Waterford County Archives will be providing a talk on Local Elections in County Waterford on Thursday 22nd January at 8pm in Dungarvan Library. The talk is being held to accompany an exhibition produced by the Local Authority Archivists’ Group and features archives from local authority collections around the country.
Find out about the public meetings held across Waterford County to select the first County Council candidates in 1899. Discover more about the people who got to vote for the first time in the County on 6th April 1899. On 15th April 1899 the Munster Express reported from Dungarvan that:
Around the hills bonfires blazed. This was the rejoicing of the people, for, for the first time in the country’s chequered history the voice of the people was allowed to assert itself…
Find out about how the voice of the people was expressed in this and later local elections, the role that local government had in supporting the newly formed Dáil Éireann and learn more about the impact local people have had on their local councils since 1899.
The exhibition offers an opportunity to assess the history and impact that local elections have had in Ireland and the County Archive will have archives on display that provide details of local elections in Waterford.
For further information contact:
Joanne Rothwell
Waterford County Archivist
Waterford County Archives Services
Dungarvan Library
Davitt’s Quay
Dungarvan
Co. Waterford
E-mail: archivist@waterfordcoco.ie
Telephone: 058 23673
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Soloheadbeg ambush - Remembering the Past
On 21 January 1919, 90 years ago, the 3rd Tipperary Brigade of the IRA fired the opening salvo of the Tan War in Soloheadbeg.
Information had reached the Third Brigade in December 1918 that explosives were being transported in their area and they began preparations to seize these much needed munitions. Lar Breen, a brother of Dan, was sent to work in a local quarry to gather intelligence. He confirmed that a delivery was expected around 16 January but the exact date and route couldn’t be confirmed. The Volunteers organised a small tin hut as a base for their attack on the convoy; there they sent out spotters and waited day after day for word that the convoy was on its way.
Those involved on the day of the operation were four officers of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade IRA; Seán Treacy, Dan Breen, Seán Hogan (then only 17) and Séamus Robinson. They were joined by five other Volunteers: Tadhg Crowe, Mick McCormack, Paddy O’Dwyer (Hollyford), Michael Ryan (Donohill) and Seán O’Meara (Tipperary) — the latter two being cycle scouts.
Robinson, who participated in the 1916 Rising, was the organiser and Treacy, a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood since 1911, was the logistics expert.
In their planning, Treacy and the others were unsure of the size of the police contingent which would be guarding the gelignite and made preparations for various contingencies, including a guard of up to 12 RIC men. Tadhg Crowe was to guard the policemen when they were captured, while Paddy Dwyer was the lookout who was to follow the convoy from Tipperary Town.
Finally, after five days of surveillance, Paddy Dwyer saw the explosives, 160 pounds of gelignite, being loaded on a cart and heading off with a guard of two RIC men. He cycled ahead and watched as they took the long route to the Soloheadbeg quarry. He took the short route and informed the anxious Volunteers of the convoy’s size and movements. The horse was being led by two workmen, Edward Godfrey and Patrick Flynn, while the two policemen, Constables Patrick MacDonnell and James O’Connell, walked behind with their carbines slung over their shoulders.
As they passed Cranitch’s Field near the quarry, the RIC men were twice called on to surrender by the masked IRA Volunteers who had positioned themselves on the side of the road in a ditch. When the RIC men shouldered their carbines and took up firing positions Seán Treacy, followed by Breen and Robinson, opened fire with .22 automatic Mauser rifles and an automatic Colt.
Leaving the two RIC men dead on the road, the IRA men hurried to take the horse and cart out of the area. They left the two civilians alone but had they searched Patrick MacDonnell they would have found 30 electric detonators in his pocket. The IRA men then hid the gelignite by the side of the Dundrum-Tipperary Road. The horse and cart and two sticks of gelignite were dropped at another location to throw the crown forces off the scent. One week later, with massive searches continuing in the area and the risk of the munitions being discovered at any time, Tom Carew (who was later to be made IO of the 3rd Brigade) decided to move the hoard to a safe arms dump. With his brother he procured two carts laden with timber and drove out to where the IRA men had left the boxes of gelignite. They loaded these onto the driver’s seat and drove away. On the way to where they would dump the gelignite they were stopped by the RIC. The RIC questioned the cool headed Carew for 20 minutes but suspected nothing. Eventually they let him go, warning him that he shouldn’t be driving around with no lights on as it was dangerous.
The Volunteers who had taken part in the raid then went on the run. GHQ was anxious that those involved would go to the US until the situation calmed down, but the Volunteers refused. Seán Treacy said “any fool can shoot a peeler and run away to America'’. Instead, he asked that a Proclamation directing all British troops to leave Ireland be issued. Condemnation for the killings was swift and from every quarter, even from some local republicans.
It wasn’t until April 1921 that Dáil Éireann, at Erskine Childers’ bidding, formally declared hostilities against Britain.
Tipperary was declared a “special military area” and all fairs and markets were banned. Military reinforcements were rushed in and a major hunt was on for the IRA men. A reward of £1,000 was increased to £10,000, but to no avail. The men remained on the run and they all saw regular action in the subsequent war, some making the supreme sacrifice for Ireland’s freedom.As with other ambushes of the time the sole purpose of the ambush in Soloheadbeg was the capture of explosives. An order curtailing military style operations from the IRA GHQ meant no major operation occurred for a few months after Soloheadbeg. The official newspaper of the Volunteers, An tÓglach, took a different line, stating ten days after Soloheadbeg that Volunteers could use “all legitimate methods of warfare against the soldiers and policemen of the English usurper, and to slay them if necessary to overcome their resistance'’
Information had reached the Third Brigade in December 1918 that explosives were being transported in their area and they began preparations to seize these much needed munitions. Lar Breen, a brother of Dan, was sent to work in a local quarry to gather intelligence. He confirmed that a delivery was expected around 16 January but the exact date and route couldn’t be confirmed. The Volunteers organised a small tin hut as a base for their attack on the convoy; there they sent out spotters and waited day after day for word that the convoy was on its way.
Those involved on the day of the operation were four officers of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade IRA; Seán Treacy, Dan Breen, Seán Hogan (then only 17) and Séamus Robinson. They were joined by five other Volunteers: Tadhg Crowe, Mick McCormack, Paddy O’Dwyer (Hollyford), Michael Ryan (Donohill) and Seán O’Meara (Tipperary) — the latter two being cycle scouts.
Robinson, who participated in the 1916 Rising, was the organiser and Treacy, a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood since 1911, was the logistics expert.
In their planning, Treacy and the others were unsure of the size of the police contingent which would be guarding the gelignite and made preparations for various contingencies, including a guard of up to 12 RIC men. Tadhg Crowe was to guard the policemen when they were captured, while Paddy Dwyer was the lookout who was to follow the convoy from Tipperary Town.
Finally, after five days of surveillance, Paddy Dwyer saw the explosives, 160 pounds of gelignite, being loaded on a cart and heading off with a guard of two RIC men. He cycled ahead and watched as they took the long route to the Soloheadbeg quarry. He took the short route and informed the anxious Volunteers of the convoy’s size and movements. The horse was being led by two workmen, Edward Godfrey and Patrick Flynn, while the two policemen, Constables Patrick MacDonnell and James O’Connell, walked behind with their carbines slung over their shoulders.
As they passed Cranitch’s Field near the quarry, the RIC men were twice called on to surrender by the masked IRA Volunteers who had positioned themselves on the side of the road in a ditch. When the RIC men shouldered their carbines and took up firing positions Seán Treacy, followed by Breen and Robinson, opened fire with .22 automatic Mauser rifles and an automatic Colt.
Leaving the two RIC men dead on the road, the IRA men hurried to take the horse and cart out of the area. They left the two civilians alone but had they searched Patrick MacDonnell they would have found 30 electric detonators in his pocket. The IRA men then hid the gelignite by the side of the Dundrum-Tipperary Road. The horse and cart and two sticks of gelignite were dropped at another location to throw the crown forces off the scent. One week later, with massive searches continuing in the area and the risk of the munitions being discovered at any time, Tom Carew (who was later to be made IO of the 3rd Brigade) decided to move the hoard to a safe arms dump. With his brother he procured two carts laden with timber and drove out to where the IRA men had left the boxes of gelignite. They loaded these onto the driver’s seat and drove away. On the way to where they would dump the gelignite they were stopped by the RIC. The RIC questioned the cool headed Carew for 20 minutes but suspected nothing. Eventually they let him go, warning him that he shouldn’t be driving around with no lights on as it was dangerous.
The Volunteers who had taken part in the raid then went on the run. GHQ was anxious that those involved would go to the US until the situation calmed down, but the Volunteers refused. Seán Treacy said “any fool can shoot a peeler and run away to America'’. Instead, he asked that a Proclamation directing all British troops to leave Ireland be issued. Condemnation for the killings was swift and from every quarter, even from some local republicans.
It wasn’t until April 1921 that Dáil Éireann, at Erskine Childers’ bidding, formally declared hostilities against Britain.
Tipperary was declared a “special military area” and all fairs and markets were banned. Military reinforcements were rushed in and a major hunt was on for the IRA men. A reward of £1,000 was increased to £10,000, but to no avail. The men remained on the run and they all saw regular action in the subsequent war, some making the supreme sacrifice for Ireland’s freedom.As with other ambushes of the time the sole purpose of the ambush in Soloheadbeg was the capture of explosives. An order curtailing military style operations from the IRA GHQ meant no major operation occurred for a few months after Soloheadbeg. The official newspaper of the Volunteers, An tÓglach, took a different line, stating ten days after Soloheadbeg that Volunteers could use “all legitimate methods of warfare against the soldiers and policemen of the English usurper, and to slay them if necessary to overcome their resistance'’
Adams to attend President elect Obama’s Inauguration
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA will attend next weeks inauguration in Washington for President elect Barak Obama and Vice President elect Senator Joe Biden. Mr. Adams said: "The United States has played a consistently significant role in the Irish peace process over the last decade.
"President elect Obama has already committed to continuing U.S. support for the Irish peace process.
"The new US President has also made positive comments on trade and investment, and has acknowledged the need for immigration reform.
"Sinn Féin is committed to working with Irish America toward building on the positive relationship we have with both Democrats and Republicans and with the new administration in Washington.
"The coming into office of the Obama administration will present many positive new opportunities and challenges." CRÍOCH
"President elect Obama has already committed to continuing U.S. support for the Irish peace process.
"The new US President has also made positive comments on trade and investment, and has acknowledged the need for immigration reform.
"Sinn Féin is committed to working with Irish America toward building on the positive relationship we have with both Democrats and Republicans and with the new administration in Washington.
"The coming into office of the Obama administration will present many positive new opportunities and challenges." CRÍOCH
Caithfidh an tAE cuidiú le muintir Gaza - de Brún
Published: 14 January, 2009
Ag labhairt léi i bParlaimint na hEorpa inniu cháin Bairbre de Brún FPE ionsaithe Iosrael i nGaza. Dúirt Iníon de Brún gur chóir uasghrádú caidrimh le hIosrael a thréigean agus gur chóir na comhaontaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair a chur ar ceal go dtí go gcomhlíonann Iosrael a dhualgais faoi dhlí idirnáisiúnta. Dúirt Iníon de Brún: "Is mian liom tacú leo siúd ag cáineadh na n-ionsaithe a bhí déanta ag Iosrael i nGaza ar na mallaibh agus mo dhlúthpháirtíocht a léiriú le muintir Gaza. Fiú sular mhéadaigh foréigean Iosrael, chonaiceamar, le míonna anuas, pionós comhchoiteann ar mhuintir na Palaistíne in Gaza. Is ábhar uafáis ar fad é scála agus cineál an ionsaí ar Gaza déanta ag arm nua-aimseartha in éadan daoine faoi léigear atá lag cheana féin mar gheall ar leithlis agus imshuí. Tá an locht a cuireadh ar na daoine céanna úd contráilte - is gá dúinn bheith soiléir agus sinn á rá gurb iad na híospartaigh is mó muintir neamhchiontacha Gaza. Ní féidir a rá gur freagairt chomhréireach í ar ionsaithe roicéad Hamas ar Iosrael. Is gá don Aontas Eorpach a ghuth a ardú in aghaidh gníomhartha do-ghlactha Iosrael. Tá roinnt uirlisí againn ar féidir linn a úsáid chun ár dteachtaireacht a chur in iúl. Ba chóir uasghrádú caidrimh le hIosrael a thréigean agus ba chóir na comhaontaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair a chur ar ceal go dtí go gcomhlíonann Iosrael a dhualgais faoi dhlí idirnáisiúnta. Ba chóir dúinn deireadh a chur lenár n-ionramh fabhrach le hIosrael agus ár dtacaíocht a mhéadú ar son gníomhartha daonnúla ar mhaithe le híospartaigh chogadh Iosrael." DEIREADH
Ag labhairt léi i bParlaimint na hEorpa inniu cháin Bairbre de Brún FPE ionsaithe Iosrael i nGaza. Dúirt Iníon de Brún gur chóir uasghrádú caidrimh le hIosrael a thréigean agus gur chóir na comhaontaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair a chur ar ceal go dtí go gcomhlíonann Iosrael a dhualgais faoi dhlí idirnáisiúnta. Dúirt Iníon de Brún: "Is mian liom tacú leo siúd ag cáineadh na n-ionsaithe a bhí déanta ag Iosrael i nGaza ar na mallaibh agus mo dhlúthpháirtíocht a léiriú le muintir Gaza. Fiú sular mhéadaigh foréigean Iosrael, chonaiceamar, le míonna anuas, pionós comhchoiteann ar mhuintir na Palaistíne in Gaza. Is ábhar uafáis ar fad é scála agus cineál an ionsaí ar Gaza déanta ag arm nua-aimseartha in éadan daoine faoi léigear atá lag cheana féin mar gheall ar leithlis agus imshuí. Tá an locht a cuireadh ar na daoine céanna úd contráilte - is gá dúinn bheith soiléir agus sinn á rá gurb iad na híospartaigh is mó muintir neamhchiontacha Gaza. Ní féidir a rá gur freagairt chomhréireach í ar ionsaithe roicéad Hamas ar Iosrael. Is gá don Aontas Eorpach a ghuth a ardú in aghaidh gníomhartha do-ghlactha Iosrael. Tá roinnt uirlisí againn ar féidir linn a úsáid chun ár dteachtaireacht a chur in iúl. Ba chóir uasghrádú caidrimh le hIosrael a thréigean agus ba chóir na comhaontaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair a chur ar ceal go dtí go gcomhlíonann Iosrael a dhualgais faoi dhlí idirnáisiúnta. Ba chóir dúinn deireadh a chur lenár n-ionramh fabhrach le hIosrael agus ár dtacaíocht a mhéadú ar son gníomhartha daonnúla ar mhaithe le híospartaigh chogadh Iosrael." DEIREADH
latest cso figures breakdown
Government inertia as unemployment spirals out of control
Speaking as figures released this week showed the unemployment rate rose to 8.3% in December, Sinn Féin Cllr. Brendan Mnasfield said Brian Cowen and his Government have spectacularly failed to grasp the gravity of the current situation and have failed to react accordingly. Cllr.Mansfield said the coalition of Fianna Fáil and the Green Party has failed to produce one single proposal to kick start the economy and called for job creation plan involving major public infrastructural investment. An extra 128 people have joined the dole queue in Dungarvan in December alone, with the figure now standing at over 1569.
He said, “At a time when every member of the Government should be up on their toes, running around busily trying to come up with a plan to take us out of the current crisis, the image coming from Government is that they are all sitting back in their chairs bending paper clips and naval gazing.
“Brian Cowen lauded himself for being one of the first heads of state to intervene to save the banking sector. And he was – fair play. But where has he been since? Where is the package for creating jobs? Why has nothing been done to retain jobs? Did Brian Cowen and his Government sit back after intervening in the banking sector and think to themselves that their work was done because it certainly seems that they haven’t grasped the gravity of the current situation.
“The FF/Green coalition has yet to produce a single concrete proposal to kick start the economy and create employment. The Government’s economic stimulus package is worthless.
“The Irish government has been amongst the last governments in the EU to produce a stimulus package. While the public is watching the state go down the tubes the government continues to sleepwalk and unemployment figures continue to rise sharply reaching the highest level in Dungarvan in decades.
“Sinn Féin has repeatedly called for a job creation plan, which would involve major public infrastructural investment.
“The solutions and skills are out there to revive the economy and provide new employment. The problem is Government hesitation, indecisiveness and incompetence, and non sensical cuts such as those to the Community Employment schemes.'' concluded Cllr.Mansfield.
Speaking as figures released this week showed the unemployment rate rose to 8.3% in December, Sinn Féin Cllr. Brendan Mnasfield said Brian Cowen and his Government have spectacularly failed to grasp the gravity of the current situation and have failed to react accordingly. Cllr.Mansfield said the coalition of Fianna Fáil and the Green Party has failed to produce one single proposal to kick start the economy and called for job creation plan involving major public infrastructural investment. An extra 128 people have joined the dole queue in Dungarvan in December alone, with the figure now standing at over 1569.
He said, “At a time when every member of the Government should be up on their toes, running around busily trying to come up with a plan to take us out of the current crisis, the image coming from Government is that they are all sitting back in their chairs bending paper clips and naval gazing.
“Brian Cowen lauded himself for being one of the first heads of state to intervene to save the banking sector. And he was – fair play. But where has he been since? Where is the package for creating jobs? Why has nothing been done to retain jobs? Did Brian Cowen and his Government sit back after intervening in the banking sector and think to themselves that their work was done because it certainly seems that they haven’t grasped the gravity of the current situation.
“The FF/Green coalition has yet to produce a single concrete proposal to kick start the economy and create employment. The Government’s economic stimulus package is worthless.
“The Irish government has been amongst the last governments in the EU to produce a stimulus package. While the public is watching the state go down the tubes the government continues to sleepwalk and unemployment figures continue to rise sharply reaching the highest level in Dungarvan in decades.
“Sinn Féin has repeatedly called for a job creation plan, which would involve major public infrastructural investment.
“The solutions and skills are out there to revive the economy and provide new employment. The problem is Government hesitation, indecisiveness and incompetence, and non sensical cuts such as those to the Community Employment schemes.'' concluded Cllr.Mansfield.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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