Jack O'Neill's Pages from The Past

Wednesday, 23rd February 2011

Waterford news 1939

An echo of "black '47" - Three auxiliary workhouses in waterford

A local legal practitioner with antiquarian tastes has secured a very interesting document - a survey made after the famine year, "Black '47" in connection with Griffith's Valuation. I had a glance through the volume today. An idea of the destitution that prevailed locally in that period can be gauged from the fact that the old workhouse buildings, John's HIll, were not able to accommodate the distressed poor in the Waterford Union area. In the survey I notice that auxiliary workhouses were located in Michael Street, Johnstown and Hennessy's Road. The centres of population were as hard hit by the artificial famine as the rural districts.

great hustle at slievekeale

There was a tremendous hustle in the vicinity of Slievekeale last night (when I passed along that narrow way) with motor lorries and other vehicles conveying furniture to the new houses which are tenanted this week. The street flanked by the terraces of red brick houses is called "Ard na Greine" (Sunny Height) a name that I think would be applicable to the entire housing area between the Upper Yellow Road and Slievekeale. The public lighting of the new street is, in my opinion, inadequate; the place is not fully illuminated and the bulbs now radiating just fulfil the purpose of pilot lights.

Success and why

The Committee and officers of the Festival Choral Society are to be congratulated on the flourishing condition of the Society and the great success which attended their efforts in producing the concert version of "Maritana" during the 1938-39 session. The musical treat provided on the 7th and 8th February. That musical treat in the Large Room was thoroughly enjoyed by overflow audiences. We understand that a substantial profit of above £25 was realised on the entertainments, a satisfactory result which will be helpful in the organising of next session's musical activities. We are informed y the energetic and hard working Hon. Secretary, Mr. William Fortune that the Society will stage the concert version of "Les Cloches De Corniville" in the Large Room in January 1940, when another triumphant success is anticipated for our talented local amateurs.

The reason for the success of this Society is (to our mind) threefold:- the members are among Waterford's most gifted exponents of the musical art; the committed and society work in happy harmony; and the decision as to what to stage for a Waterford audience shows a genius for selection.

ADs 1916

Lost And Found
Found in Gladstone Street, a sum of money. Owner can have same by giving full particulars at 7 Gladstone Street.

Found in the city in February, a sum of money. Owner can have same by giving description at Manor St. Barracks.

Lost on the 14th Inst. between Glen, Thomas St., George's St., High St., and William St., a gold star brooch studded with pearls. Finder will be reward at this office.

Lost during last week between Waterford an Dungarvan, a sum of money in tobacco pouch. Finder rewarded at this office.

Strayed on Snow Hill lands, Bay Colt. Owner will be charge 1s per day for his keep after this date. Steward, Snow Hill. March 1917.