Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article

Cork Independent, 16 June 2011

In the Footsteps of St. Finbarre (Part 260)

Coca Cola Comes to Cork, 1952

“Mr James A. Farley, Chairman of the American Coco Cola Export Corporation and former Postmaster General of the United States was among the passengers who disembarked from the liner America at Cobh. Mr. Farley will attend the opening today of the new Coca Cola factory at Cork by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Government, Mr. J. Lynch [deputising for Sean Lemass, Minister for Industry and Commerce]. …then he will travel to Dublin, where he will meet the Taoiseach and Mr. MacEntee. He will visit Belfast before leaving Ireland for a European tour (journalist, Irish Independent, 9 May 1952, p.3)”.

The region of the Carrigrohane Straight Road has many stories of Cork’s place in twentieth century Ireland and in the world.  The opening of the Coco Cola bottling in Cork adjacent the road on the 9 May 1952 was a success story for the Irish government who sought out such companies. It was also a success for the directors of the Munster Bottlers Limited that had only been founded 11 months previously to the opening. Company chairman Mr. P. Fitzgerald from Rushbrooke greeted the guests at the opening.

With a legacy going back 125 years, the beverage Coco Cola was invented in 1886 in Atlanta, USA and quickly blossomed into one of America’s most important exports abroad.  In 1900 there were two bottlers of Coca Cola; by 1920, there were about 1,000. In 1941, when America entered World War II, thousands of men and women were sent overseas. Coca Cola rallied behind them when its CompanyPresident Robert Woodruff ordered that every “man in uniform get a bottle of Coca Cola from five cents wherever he is and whatever it costs the company”. In 1943, General Dwight Eisenhower sent an urgent cablegram to Coca-Cola, requesting shipment of materials for 10 bottling plants. During the war, many people tasted their first Coca Cola, which laid the foundations for Coca-Cola to do business overseas. Hence by the mid 1940s until 1960, the number of countries with bottling operations nearly doubled. Post war America was deemed alive with optimism and prosperity. Coca-Cola was part of a fun carefree American lifestyle.  Ireland was part of the expansion of the bottling works. The case of the country was also strengthened by Jim Farley, Chairman of Coca Cola.

In an article in the Irish Press in September 1968 it outlined that his Jim Farley’s grandfather came from Co. Meath. Jim was described a “legend in U.S. Politics” and was a former member of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s cabinet. Farley started in public life as town clerk of an up-state New York town and from there became chairman of the Democratic Party National Committee. He helped start the Roosevelt campaign in 1932 and managed his presidential campaign, after which Farley became Roosevelt’s first Postmaster General.  He had been associated with the Coca Cola company since 1940.

At the Cork plant, all the necessary commodities that went into the manufacture of the drink were native products with the sole exception of the concentrated syrup, which was imported from England. The Coca Cola Export Corporation was the largest single consumer of sugar in the world. The creation of bottles, crates and the use of vehicles created business for local industries. In addition, starting off the Cork Plant had a dozen staff.

The Cork Examiner on the day of the opening (9 May 1952) carried a feature on the workings of the plant: “The factory itself is very modern and it was designed by Mr. H. Fitzgerald-Smith to conform with the high standards required by up-to-date bottling factories. A single storey building…in the factory proper there are large windows, which will allow the maximum of light necessary for the work on complicated machines….At the eastern end there is an overhead syrup room. From which the main ingredients flows to the factory below to be processed.”

In view of the fact that the Coca-Cola Company insisted on one quality of water it was found necessary to install a water treating plant. Another unique feature was a washing machine, which was capable of washing and treating 30 bottles per minute. The regulations of the Coca-Cola Company required that every bottle had to be thoroughly sterilised before it is passed for use. Temperature, too, had to be kept at a certain degree, and in this connection a special refrigeration plant was in operation. The bottling machine was described as a “mechanical marvel, which performs several operations. As the bottles pass along a conveyer they are filled, crowned and then go through a very minute inspection before being finally adjudged as suitable for dispatch to the retailer.”

The firm had a special department for training salesmen and these men when trained were to act as driver salesmen throughout the Munster counties. The crown corks were made in Cobh. The bottles were supplied from Dublin as well as wooden containers. A fleet of ford trucks were used. The factory was erected by Daniel T. O’Connor and Sons. By 1963, there were four bottling plants in Ireland of Coca Cola and these were part of a wider family 650 bottling plants in 118 countries.

To be continued…

Captions:

595a. Mr. Jim Farley setting the machinery in motion at the Cork Coca Cola factory, 9 May 1952; Left are the Mayor of Waterford Ald. T. Lynch and the Lord Mayor of Cork, Ald. W. Furlong (picture: Irish Independent)

595b. Former Munster Bottlers Plant, Carrigrohane Straight Road, June 2011

Kieran’s Article, Our City, Our Town,

Cork Independent, 9 June 2011 

In the Footsteps of St. Finbarre (Part 259)

Shrine of the Holy Rosary

“Holy Mary in Heaven assumed and crowned look lovingly on those who have helped to construct this rosary shrine in thy honour and those who are helping to maintain it. Take under thy especial care all who say the rosary devotedly on this highway and pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen (inscription on the plaque at Shrine of the Most Holy Rosary, Lee Road, Cork).”

Opposite the Carrigrohane Straight Road on the opposite bank of the Lee is the scenic Lee Road on which lies the Shrine of the Most Holy Rosary. I have not managed to find out who completed the impressive sculpture of the figures but it does look like a Seamus Murphy piece but I am open to correction on that. The last couple of weeks, the column has revealed aspects about Cork in the 1930s. The shrine catapults the visitor forward to 1952 plus is also an important landmark and site of pilgrimage in the Lee Valley.

The shrine was officially opened on the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August 1952 and blessed by Coadjutor Bishop of Cork and Ross Rev. Dr. Cornelius Lucey in the presence of a crowd deemed by the press to be as large as the gathering, which took part in the annual Eucharistic Procession.  The Cork Examiner on 16 August, 1952 noted that that the “the attendance at last evening’s ceremony, however, called for a great act of faith on the part of those attending it. About half an hour before the time appointed for the procession to move off from outside the Mental Hospital gates, rain begin to fall. This downpour, however, did not prevent people of all ages attending in their thousands. ”

Between the starting point of the procession and the shrine fourteen large plates bore the representation of the fourteen mysteries of the rosary. As the procession moved along the road the rosary was given out over a loud speaker attached to a motor car, by Rev. Patrick O’Farrell, C.C. Clogheen. The paper revealed that these temporary mysteries would later be replaced by permanent sculptured representations of the Mysteries of the Rosary. Indeed, a gift of one of the permanent ones had by the unveiling already been made anonymously to the Clogheen Guild of Muintir na Tíre who helped by what the press described as “Cork City friends” – had been responsible for the erection of the Shrine. It was through the efforts of Enniskeane born Rev. Patrick  O’Farrell C.C. that the shrine was erected and the ceremony was made possible.

The Cork Examiner reported that “the work of erection has been going on for the past year and a half and, despite the fact that a very great deal of the labour was given voluntarily, the cost will run into some thousands of pounds. It was learned by our reporter that about two-thirds of the cost have already been raised and it is hoped that the confraternities, societies and others will help to clear off the debt and also to donate the remaining mysteries.”

The procession was well under way when the rain came down in torrents. The downpour did not deter the crowd from walking the mile and a quarter and reciting the responses to the Rosary. By the time the huge gathering had reached the shrine, many were drenched. At the shrine the fifteenth mystery of the rosary, the crowning of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven, was recited by all.

The Cork Examiner further reports that “On the Carrigrohane “Straight” Road there were lines of parked cars from which the occupants watched the ceremony across the River Lee. Amongst the crowd near the shrine were priests and laity from all the parishes in the city; representatives of the various religious orders in the city; members of public bodies, including the Lord Mayor (Ald. P. McGrath T.D. etc) “.

In his sermon, South Parish born Rev. Jeremiah O’Leary C.C. in Turner’s Cross, thanked the people of Clogheen District for the “wonderful Shrine they have raised in honour of Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary”. The website for the Diocese of Cork and Ross notes that previously and on his return from ministry in England in 1938, Rev. O’Leary had became actively involved in the promotion of Adult Education in Cork as well as throughout Munster. He was also responsible for the diploma course in Sociology at the University College, Cork. He was for many years a council member of the Cork Historical & Archaeological Society. He was also a prominent member in the Legion of Mary.

Bishop Lucey unveiled the shrine and blessed the statue, as the press noted “a statue that is real work of art, and which can be flood light”. The rain, which had been falling almost continuously, stopped as Benediction began. Present in a specially reserved place in front of the shrine were a large number of nuns from Mount Desert and from other convents and hospitals in the city.

If anyone has memories of the shrine’s construction or the team behind the Shrine, I would like to find out more; Kieran Mc, 0876553389.

Captions:

594a. Shrine of the Holy Rosary, Lee Road, Cork, 2011

594b. Close-up of figures at Shrine of the Holy Rosary, Lee Road, Cork, 2011 (pictures: Kieran McCarthy)

Kieran’s Our City, Our Town,

Cork Independent, 2 June 2011 

In the Footsteps of St. Finbarre (Part 258)

Constitutions and Agreements, April 1938

On Monday 25 April 1938, the press media reported that approximately seventy thousand spectators saw lap records beaten several times during the International Light Car and Cork Grand Prix at the Carrigrohane Circuit two days previously on the Saturday.

As Cork people read about “the wonderful driving displays” and “speed thrills”, further events with an enormous legacy for the nature of Irish identity were also unfolding on the same day. That weekend the representatives of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, on behalf of their respective parties, agreed to invite Roscommon born Senator Dr. Douglas Hyde to accept the nomination for the presidency.  The provision for a president of Ireland was made in the July 1937 Irish Constitution. The Constitution of Ireland replaced the Constitution of the Irish Free State which had been in effect since the southern state became independent from the United Kingdom in 1933. It established a government under a parliamentary system. It provided for a directly elected, ceremonial President of Ireland (Article 12), a head of government called the “Taoiseach” (Article 28) and a national parliament called the “Oireachtas” (Article 15).

On Monday 25 April, the Cork Examiner also carried the important story that the text of the Anglo-Irish agreement was to be signed in London that afternoon. Talks had begun with the visit of an Irish delegation three months previously. Political concerns, defence, trade relations, trade duties and financial position were all topics for discussion. Taoiseach  Eamonn DeValera and  three Irish ministers, Sean MacEntee, Sean Lemass and Dr. James Ryan, together with John W. Dulanty, the Irish High Commissioner, who played a prominent part in the discussions, were to attend an informal luncheon with Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister on Tuesday 26 April. The Prime Minister and Mrs. Chamberlain had only moved into their new residence at no.10 Downing Street a few days previously. With DeValera the secretaries of the four Departments were also present, J.P. Walshe of External Affairs, Sean Lydon of Industry and Commerce, J.J. McElligott of Finance and Dan Twomey of Agriculture.

The Cork Examiner reported on the Monday that the Irish delegation crossed from Dublin on Saturday night and attended mass on the Sunday (24^th) in Liverpool Cathedral before continuing to London. At Euston they were cheered by a crowd who waved two tricolours. Mr. Malcolm MacDonald (Secretary of Dominions and Mr. Dulanty Irish Commissioner in London, cordially greeted An Taoiseach Eamonn DeValera as he stepped from the train. The usual police precautions were taken plus close to DeValera was his so called “shadow”, Inspector Patrick J. Phelan, native of Dingle, who had become known at Scotland Yard as Mr. DeValera’s permanent bodyguard when the Taoiseach was in England.

On Tuesday 26 April 1938, the Cork Examiner discussed the provisions of the new Anglo-Irish Agreement. The economic war between the Irish Free State and Britain was ended with the signing. The agreement provided for the transfer to the Irish Government of the Admiralty, property and rights at Berehaven and the harbour defences at Berehaven, Cobh and Lough Swilly not later than 31 December 1938.

The special duties imposed by each side in the economic war were to be removed and a detailed trade agreement was planned to govern trade between the two countries for the ensuing three years. Irish goods were to enjoy entry into the British market free of duty, except for certain classes of goods, which were subject to revenue duties, i.e. beer, spirits, tobacco, sugar and silks. Eleven classes of Irish agricultural products were to receive preference on the British market. If imports increased to such an extent as to endanger the stability of the United Kingdom “market quantitative regulation”, a duty could be applied. The Irish government was to make immediate reductions in duties on 25 classes of British manufactured goods, but quantitative regulation of such goods could be made if imports increased to such an extent as to endanger Irish industries. Entry free of duty was provided for a large range of United Kingdom goods. Foreign goods that were admitted under licence were to be subject to a duty of not less than ten per cent. Irish protective duties and import restrictions were to be reviewed by the Prices Commission so as to give British producers opportunity of reasonable competition while affording Irish industries adequate protection.

The papers on the 25 April 1938 also wrote in detail about General Francisco Franco and the Spanish Civil War. For the week beginning Monday 25 April 1938, the press outlined his control of two –thirds of Spain’s Rice Fields and some of the country’s best orange grove.  Francisco Franco and the military had participated in a coup d’état against the Popular Front Spanish government. The coup failed and devolved into the Spanish Civil War during which Franco emerged as the leader of the Nationalists against the Popular Front government. After winning the civil war with military aid from Italy and Nazi Germany—while the communist Soviet Union and various Internationalists aided certain forces of the left—he dissolved the Spanish Parliament. The Spanish Civil War began in July 1936 and officially ended with Franco’s victory in April 1939, leaving 190,000 to 500,000 dead.

To be continued…

Captions:

593a. St. Patrick’s Street, Cork, Saturday 23 April 1938 (picture: Irish Press)

593b. Western Road , Cork, traffic jams to see the Cork Grand Prix, Saturday 23 April 1938 (picture: Irish Press)

Kieran’s our City, Our Town Article,

Cork Independent, 26 May 2011

Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project 2011

This year marks the ninth year of the Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project co-ordinated by myself. The Project for 2011 culminated recently in two award ceremonies for the project. It  is open to schools in Cork City and County- at primary level to the pupils of fourth, fifth and sixth class and at post-primary from first to sixth years. A total of 40 schools in Cork took part this year. Circa 1400 students participated in the process and approx 220 projects were submitted on all aspects of Cork’s history.

One of the key aims of the project is to allow students to explore, investigate and debate their local history in a constructive, active and fun way. The emphasis is on the process of doing a project. Projects on any aspect of Cork’s rich heritage (built, natural and cultural) can be submitted to an adjudication panel. Prizes are awarded for best projects and certificates are given to each participant. The standard was very high this year. The top prizes, 60 in all, were given to students’ projects, which took a clever approach to the topic. Students are challenged to devise methodologies that provide interesting ways to approach the study of their local heritage.

Submitted projects must be colourful, creative, have personal opinion, imagination and gain publicity before submission. These elements form the basis of a student friendly narrative analysis approach where the students explore their project topic in an interactive and task oriented way. In particular students are encouraged to attain primary material generating primary material through engaging with a number of methods such as fieldwork, interviews with local people, making models, photographing, cartoon creating, making DVDs of their area.

Students are to experiment with the overall design and plan of their projects. It attempts to bring the student to become more personal and creative in their approaches. Much of the work could be published as local heritage / history guides to people and places in the County.  For example two winning class projects this year focussed on the history of St. Joseph’s Cemetery using family connections and the 1901 and 1911 census. 

This year marks went towards making a short film or a model on projects to accompany history booklets. Submitted DVDs this year had interviews of family members to local historians to the student taking a reporter type stance on their work. Some students also chose to act out scenes from the past. Re-enacting is also a feature of several projects. One class filmed a re-enactment of potential ways of life at Drombeg Stone Circle in Bronze Age Ireland.The creativity section also encourages model making. The best model trophy in general goes to the creative and realistic model. This year the best model in the city went to one on the Shaky Bridge, made from lollypop sticks, whilst the runner up engaged in working with a hurley maker in making an actual hurley for their project on a history of Cork hurley making.

Students are encouraged to compare and connect the past to their present and their immediate future. Work needs to involve re-imagining what life may have been like. One of the key foundations in the Project is about developing empathy for the past and to try to link the present to the past – to think about attitudes and experience in the past. Interpretation is also empowering for the student- all the time developing a better sense of the different ways in which people engage with and express a sense of place and time.

Every year, the students involved in the project produce lots of project books and do enormous work getting the information from the local community. This section is about showing and communicating the student’s work to the wider community. It is about reaching out and gaining public praise for the student but also appraisal and further ideas. This year the most prominent source of gaining publicity was inviting parents into the classroom for an open day for viewing projects or putting displays on in local community centres and libraries. Some class projects were presented in nursing homes to engage the older generation and to attain further memories from participants. Students were also successful in putting work on local parish newsletters, newspapers and local radio stations and also presenting work in local libraries.  Mini-websites were also set up.

Overall, the Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project attempts to provide the student with a hands-on and interactive activity that is all about learning not only about your local area but also about the process of learning by participating students. The project in the city is kindly funded by Cork Civic Trust (viz the help of John X. Miller), Cork City Council (viz the help of Mary Doyle), the Heritage Council and the Evening Echo. Prizes were also provided in the 2011 season by Lifetime Lab, Lee Road (thanks to Meryvn Horgan), Sean Kelly of Lucky Meadows Equestrian Centre Watergrasshill and Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre. A full list of winners, topics and pictures of some of the project pages can be viewed at www.corkheritage.ie and on facebook on Cork: Our City, Our Town.

Back to the River Lee next week…

Captions:

592a. View of students from Reenascreena National School, West Cork with their model that accompanied their ‘history of farming’ project (pictures: Kieran McCarthy)

592b. View of winning model by fourth class students of Gaelscoil Uí Riada, Wilton