWN: Baile Phiocaird. Pickard's 9 females. Homestead. The old Mass House was situated TRAMORE: Traigh Mhor. The Great in this townland. The old owner of the townland, Strand. The owners of the townland at the time John Pope, surrendered his title to the lands of the Civil Survey (1 654- 1656) were Maurice under the Cromwellian forfeitures to the See Power and William Power. They forfeited it to of Waterford. It was known then as Ballificurdy. Henry Nichols and Lord Power. The population James Porter was the owner in 1814. At that time in 1659 was 10 Irish. The townland later passed the population was 42 males and 36 females into the hands of Lord Doneraile. In 1814 the inhabiting 18 houses. townland boasted 153 houses inhabited by 323- QUILLIA: Collach. Abounding in ha~el males and 404 females. or perhaps Coilleach (Woody). Tobar na WESTOWN: On this townland is situated Bhfaithni - the famous Wart Well is situated on the Great Fort. The famous Metal Man has his this townland. The population in 1659 was 10 royal domain here. The population in 1814 was Irish. The owner of the townland was Jasper 50 males and 45 females inhabiting 15 houses. Woodlock who forfeited it to the See of Waterford. Lord Doneraile was the owner at that time. In 1814 James Fox was owner. There were 2 THE STRAND In the dim remoteness of time our much when the land submerged, and our great forest famed Strand was a great forest, dimpled with disappeared beneath the waves, hidden forever sunny glades which echoed to the songs of from our curiosity except for the roots of some innumerable birds. Man, the great destroycr had very large trees, which were plainly evident on the not as yet stepped out of the prehistoric dawn, Riverstown side of the Beach in the 1890's. and so the wild ox, the red deer, and the ravenous Further evidence of the existence of this forest wolf wandered free and unmolested beneath the came to light in 1893 when Mr Harney, the green canopy of pine and oak. Then came a day contractor unearthed the roots of some very I -..*X -..*X ' . ,& 7 ?.. 1D KEOHAN T BEGlNlNG OF THIS CENTURV. I Page 9. This page sponsored by MRS. KATHLEEN TAYLOR. - , ? I * '*. L THE BATHING WOMEN AND THE SEA-WEED DOLL. (MICHAELMAS DAY). 1 large trees (some weighing 15 cwt) while ex- believed that the "little people" frequented the cavating for the sea-wall which was the forerunner water in the month of May, and perhaps this of the Prornenadc. deterred the bathing men from having an early Moving further along the corridor of time we start to the bathing season. The bathing women find the land settling and the forest replaced by a played a significant roll in the close of the season, firm. smooth, golden Strand. The western end On Michaelmas Day they made a grand tour of the of this Strand has always been known as the Cuil town making a collection in each house. They Tra (the Corner Strand) and was once a hallowcd brought with then1 a seaweed doll which some spot ~cscrved for tlic fairer sex. Matt the called Michil, others called Breedecn, and a few Thresher, the hero of Charles Kickham's called Father Neptune. When the tour of the '.Knocknagow", explained that a paling was [own was con~pletcdthc bathing women retired to crected here to stop the men from "speculatin' the Strand and thc sea-weed doll was tossed into on the ladies". Thc men were assigned a bathing thc Atlantic Ocean. thus drawing down the area further up the Strand. Facilities for clothcs curtain on the bathing season in Tramore. divesting operations were provided by the Corbett family in the early years of the 19th century in tllc THE RABBIT BURROW the form of canvas covered boxes for men and wooden structures for women. In latcr years This is a vast accumulation of sand which has this bathing box business was carried on by other been carried in by the prevailing wind over many families such as - Mrs Barry, Power and Keohan, centuries, forming an irregular range of hills - the O'Brien, Dolly Chapman, and the Kent family. highest point being known as Knockaunriark (little Bathing boxes were not wheeled to the Strand hill of the view). Canon Power tells us that "these until June as the bathing men had some hereditary hills bear traces of occupation by a prehistoric race prejudice against bathing in May. Many locals .... kitchen middens are sometimes exposed This page sponsored by BRENNANS LTD., THE CROSS. Page 10. after storms, and cores and flakes, as well as Sandhills, but I doubt if there ever was a village in red deer antlers etc., are found from time to time". that area. The only record of houses in the area Locals believe the "Burrow" to be haunted by a suggests that Mr. Malcolmson built two labourers creature called the "Gormogach" who has a garden cottages here - possibly as stores when constructing called Ganaidhe an Ghormoghaigh within the the embankment. Then, of course, there was shelter of the sand dunes. On wild, storniy nights the fish house constructed earlier by Bartholoniew the phantom band of the "Sea Horse" can be Rivers. One of thesc houses was occupied by a heard playing a tune called Reel na Daibhche - Mr. Stubbs who came as a gamekeeper to the Fishermen hearing the music draw in their lines Burrow area from Co. Tipperary. and head for home. Once upon a time the On January 30th 1869 the two families in Burrow was used by smugglers as a depot for these houses were alarmed by a tremendous wave smuggled goods; pits were made, securcly lined dashing in the doors of their houses. The water with boards. covered over with a hatchway to rose several feet inside and the luckless inhabitants descend through and were then filled with were forced to stand on tables, beds and other contraband tobacco. On the establishment of the articles of furniture to keep out of the rising coast-guard these pits were discovered, the goods water. Their perilous position was noticcd by seized and the entire system of smuggling put an Mr. Peet who sent some nien to their assistance. end to. The families (consisting of ten individuals) had to make a weary pilgrimage through the waters. the THE BACK STRAND waves sometimes rising to the armpits of adults. One of them, a man nanied Power, was carrying This is a weary waste of water when the tide a child when, unfortunately, the poor thing was is full, and an unprofitable-looking niuddy washed out of his arms by a wave, and drowned expansc at low tide. Mr. Malcolinson reclaimed a before it could be rescued. The front doors of the large portion of it in 1863. and it's level surface lifeboat house were dashed in and the paved floor was used for horse-racing and golf; but the sea was torn up with the waves. This lifeboat house made a breach in thc embankment in Decembe~ was situated about halfway down the beach. 19 1 1. destroying the raw-course and putting ar Nearby was the burial place of some of the Sea end to golfing over the sea-girth links. Much ha: Horse passengers. The large stone which covered been written about a village cxisting in the the grave is now standing on the Doneraile, having Page 11. This page sponsored by DELANEY FLORISTS, O'CONNELL STREET, WATERFORD. pe:ioc! oi' thc oldcr statio~?.Thc Ihnerailes may wcli havi. made over the wholc walk for the use o!' the Coastguards. At the beginning of this THE DONERAILE cc:itury the Doricrailr was crowdcd on licgatta clays. hut times have changed and the Walk I hc !)oncral!c balk a,la ld~d0~11 h\, LoI~' i> ncvcr crowded nowadays, which makes it 1)uneraile. ~liclknowmg the landed gently of tlic a pleasant piace to sit on a Summer's day 18111 ~cnturyI ~ouldimagine ~t wa:, mig~nally ~i feasting one's eyes on a tremendous view 01. prtkate walk lead~ngto Lady Doncra~le's C'we Traniore Bay, the golden Strand. the Pier, the (the Foyle). when the tamdy may have spent J Metal Man: and Brownstown Head. few montlix of the year in Tramore. 'The gate lodge and entrance gate would indicate a THE BOAT COVE development when other members of the gentry Mwre permitted to ~lseLady Doneraile's Cove when Gleann a 'Cliuain was the delightful name of the family were not in residence. Some of Charles the glen which led down to an old stone pier, K~ckham's characters in "Knocknagow" were but the beautiful old Irish name changed to Lady moonlight promenaders on the smooth gravelled Elizabeth's Cove. probably as some sort of Doneralle Walk. which indicates that the Walk was appeasement to the Donerailes. This new place- at least semi-public in pre-famine timcs. The coast name was shortened to Lady's Cove judging by an guards lived in the little houses at the Love Lane advertisement in the Waterford Mirror in 1815 cnd of the Doneraile until the building of the which stated that Seaville Cottage and shrubbery Coast-guard Statim (now Garda Barracks) in 1874. near the Lady's Cove was to be let for the season. The older Coastguard Station was situated inside The Lady's Cove was more than just a haven for the small side gate of Juverna. The continuation boats as Alexander Knox in his book "Irish of the Doneraile Walk may well datc from the Watering Places" refers to "a very beautiful walk - - This page sponsored by the ST. LEGER BAR, MAIN STREET, TRAMORE. Page 12. REMAINS OF THE OLD PlER DESTROYED IN 1883. 1-1REGATTA DAY AT THE PlER AROUT 1912. Page 13. This page sponsored by THE MORRlSSEY FAMILY, DUNROMYN, MARIAN TERRACE. 4 4 1 THE BUILDING OF THE PIER -OFFICIALLY OPENED IN 1907 BY P. J. POWER. M.P. * . - ,n --- 1 called tlie Dorieraile which leads to the village of Lady's Cove". In Charles Kickham's "Knocknagow" we find the old flute player and his lovely daughter staying in a fisherman's cottage in this village of thatched houses. The hardy fishermen of this village came into the news in 1857 when the Admiralty Court offered a sum of £50 "to the boat's crew from Lady's Cove for preserving the brig "Hope"from beconling a wreck in Tramorc Bay". Thc haunted well was obviousl~~ thc water supply for this quaint little villagc. The well is said to be haunted by the spirit of a lady who was drowned while fetching a bucket of water Just above the well onc can still see the gate which Icd to the old Coastguard Station. This old build~nglater earned the title "Haunted House". and was denlolished in 1906. The old stone Pier \itas destroyed in a series of violent storms in 1883. Conscquently, thc little haven fell into disfavour and by 1900 only one boat owned by Larry Kcoghan was afloat there. Martin J. Murphy press~ired the authorities into giving a grant of £2,000 for a new Pier which was commenced in 1905 and officially opened in 1907, since which time it has continued to afford shelter to many small sailing craft. This page sponsored by JOHN HEARN (Ironrnongers) 87, THE QUAY, WATERFORD. Page 14. THE METAL MAN Man was positioned. This ancient mariner is about 14 feet-tall. Each pillar is about 61 feet, In the early days sailing ships were at the high. A romantic legend says that if a girl mercy of wind and tide,. and in stormy weather ucceeds in hopping around the base of the Metal if a ship were blown into Tramore Bay there was Man pillar three times on ope foot she will be no escape unless the tide ebbed or the wind narried within the year. Another legend says that changed. Another contributory factor to the In stormy nights the Metal Man can be heard numerous amount of wrecks in the bay was the hnting!- error of mistaking the Bay of Tramore for the "Keep out good ship, keep out from me safe Waterford Harbour. On account of the many For 1 am the rock of misery ". wrecks over the centuries through navigational error the Rev. John Cooke (Senior), Rector of Drumcannon, suggested in Mason's Statistical Survey (1814) that Trinity House (the body in whose care are all the beacons on the British Coast) should take note of the spire of his newly built Church in Tramore, and instruct mariners to use it as a guide to warn them of the dangerous bay. THE METAL MAN. His suggestions were not acted upon and wrecks continued in the Bay with the greatest tragedy of all - the wreck of the Sea Horse in 1816. This wreck was so calamitous that it drew the attention of the Admiralty to Tramore. Admiral Wolseley made a survey of the Bay and suggested improvements which included two secure pier harbours, one at the western and another at the eastern end of the bay - estimated cost L16.000. However the recommendations came to nothing. Then on 27th June 1821 the Corporation for preserving and improving the port of Dublin inserted a notice in the Waterford Mirror concerning their intention of erecting three tower5 on Great Newtown Head and two on Brownstown Head. In compliance with that order five pillar: were erected in 1893. On the centre pillar of tht three on Great Newtown Head his eminence the A COASTAL TOUR The Cliff Road \vas constructed as a (Simpletons' Cave), Carraigin Liath (Little Grey carriageway in 1873 by the O'Neill-Powers of Rock), and Uaimh an Eisc (Cavc of the Fish). Ncwtown House on thc site of an old Coastguard ('anon Powcs missed out on a few interesting path. which provides one with an opportuility of names which Farhcr Desmond McCarthy collcc;-x seeing at little 1ro:lhlr ,omv of the fincst coastal from an old Wecto~s,nnative about fifty years ago - scenery in the arca, Ail tl~ciniets along the ('ua:l n~i111Ban nU'aazl (Laclics' Covc). Cuainin nn cwas! hear- delightful Irish :?ames which ;\.;!-i.l?cillgr. (Littlc ('me of the Burials) and Gort na gathi,rc.cl 17). C'annn 1'owi.r ! ro111 Ior.:ll r;nor!-,-. :, r Scwigc (Garden 01' 1-hc Elearher). C'uan na mBan the beginning of this century - Tra 1x1 n:Baircini I nUasal was sit!latcd opposite Eddie Murphy's (Strand of the Boats). liaimli na n~a~nall~ottagc.kind as the liarni implies it was strictly Page 15. This page sponsored by HAIR CARE, MAIN STREET, TRAMORE. for the fairer sex. A pretty walk brings you to a Cave), Uaimh na gCapall (Cave of the Horses), An strictly male preserve called the Guillameen - so Chathaoir (the Chair), an Gairdin (the Garden) called from it being frequented by shoals of small which IS really a small strand, and then Ceann an fish of that name, the catching of which afforded Roin (the Seal's Head) which is the point on which us much amusement as children in a more leisurely the pillars and the Metal Man stand. Westward and innocent age. This Cove was maintained by from here there is a small strand called Tra Ronain the Christian Brothers in the 1880's and it is to (Ronayne's Strand), then Muirbheach na their eternal credit that they were the first to erect ncamhan (Sandy Beach of the Calves), and Tra concrete steps between this great amphitheatre of an Ghaibhlin (Strand of the little Inlet). rocks. In 1905 a new springboard was erected The next place. of note is, an Scartog (the thanks to the generosity of William Chapman and Waterspout) which is a great natural curiosity. other gentlemen. The depth and buoyancy of the To see it play the sea must be agitated after a gale water make the Guillameen the favourite haunt of wind on the first quarter of the flood tide; for expert swimmers. it then sends a jet of water to a height of about Nearby is Gleann na mBad (Newtown Cove) 50 feet or more, falling in a most graceful shower which boasts a fine diving board, and hosts an of white spray. At the back of the Waterspout annual swimming gala which is well patronised. there is a very curious cave which is at all times dry There is a beautiful sylvan plantation closeby and is said to have been used by the smugglers on through which a babbling brook rushes excitedly the coast as a rendezvous. To the west of the to meet the sea. This stream is forded by some cave is a very pretty bay with a conical rock in the wooden bridges which make it a delight for centre called Hanrahan's Rock - a man of that children with a sense of adventure. Picnic tables name being killed falling off it. Then comes Tra are provided making this area a must for a family na hEadala' (Strand of the Treasure Trove) - outing. A stiff climb up the far side of the cliff treasure, no doubt from the many wrecks on this leads to a dangerous pathway along the edge of the coast. cliffs. Here below is Uaimh Dhonncaidh (Dennis's The Great Fort at Westown is the next item .-=&.-. -' This page sponsored by GRANT HAIR STYLE, 84 THE QUAY, WATER FORD. Page 16. of interest. Here on the land of John Mackey which converts into a Waterspout when the wind there is a taste of salt on the breeze as one stands blows strong from the sea. After passing the on this promontory fort where primeval man stream which forms the waterfall the walk is uphill built a settlement close to the sea. No doubt, he for a short distance, at the top of which one found the sea an easier pathway than the heavily should pause and gaze westward feasting one's forested countryside with it's wild animals preying eyes on the finest coastal view in Ireland. The on both man and beast. It was natural therefore number of rocks, islands and headlands, the bold for the first "Man of the Dawn" to select such a gigantic cliffs in the foreground, the blue smiling site which was conipletely inaccessible except on beauty of tlie sea. the striking contrast between the land side, which being a narrow neck could the black rocks and the snow white foam, all unite be easily fortified and defended. in producing a most pleasing effect. The man of Westward through fields rich with creamy taste will linger here and think how delightful blossoms whose fragrance soon welcomes one to a feeling it is to view nature in her rudest, wildest. Cuainin a 'Mhuin (the Little Haven of the Putrid but most beautiful appearance here on the Water). Here there is a beautiful little waterfall doorstep of Tramore. 51 - GARRARUS RAND ,T. I.. .,v -, NEAR TRAMORE ".+, *y+.>- -?. *?-. . "'>?,' '( x"s/ - '. h 7. Page 17. This page sponsored by THOMAS HEARNE, MARIAN TERRACE, TRAMORE. THE WRECK OF THE SEA HORSE Tl~ougliTramore Bay is the dclight of all who love to sojourn upon it's gold carpeted expanse of Strand yet like the black, gnarled socks upon it's THE SEA HORSE shore it has a dark and evil side to it's nature, and thc sad tragedy of' the Sea Horse bears ~titnessto the Jekyll and Hydc personality of tliis Bay. Thc Sea Horse was a Transport Vesscl of 350 tons burden commanded by Capt. Gibbs. She sewed originally as a Frigate with the British Navy. having been built in London in 1784. On her last fateful voyage irom Ramsgatc to Cork shc had on board I6 Officers, 287 Soldier-s, 33 Women. .3S Children. the Master of t!lr Vcssel. a ci-ex, ooi' 17. and a young Naval Ofliccr (L~eut.Allcn) who had i~nfortunat~lytakcn passage on the ill-fated ship in order to join his own ship thc Tonnant in Cork. The Officers and Soldiers were members of the 2nd Battalion 59th Regiment who had seen much action in the Peninsular War from 1808 until the Occupation of Paris. They returned to England in Dec. 18 25 to spend Christmas at home, before being assigned to garrison duty in Cork. They embarked at Ramsgate on the 25th Jan. 18 16. and as the evening was calm the Sea Horse came to anchor in the Downs. About 11 a.m. on the following morning she again weighed anchor, with light breezes from the N.N.W., and about midnight she was off Dungeness. The accounts left by some of the su~ivorspaint a rosy picture of a happy, carefree voyage in perfect weather with the Band playing delightful airs for the passcngcrs and crew. Two days later on the evening of the 28th she was off the Lizard with the wind blowing from the South and sending her merrily past the Wolf' Rock between Land's End and St Mary's on the Islcs of Scilly and out across St Gcorgcs Cllanncl into tlic Atlantic. On thc 29th Jan in the morning a strong brceze sprung LIP up at S.S.E. and freshened very much at noon; at 4 p.m. Ballycotton Island was sitcd about 13. miles well as sul'fering were internal injuries. HI: died distant. An evcnt occurrcd on tliis day \vhicli. tlirec hours later in the arms of his wife. As it no doubt, led in great measure to the subsequent now blew a strong gale, and was becoming very misfortunes of the hapless inmates of the Sea hazy and dark, Capt. Gibbs hauled his wind for Horse. John Sullivan the Mate, who was the only Kinsale Light, intending when he saw it to run person on board acquainted with the Coast, going down along the Coast for the entrance to Cork up the fore-rigging to look at land, fell down on Harbour; but not seeing the light after a run of the fore-castle and broke both arms and legs as two hours in worsening weather conditions he was This page sponsored by JIMMY DELANEY, FRUIT AND VEG., TRAMORE. Page 18. unwilling to proceed any further He therefore, Jesse1 struck him on the head, and he sunk to close-reefed his topsails and hauled close to the ise no more. wind, lying W.S.W. The ship fell off about 8 p.m. Adjutant Dent met his fate with fearlessness, and wore around on the other tack - most of the ;hook hands with his comrades and bade them night lying about S.E., wind S.S.W., but owing to joodbye; and the Vessel parting at the main the flood tide setting strong on the shore, and a latchway about one o'clock, he was observed heavy sea running, she drifted very fast inshore. 'or some time in an erect position on a portion of About five in the morning of the 30th Jan he wreck containing sixty or seventy individuals, Minehead appeared on the lee beam, the Vessel mt ;I huge wave struck it and all were hurled into drifting very fast to leeward. The gale was now :ternity. Lieutenants Geddes and Cowper hung severe and the fore-topmast was ripped over the 'or some time by the same rope, calmly promising side, while the mainsail was in ribbons and a :hat if either escaped, the survivor should write to seaman in the foretop had his back and thigh :he family and friends of the other. The former broken. The wreck was scarcely cleared when the was speedily forced to relinquish his hold, and lifeboats were washed away. The Vessel was 3erished. Lieut. Cowper lived to tell the tale. drifting so fast to leeward that though Hook Lieut. Veal, who though only in his twentieth Tower, at the entrance of Waterford Harbour, was year, had shared all the hardships of the Peninsular seen under the lee bow, yet she was unable to War, never left his station on the deck until he met weather Brownstown Head. Capt. Gibbs ordered his untimely fate. Ensign Ross. aged 19, perished the anchors to be thrown out and the sails clewed with equal composure. Illness had confined Lieut. up. The ship was brought up under Brownstown Gillespie to his berth until the danger became Head in seven fathoms of water. About rnid-day imminent, when he came on deck, and shared the the anchors dragged, the wind and sea still misfortune with his comrades. Ensign Hill, having increasing, and about ten past twelve the Sea served some time in the navy, it was expected that Horse, battered and helpless grounded in Tramore his former experience of the perils of the sea would Bay less than a mile from the shore and safety. have tended to his preservation; but alas, No assistance whatever could be afforded to the surrounded by such insuperable difficulties, hapless inmates of the doomed Vessel by the neither skill nor courage could avail. numerous spectators who lined the shore hoping Surgeon Hagan, with filial affection, had on for a lull in the merciless gale. Crowds of soldiers his entrance into the army, devoted a property lined the decks, many of them washed away by which he possessed in the North of Ireland to the cvery returning wave. All hope of escape seemed use of his mother and sisters. On perceiving that now to forsake every breast. death was inevitable, he calmly remarked, "It is A contemporary account from the survivors' the will of the Almighty", and expressed a wish stories gives instances of the wonderful bravery and that thc Officers should meet their fate in the calm resignation shown by many who perished in cabin. Assistant-Surgeon Lambe laid hold of a the tragedy. Major Douglas, a distinguished plank, but it being speedily washed away from young Officer with great calmness changed hi: him he was seen no more. coat for one less cumbersome, then exclaimed Quarter-Master Baird who at 34, was one of "All is over" and taking out his gold watch the oldest on board, had his lovely wife and two offered it to any one who saw a probability of daughters with him. He left them in their cabin escaping. He then took his station in the shrouds and returned constantly to the decks in the forlorn from whence a mountainous wave soon washed hope of a rescue for them, but every visit to the him overboard and he quickly disappeared. Ht. deck only presented fresh victims of the raging was a relation of the Fortescue family who lived ir tempest, and rendered the assurance of his w I\* Corballymore House which was then known a: doubly sure. His eldest daughter, a lovely girl. Summerville. Capt. McGregor, being an cxcellenl aged eleven. lay in her berth, in a dreadfui state swimmer. bade farcwcll to his friend, Lieut of alarm, entreating every Officer to remain with MacPherson, then stripped of his jacket and dived her, vainly hoping, with an anxiety natural to her into the raging waters. anti after buffeting f~r: tcnder years. that they could afford her some considerable time with the tremendous surge protection. Lieut. Scott, to calm her fears, sat had nearly reached the shore, when a part of the down beside her, and in that situation he is said to Page 19. This page sponsored by HENNEBRYS, THE CROSS, TRAMORE. have remained. until thc Vesscl went bcne;ith thc ;hip broke up he grabbed hold of a piece of timber waves. Mrs Baird with patient resignation sat in vhich was spiked. The spike pierced his hand but the corner of hcr cabin wit11 her younger daughter ie refused to let go despite the pain. and was on hcr lap until lIi(-; rusliiug watt-ri; dcsccndcd on vashcd ;~shorcunconscious. Ensign &ward had a 1ic.1- from the duck. ;tnu ticath appro;>c.hcri in it's ,imilal- providentiai escape Iro~ntlie jaws ol'cJcath. most horr~dform. Lici~t.~l!cn. the yo1111gnaval All t!iat \vcri. rescued were brought to thi. fcr who Ilad take!] passage on the ship, U~IITOW House. the only cottage on that pas[ of displayed skill and 1ie1.oisr-n rl!roughout ihc whole ilw lwacti. thc. honlc ol' a peasant named Ilunnc. of the distressillg swni'. ~jndwls one of tlie last rhe cottages and his wife gave their only bed to washed off the wrcck. tle was on the samt LVJO wounded officers and lodgcd and comforted shrouds with Ensign Scward. 111 privates who were too ill to move during the The composure and heroism manifested by night. A warm fire was kept lighting all night the officers was also evident amongst all ranks on while spirits were administered both internally and board the Sea Horse. Capt. Gibbs described the :xternally to those rescued. The surviving officers dreadful scenc as people clung to different sections and lncn were removed to Watcrford as soon as of the wreck - "Thcrc. was no disturbance amongst thq7 were fit to travel. and here they received all them. most of them ejaculating prayers: wonleri the attentions which their destitute situation stood were Ilcard cnco~.~ragingtheir- Ilusbandr; to die with in nerd Meanwhile dead bodies were belnp them; and a sergean1.s wife wit11 tflrcc children hourly \vasIicd in o!? the bcuch, and were taken to clasped to her breast. resigned hcrsulf' to h~,rf'at~e ;I coach llousc and htores iO :)wait 1,urial. The bctwcen decks". T!ie wife of a privalc r~moved manner in which the children weru washed on thc' her car-rings and put tiicm in her purse with her beach. showed clearly tlie anxiety of their parents money and handed the purse to her l~usband and friends. as they were generally enclosed in expressing the hope that he might be saved. This trunks or chests, four being found in one large heroine perished with her child while the afflicted chest. The body of a soldier floated to shore with husband lived to tell thc melancholy story. Mrs his child clasped to his breast. Sullivan. the wife of the mate who died the One of the first funerals of the tragedy was previous evening, remained with the corpse i~ntil that of Capt. Dent which was mournfully striking: death entwined them both in it's cold embrace. the officers and privates of the 97th. Regiment Perhaps there never was an age when female attended with arms reversed, and three vollies excellence shone with brighter lustre than on that were fired over the grave. Rev. Cooke read the tragic occasion in the centre of Tramore Bay. funeral senlice with feeling and dignity. Rev Some of those who clung to the wreck until Father Wall, the Catholic Curate. waited on the it went to pieces had providential escapes. Lieut. invalid officers. and proferred with great kindness MacPherson fortunately caught hold of some and feeling. his and the Parish Priest's (Father planks of the quarter deck. A countryman named Phelan) best offices. Rev. Cooke had the Kirwa~irushed into the sea and rescucd him from a harrowing task oT having to preside over .burials watery grave. Lieut. Cowyer was several time! for weeks after the tragedy in Drumcannon washed off a single plank that he had gained Churchyard and in three mass graves on the beach. lie afterwards got on the part of the wreck whicli Among the saddest interments was that of a seven supported Lieut. MacPherson. bur the violence of year old boy, the son of Corporal Malone. While the waves forced him to relinquisl~his hold; hc the pit was being prepared by the soldiers, sunk to the bottom two or three times, and would Corporal Malone had a separate grave dug for his inevitably have perishcd had he not luckily go1 beloved child. He took off the only shirt he had hold of a mast. which brought him near thc shore and wrapped it round the body of his son, which His situation was extremely perilous, and he musl was entirely naked. He continued intently to view have shared the same fate of many of his brave the body of his darling child till it was covered companions, but for the courage of Mr.A.P. Hun1 from his sight, upon which, after dropping a who though in a delicate state of health, rushed manly tear into the grave and lifting his eyes to through the foaming surf up to his neck and Heaven, he retired. This misfortunate soldier delivered him from certain death. The escape 01 had also lost his wife in the tragedy. Lieut. Hartford was really remarkable. As tht In the official reports of the tragedy the This page sponsored by THE ROCHE FAMILY, SUN COURT, DONERAILE DRIVE. Page 20. 'gentlemen' class received unrestricted praise for Brien, Michael Callahan, Nicholas Power, Thomas their rescue efforts on the beach, while the Keohan, William Joy, Constable, John Power, and peasant was only given secondary mention, e.g. Thomas Keohan (Jun). one report stated that James Fennell, the servant At a numerous and respectable meeting of of Mr. Hunt, undauntedly seconded his master. the inhabitants of Tramore on the 23rd Feb. 18 16 An affadavit sworn before one of his Majesty's the following address to the surviving officers of Justices of the Peace .(Henry Sargent) makes the 59th Regiment wrecked in the Sea Horse interesting reading: - Transport was read:- John Hanlon states that he was called on by John Walsh, Esq., Coast Officer to follow him to :entlemen, the Strand, and was one of the first there except We beg to present to you our sincere Mr.Wals11; and that he heard Mr.Walsh say to the :xpression of sorrow and sympathy for the loss men on the Strand, that he would give the first ~hichthe gallant 5 9th. Regiment, yourselves, and person who saved a man from the ship, f 10; he the Empire have recently sustained. The nature then said John Manlon saved three men with the ~f the catastrophe yet fills us with the heaviest assistance of Thomas Lane, and Nicholas Wall, pief, for we were forced to behold from our a sailor from Newtown; and further states, that jhores ~~nutterabledistress, which no exertion of only for the reward offered and the exertions of 3urs could remedy, and a Transport with his Mr. Walsh he thinks there would not be so many Majesty's Officers and Soldiers going to pieces. saved. In a situation which no boat could reach. We William Power states that he was called on by trust however, that your sorrows may be soothed Mr. John Walsh to follow him to the Strand; that by the hand of time, and that Heaven, whose he saved four men with the assistance of Thomas will it has been to permit this calamity, may Ivie, Coast Officer, David Burke, and Thomas strengthen your minds and those of the relatives Kerevan, and that he also saved two more men of the departed heroes, to bear it with calm with the assistance of John Walsh, a labourer, resignation. and Reilly, a weaver from Tramore. Signed for the meeting, Thomas Kerevan states that he saved two John Cooke, Chairman, officers, the Capt. of the Transport, and one Tramore - Feb. 23rd. 18 16. private, with the assistance of Mr.John Walsh and Mr. Thomas hie; and that he the said, Thomas Resolved, - Kerevan also says that it was by the example of That the foregoing address be forwarded by Mr. Walsh. and his holding out a reward to the the hands of the Revd. Mr. Cooke, and of the people on the shore. that so many lives were Rcvd. Mr. Phelan, P.P.. to Lieutenants Cowper, saved. MacPhcrson, and Hartford, and Ensign Seward, The above J. Hanioli. W. Power, and T. the four surviving officers of that part of the 59th Kerevan further state that it was through the Regiment. lately wrecked, and also to the cncouragernent and exertions of Mr. Walsh that so relatives of the departed and lamented officers. many were saved; also state that it was Mr. Walsh Resolved, - who provided the spirits for the unfortunate That those who were active at the late wreck, sufferers. (Earlier 'official' reports had credited disclaim being influenced by hope of money, in Mr.A.P. Hunt with this). saving the lives of his Majesty's officers and The affidavit lists the following namcs whc soldiers, and were actuated alone by feelings of were most active in the rescue work:- religion and humanity. Mr. Hunt, Mr. Ivie. Coast Officer, Mr. Thoma: Resolved, - Lane. John Hanlon, Thomas Kerevan? Willian That we lately beheld with the deepest Power. Pat Barry, Edward Foltty, John Powcr anguish numerous dead bodies of the privaies of Michacl Morrisscy, David Burke. Jamcs Phelan his Majesty's 59th.Reg., being part of thc army of Laurence Flinn, John Sinnott, Dennis Sinnott thc immortal Wellington, buried in the sand and 'Tin1 Neal. Pat Kelly, James Fcnnell, John Keohan cliffs without coffins, or othel- coverings. William Sheehan, Jeffry Dunphy. Waltcr Drohan Resolved. - Michael Keane, Kcran C'allahan. Pat Flaherty. Joh~ 'That we also saw with sorrow the manner in Page 21. This page sponsored by JOHN MOLLOY, FRUIT AND VEG., THE CROSS. which the dead bodies of officers and privates Resolved, - were kept in a coach house and stores before being That the excellent conduct of the Revd. Mr. placed in the earth. Cooke. in thk parish now, and at all times. is Resolved, - mtitled to our highest praise; being ever ready That some measures he taken to place stones to attend his duty when sun~moned,and recently. on, or enclose the spot. in a secure manner wherc after performing scrvice over uncovered bodies, the soldiers of the 59th-Reg., havc been placed in at thc risk of life and health. icnconsecra ted ground. John Bernard Trotter. Resolved. - That having witnessed great irregularities The loss of property must have becn very during the late shipwreck wc trust the legislature yeat as the Sca Horse was the head-quarter ship, may in it's wisdom, devise sonx provisions of a and the mess plate alone was valued at almost salutary nature, to regulate shipwrecks in Ireland L2,OOO. It is more than likely that the in future. and in particular, in case of Transporrs Regimental plate still tics at the bottom of with his Majesty's troops on hoard. rramore Bay. Contemporary accounts tell us that Rcsolvcd. - "plunder was carried on to an enormous pitch. That it would be highly expedient.. that his all the chests that came on shore being broken Majesty's golvcrn~nrnt ;vmlii takc ir~tc ?pen and pillaged'' There was nothing unusual consideration thc necessity of ;I Li t'eboai it-, this In that as sh~pwrccked property way generally bay. :onsldt.rcd hy thc. people on the Coast as lawful Resolved, - prze. However wch theft only added to the That the Rwd. hill-. Phrian, P.P. ill taking misery of the su~\wors. and may have deprived early measures for the restitut~onof property and the families of those who perished of their only in soothing the feelings of the suffwxs, and for means of support. The bodies of the dead did not a long course of benevolence and piety. deserves escape judging by the following notice in the our warmest thanks. Waterford Mirror (1 6 th March 18 16) Resolved, - That the thanks of this meeting be given to "The afflicted mother of Capt. McGregor of all the Gentlemen of Tramore. and it's vicinity, the 59th.Reg. who unhappily perished in the anxious to and to every spirited individual who exerted Sea Horse Transport at Tramore, hin~self in preserving or comforting the late possess some memorial of her unfortunate sufferers. relative. offers 2gs. reward to any person who will bring to Mr. McGregor on the Quay. Resolved. - Thai thc thanks of this i~?czlinbe given to or to either of the Newspaper Offices. a silver John Bernard Trotter, E.sq.. .'or his care and hunting watch, chain. and seals. which her attention in regard to the dead of the 59th.Reg., son had in his possession at the time the and his exertions on behalf of the peoplc of this dreadful catastrophe occurred. As the body there is little doubt town. has been lately found, Resolved, - that the watch must be in the possession of No enquiries will That a copy of thesc resolutions be some person on the Coast. transmitted to his Majesty's government - his Royal be made, and should any person have Highness the Duke of York - and his Grace the purchased it. the purchase money will be returned on it's restoration". Duke of Wellington, and to the Colonel of the 59th. Regiment. John Cooke, Chairman. The total number of persons on board the The Revd. Mr-Cooke having left the Chair, and Sea Horse when the terrible calamity dccurrcd Mr.Trotter having taken it, was 393. Only 30 were saved. All the women Resolved, - and children perished. That the thanks of this meeting be given to Revd. Mr. Cooke, for his proper conduct in the Total of Officers lost Chair, and also, - N.C.O.'s and Privates This page sponsored by OLLIE O'CONNOR, BUTCHER, MAIN STREET. Paw 22. Lieut. Allen, Royal Navy "Lord Melville", together with the "Boadicea", (A Passenger) 1 a transport brig, having on board part of the 82nd Women 3 3 Regiment, were observed in a perilous position Children 38 between the Seven Heads and the Old Head of Sailors 15 Kinsale. All on board the "Boadicea" perished, --- except 60, who had reached the rocks at Total 363 Garretstown. Thirty more who had also gained rocks, continued in this miserable sit~~ationfor The following is a list of those saved:- some hours, but, vainly hoping to reach the Lieutenants John Cowper. A. McPherson, and shorc, they rushed into the water and were all Henry Hartford, Ensign W. Seward. Colour- drowned. All on board the "Lord Melville" were Sergeant Thomas Curtis, Corporals hicholas savcd except 2 Officers, their wives, and a child Hall, and Michael Malone, Drummcr W. McNeill, who took to a boat and were drowned. Privates James Offia, James Clayton. John Lieut. Colonel Austin, Lieut.Colone1 Hoysted, .4rmstrong. Edward Doonegan. Joseph Clayton, and tllc othcr surviving Officers of the 2nd, John Tuntliffe, James Kelly (1st). James Kelly Battalion, 59th. Reg., erected a large tombstone (2nd ). Peter Davey, Joseph Fitzpatrick, Henry over thc graves on the beach. This was later Style<. Janies M'Loughlin, John M'Kibben, I'>avid removed and placed in a prominent position on thc Gailey, John Hames, Robert Scott, Patrick Malone Donerailc in Tramore. An Obelisk was erected as (who died shortly after) Robert Colvey. and a n:e~norialto them in the graveyard of the Church Robert M'Kitterick. Capt. Gibbs and two sailors. of Ireland. So next time you stroll along the Disaster also attended the remainder of the Doneraile watching the breakers leaping up to clasp Regiment which had embarked on board the the dusky cliffs of Brownstown in their white "Lord Melville" transport, together with a arms breathr, a silent prayer for those brave men, detachment of the 62nd.Regiment. 011 the evening women and children who perished on that day of the same day upon which the dreadful of tragedy in 1816. catastrophe took place in the bay of Tramore, the THE PERILOUS SEA that a Lif'chor~the ~~lit~.i~(iin the 13;ly. In r1c.rerenc.r ~nissions was a French schooner "Anemone" to that rcqucst thf K.X.L.I. reiponcleci by si:nditlg which had beonmc a tot~lwreck on Kliineshark C;iptain Ward R.k. lo sclect t!x most su!tabk site hi- finch mcmbsr of the Lifeboat crw received ~'oI- a i ;i"clj~~~tI!i,~~,c .A> [liO>t OC thL \* ieS This page sponsored by ANNE O'CONNOR, (BAKERY), SUMMERHILL. Page 24. Walsh, Pat Power, Henry Higgins, James Keoghan Spence (1894), Edward Winter, James Kent (1864), Pat Hearn (1 865), Thomas Morrissey (1 9 1 1, 2nd Cox), Algernon Power. (1867), Stephen Pilcher (Cox 187 I), James Cahil, James Mulligan, Thomas Tailer, Mickle Downey, From 1890 onwards wrecks became John Dunn, Mickle Halley, John Keoghan (Jun), comparatively few, presumably because of the (1867), John Toms, John Kirby, Joseph R. Pim widespread use of steam and consequently the (1 868), Patrick Bryan, Patrick Power, James Lifeboat Station in Tramore was closed. The Kirwan, Martin Norris (Cox 1899), Charles Lifeboat Station in Dunmore East is now capably Harris, Michael Kirwan, Henry Long, Josiah dealing with any distress in shipping in this area. Marks, Michael Murphy, John Power, Michael An inshore rescue boat has been stationed at the Baldwin, Thomas Keoghan, Charles Spinks Pier in Tramore since 1964 and has been manned (187 1, Cox '85), Pat Joy, John Hurley, John by local volunteers who continue the proud Keily ( l875), John Kirwan, John Walsh, Michael tradition of the Lifeboatmen of yesteryear. Ships Cantwell, James Morrisy, Richard Grubb, Capt. still come to grief as is evidenced by the wreck of Wm. Hayden (1885), Robert Londrigan, T. I the coaster "Michael" in 1975 which stood forlorn Power, Pat Keoghan ( 189 I), - Sharky, Jas.Power, on our Beach for a considerable length of time, a -McCoy, Thos. Duggan, Michael Ryan, John cruel testimony to the perils of Tramore Bay. THE TRAMORE TRAIN It was the month of September 1853, and As they toiled William Whittle sat on top of the work of saving the harvest was in progress in the ruined Pickardstown Mass-House, gazing the fields around Tramore, and as was customary eagle eyed in the direction of Waterford City. in those far-off days neighbours helped each other Below him cattle grazed peacefully, while the by concentrating their energies on one farm at a only other sign of activity was a spiral of smoke time. On this particular morning the harvesters from a cottage chimney. Beyond the townland of made their way to the fields of Arthur Mason on Carriglong there appeared a cloud of much denser top of Pickardstown Hill, and began the day's smoke, and quickly William Whittle raced to the work with a flourish, but as the day wore on it harvesters with the news of the approach of the became apparent from the excited chatter of the strange object which was the reason for their workers that harvesting was only secondary in chatter all morning. They lost no time in racing their thoughts. to the great vantage point on Pickardstown Hill. TF'AMORF STAT ION 1931 Page 25. This page sponsored by JIM WALSH, BUTCHER, MAIN STREET. - WATERFORD'S MANOR STATION SHOWING A TRAIN OF EX-CLAYTON CARS. Then hissing and puffing, the object of their It was the original intention to build a Line curiosity came into view. It was the much talked from Cork to Waterford via the coast, passing about "Iron Horse" carrying some special guests quite close to Tramore, but when this project to Tramore. A whistle from the engine saluted fell through due to lack of finance, the local the onlookers, who replied with raised pitchforks, Directors applied to Westminster for an Act to and then chatting excitedly they returned to the allow them make a Railway from Waterford to fields happy in the thought that they had Tramore. This Act of Queen Victoria was passed witnessed a bit of local history - the first run of on 24th. July 185 1. The contract for the the Tramore Train. construction of the Line was awarded to William -*.e \ --9. THE TRAMORE E TRAIN AND STAFF. --- .------This page sponsored by JOHN MURPHY CARPETS, MAYOR'S WALK, WATERFORD. Page 26. J TRAIN DERAILMENT AT PERRY'S BRIDGE ON 9th AUGUST, 1935. Dargan, who speedily began the project, the first was to build the Tramore Terminus in Strand St. sod being cut on the 10th. Feb. 1853. The where O'Shea's Hotel now stands, but this was difficulty of crossing Kilbarry Marshes to lay the changed and the present location used (Tramore permanent way was overcome by putting down Failte Offices). The Railway was ready for bundles of boughs (of trees), as these faggots were opening by the 2nd. Sept. 1853. The first found to be the only form of foundation which did Chairman was Sir James Dombrain, Lewis S. not sink, and it was upon these bundles of sticks Demay was appointed Manager and Mr. le Fanu was that the permanent line of the Tramore Railway Engineer-in-charge. ran through the Kilbarry bogs. The first plan 1 An extension was planned to the pretty B TP..'7IPt 0N STRAND ROAD. Page 27. This page sponsored by SENATOR BRIAN O'SHEA, LABOUR PARTY. village of' Dunnlorc Last, which would brmcl~nff iuggested as a possible reason. The engine at Pickardstowr~, but difficulty in obtaining the No. 483) was a cornplete write-off. land free of charge. and the desire of thc residents The third accident was the most amazing of to keep their pleasant resort 'selecr caiiscd thi' I!! On the night 01' thc I4th.Aug. 1947 the 1 1.30 abandonment of the scheme. Ir, 5 a :rail> I'rom Watcrl'ord steamed into the Tramore tell~porarystation was built at Pickartlstowt; where Station, a!ld burst through the end wall at a height the train stopped on market days for the hcncfit )f ahout eight ket or more above tlie Strand Road. of the farming communii~l. In the sanic year at t's stiil a source of amazement that no passersby the half-yearly general meeting of rhc proprietors ,vcre killed, as the Strand Road would have been of the Waterford/Tramose Railway it was jacked with people on an August Race night. annoi~iiced that there was an increase in traffic I'he Driver of the train was James Doolan, and on the line for the half-year ended 30th. June. The :he Fireman was Thomas Colfer, while Michael receipts were E I,? 17- 12-4 as compared with Zolbert was the Guard in charge of the train. C 1 ,O7 1 - 17- 1 1 in the corresponding period in 1854. 3arda Sullivan, Dr Twomey, and the Knights This was all the more remarkable because of the >f Malta were at the scene. There was a previous extreme severity of the Winter. and the delay in lccident at that spn:, w!ien an engine burst the supply of engines, which interfered with the through the wall. but on that occasion without development of Winter .traffic on tlie Line. The sufficienr inipetu.; to crash on to the Strand Road - fares were:- First class single 8d. Ret~im I/-. the engine hcing content to hang precariously Second class single 6d. and Return 9d, whilc 3ver the wall. dogs were carried in a special compartment for The Line was comparatively prosperous 3d. Thc goods traffic was small and mainly during it's independent existence which ceased on confined to coal for the Gasworks and Benner's the 30th.Jan. 1925 when it was amalgamated into Coal Depot which adjoined the Station. the Great Southern Railway. About 1930 the line There were only three serious accidents had to face competition from the Nomad Bus during the life span of the Tramore Railway. Service, and it was not surprising that there was The first was in the month of August 1858, when rumour of closing. However a Government Act the Engine ran out on the roadway at the allowed for the buying out of the Nomad Service, Waterford Manor Terminus killing a young and as a result the Line got a stay of execution. passerby named Patrick Kenny. Evidence at the The Line was dieselized in 1954, and Tramore's Inquest showed that a large gate was broken down, day of the Steam Train had passed into oblivion. and the wall next to the Pill river also broken In 1960 C.I.F. announced the imminent The suggestion was that the smoothness of the closure of the Tramore Line, and despite rails. from great heat and friction. caused tlie considerable local opposition, and a representative engine to overshoot the Station House. delegation going to Dublin, C.I.E. would only The second accident occurred on the 24th listen to alternatives such as the Bus Service. August 1935 when the engine 01 the 12.15~1~The authorities implemented the closure on the from Waterford became derailed at Carriglong 3lst. Dec. 1960, when Paul Daniels had the sad Bridge, and after dragging the Coaches for about task of driving the last passenger train (2.15pm 300 yds, went down an embankment at Perry's from Tramore). The little Railway system which Bridge. Michacl POUTS (the Driver) had head had rxcited our harvesters back in 1853 is now and back injuries. while the Fircman Vich;1?.1 only a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those Phelan s1iffert.d a broken collar hone and a ot ti. lucky c.ncugh tc have steamed through (" ,. crushed ear. Thc Guard of the‘ Trairi \I :>s . :Il. ovrr t11c \let31 Bridge; on through Christy Falconrr. \v!loav prcheni.: or' ~ntrir! it: Pi~kiid~toun. riglong long. Duagh. and the ;ipplving thc hand-bide s,n rd :Iian:, rrinrl S~'otn !ra iscfosc. tntering thc Manor serious injuries. Hc took immediate step:, tcj gei Stirtion at journey's end. the passengers clear as quick 21s possiblc. Ds Philip Purcell was passing by on the main road, and rendered medical assistance to the injured. The cause of the accident was never established, but Buffer locking on the Clayton Coaches was This page sponsored by TRAMORE CREDIT UNION. Page 28. EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY Page 29. This page sponsored by TRAMOR E P.T.A.A. QUEEN STREET. THE HOUSE ON THE RIGHT IS KATE McSWEENEV'S WHICH IS MENTIONED PROMINENTLY IN JOSEPH BRADY'S "THE BIG SYCAMORE". , -43W"p. a. w MAIN STREET. *:Q? -.r;.-+ *, \-L- :?NOTE L 8, N ON RIGHT. ON LEFT HALLEV'S BUTCHER SHOF . . -=$:*''" CAN BE SEEN. LATER TO BECOME THE REX CINEMA. < ?+*:" V*< -,. ,7.. .,;r;rbm-Ts-L This page sponsored by CANTWELL'S MUSIC SHOP, GEORGE'S COURT, WATERFORD. Page 30. THE TERRACE. 'ERCY FRENCH STAVED IN TROY'S HOTEL IN 1903 WHEN >IVING A CONCERT INTHE GRAND HOTEL. I GINNING OF CENTURY. E. GIRLS IN PICTURE ARE JNNELLY. NOTE OLD Page 31 . This page sponsored by TRAMORE C.B.S. PAST PUP1 LS UNION. THE PICKARDSTOWN AMBUSH The 'Great War' had passed into the pages of was to be ambushed at a barricade of sticks, history, and Ireland's enemy ever mindful of the stones, and carts erected at the Tramore side of events of 1916, resorted to a campaign of terror the Metal Bridge which was a Railway Bridge against the Irish people in order to break their spanning the main Waterford/Tramore road. spirit, and stifle their aspirations for freedom and On the morning of the 7th. January 192 1 independence. For some strange reason, despite Andy Kirwan (a member of the West Waterford the lessons of centuries, the oppressor had failed Brigade I.R.A.) was ordered to commandeer a to learn that a terror campaign only strengthens a few cars to transport some West Waterford downtrodden people's resolve to break the shackles Volunteers to Tramore for the planned ambush of bondage, and in the process creates a special that night. At that time motor cars were a breed of men who are ever ready to answer their rather scarce commodity, and Andy Kirwan knew country's call to arms. There was such a band of that the local gentry were the ~nainsource of dedicated Inen in the Oeise County at that time supply. They were pro-British in outlook. but who constantly risked their lives by ambushing with a bit of fr~endlypersuasion he commandeered the forces of the enemy, and wrecking his military thc required automobiles to transport the West and governmental institutions, thereby impeding Waterford Brigade to Tramore under thc command his progress at every available opportunity. of Pax Whelan, and included men like Mick These Deise stalwarts met in the closing weeks Mansfield, John Joe Cummins, and Pat Keating. of 1920, and planned an attack on the forces of They were ever ready to help their Eastern the Crown at Pickardstown, less than a mile from counterparts under the command of Paddy Paul, the Town of Tramore. Briefly, the planned and men like Nicky Whittle, Tom Brennan, Paddy attack was to fire a few shots at the R.I.C. Cuddihy, Bill Walsh, John Dobbyn, and John Barracks in Queen St. in order to scare the besieged 'Bonny' Doyle. garrison into summoning help from the forces in Later that evening the Eastern Brigade made the City of Waterford. The British Relief party their way from Waterford to Tramore by various -. - A -"--- I A REPRISAL FOR THE PICKARDSTOWN AMBUSH - THE BURNING OF THE SINN FElN HALL. This page sponsored by A LOVER OF OLD TRAMORE. Page 32. fields to conceal their movements from the wound in Court, but had to be content with authorities. Some of them moved into ambush III award of just £500. position, while others went to the Town of Nicky Whittle had the presence of mind to Tramore to join the Tramore Volunteers for tlic ,011 down over the embankment into the furze attack on the R.I.C. Station. About eleven-o- vhich grows hereabouts in great profusion giving clock the sound of bomb, rifle, and revolver :he townland it's name Ballinattin - Baile an Aitinn roused the little Town from it's slumber. The :he townland of the furze. The troops returned siege lasted for almost an hour. Constable Bryant ~utcould not find Nicky who had now become was wounded in the right thigh, and later was ~nconscious. When he revived the noise of battle awarded £500 conlpensation in Court. The lad ceased. Painfully he struggled to a cottage besieged garrison sent up Verey lights into the dark joor, but the occupier refused aid saying that night sky to summon help from Waterford. 'he didn't want to be involved in the troubles". Meanwhile the ambush party patiently awaited 50 Nicky struggled to another cottage, but again the arrival of the relief party. The stillness of ,'there was no room at the Inn". Eventually he night was only broken by the lonely cry of a ~rrivedat a relative's house where his wounds were vixen. Then the wail of the Banshee sent shivers jrcssed, and a con~fortablebed prepared. Word through the bodies of these warriors. For somc of was conveyed to Dr.Purcel1 in Waterford Infirmary them it was a warning that the spectre of death by a young lad delivering milk. He had been was hovering in the fern-robed glen. stopped at Ballytruckle by the military who As the hour of mid-night approached the searched his churns, but the message had been noise of armoured cars replaced the eerie silence. shrewdly hidden in his shoe. The good Doctor The enemy had fallen for the bait, and the time of was a Republican sympathiser, and it is ironic reckoning was at hand. Down the old Back Road that he was called to the Barracks to tend some of from' Waterford came the Crossley tenders, the military casualties in the Ambush. Dr.Purcel1 but then in a moment of panic a shot was fired realized that hospital treatment was essential for by one of the East Waterford men, and the enemy Nicky, and decided to shift him to St. Otteran's was forewarned. The soldiers immediately jumped Mental Hospital as there was less likelihood of that from their trucks, and engaged the East Waterford Institution being searched. Indeed it's apparent men in a fierce gun battle. Word was quickly safety prompted the I.R.A. to dump their conveyed to the West Waterford men who were on ammunition in the grounds after the Ambush. the Tramore side of the Metal Bridge to disband In the meantime Nicky Whittle was registered before being surrounded. Andy Kirwan lost no as 'dead' and a mock funeral took place to force time in transporting them back to the safety of the the authorities to ease their efforts to track him Comeragh mountains. The East Waterford men down. Within a fortnight it was decided to shift on the Ballinattin Road had to face the brunt of him from the Hospital for fear of informers who the attack. Capt. O'Beirne who was in charge of have down the centuries of our history hindered the relief party sent some of his troops across the various movements for freedom. So Tom Brennan field at the rear of the present Shrine thereby and a comrade brought Nicky by pony and trap to surrounding the riflemen in that area. It was herc the Kilmeaden area. On the journey they heard an that 24 year old Michael McGrath from Polebeny armoured car approaching in the darkness. was fatally wounded, and just above the present Immediately Tom Brennan hoisted Nicky on to his Shrine Nicky Whittle received the bullets which he broad shoulders and carried him into a field. carried for the remainder of his life. As he lay on The soldiers searched the trap, and as nothing was the roadway the soldiers were about to finish him found allowed the driver to proceed. He duly off when his stout-hearted comrade 20 year old obliged and picked up his two importz!~t Tom O'Brien from Ballycraddock bravely passengers outside the view of the unsuspecting distracted the soldiers. who immediately pursued military. Having reached the Kilmeaden area him and in a shootout Tom O'Brien was fatally Nicky was taken by boat across the Suir to wounded. One of his ptlrsucrs Private ('harks Portnascully on the Kilkenny side of thc rivcr. Fussc was wounded in the k~lee. IIe was i1 wlicre Ilc was givcn a safe rcfugc in the Walsh member of the First Battalion Devo~~shirt.l~omcstead to i.ecupt.rate from his inji~rics. HC Regiment, and later claimed C5.000 damages for later moved to England as things were getting too Page 33. This page sponsored by TRAMORE JUVENILE G.A.A. CLUB. POWER'S MARKET STREET A REPUBLICAN HOUSE. -- - - hot - rather strange that enemy territory was a ;offin was draped with the Tricolour when trans- safer haven than his native land. It was fortunate ferred to the Hearse. Along the route heads were for him that he left St. Otteran's as the military ~ncoveredreverently as the cortege slowly wended raided the Hospital, and searched the beds and ~t'sway to St. John's Church. Fully armed soldiers bedding. Before they left the Institution they were on duty outside the Church, and arrested arrested three attendants - Thomas Gallagher, two young men James Drohan and Edward Walsh. William Gallagher, and William Power. On arrival of the remains in the Church Father At the Inquest on the two dead Volunteers Dowley recited the Rosary. Crowds thronged the the Medical Officer said that only one of them had Church throughout the afternoon and evening. been identified as a result of two Union Cards The lid of the coffin was unscrewed for a brief (Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners - period to enable friends of the deceased to see his Waterford Branch) found on the body. Both cards countenance for the last time. A Volunteer guard carried the name Michael McGrath. He had a large was on duty all evening until the Church closed, lacerated wound on the right side of the head and again from six o-clock on Monday morning causing fracture of the skull and laceration of the until the funeral. Solemn Requiem High Mass was brain. Death in his opinion was instantaneous offered at noon on Monday with Father Calvin caused by gunshot wound to the head. The other (Celebrant), Father Scally (Deacon), Father man whose name was unknown had a punctured Hallinan (Sub-deacon), and Father Kelleher wound between the sixth and seventh ribs of the (Master of Ceremonies). In the choir were Fathers left side one inch extending to the nipple. It was Dowley, Crotty, Dunphy, Keane (O.P.), O', 1 Y2 inches long. There was also another wound on Connor, Power, and Burke. the back between the fifth and sixth ribs, one inch A military order was issued intimating that extending to the spine on the left side. This only 40 persons involving immediate relatives wound was two inches long and one inch wide. would be allowed to follow the remains to These wounds were due to the same bullet entering Carbally Churchyard. No walking in military the body. The cause of death was a gunshot formation was allowed. Despite the order much wound passing through the heart and lungs. more than the permitted amount attended to pay A vast crowd gathered outside the Infantry their respects to the first Waterford City man to Barracks for the removal of the remains of Michael fall in the Irish War of Independence. The chief McGrath at 12.30 on Sunday January 10th. The mourners at the graveside were Thomas and This page sponsored by MRS. MIOMEY, ST. LEDGER PLACE, TRAMORE. Page 34. Richard (brothers) and Katty, Annie, Mollie withdrew. Then the coffin was lowered into the and Norah (sisters). The name of Michae :rave, and a decade of the Rosary was recited by McCrath is perpetuated in Tramore whcre thc -ather Galvin. Owing to the necessity of local G.A.A. club is called after him, and the finc lisguising I.R.A. troop movements from the enemy sportsfield bears his name. ,This is all very fitting Irrangements were made that his name be inserted as Nicky Whittle told, me ' that he rememberec 11 the Registry Book as 'Anonymous'. Despite young Michael McGrath playing football fo he anonymity, Thomas O'Brien, the man from Ballytruckle not far from the field now known a 3allycraddock. will always hold a special place McCrath Park. 11 the annals of Deise history, and particularly n Dunhill where the magnificent Gaelic Field >ears his name - a fitting memorial to a favourite ;on. These two men who spilled their life's blood hen hurling the~nselvesagainst the might of an mpire. were young men of quiet dignity. upon ~homIreland's sad history had left a deep mprint. On the Ballinattin Roadside both of :hem stood shoulder to shoulder to advance and {indicate the National Cause. They knew that if IOU are not prepared to make sacrifices for rreedom then the sun of liberty will never shine 011 you. Their action that night was a stubborn refusal to submit to National extinction. It ~ouldhave been their destiny in a free Ireland to live a full and vigorous life - Michael McGrath as a xrpentcr and Thomas O'Brien as a Farmer, but :lestiny ordained instead a martyr's crown. TOWN SHRINE. MICHAEL McGRATH, [.l:p71 ! {r !~,s!'LI~A% L'i~k..ir~l.~:,~~.\~i,T-SI~J~, {hi .I;i~iuary7L11, I!r?l. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. John's fc the 'unknown Volunteer' by Father Dunphy. TI1 funeral took place to the Republican Plot i Ballygunner where prayers were recited at tl! graveside by Father Galvin who was accompanie by Fathers Crot ty and Hallinan. After the servic a Military Officer advanced to the graveside an stated that he had instructions from his superio to inspect the coffin to see if the name of tl. dcceased was inscribed 011 it. The Officer wli bchavcd vcry coi~rteouslp then rcmoved tl. C'oloiirs from Lhc col'fin and I'c)uncl tliat no nan was insiri1,c.d un tiit i)~.~;i~tl)i;~t~./\l'tcr sai~i~i~ the remains in military iiishion tllc Offic~ Page 35. This page sponsored by COOPERS & LYBRAND, WATERFORD. Tlie scene of the ambush quickly became a town betore marching to Ballinattin. An place of pilgrimage, and two small wooden crosses estimated 15.000 people braved the elements. were reverently placed by the bloodstained Pax Whelan. Paddy Paul, and Mick Mansfield were roadside in Ballinaltin as a mark oS respect to those in charge of the various brigades of the I.R.A. who had made the supreme sacrifice for freedom. present. The Shrine had been tastefully decorated A local committee decided to lionour the fallen by for the occasion by Bridie Cawley, and Nan Walsh, erecting a permanent nieniorial on the spot. It members of the local Cumann na mBan. The took the form of a Shrine of the Sacred Heart and memorial was unveiled by Cathal Brugha, was designed by John Butler. The pedestal was Waterford's Deputy in the first Dail. He, himself composed of three glass panels. the centre being was to pay the supreme sacrifice when gunned Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, and the side down in a Dublin St. during the Civil War. Father panels being St.Patrick and St. Brigid. 011 top of O'Brien blessed the Shrine. and Father Kelleher the pedestal was the Statue of the Sacred Heart recited the Rosary in Irish. Time and weather which was flanked on either side by smaller statues took toll of the structure and a new Shrine was of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Joseph. The erected in 1946. It took the shape of a background was a structure of concrete studded red-bricked facsimile of a Church and was designed with stones from the beach. Tlie Grotto was by Frank Heplin. It's centrepiece is a fine Statue shelled and finkhed with artificial moss. The of St. Brigid. the -Mary of the Gael'. This inscription on the base read :- beautiful structure honours all the East Waterford men who died in tlie fight for Irish freedom. Erected in mcinory of the Republican soldiers To-day it stands proudly looking over the glen, killed in action Jan. 7th 192 1. which will always be haunted by deeds of the men Michael McCrath and Thomas O'Brien who fought and died here on the 7th Jan. 1921. Guidll Ortha. We mourn their loss, God rest their souls to-day, Sunday March 5 tli 1922 was the day arranged Brave men who for Ireland gave their lives for the unveiling. A procession headed by the away, Waterford Brass Band, Tramore Fife and Drum And history's pages yet the world shall tell, Band. and the Fianna Band paraded around tlie How brave O'Brien and McGrath here fell. THE SISTERS OF CHARITY - Thc <-onvent of the Sisiers of Charity in A row of old houses extending from the I ren~oi-cis a very fine i>i~ildiiig. comni;inding a present C'onvent Lodge to the end of the Convent splendid view of tlie Atlantic Ocean. This house Hill was deniolislied to make way for the building. owes it's existence to the charity and zeal of a The Foundation Stone was laid in the last week 01 'framoreite named Williani Carroll, who seeing March 1863. The ceremony was performed by tho good effected by the followers of Mother Mary the then. Lord Bishop of the Diocese, the Most Aikenliead in Lady Lane. Watcrford, wished to Rcv. Dr. O'Brien assisted by Rev. Nicholas Cantwell bencfit his own town by founding a Convent of the P.P.. Rev. George Cu~nmins. C.C. (Waterford), same Order in Trarnore. and so lie bequeathed Rev. T. O'Brien (Tramore), and Rev. Nicholas f7.000 for a poor school to be conducted by the Plielan (Tramore). The latter was a generous Sisters of Charity in tlie town. His will stipulated bcnefactor to the Convent, the requirements o t that if the f-2,000 wcre insufficient. it was to be tlie School, and the poor of the town. A invested until enough was acciimulated for the temporary building was erected by the builder, Mr. purpose. Catherine Reid of Rosemount, John F~tzpatrick which was neatly carpeted and Pickardstown, who died on the 7 I st. June 1862, fitted out for the proper performance of the also bequeathed COO0 to aid the Sisters in a solemn and imposing ceremonies of the ritual. Foundation. His Lordship was vested in a very rich Cope, wore This page sponsored by MlCHEAL MAC CRAlTH ( .A.A. CLUB. Page 36. the mitre and bore the Crozier. After laying the between the Mission and the School. stone, a procession was formed, and with the In 1883 on the death of the first Superioress Bishop moved around the site of the Foundation, Mother Mary Finbar Barden, a lease of a portion chanting psalms and sprinkling the marked place 3f the grounds attached to the Church of the Holy with Holy Water, after which the interesting Cross was obtained from Lord Doneraile to be ceremony terminated. The day was fine, the view used as a cemetery for the community, as until beautiful, and the people displayed evident signs then they had no burial place in Tramore. The of their intense gratification at having so rich a ground having been procured, the townspeople blessing bestowed on them. undertook the cost of enclosing it with a handsome Two large rooms (upper and lower) were built railing. So Mother Mary Finbar Barden was the adjacent to the Convent with accommodation for first Nun to be laid to rest in the little cemetery. 250 children. The buildings were con~pletedin The following is a list of the Sisters whose mortal 1866 when the Nuns took possession of their ncw rclnains repose beside the first Superioress:- liolne on tlie 24th. June. The firs1 Superiorcss Sister Mary Marcolin Kearney died 1931. was Mother Mary Finbar Barden. The sum of Sister Mary Judc Connors died 191 2. Mother £ 1,230 remained of Mr. Carroll's bequest, and was Mary Bruno O'Mahony died 1904. Sister Mary handed over by the trustees to Hclena McC'arthy. Philip Gcrmaine died 1888. Mother Mary Finbar Isabella Gallavane. and Mary Jones for the Sisters Rarden diccl 1883. Sister Mary Elizabeth of Charity. The school was opened on 6th Sept Eustachium Kelly died 19 19. Sister Mary 1866 when the nuns found that Tramore offered Justinian McDonncll died 1935. Sister Mary ample scope for their labours. Children flocked Margaret Clery died 1939. Sister Mary Magdalen in trom miles around, some of them in their John Triscott died 1966. eagerness arriving at eight-o'clock in the morning. One of the most popular nuns in Trarnore was Thc good Sisters found the children simple, undoubtedly Sister Catherine (Maher) whose intelligent. and anxious for their own commitment to the poor and the sick in the town improvement. To afford an opportunity to those over a long period of time will never be forgotten who could not attend the day school a Sunday by those who knew her. On her death we had school was opened where secular and religious hoped that her earthly remains would be brought instructions were imparted to working girls and back to the little cemetery in the town she loved older womcn. This was well attended as many so well, but someone somewhere ordained were. no doubt, attracted as n1uc11 by curiosity otherwise. as a thirst for learning. The construction of a new Technical Hall The Sodality of the Children of Mary was attached to the Convent School in 192 1 provided cstablishcd in Oc'tobcr 1807. and in the following a suitable Hall for meetings. concerts. and Feb. in tlie little Chapel in the Convent Fathrr cookery classes. It also served as a classroon~. Tholnas O'Brien. Director of' the Sodality. The accomniodation thus provided proved received the first Childrcn of Mary Tramore eve1 adequate until the 1960's when a Secondary boasted, to the number of 38. A Sodality of School was begun in Bayview (near Holy Cross Christian Mothers. likewise promoted by the Church). The Ursuline Sisters had just closed Sisters, and also directed from the Convent wa: their primary school there in 1963. Student made in 1888. In that year an addition was madc members increased so rapidly that "Eastlands" to the Convent to provide increased in Tramore was purchased in 1964. In 1979 a accommodation for tlie Sisters and a workroon- new Secondary School, Stella Maris, was built for a small band of girl ~~eedleworkers. Thc in the grounds of Eastlands. So to-day the product of their labours was disposed of at tht followers of Mother Mary Aikenhead proudly c: -1.y Repository in Main St. (now Swift's Showrooms) on the great work of the Sisters which commenced This building was given rent-free by Mr. P. Powel way back in 1866 in that most beautiful of in 1891. The Sisters also carried on a Sick Convents overlooking the broad expanse of Mission, and provided rclief for poor families il Tramore Bay. Winter time when poverty wa? great. To rsisr funds for that purpose a raffle was hcld annuall) List of Rev. Mothers overleaf. on Easter Monday, the procceds of which wen Page 37. This page sponsored by ROCKETTS BAR, WESTOWN, TRAMORE. -. LIST OF REV.MOTHERS Mother Mary Magdalen Veronica Kelly Mother Mary Finbar Barden Mother Mary Dominica Murphy Mother Mary Cartagh Morrissey Mother Ma~ySenan Mulcahy Mother Mary Catherine Norris Mother Mary Madeleine Cantwell Mother Mary Faber Connolly Mother Mary Louis Magdalen Flood Mother Mary Azevedo McHugh Mother Mary Dominica Flood Mother Mary Eustachium Kelly Mother ~aryJoseph Martina Stafford 1957-1963 Mother Mary Bruno O'Mahony Mother Mary Senan Mulcahy 1963-1966 Mother Mary Pulcheria Kelly Mother Mary Patrick Brady 1966-1 968 Mother Mary Evangelict O'Ryan Mother Mary Theresa Angela Maher 1968- 1977 Mother Mary Matthias Murphy Sister Mary Patricia Roche 1977- 1984 Mother Mary Joseph Bride Coghlan Sister Mary Helen Butler 1984- THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS - A wealthy landowner, Mr. Patrick Power to the Superior General of the Christian Brothers gave a plot of land as a frec gift to Fathcr Cantwell, for a staff of teaching Brothers for this new school, the Parish Priest of Tramore. Father Cantwell suggesting to them that they might take aid from raised £800 by public subscriptions and erected a the National Board of Education. As the Institute school on the site which comprised two classrooms had severed all connections with that body on a lower room and an upper room. The poor account of it's restrictions on religious teaching, people of the town carted the building materials they reluctantly declined the invitation. The to the site free of charge. In deferet~ceto the scl~ool was consequently opened in connection wishes of his parishioners the Parish Priest applied with the National Board, who continued to give HUNT'S COTTAGES ON THE OLD WATERFORD ROAD AND THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS SCHOOL. This page sponsored by M.OISULLIVAN & SONS, BALLINANEESHAGH, WATER FORD. Page 38. free education to both boys and girls from 1842 SUPERIORS until the Brothers eventually arrived in 1867. The man responsible for the establishment of the Brothers in Tranlore was Mr. William Carroll Bro. O'Flanagan i867 who left £2,000 in his will "to establish a poor Bro. Cavanagh 187 1 school and monastery of the Brothers of the Bro. Campbell 1874 Christian Schools in Tramore". Bro. Stanislaus Bro. Murray 1876 O'Flanagan (Superior). Bro. McDonagh, and a Bro. Lee for a few months lay brother arrived in Traniore on I I th.Suly 1867. Bro. Ryan 1885 and set up residence in a small cottage near the Bro. Nc~ll 1888 Chapel. F:ather Cantwell made over thc scliool Bro. Kennedy 1890 to them. whic.11 was opened on July 15th. 1867 Bro. Craven 18% with an at~endanct.of 144 pupils. moll rising to Bro. Cuskclly 1898 200. The Bro~hersonly remained for a short Bro. Gilsenan 6 months period in the c0tta.g in Summerhill. moving to Bro. Mcany Hotcl Sq. and thence to Mt. St. Joseplis on the old Bro. Cuskellq Warcrfori! Road adjacent to thi> Corn.ent. This Bro Quinn waq an idc;ll locntio!i as it w:~sclose to the schod. Bro. O'Keeffe but 1872 saw thcm on the move again. this time Bro. Kennedy to Bay View a large house near the Chapel. A Bro. Ryan bequest of f.1.000 by Rev.Nicholas Phelan enabled Bro. Corcoran the brothers to provide theniselves with a suitable Bro. Slattery residence near the school. The Brothcrs Bro. Curran wanderings were tiow at an end. During the 130 Bro. Redmond )/ears which have elapsed since Bro. O'Flanagan Bro. Bucklcy and his assistants set foot in Traniore, the Bro. Nevi11 dedication and commitment of their followers to Bro. Murphy teaching the boys of the town is reflected in a Bro. O'Shea very creditable scholastic record. Bro. Rochf'ord A TIME OF EMERGENCY On 2nd. Sept 193'). the day after the Gcnnan thc dangers in troubled witers, n~uch needed armies invaded Poland. Dail Eireann announced imports reached the Country: but, of course. the 1reland.s neutrality in tnc great world conflict. wpplies were limited and we were forced to be Despite our neutral stance thc war was to affect its self sufficient in a way that we've never been since. in many ways such as the loss at sea of two Rationing of clothes, tea, sugar. bread, Tramore brothers - William and Laurence Curran electricity, gas and petrol were introduced. from Riverstown - when a ship bound for an Compulsory tillage brought an increase in crop English Port was sunk hy enclny action in 1940. prodi~ction. As the war progressed the Irish Government 111 194 1 Trijnlore Parish Council was set LIP to recognised the need for an increase in thc defence ensure adcquatc supplics of food and fuci in thc forces and emergency senlices. Tra~norewas morc district. It's President was Canon Walsh, 1'. I). than adequately catered for with L.D.F.. 1.S.F.. Vice-President. Dr. N. Purccll, and Hon. Sec. Mr. Maritime Inscription, Rccl Cross, ant1 a Hl~ecchcs 1~.Walsh. Budd's and Kcllny's ficlds were scc~~rcd n11oy Rescuc Unit. at rear of' St. Patrick's (;ravcv:rrd and plots laid A State sponsorccl ('onlpail). - Irihl; Shipping ou!. Seed 2nd manure a:c'rc provided on credit to Ltd.. was set up to bring badly necdctl ilirpocs 01' ullcmploycd :rllotmcnt holdel-s. Two tons of wlicat and other foodstuffs to Irclantl. Ilesp~tc potLltoes werc given to the "peop1i.s restaurant" Page 39. This page sponsored by ROBINSONS BAR, SUMMERHI LL, TRAMORE. KINGSCOURT HOUSE. in Main St., and a fair quantity givcn free to the over and a few relieved families (Taylor, Crowley, poor. A turf and timbcr scheme provided free fuel and Kennedy) returned to their little homes for the very poor, while others were charged 21- looking over the broad expanse of Trarnore Bay. per cwt of blocks. The blocks were stored in the The little town was numbed with grief on the Racecourse stables. 12th. May 1942 when three popular young The members of our security forces were Tramoreites (John Coffey, Teddy Chapman, and constantly on patrol, being ever alert to the Ned Winter) were killed in an explosion in a local dangers of drifting mines. In Sept. 1941 I was garage. It appears that an attempt was being made living in one of the old Coastguard cottages on the to open a nut on a cylindrical object found on a Doneraile when a member of the Local Security small strand in the Westown area. There never was Force instructed all the families to vacate their any conclusive evidence as to what the object was, houses as a Mine was afloat under the Foyle. We but a Naval Officer visiting Tramore suggested that had to open all windows in the cottages before it was a Mine placed in Minefields to wreck trawls taking shelter under the wall of Pier View. After and nets used by Minesweepers, thus preventing what seemed an eternity there was a loud the removal of Mines. The verdict at the Inquest explosion which shook.- the earth. The danger was on the victims was that thev died from multide BREAD DELIVERV IN RIVERSTOWN. I This page sponsored by CUNNINGHAM'S FAST FOOD. Page 40. injuricb caused by an explosion of some the burnmg 'plane and was confronted by four unidentified object found on the strand at young Germans armed with revolvers. He assured Westown. A Rider was added that no blame could them he was unarmed and led them to the Power be attached to anyone. These sons of Tramore Farm in Carriglong where they were given a hearty were innocent victims of World War 11. Irish breakfast. The Army and L.D.F. later arrived On our way to Mass on an August Sunday in and took then1 to the Curragh for internment. A 1942 we were alarmed by a German Messerschmitt few years back Gottfried Berndt, one of the and two Spitfires in aerial combat. The German Officers returned for a nostalgic look at Messerschmitt in flames was skilfully landed in a the town of the Big Strand. field at Carriglong. James Power made his way to PUSH RAL 9N THE STRAND IN 1930's. Page 41. This page sponsored by MRS. M. CANTWELL, STEPNEY, LONDON. HORSE RACING IN TRAMORE Equestrian contests were popular and well the finer things in life. These races were likely to organised events In ancient times. although racing have been limited affairs, as in the days before the as we know it to-day is comparatively recent. In horse-box (not invented until 1836) entries would this part of the world the patronage of British mainly have been confined to local horses. Two Royalty had a tremendous effect on the horse events for private wagers were quite common developn~entof the sport, and the crossing of local such as the race for a purse of 20gns. run over a stock with imported Arab stallions was the four mile course on the Tramore Strand on Wed. foundation of modem race-horse breeding. In the 1 0th. June 1801, when according to the Waterford development of the thoroughbred and of the sport Mirror Mr Carew's piebald pony True Blue beat generally, Ireland has played an important part. Capt. Duncan's bay pony Jack. By the middle of the 18th century numerous race By 1807 racing on the Strand had become so meetings were hcld throughout Ireland. popular that a six-day event was held there from In his efforts to establish Tramore as the the 18th - 24th August. The meeting was a well premier seaslde resort Bartholomew Rivers started organised event as Edward Lee, Thomas Wyse, horse-raclng on the Strand. These races were well William Alcock, and Edmund Moriarty were establlsl~ed by 1793 a5 an advertisement inserted appointed as Stewards to run the meeting, while by Laurence Hickey Jephson in Finn's Leinster entries had to be registered six clear days before Journal (8th Aug. 1793) informs us that "Tramore running with Mr. John Walsh of the Great Hotel. Races are to be held on the Strand of Tramore The meeting was a tre~nendoussuccess, and the with Mick Currabaun as Clerk of the Course. Waterford Mirror (26th Aug 1807) reported that Prime venison and some excellent old wine to be "The meeting was attended by the rank, fashion, had at Mrs.Coughlan's Hotel, and a Ball to be held and beauty for miles around. A Band attended at the Hotel in the evening". It seems that even at the Race-course each day which contributed in those far-off days racegoers were partial to much to the beauty of the scene. There were two < - P 9 L r I 61 &.-- +*. ++ -A- - TRAMORE STRAND WITH RACECOURSE AND GOLF COURSE IN DISTANCE. NOTE LIFEBOAT HOUSE ON CREST OF BEACH- -- -- I-* This page sponsored by MR. LARRY DONNELLY, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NEW YORK. Page 42. Balls during the week most numerously attended, the following year, and were very successful, where the Stewards proved themselves equally well although the Waterford Mirror reported that the calculated to regulate the Ballroom as the meeting was "marred by some accidents at or near Race-course". Mr. Scully's Madame Catalini won Tramore during the Races". Spectators mustered three races over the six days, a marvellous test of on the Strand for the five day October meeting of endurance and stamina when one considers that 1835, and the Waterford Mirror report on the old fashioned heats of three miles were the order second day informs us "that every description in those days. The mode of conveyance from of vehicle was in requisition from an early hour, Waterford for racegoers was the "Sociable" which. from the equipage of the exalted and affluent to according to the Waterford Mirror took one and a the most humble description of jarvey and half hours to complete the journey from the shandredan, while the roads were thronged with Commercial Hotel on the Quay to Mrs.Coughlan's equestrians and pedestrians all marching on Hotel in Tramore. The "Sociable" took six Tramore". passengers inside at 618 each and one passenger The horses were all rode by jockeys except outside at ]/Id. Valentine rode by Mr. Dickson. The winner was Over the following decades these Munster Lass who came 1st; 2nd; 2nd; in the race-meetings appear to have flourished despite three two-mile heats. untoward incidents such as the reported poisoning For many of the fox-hunting gentry the of a mare belonging to Mr. William Sullivan, Esq., flat racing and hurdling which the beach facility (Ballyleggat) wno was one of the Stewards of the provided held but liniited interest, and in Tramore Race Meeting. The Waterford Mirror deference to their desires the fourth day of the published a notice of a reward for information 1835 meeting was appointed for a Steeplechase, leading to the capture of the culprit who and consequently the Races moved from the administered the Corrosive Sublimate to the Strand for the day. The Waterford Mirror (Oct unfortunate animal. The reward was £280 which 17th 1835) reported as follows on what they was quite a considerable sum in those days. termed "The Great St. Leger Day of the Tramore Among the subscribers was Lord Waterford who MeetingM:- "Thc principal roads to Traniore were gave f30, Richard Power O'Shee (.GO). occupied by countless throngs of people. The Devonshire I'enrose (E 1 O), and John Walsh ( f. 10). ground marked for the 'Chase ran parallel with the The latter died in 1816. and was replaced as last mile of tlic new Waterford road next to Secretary of the Tramore Races by David Phclali of Tramore. The starting post was two or three fields the Little Hotel (now Trxnore Hotcl). Mr. I'hcla~i from the Strand and the turning post was near the latcr p~~rcliasccltllc Great Hotcl on the death of .iunc~ionof the new road with thc old. The track Vr5. Wnlsh thercl~\ ~iiaintainingthc !ink between sclectcd was ;I c.losc. cou~l~ry.there being ;I total of thc Tramore Raccs and that grtlat cstablisliment. thirty leaps out. and the same in - some of them (3nc of the, I-casonc for the success !,I' the Tramox regular raspus. ~tndcrowned with furze bushes. Races was the patronage of the local gentry and 3 few of them bcing double leaps at bolierecns (,suggcs~eciby Ryiand in his flistory of Watcrford). or bye-roads. Thc hills which surrounded the This view is indcecl strengthened by the fact that course like an amphi theatre teemed with Henry Villiers Stuart sponsored the 1825 meeting - spectators. The oldest sportsmen on the ground the year before his famous Election Victory. The confessed that they had never seen anything like success rate continued in 1876 and the Waterford it. Some idea of it may be formed from the fact Mirror reported:- "That apathy to the sports ot of it being two Irish miles across a country Donnybrook Fair which is complained of by the abounding with the stiffest fences, some of them L>ublin newspapcrs has certainly 1101 ex tcnded seven feet high and fenced with stow. There wc :Y it's gloom over the Tr;lmori. ~nceting". four bohcrecns. and of' the three horses who may Race meetings contini1c.d to prosper in be said to have run, not one made a single balk Trmorc througllo~~tthe 1830's \i.itll the cxcept ion during thc tlircc heats". The report concluded (:1' 1837 when no mccting appcurs to !I;IVCbeen with 311 O~JSCIY;IL~O~that notwithstanding thc. hcld. possibly duc to a scvcrc. outbreak of('llolcr~; in~ii~~ncr;~l~lcmoltit~.~dc irssc~nl~!ed there was not in thc Waterford area in that particular year. so much ;IS a black cyc or it's co-partner a bloody Howcver, the races returned to our (;olden Stt-and nose to bc secn during the week. Page 43. This page sponsored by MR. LARRY DONNELLY, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NEW YORK. Vast crowds of people from town and 3allysax's neck. Monday was devoted to country patronised the 1838 fjxture, but the steeplechasing and few inhabitants of any house Waterford Mirror complained:- "Large and ,vithin a seven miles radius of Tramore remained at spaclous though Tramore Strand IS, no part of it IOI~attesting to the importance of the Tramore would answer sonlc of the spectators but the space jtwpl,chase. Thr Course was nearly the same with111 the ropes. That space was allowed to urain as 1835 and 1836. The starting post bccorne denseiy thronged to the serious dange~ was the sixth field from the front Strand and the to life and limb and to the great impediment of second from Brown's Lane where there were two the horses running". However, the meeting was a luge double hedges with wide gripes at each side, great success. The Stand houses were crowded by ind the lane was so narrow that a horse hadn't anumerous and fashionable company, whilst the much time to recover his pace before being musicians did their utmost to delight the pleased :onfronted with the next hedge. Several fool- listeners. The gentry of the surrounding Counties, hardy horsemen attempted these leaps, and many and their families attended in great numbers, and perished in the attempt. A flat race was held the encampment of tents was thronged to excess. later on the Strand, but had to be adjourned to Thursday was the appointed day for the "Great Tuesday as the third heat could not be held due to Steeplechase", and the ground selected was at the incoming tide. After the races the gentry rear of the Chapel over land owned by Mr. James enjoyed themselves by dancing into the early hours Delahunty who was latcr to become Waterford of the morning to the meny notes of the Borough Treasurer and a Member of Parliament. Teetotallers Band. Every road and avenue leading to Tramore was Hurdle races were run on the Strand in Feb. crowded with people and vehicles of every 1841 and again in April. At the conclusion of description. The following doggerel of the the meetings the townspeople were treated to period aptly described the scene:- vhat the Newspaper called "an ass race through "Some push along with pram in hand, the Streets of Tramore". So popular was the while others drive at random event that it was well nigh impossible for the in whisky, buggy, gig, or dogcart, little animals to work their way through the curricle or tandem". streets crowded with sightseers. A Steeplechase There were some features of change in the for ten sovereigns was run in Sept. The starting 1839 meeting - it was condensed from one week post was at rear of the Chapel, and the course to four days, while two days instead of one were went in a direction towards Coolnacoppogue and devoted to Steeplechasing. The Coursz selected back again to the starting post. Mr. Kelly's for the 'Chase commenced four fields above the Clubleader got a dreadful fall after turning at the Chapel. It then ran a mile into the interior where Southern pole in the first heat and remained there the turning post stood. According to the a long time until taken to a farmer's yard by Waterford Mirror "the scene of action prescnted means of a strong ladder supported by men. a goodly array of people, and several equipages - His rider Garrett escaped unhurt. some of them coronetted - were drawn up in the Another three day event was held the vicinity of the starting post, and lengthy lines 01 following month and the Steeplechase Course jaunting cars were n~arshalled along the ropes" ran from Brown's Lane nearly parallel to and Needless to say the flat races were held on the within a few fields of the last mile of the new road. noble Strand of Trainore before large crowds 'The stewards were the Earl of Huntmgdon, P.W. During 1840 Tramoreites were treated to 2 Power, Richard Duckett, Thomas Sherlock, and series of weekly races for farmers' horses on the Congreve Rogers. These were shrewd businessmen Strand, whetting their appetit~esfor the mair as they authorised a person to !ay out the ground racing festival in October. On Fr~daythe 17th fur the tenls with instructions to charge 151- per Oct. the first ever Hurdle Race on the Strand ol tent - no tent to be erected without payment in Tr amore was run over three I '/r mile heats. The advance. The most popular victory of the fixture event was won by Mr. Lockwood's 5 year olc was that of Lord Waterford on a horse called Woodman. On the following day the Plate wa! Manilla. The Waterford Mirror captured the won by a horse called Ballysax by half a length scene as follows:- "Lord Waterford's victory was the verdict amusingly attributed to the length 01 enthusiastically received by cheers from the This page sponsored by MR. LARRY DONNELLY, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NEW YORK. Page 44. assembled multitude that well nigh- rent the Strand was a sure indication that this was to be itself, whilst a merry bonfire burned briskly on the he permanent location for racing in the area. Strand to welcome his Lordship to the first bathing 'he Waterford News reported the same meeting in place of the County of which he is the natural liuinorous vein - "At Tramore Races on the new head. The Band intended to go to meet him but :ourse near the Back Strand thousands attended. were afraid that on their return they would not be hder was maintained by Tramore Zouaves able to keep up with the rapid pace ol' his vielding stout shillelaghs". Lordship's four-in-hand. George Mcara. Esq ., and Despite Ilic ncw R~lce~ol~rscoccasional raws sevcral orhel- dislinguished gentry had seats in his :ontinued to takc place over D~Iali~~nty'sold carriage, whilst tlie ladies in tlic ~djoiningvehicles :ourse at rear of' thi. ('liapcl. but one rcportcd seemed viei:ig with tach other wnosc eyes should ,n by the Waterford hews (3rd. June 1857) seems glance tlic most captivatingll, oi the ~:ianty and :o have been in the nati~rcof a private contcst handsomc winner of tlir day. IK!i< ~:i?~~.~ltrypcople 7ctn.ccn Mr. Wall's I'crri~,inklcand Mr. Sinnott's were never tired of ad~iiiril?~his athletic lolly Mariner. TIic same paper in the following appearance and equestrian skill. and the rural nonth reported on a thrcc day meeting at the new 1-;emtics jiloi:C LU catch liih iyt LIIU gi\c ~iiman ,curse - patronised by Lord Waterford and many approving !ook. All wc.!ned delighted to sec ;porting bladcs. The Papcr lavishcd praise on ~iicMarquis 01' iva~crfjrdicading lilt way at tlie Mr. Dclahunty for the wonderful iniprovcmcnts rilcch oiTrat~lorc '. .~tthc Course. More plebian evcnts also took Thc conling 01' the Il;~ilw;Ly 10 Traniort. placil. tlieri: judging by thc following report in the ( 1853) opened t~pnc\v possibilities for race Waterford News:- "A body of police under tlic prcn10t~i.s. Jaliics D~laliui-1:) secnib to haw taken command oi subinspector Jennings was called tllc initiative along with Lord Doneraile of laying into active requisition to suppress numcrous out a racecourse in the vicinity of the Back Strand. fights at intervals betwcen racing. One unfortunate As the reclamation and embankment of the Back iockey, Hogan of Tipperary, had a bludgeon Strand was now controlled until 1863 . this Course broken over his head by an assai!ant. Several must have been rather lilnited in extent, more medical gentlemen were prompt in their attention than likely confined to the Riverstown area. to the poor fellow". Racing in Tramore was now controlled by Stewards It must be remembered that racing on the who certainly knew thcir racing - Lord Waterford: Strand, as well as on Delahunty's old Course was Lord Stradhrook, Viscount Doneraile. and James as open and free as the mountain air, and the king Iklahunty. The initial ~neeting was not a cx beggar could stroll over the grcen sward without wccess as tlic Waterford News (4th. May) reported the inhospita1,lc harricr of' gates and fcnces. All "meagre attentlanczh at the Tramore tlirec tlity this cliangcd in the 1880's whcn Martin J. Murpliy ~nccting'.. and tlic !TASOII advanced by that took intcrcst in thc rcclaimcd land. and sunk an newspaper was tllat "people didn't know the entrenchment ( 1 X feet wide) to enclosc sufficient Course was on the low ground convenient to the space for a Race-course. This entrenchment was Back Strand". Undaunted James Dclaliu~lty ran flooclcd on race days to keep out non-paying a further meeting in Scpt. of that year when Lord spectators. and that unwelcome visitor who Doneraile provided part of his sheepwalk for the invited the Racegocr to solve tlie windings of a occasion. This meeting must also have been an picce of tailor's selvage. Later, according to unsuccessful cvcnt as the Tramore traders Egan in his IIistory of Waterford, a wooden paling complained that "tlic course wax so Par iroln thc was erected and corrugated sliccting attached for Town that people will not visit it at all". two rnilcs along the distance enclosed. Thro~~!zh A year lutcr pcrscvcr;rncc paid ol't' for 341 this I~arrii'r c'iglit tur~istilcs a~id ii ci~rriagc~,>, Oclahunty as thc Walerford Vi~i?( i :th Aug affol-dcd an easy entrance untl exit for racegocrs. 1855) rcpor-tcd tlic l'ranlost. Races "iargcly antl It-c appointments included tlirec Stands as well fashio~lahl! attcntlcti hy nlany l'ron! 1 imcrick ah a :~cigliroom. s;id[ilc roon;, dressing room. ;I Kilkcnny. and elscwlierc". F~-omthat report in hay and straw stores. antl 33 stiihlcs with Ihc Wntcrforc.1 Mail il :~ppcar-xthat a Stanti-lio~~sc hand - f'illccl ~)i~rtitionsto dlut ofl' noiscs 1'1-olnthc tiad been erected to prnv~tlca c,onil'ortablc vantage ;~nim;lls. The provision 01' stables was a great point tor racegocrs. The provision oi' such ill1 Imon to owners and trainers. as on previous Page 45. This page sponsored by MR. LARRY DONNELLY, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NEW YORK. occasions horses had to be stabled in the town - reclaimed land. Murphy was a born fiiter and quite a distance from the Course. The con~pletion when his Stand was washed away in 1904 he of an Open Stand capable of holding 800 people at immediately replaced it with a new Stand and a cheap admission charge of 2/6 typified Martin J. Tca-rooms capablc of holding eleven hundred Murphy's consideration for the ordinary racegoer spectators. He encountered another setback who could ill afford to pay the 7/6 admission to in 1905 when a Government Order banned his the Grand Stand. Aug. meeting due to an outbreak of Epizootic In the closing decade of the 19th century Lyinphangitis in the Waterford area. The Martin Murphy's Racecourse at the Back Strand outbreak was due to the blunder of the was one of the finest in the country, and we find Government in permitting infected animals to Egan in his History of Waterford (1894) enthusing enter the Port of Waterford. However fortune over it as follows:- "Tramore is now distinguished smiled again in 1906 when the all clear was given for having one of the neatest and best fitted for the Aug. festival, when entries were as racecourses in this country, while the annual numerous as stars on a frosty night. A famous meets are among the most enjoyable and attractive. visitor to that meeting was a forrner boss of Two features tend to enhance the Tramore course Tammany Hall Richard 'Boss' Croker. Martin J. over most of it's compeers in this country. One, Murphy was now at the height of his fame, and for the visitors is the deli_&tful pleasure of viewing had even become the subject of song and verse with ease the I-ace from start to fi~ish;the other, such as:- for the owners of horscs w!iich i.; that owing to the "Know ye the Stmnd which the genius of nature of the ground it lillist be always up to Murphy 'elastic' tension. The smiy strata prevents An emblem has made of enjoyment sublime, anything l~kea slimy soft bottom, while if too When the rage for diversion, the love of hard, a flux fro~nthe Back Strand will soon things turfy bring it to the consistency suited to 'going'. Ne'er melt into sorrow nor madden to crime, By this time (1894) Martin J. Murphy had Know ye the Strand of the velveteen course, turned his Racecourse into a limited liability Beloved of trainer, the owner, the horse, company, letting it out in debenture shares - Bright, Breezy and bracing, fresh, fragrant he, himself becoming Secretary. The location of and free, his Course meant that he was in constant conflict The Margate of Ireland, Tramore by the Sea". with the elements and the insatiable Atlantic In the month of April 19 1 1 a breach about Ocean which was constantly tlying to win back the 60ft long appeared in the Back Strand ANKMENT 1911. This page sponsored by MR. LARRY DONNELLY, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NEW YORK. Page 46. Embankment as a result of a severe storm, and ?orinthian Plate of 35 sovs. and a whip valued seemed to herald the death knell of racing in the 5 sovs. for the rider of the winner. The lucky locality, but prompt attention by Martin J. ockey was T. Morgan who rode Mr. J. Morgan's Murphy saved the day, when he engaged Messrs L.A.P. The most successful jockey at the meeting Moodie, Kinnear and C'o. to errect a barrier of was the Champion jockey Jchn Thompson who timber pilings and sandbags against the ravages of -ode four winners. J.J. Parkinson took the laurels the relentless Ocean. These Contractors were is traincr. working on the construction of Redmond Bridge in Though racing was curtailed in Ireland during Waterford at that timc. Murphy had again beaten the hst world war Trarnore races were abandoned the Atlantic Ocean. d11d his festikal of razing took for one year only due to the inability of the place on August lilth, ljth, and 16t11, 19 1 1 wit11 Railway Company to provide facilities in 19 14. over c1,000 in Stake money. This festival was An added interest to the 19 15 meeting was the destined however to be the last on the Back Strand filming of the races for showing at the local circuit. Alnong the various Plates run for at that Pavilion the following week. The greatest cheer fateful three day mcetmg were:- The Corinthian was for a horse called T'ramore Bay who won the Plate, The Curraghmor< Platc. Thc Gracrdieu Platc, Dunhill Handicap Plate. Those were heady days The Guillamene Plate. The Summer Platc, Thc Ber- for Tramoreites despite the war, but our little esford Plate, The Donerailc Plate, the Woodstown town was shocked into mourning on Sept.4th. 19 19 Plate. The Holiday Platc, The August Platc and thc when Martin J. Murphy passed away. The voice of Dunhill Plate. Well-known jockeys taking part Tramore had been stilled. The Wa terford/Tramore were John Thompson (Champion Jockey 191 I), Race Course Company Ltd. honoured him in 192 1 J.W. Widgcr, H. Harty, T. Gallegos, L. Brabazon, by stipulating that the principal race at all future John Doyle, and little Joe Doyle. The latter. a Tranlore meetings would be known as The Murphy jockey with Tramore connections (the Murray's Memorial Race. The modern era in Tramore and Goulds) drew the greatest round of applause racing circles centred on the work of the Fleming from the Stands on that last day when he rode a family who continucd the great work of Martin beautiful timed finish to will the Curraghmore J. Murphy. It wasn't long before Traniore had an Plate on a horse called Flint. The Gracedieu unrivalled claim as the best family Race-course Plate won by Lord Londonderry's Foxhunt in Ireland. The outside enclosure provided (411 on) with L. Brabazon in thc saddle drew down magnificent open space for falnilics to picnic and the curtain on racing in the Back Strand area. enjoy their racing. It was here that most Martln J Murphy lost his battle with the Atlantic Tramoreites and Watorfordians were introduced to Ocean on the 13th. December 191 1 when in a the sport of kings. It's closure a few years ago was violent storm the tide breached the Embankment a severe blow to the working man's fanlily who once more for a distance of over 100 ft flooding gloricd in watching the 'gee-gees' from the hill. the Racecourse and adjacent Golf-links and putting Then rurnour of the sale of the Course resulted an end to racing and golfing in the vicinity of thc in the formation of a club called "The Friends of Strand. the Tralnorc Racccourse" in 1985 whosc Martin J. Murphy had now retired from principal aim is to maintain Racing in Tramore. actual conflict with the sea, but fort~lnatelyhis In the comparatively short time of it's existence passion for the sport of kings compelled hini to the Club has actively promoted Racing in Tramore. find a new home for racing in Tramore. This Let's hope for the sake of the Town that their ground was situated on the northern outskirts efforts are successful to ensure continuation of of the Town at Graun - well secure from the the sport begun on our Strand back in 1793. insatiable Ocean. I am sure the great man niust have often ruefully looked down at the sad waterlogged remnant of a Racecourse in the Back Strand and sighed for the days gone by. Hi: golden lnenlories spurred him on to losc no timc in readying his new Course which oncned for hi: threeday facing festival on Aug. ljth, 14th and 15th. The first race on the new Course was thc Page 47. This page sponsored by MR. LARRY DONNELLY, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NEW YORK. PLACES OF WORSHIP IN TRAMORE THE FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE Richard .Aylward, and that the curate was Maurice Harney. It seems from the Lists of There are no records available of meetings Clergy that Curates were only appointed until held by the Society of Friends prior to the building 1664 when Thomas Potter was appointed Rector. of the fine Meeting House on Upper Branch Road, In 1735 Bishop Milles demolished the east except the statement of Edward Jacob - "My first gable of the old Drumcannon Church, and built sermon in room over Butcher's shop in Tramore on a new house of worship for the Protestant 26th. July 1863". By this time there were a community in it's place. This Church was "in number of Quaker families living in Tramore and repair and constant service in it" according to Mr. Jacob's statement indicates that meetings of Charles Smith in his History ( 1745). However by the Society of Friends were held in private rooms. thc end of that centuiy Bartholomew Rivers- In 1869 Edward Jacob collected €646! 11!8 for a ente-rprises had resulted in a drift of population ncw Meeting House, and consequently. the from thc rural sidc of Tramor? to the seaside. splendid building on Upper Branch Road was Rev John Cooke, being a 111a11 of vision, saw the constructcd. It was opened on 8th April 1870. necessity of building a Church in the village of Mr. Jacob was married in the Meeting House in Tramore. A plot of land was donated by the 1878 to Anna Lecky Pim, who had been living Doneraile family for the project. A notice in with her mother in Tranlore for some years. the Waterford Mirror (14th March 1807) stated:- Meetings are still held in the building overlooking Tramore Bay, a beautiful peaceful setting where Friends can follow George Fox's advice "Walk cheerfully over the world answering to that of God in everyman". THE METHODIST CHURCH The Methodist Church was built in the 1830's. The Methodist Minister for 1883 was Rev. George Vance. The building is at present shared with the Presbyterians. CHRIST CHURCH, TRAMORE In pre-Reformation times Drumcannon, Kilbride, and lslandikane were the local Christian places of worship, and all of them were preceptories of the Order of St. John. After the suppression of this Order the titles and revenues were held by the Crown. From a Reeves Manuscript dated 1615 we learn that these Churches were in ruins at that tine. The document stated:- "the kinge tenant Sir Richard Ailward chargded with the reparacon of the Chancells - the cure discharged by Morish Harnye". This obviously meant that the - .. . -. .. - . .. . .- Government had disposed of the titles to one TO THOSE WHO PERISHED IN ?HE *;SEAHORSE"TRAGEDY. This page sponsored byO'NEILL'S BAR, SUMMERHILL, TRAMORE. Page 48. TRAMORE NEW CHURCH ubscribed £50. The Church was opened for ?;orship on 4th. Aug. 1850, and was consecrated This building having re-commenced, the Revd. )y Bishop Daly on 25th March 185 1. 1t was an Mr.Cooke intends in a few days to call on the mposing edifice where granite and limestone were subscribers for the amount of their subs. nterwoven skilfully into the Gothic style Church, Further subs. will be received by Robert ~hichto-day ( 137 years later) still serves the Dobbyn Esq., Recorder, Edward Lee Esq., >rotestant community in Tramore. Robert Lyons Esq., Williarn Hughes Esq., Dr. Dalton wrote numerous articles of a the Revd. Mr. Massey. and Revd. Mr. Cooke. ;heological and controversial nature, and was ilso Superintendent of the proselytising schools This new Church was situated at the eastern side 11 the ne~ghbourhood during the famine years. of the present Church at the rear of the Sea Horse The Univers~ty of Rostock on the Balt~ccoast Cenotaph. It was the spire of this Church which ~f Gcrmany conferred the degrees of M.A. and Revd. Cooke advised mariners to use as a guide to 1'h.D. on him, and later the higher honour of thc dangerous bay of Tramore; the Metal Man had D.D. Afterwards he was always referred to as not yet arrived. Dr, Dalton. He lived to witness the Revd.,John Cooke was dcstincd to have a long Discstablishnicnt of tlie Protestant Church in and eventful ministry in the parish, serving as lXOC). Two years later he died at the early Curate and Rector for 54 years. He lived through lge of 55. Like his predecessor he seemed to the '98 Rebellion, Catholic Emancipation. and Iiave had a good and happy relationship with the the. Tithe troubles. A notice posted 011 the wall Catliol~cclergy in the parish. When his funeral outside the thatched Chapel of Father Phelan by was duc to leave the Rectory at noon on St. the followers of Capt Rock (termed a Rockite Patrick's Day, it was delayed for half an hour notice) threatened to commit an iniury on the at the request of the Catholic Curate Father pcrson of the Rector. However. it was never carried Ryan who asked that parishioners might have out by the Whiteboys. Indeed it speaks volumes the opportunity of paying their respects after for Revd. Cooke and Fathcr Phelan that mcl-day Mass. Dr. Dalton's last resting relationships were not impaired in Traniore place is jurt lo the right of the gatc leading froni between Catholic atid Pliotestant during those tllc Churcliyarcl to tlie Parochial Hall and School. difficult years. The good Rcctor had also the tic hacl 1)uilt the School in 1864 to replace anothcr sad and harrowing task of having to preside over school which was sited on the land now occupicd the t'uncral sewiccs of thasc drowned in the Sea h> tl~cIJeVkrnsn i~niily Horsc tragcdy. 111 Mason's Statistical Surve! hc tells us that l?!s !-re\\/Church "was I?~~ilt,nladc parochial and consecrated in 1809". I lc I'urthcr RECTORS OF DRUMCANNON tclls us that "a glehe \\'as taken !'rom MI-. lcc ot' 10 acres 1 rood at a rate of 4 gns. pcr acre. for I oG4 ...... Thomas Potter livcs rencwablc lor ever. The housc was t'inislicd 106i) ...... -... ..Tlionias Ledsliam in 1800 since whicli timc I havc been residcllt 1670 ...... Daniel Burston in it". This Rectory was known as Wcstlnnds. 1743 ...... Edward Thornas and is at present thc fine home of Mr. Patrick P.S. 73 years seems to be a rather long Dunne. It is said that before his death at the Ministry for Daniel Burston. Rennisson's List agc of 100 in 1845 lie hkld proposals in hand for may havc missed out on tlie 1;ame of a Rector an extension to his Church. or perhaps Edward Thornas was appointed I Iis successor Revd. Edward Dalton decided carlicr than 1743. against an extension, opting instcad for a new 1751 ...... DanielSandoz Church which was built beside Rcvd. Cookc's 1798 ...... John C'ooke (Senior) housc of worship. In March I840 work was 184...... Edward Dalton comrncnced by Terence O'Reilly of Waterford - 187 1 ...... Willian~ Sandford contract C3.200. A Royal donalion of C70 was 1874 ...... Edward Norman roccived from tho Dowager Queen Adelaide. l HHO ...... Kichard Toppin widow of George IV. Viscount llonerailt. 1910 ...... Edward J. Staunton Page 49. This page sponsored by MR. TOM PURCELL, CARRIGEEN, MOONCOIN. 1I.S. I>iirinp ('anon St;iunton's Ministry rhc 1x18 ...... Sohn ('ooke (Junior) Kectory shit'tcd to I'ric4t's Road. 1839 ...... 1 lcnry Brown Poer 1945 ...... K. 1-1. P. i'ampbvll 1873 ...... Russell Bradley 1040 ...... ('ilill.lrh %'. Woii'c I875 ...... John Whitc Bell 1001 ...... J. I<. !l. Pot-tcr I8?X ...... Kichard C'. Hallowes 1882 ...... Maurice I I. F. Collis CURATES OF DRUMCANNON 1885 ...... Simon C. Armstrong 1886 ...... George .4. Nicholls 10 15 ...... Maurice I-larney 1888 ...... William R. Scully 1634...... John Herbert 1890 ...... Arthur J. Johnston 1664 ...... Nathaniel Spencer 18 ...... C. H. Tandy Lett 1699 ...... JohnEeles 1898 ...... George Swanton Sweetnian 1726 ...... Thomas Westly 1904 ...... Thomas J. Parsons Westropp 17 ...... Edward Thomas 1905 ...... William Fitzgerald Benson 1749 ...... Thomas Burton 1907 ...... Charles G. N. Stanley 1788 ...... Ponsonby May Carew 19 15 ...... C. T. M. M. O'Reilly 179 1 ...... John Cooke (Senior) PASTORATES The Penal Laws were in full force throughout presewed in the Christian Brothers Oratory in Ireland for most of the eighteenth century, and Tramore. Sad to relate this beautiful link with one of the earliest of these measures stated that all the past has disappeared. Perhaps it's in some Catholic Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Vicor- other Church in the Diocese. Father Fitzgerald Generals, Jesuits, Friars, and regular Catholic died aged 60 in 1750. clergy were to depart from this Country before a The next man to hold the Pastorate was a certain date, and failure to comply meant Franciscan named Richard Hogan. He had imprisonment or transportation. However, an act previously ministered at Kilcash, and it was he of 1704 allowed one Priest to each Parish on who preached the funeral oration at the burial of condition that he registered. gave an assurance Lady Iveagh in 1744. She was the "deigh-bhean" of his good behaviour. and did not leave the area referred to in the beautiful Irish poem Cill Cais. in which he normally resided without pern~ission He died 1764 and is buried in Drumcannon with of the authorities. The number of registered his brother Rev. William Hogan. clergy in Ireland in 1704 was 1,092. and amongst Rev. Patrick Leahy succeeded him and them was Thcobald Burkc ~1110was thcn resident ministered for 3 1 years until his death in 1785. in Drumcannon. 4s the Church in Drumcannon He is also interred in Drumcannon. .4 Chalice was in ruins since 16 15 it is quite Ilkely that hi. bearing the inscription "Hunc fieri fecit Pat. ~ninistcred in thc Mash Ilouse on Pickardstown Leahy. Pastor pro Parochia de Kilniacleague 1769" Ilill. Thc ]'act that hc movctl to a housc in is prcsc.rved in the Church of the Holy Cross. Rallydrisl~ne adds ;I degrcc of weight to this Tramore. He was the last Priest to minister on theory. .4s his I'arish was rather cstensive it is Pickardstown Hill. q~~itepossiblc that he \bas aided by some A new thatched Chapel was built by unrcgistcrcd clergy who niovetl I'ron-1 farmhouse to l3artholomc\v Rivers just outside the main door fiirmhousc. wearing secular drcss. 'Ileobald of thc present Chapel, and so the next Pastor must Burkc dicd in Ballvdrislanc in 1822. go into the record books as the first Parish Priest Rev. Andrew Fitzgcrald appears to have been of Tramore. Father Nicholas Phelan's pastorate next Pastor. A Chalice bearing his name and was to last for 45 years. He was driven by the Whiteboys from Kilsheelan because he had inscribed as follows - "Andrew Fitzgerald me fieri fecit 1750" was (according to Canon I'ower) fearlessly denounced their activities. Kilsheelan's This page sponsored by REV. FATHER DESMOND McCARTHY, BRAY, CO. WICKLOW. Page 50. loss was to be Tramore's gain. It was he who Ie was a firm supporter of the Land League, and introduced the great Liberator, Daniel O'Connell rlational League movements. Indeed, even at to a shy young Waterford boy named Thomas he age of 70 he was stilI active as President of the Francis Meagher at one of OLConnell's meetings rramore branch of the Land League. He died on in Kilkenny. He died in 1830 and is buried in the he 11th. May 1884 and was buried in a Vault Vault just outside the main door of the present ,pecially prepared for the occasion by Mr. John Chapel. The Waterford Mirror paid tribute to him learne, Builder, before the Altar of the Sacred as "zealous in the discharge of his clerical leart, and under the Stained glass window functions, punctual in the fulfilment of every )resented to the Church by Mr. J.A. BIake, M.P. duty, honourable and obliging in social This altar was situated in the right hand transept intercourse, inflexibly upright in intention, and iear Monsignor Shine's Confession Box. invariably benevolent in disposition. Since coming His successor was Rev. Patrick McCarthy who to Tramore he acquired the esteem not only of his was touring America, collecting funds for the own resident flock, but of the numerous strangers "thedral when he was appointed. His three that visited that celebrated bathing place". pre-decessors Fathers Phelan, Cantwell and Power Hc was succeeded as Parish Priest by his resided at Ballycarnane in the house on Priest's nephew Father Nicholas Cantwell. He had been Road now occupied by the Morrissey family. Curate in Stradbally, and like his predecessor he Father McCarthy moved to the Turret !muse near was destined to have a long and eventful pastorate the Grand Hotel.. He was a native of Dungarvan, in Tramore. He built a Scliool (the old Christian and studied in Maynooth. Ordained 1863 and Brothers' building), introduced the Sisters of spent the first two years on a mission in Kildare Charity and the Christian Brothers to Tramore. before coming to Tramore as Curate. He passed His greatest memorial is the Chapel wllicli graces away on 30tli.Jan. 1896 aged 57. He was buried our hillside town. Daniel O'Connell styled him within the Chapel close to where Father Roger "the talIest and honestest Priest in Ireland". Power was buried. Father Pierse Coffey arrived from Abbeyside to take up the appointment as Parish Priest of Tramorc. He was elected Hon. President at the inicugural meeting of the Tramore branch of the Gaelic League in 19 10. On the re-erection of the Diocesan Chapter he became Canon Coffey. During his pastorate a new house was built for the Parish Pricst and so Canon Coffcy vacated the T~irret HOLISC. Tlic Priests' houses wcrc also constn~ctcd( I9 1 I j during his pastorate. He died in 19!9 Canon Nicholas Walsh a native of Grange, Co. Watcrford became rhe ncxt I'arish Priest, and was a very active President of the Gaelic League in Trainore. He died 1942. Canon William Coffey became Parish Priest in Sept. 1942. having been President of St. John's College for the previous six years. He FR. CANTWELL -CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS. died on Dec 3rd. 1967. IIis successor was the first Vicar-Gcne! 11 He died 1st Nov. 187.5 and was interred at Gospe to bc Parish Priest of Tramore. Monsignor Michael side of the (old) High Altar. Dcan Barron. a native of ncarby Knockeen. Hc The next Pastor Rogcr Powel- was a 11;itivc'o had been ;I ('iiratc in Tramorc in the 1940's. Ilc Affanc and had been orclainctl in 1837. Ilc war died uncspcctctlly on Janualy 2nd. 197 1. one of five brothers in religion. onc of them Johr Thc ncxt I'arish Pries!. also Vicar-Gcncral was I'oivcr was Bishop of tile Dioccsc. Father iiogc~ Monsignor John Dean Power. He was a native of joined the ranks of those agitating for 1101~1~Rule Kilshcclan and tlicd on April 4th.1980. Page 51. This page sponsored by REV. FATHER DESMOND McCARTHY, BRAY, CO. WICKLOW. trcingc priict 11 Id No entertammcnt for them n ~LI~LI~C'.ne~thcr arc they to be assisted In 11,1v,lng or c~ittingturf. hut must pay like every n.m Iksptc ilic 131shops \c'tl~ng'1 I'ixcd rate. tlic ecrc? socierics cont:nucd to Ilarrass the clcrgy. FATHER PHELAN rhc priests Jid their best to prevent outrages AND -0mmitted by preaching respect for thc Law, but THE THATCHED CHAPEL lie peasantry saw the Law only as the tool of an )ppressor. The well meant efforts of the poor The nlisgovernment of the Country, high >nest too often resulted in his exposure to rents, evictions, the exactions of the tithe ,uspicion or perhaps violence at the hands of the farmers, and the enclosing of lands contrary to Nhiteboys. Rev. Nicholas Phelan was one such ancient rights made life extremely harsh for thc 2riest. This priest was paster of Kilcash, but he poorer agricultural classes in the eighteenth was forced by the Whiteboys, whose activities he century. Furthermore. the greed of some of ?ad denounced. to abandon h~sparish and fly the priesthood in exacting stipends from their for his life. hard pressed parishioners, added fuel to the fire He was appointed Parish Priest of of agrarian unrest. The formation of secret Drumcannon In 1785 when Father Leahy died. societies s~1c11as - tlic Whiteboys. Right Boys. At that time Bartholomew Rivers had begun to and Rockites was a natural prod~~ctof thosc invest heavily in the building of Tramore. To opprcssive times. These secret socictics undertook scrvice the growing seaside resort he built a to redress wrongs, but in redressing them they thatched Chapel which was situated in the old were the cause of far greater evils than those they graveyard just outside the main door of the sct out to remedy. Arson, murder, bloodshed, present Chapel. It was quite a large structure with abduction, highway robbery, and other outrages galleries. To this little Chapel a weary Father were commonplace. Faulkner's Dublin Journal Phelan came, hoping, no doubt, that his informs us that five Whiteboys - Darby Browne. troublesome days with secret societies were at an Patrick Browne, Richard Power. David Ahearne, end, but such was not the case. The Dublin and Richard Healy were hung. drawn, and Evening Post (7th. Sept. 1786) informs us that on quartered at the County Gallows of Waterford on the previous Sunday 200 Right Boys assembled in the 7th. July 1762. Their crime was the burning the neighbourhood and Town of Tramore and of n house belonging to John Foley of Moonvoy swore in as many as they met. They then marched near Tramore. to the thatched Chapel to swear in the people at The secret societies often visited Churches to prayers; but Father Phelan was too wily for them administer a combination oath not to pay priest or as he had celebrated Mass at six o'clock in the proctor anymore than a set amount such as:- inornmg. and when they arrived at the Chapel First crop of potatoes 61- per acre, second crop they found the door locked and the people gone. 41- per acre. wheat 41- per acre, barley 41- per As early as 1801 Tramore was big enough acre, oats 31- per acre, and meadowing 218% per to support two priests. According to Dean acre. Hearn's Returns (1801) Father Phelan had one Marriages 51-, Baptisms 1/6d.. Each family curate whom he had to supply with diet, lodgings, Confession I /-, Funeral Masses 1 /-, and Extreme and support for one horse, together with a salary Unction 1 I-. of f 10 yearly. The Easter dues and Christmas The great clamour raised, induced thc offerings amounted to E70, while the dues for Archbishop and Bishops of Munster (including Baptisms, Marriages, and Dirges amounted to Dr. Egan of Waterford) to meet in Cork in June f74. These were more than favourable when 1786 to determine a fixed rate for stipends. Thc compared with the returns from other parishes. result of their deliberatiots was:- Pigot's Directory (1 824) tells us that Father Phelan Marriages 5/-, Baptisms 1/7%d., Christmar lived at ".Ballycarny" which is the house on and Easter dues I / l d. and no more, Mass for the Priest's Road called Manor House. Priest's Road dead 2/8%d. to the Parish Priest, and to ever) is obviously called after Father Phelan, and was This page sponsored by REV. FATHER DESMOND McCARTHY, BRAY, CO. WICKLOW. Page 52. known as Priest's Lane in the 1830's. detection of the offenders. This was a fair Father Phelan's Chapel was quite a functional expression of the indignation felt by those present structure as he used it as a School for the poor that such a thing could be done in the name of children of the town. His curate was the teacher the Catholics of Tramore. The following were aided by bequests from Mrs-Quinn (£20 yearly) the members of the Catholic Committee in and Michael Rivers (& 10). He permitted the use Tramore:- of his Chapel for meetings of a semi-political Patrick Power, George Roche, Thomas nature; these were not meetings in the political Christopher, Thomas Russell, Father Richard sense of Tory v Whig, or those for or against the Power, Father Patrick D. Bourke, Michael Minchin, Act of Union etc., as the Catholics had very little Patrick Connolly , Thomas Duane, Edmond Phelan, say in these matters anyway; they were generally Thomas Hayes, Robert Lyons, David Phelan, directed towards the hardships of tlie people - the Edmond Walsh, Maurice O'Phelan, Michael question of tithes to the Established Church, Duggan, Michael Thomas, Robert Barry, Edward Emancipation, Education etc. 1 would imagine Fleming, and William O'Neill, The name of that the Cliurch gate political meetings which were Father Phelan is conspicuous by it's absence, but commonplace a few years ago were a development it must be remembered that he was an from these early Chapel meetings. Octogenarian at that time (1828). He had It was here in this little Chapel that the probably ceascd active administration at that people gathered for Richard Lalor Shcil's time, although according to the Waterford Simultaneous Meeting which was held in other Chronicle it was Father Phelan who authorised Chapels at the same time so that millions of the use of the Chapel for the meetings. The great Catholics could raise their voices together for Pastor was called to his eternal reward in 1830. liberty. Here they petitioned against the Vestry Bill, and the Subletting Act instructing Henry Villicrs Stuart to present their petitions to the THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS House of Commons. Here, too, the local Catholic Committee met on Sunday 27tli.January In 1855 the Parish Priest (Father Nicholas 1828 for the purpose of putting into effect the Cantwell) decided that the influx of population collection of tlie Catholic Rc.nt. The Waterford in the Summer months rendered it necessary that Chronicle reported that the galleries were crowded a Chapel on a larger scale should be erected. The with ladies. Father Richard Power, the local old thatched Chapel was in a rather dilapidated curate spoke eloquently for ?4 hour in Irish. A condition and had been a source of worry to respectable female parisllioner handed in o~ic Father Cantwell ovcr a long period of time. The guinea, Mr. Kocl-re handed in f I, Father l'helan good Pastor sunimoned a meeting of his .C 1. Father Power £ 1. The young female boarders parishioners. and formed a Committee to devisc of a Seminary in Tramore gave one shilling each. ways and means of financing the construction of a which was received with loud cheers. A poor ncw Chapel in Tramore. The trustees and man namcd Keoghan gave in a shilling, and said bondsmen were Mr. Daniel Carrigan, Mr. Pierse it was what he got for the skin of an old raw- Kelly, Mr. John Phelan, Mr. Edward Hall, Mr.James boned worn-out horse, that he called Claudius. Power, and Capt. Joseph Hearne. The secretaries This caused laughter and cheers in the Chapel, as appointed were Edward Hall and Pierse Kelly. Claudius was also the name of onc of the The committee approached Lord Doneraile for a Beresfords. The collection was carried on with site, and local tradition asserts that he was rather grcat spirit. and after three cheers were given for difficult to dcal with in the early part of the old Ireland. thc mceting separated. ncgotintions. At onc stage it is said that a s:tc The Rockites made an unwelconie appearance off Market St, was suggested. However, by on the same morning when they posted notict's on November 1855 Lord Doneraile had relented ancl the Chapel walls threatening crucl punislinicnt on givc~i the sile nc:rl. the old thatched Chapel. those who would be known to ply Church rates. .IJ.McC'arthy. who was ol'tcn referred to as the and of a11 outragc upon the pcrson or propcrty I i.1 poi t 5 !ttw!iilc ol' the Rector - Rev. Mr. Cookc. The mccting Mr. Ryan of Wati>rforil ancl Limerick was entrusted offcred I50 reward in ordcr to arrive at the with thc builcling. Thr,rc is a story told that when Page 53. This page sponsored by REV. FATHER DESMOND McCARTHY, BRAY, CO. WICKLOW. J.J. McCartlly asked I'uther Cantwell wliat Cypc of ind 1:atliei- Delancy as sub-Deacon. Thc famous structure he wanted. the Paris11 Priest pointed at )reacher Rev. R. O'Brien D.D. from All Hallows, :he nc\.c!y built Protestant Churcl~and said "beat hhlin preached 011 a text from the 1Ith.Chaptcr tllat". It is said that thc first donation was fro111 ,f St.Matthcw. After Mass the Bishop proceeded the I'rotestant Rector 1)r.l)alton. .o the c!id of thc proposed building where the Various forms 01' fund raising got uilder way. 4ltar ix to stand, and here he blessed the such as:- Concerts in Waterford and Tramore, 'oundation stone. Several valuable coins of the Fancy Fair and Bazaar at the Atlantic Terrace .calm and a Latin Inscription on parchment were (now Gallwey's Hill), Offerings by those using ,laced in the stone in a place cut out for the thc gallery in the old Chapel, Subscriptions from mrpose. The builder handed the Bishop a silver America, Collection amongst farmers, :rowel which his Lordship used to lay the stone. shopkeepers, etc. By May 1856 the Committee The procession walked around the foundation had a large sum to their credit which was being ;prinkling holy water and chanting antiphons. gradually increased by a fruitful weekly rhis concluded the ceremony and the huge collection amongst the parishioners. The 14th. ;ongregation dispersed". Sept. 1856 was the day appointed for the laying By Sept. 1858 the walls had been built to of the foundation stone. the Waterford News tells the top of the aisles. The stone used was the blue us that "The ceremony commei~ced with High traprock of the neighbourhood and granite for Mass in the presence of his Lordship the Bishop. tlic dressings. Tragedy struck in the same year Dr Dominic O'Brien. The High Priest was Fathcr when a local man, Patrick Wllelan was killed when John Ryan, assisted by Father Phelan as Deacon, ile fell from scaffolding at the Church site when guiding a bucket of mortar to some masons. By this time (1858) the princely sum of £4,000 had been collected. The principal benefactors were:- Mr. Edniund Burke (largest contributor - f1,037), Mr. & Mrs. Reid, Mr. William Carroll, Miss. Harper, Miss.Meany, Mr.George Kehoe, Mr. Nicholas Fortune,' Mr. ~olierGrant, Capt. Daniel McCrath, Mrs. Ellen Kelly, Miss.Alice Brennan, and Miss.Catherine Browne. The dedication of the Church was held on 29th July 1860. The sermon was preached by Very Rev. Dr. Anderson. The solemn blessing of the new Church took place on the 13th.July 1862 by the Bishop of the Diocese. The Tower and Spire were completed in 1871 at a total cost of f 18,000 - an enormous sum of money in those days. Indeed, it's a miracle that Father Cantwell and our ancestors were able to build such a magnificent temple of Cod at a time when poverty ruled. The following description of the Church by a Chicago visitor in 1890 highlights the beauty of this lovely Chapel of ours:- "When I reached the summit of the hill, a sight burst on my view which no less than the lovely Strand and balmy air must gladden the heart of the visitor. There stood before me one of the handsomest Churches it has CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS. been my good fortune to have seen in my AREA OPPOSITE THE CHURCH WAS KNOWN AS travels through Ireland. In style it is a 'THE WREN'S NEST'. graceful ~dthicedifice, cruciform in shape. The lofty, polished oak roof is supported This page sponsored by REV. FATHER DESMOND McCARTHY, BRAY, CO. WICKLOW. Page 54. by two rows of granite pillars, separating Butlerstown, Mr. P.J. Lee, and Mr. John Sheridan. the aisles from the nave. On entering one An interesting donor was Ellen Aylward who is struck by the graceful proportions of the donated the eight station. She was a sister of the interior and the finished workmanship of foundress of the Holy Faith Sisters. Mary B. every part. The windows are all stained Murphy gave the large statue of St. Anthony in (Messrs. Meyer of Munich and London) and 1896. A tombstone in the old graveyard reminds are really magnificent, filling the sacred us that the munificence of Lydia Lalor was edifice with a rich flood of light. The marble responsible for substantially reducing the debt altars, carved oak pulpit, Stations of the on the Church. While we remember Lydia Lalor Cross, life-size figures of the Crucifixion, and other wealthy donors let us not forget the and Baptismal Font with enclosure were efforts of the majority of poor people whose the gifts of some wealthy Catholics both contribution to the "penny-a-week" collection inside and outside the parish". in difficult times must have been a severe strain on the purse strings. The wealthy Catholics referred to were:- Mrs.H. In 1965 a total renewal of the interior was OLDwyerwho donated the Crucifixion in memory undertaken. Messrs. C. Harvey Jacob and of her husband and son, Mrs.Ellen McCrath gave Associates were appointed as Architects, and Mr. the Font and Enclosure, Miss. Catherine Sullivan John Hearne and Son were the main building of Lacken Hall, Kilkenny gave the Pulpit in 1880. contractors. The new 'reformed' interior came Capt. Walter G. Marsfield. R.N. and his wife Anne, as a shock to all of us who cherished the old ways. with Pierse Ronayne united to carry out the wishes The Marble Altars, the Crucifixion, the oak Pulpit, of William Ronayne (deceased) by giving the High and the marble communion rails were consigned to Altar in 1870. The High Altar was erected by the limbo of forgotten things. It must be said Mr.O'Neil1, sculptor, whose son erectcd the Sacred however that very many locals and visitors saw Heart Altar in 1883. The designs for the High much to be admired in the new order of things - Altar and Baptismal Font were made by J.J. 0' the white Sicilian marble Altar and Tapestry. The Callaghan, F.R.I.A.I. The following were donors introduction of lighter colouring on the walls of windows:- Miss.Alice Brennan, Miss.Catherine has enhanced the effect of the stained glass. Time Browne, Capt. Marsfield and his wife, Mrs. Mary has to a degree mellowed feelings towards the Maher, Mrs .Ellen McCrath, J.A. Blake, M.P. interior renewal and I must admit that whatever Capt. McCrath. Messrs. Power Bros., Mary B else it lacks in this world, Tramore is blessed with Murphy , Mrs. Carrigan, O'Dwyer family, Powel a lovely place of worship. It's graceful, slender, family, Carbally. Miss. Murphy, Summerhill. MI spire points heavenwards, telling the wanderer that J. Power of Killure, Misses. OLGrady ol there, not here below is his true abode. CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS TRAMORE c. 1910. -. -. .- -- , -- --- Page 55. This page sponsored by REV. FATHER DESMOND McCARTHY, BRAY, CO. WICKLOW A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST THE PROMENADE BUILT FOR JUST OVER E4,000BY MR. COSTIN ANU COMPCFTED IN 1915 THE PROMENADE AFTER COMPLETION. This page is sponsored by BRIAN SWIFT T.D., FIANNA FAIL Page 56. Page 57. This page is sponsored by AN OLD TRAMOREITE. -QT O'BRIEN'S MODEL BAKERY 1890'5 ORIGINALLY O'NEILL'S HOTEL LATER BECAME QUIGLEY'S HOTEL THEN FRY'S HOTEL AND NOW IS THE HIBERNIAN HOTEL 1920's QUEEN STREET NOTE THE OLD HOUSE WHICH IS NOW DELANEY'S GREENGROCERY q wrl ------# - ~ ~ - - This page is sponsored by AN OLD TRAMORElTE Page 58. HAUNTED WELL, TRAMORE. It Is said splrlts are often seen near thls Well at Mldnlght! DONE Page 59. This page is sponsored by AN OLD TRAMOREITE.