Jack O’Niell’s Pages from The Past

Wednesday, 1st February 2012

Waterford Newsfebruary 1946

For whom does this bell toll?

Last week we referred to an antique, a huge old Waterford-made brass candelabra exhibited as a curio in the window of Messrs. Fitzpatrick, ironmonger, the Quay.

In the same shop a bell of similar Waterford origin is on show. Both were manufactured by a local brass founder, in the early part of the 19th century. The bell is of large size obviously a church bell. It possesses a fine vibrant note when struck.

The following letter has been addressed to the Waterford gentleman who discovered these Waterford antiquities:-

"In January 1824, and for many years earlier, there was a brass-founder in Barronstrand Street, Waterford who was named Charles Clarke. His third daughter, Amy Clarke, married Thomas Ivie of Ballylough, in January 1824 and so was the ancestress of the Ivie family that continued in Ballylough from 1824 until a comparatively recent date. Charles Clarke died in his residence, Barronstrand Street, on Saturday January 9th 1830 and was succeeded in his business of brass founder by Samuel Woods. In addition to his business as a merchant and brass founder in Waterford, Samuel Woods occupied and operated a farm in Duagh. In June 1858 there appeared an announcement of the same of the furniture of Samuel Woods in Duagh in addition to a threshing machine and a valuable mare. He took some part in public life for he was an Alderman and Poor Law Guardian of the Waterford Union, Then in October 1859, Samuel Woods died in his residence, South Parade Waterford."

The Spud Garden

At a premium during the Emergency, I was surprised to find that there are a number of allotments at "The Spud Garden," St. Ursula’s Terrace, which have not been tilled this year. This is a pity, because the unkempt appearance of the uncultivated plots rather spoils the other neatly-arranged ones close by. The field is owned by and situated in the rear of the Fever Hospital, being used in former years as an exercise ground for patients. It is rather surprising to find that all the allotments were not taken as the situation of the "spud garden" within the Boro’ boundary should make it an attractive proposition for those interested. In years gone by it was heavily manured, and as a result, crops have been consistently good there. the name by which it is is known to residents of the locality (The Spud Garden) leads to the belief that this is not the first time it was used for its present purpose, although I have failed to find anybody who remembers it as anything but a grazing field and exercise ground prior to the lately-ended Emergency period.

Interesting lecture

The interesting lecture given to the Chamber of Commerce last week by Mr. John T. Logan, Irish Regional manager of the Tran-World Airlines disclosed some illuminated facts about the Shannon Airport at Rineanna. The Airport continues to feature as world’s news and there is a constant stream of world famous personalities passing through there, ensuring for it a place in the international headlines.