“A meeting of the Trustees was held at the Asylum, Anglesea Street. This Institution was founded for the purpose of helping Old Ladies, who had seen better days, by providing them with a home and sustaining them as far as the means at the disposal of the Trustees would permit. Each inmate has a little room to herself, and gets a small weekly allowance for food, but on account of the increased cost of all necessaries, the Trustees found, with regret, that it is not possible to admit the full number of applicants for which there is room accommodation” (Cork Examiner, 5 February 1919, p.2).
On any given day within the Cork Examiner from one hundred years ago, the news is diverse. One institution, which receives passing references is SS Joachim and Anne’s Asylum. The old beautiful building has survived the test of time on Anglesea Street and is now in the guise of homelessness accommodation amidst the backdrop of a changing skyline in the City Hall and Cork’s Docklands quarter. The Buildings of Ireland project notes the building’s importance for retaining its “intactness, original street boundary walls and railings, gardens, as well as building fabric”. Unfortunately, a limited amount of historical material survives for the story of the building with little or no documentation surviving for residents.
Founded by bequest by John Lane for Roman Catholic girls in 1843, the original and temporary premises was on Rutland Street. In January 1854, a call was sent out in the Cork Examiner by the Trustees of SS Joachim and Anne’s Asylum for Distressed Gentlewomen, seeking building ground. All proposals were to be sent in to Paul McSwiney, Secretary. They wished to receive proposals “for a Site, within the city, “of about 60 to 70 Feet Front by 120 Feet Deep, for the purpose of erecting a new asylum”. A space was chosen behind the City’s corn market on Anglesea Street and rented from a Mr Wise.
In February 1855, the trustees invited architects “to furnish with sections and in lines plans of a new Asylum”. A premium of £5 sterling was to be given for the plan approved of. The successful architect was Henry Hill. According to the Dictionary of Irish Architects, Henry Hill was born in Cork in 1807, the second surviving son of Thomas Hill and a younger brother of William Hill who also became an architect. Henry may possibly have gained some of his architectural training in England. He was in London from at least January 1826 until early 1827. He left London on 27 January 1827 and arrived in Cork. He designed with his brother William, the Corn Exchange (now the site of Cork City Hall) on Albert Quay, the Old Queen’s Old Castle, c,1835 for William Fitzgibbon and he was architect on Cobh Presbyterian Church, completed in October 1855.
An article in the Cork Examiner for 12 November 1858 highlights that the exterior portion of SS Joachim and Anne’s was nearly finished through the building work of Samuel McMullen at a cost of nearly £2,000; “it is a handsome and tastefully designed structure of the old English style of architecture, and when it is completed, it will be, perhaps, the greatest of the improvements that are in progress in that locality. The materials used are the best Bridgewater red brick – the Cork Brick Company, having been ready to supply when the work was commenced – with cut stone dressing, and the effect of the whole, including the fancifully designed windows, is striking and very pretty”. The news report further details that the accommodation provided was for twenty inmates; “there is every requisite that may be said to constitute a comfortable residence, but should the funds be increased by bequests, subscriptions, or otherwise, so as to enable them to support a large number, the building will be proportionally enlarged. There is also a small chapel attended for the use of the inmates”.
In 1919, apart from SS Joachim and Anne’s the City had several asylums, homes and houses for impoverished women and men from Roman Catholic and Protestant backgrounds. Skiddy’s Almhouse (est.1715) in St Anne’s Shandon Churchyard was for aged females, Protestant and Catholic. The Asylum for the Industrious Blind on Infirmary Road was established in 1843. Lapp’s Asylum on Western road was founded in 1856 for aged and infirm people of the Protestant faith. The charity supported sixteen aged and infirm Protestant ladies in the Asylum and assisted twelve more ladies and gentlemen in their own homes with a weekly allowance. Bretridge’s Charity was founded 1685, for the maintenance of seven old soldiers. It merged in the City of Cork Church School Board. Residents of St Mary’s and St Anne’s Shandon. The Green Coat Hospital was endowed in 1720 with a school and almshouse and provided for impoverished and aged Protestant housekeepers of the Parishes of St Mary’s Shandon, St Anne’s Shandon and St Luke’s, Cork.
Across in Montenotte the Honan Home (under a Royal Charter and Board of Governors) was founded and endowed in 1896 by the Mathew Honan for twelve impoverished and aged gentlemen from the city and county of Cork. The Home for Aged and Destitute Men and Women in Montenotte was under the care of the Little Sisters or the Poor whilst the House of Mercy at St Marie’s of the Isle was a home for destitute girls.
Missed a column last year, check out the indices at Kieran’s heritage website, www.corkheritage.ie
Kieran is also showcasing some of the older column series on the River Lee on his heritage facebook page at the moment, Cork Our City, Our Town.
Captions:
983a. SS Joachim and Anne’s house, present day (pictures: Kieran McCarthy)
983b. View from Elysian Tower of SS Joachim and Anne’s Asylum 2008
983c. Map of Cork City Hall area in 1893 (source: Cork City Library)
On June 1, Cork City will grow to nearly five times its current size taking in areas including Douglas, Rochestown, Ballincollig, Blarney and Glanmire. As part of this planned expansion, the population of the city will grow by 85,000 to 210,000.
The increase in size of the City will allow Cork City Council to take a take a lead role in driving the growth of the city and metropolitan region – driving improvements in investment, public transport, infrastructure and housing.
Staff at Cork City Council are working with Cork County Council to ensure that the transition of public services is as efficient and as seamless as possible. With time, a bigger Cork City will also provide us with scope to further improve and expand our services to the public.
For queries in relation to the Cork City Boundary Extension, please email transition@corkcity.ie
In addition Cork City Council is making available an interactive online map which allows residents, businesses and communities to confirm whether you will be living and/or working in the soon-to be expanded Cork City.
Users can insert their Eircode (please ensure you use the correct Eircode format including a space between the first three and last four characters) or postal address to search for their property (use the down arrow to the left hand side of the search box to select Eircode or address search).
The interactive map also shows you which ward or local electoral area (LEA) you will be voting in, in the upcoming local elections, the number of councillors to be elected in each LEA, and the population of each LEA.
On Saturday evening, 11 January 1919 the first after-war advertisement of the City of Cork Steam Packet Company appeared in the Cork press. It announced passenger rates and accommodation on outward bound ships from Cork. Shipping within the port had re-emerged but German submarines had sunk many of the comfortable and speedy boats and ships.
In January 1919, three ships of the steam packet company operated from Penrose Quay. They were the Kilkenny, Chieftain and Eblana and all three were good boats in their own way. However, all three were not large ships and hence passenger booking was restricted. They were also prone to rocking in poor weather. Such restrictions were sent to the Ministry of Shipping and Transport. The Chieftain was the regular Fishguard boat whilst the Kilkenny was the Liverpool bound ship with remit as well to transport live stock. The Eblana also had connections to English ports.
The minutes from the Cork Harbour Board meeting on 15 January 1919 detail the extent of lobbying work pursued by Mr D J Lucy, Chairman, in relation to get foreign steam ship companies to re-open trade with Cork. Memory was ever present of the several steam packet companies, which had left Queenstown (now Cobh) a few years previously. In the late nineteenth century, no fewer than ten North Atlantic steam packet companies were calling to Liverpool to convey passengers, of which nine stopped at Queenstown. These were the Cunard Line, the Allan Line, the American Line, the Beaver Line, the, the Dominion Line, the Inman Line, the Guion Line, the National Line and the White Star Line. The Warren Line was the only company that did not make Queenstown a port of call. The advent of the twentieth century coincided with new challenges. Queenstown’s position as a North Atlantic gateway of departure was threatened before the century was a decade old. In 1907, the White Star Line changed its terminal from Liverpool to Southampton and by-passed Queenstown as a port of call on its eastbound route.
The heritage panels in the Queenstown Story Heritage Centre reveal that on 6 November 1859, the first Cunard paddle steamer named Canada steamed into Cobh harbour beginning a connection between Queenstown and North America. The connection continued without interruption except during the periods of the two world wars. The residents of Queenstown saw up close the development in size, speed and comfort of the Cunard transatlantic liners from wooden paddle steamer to quadruple-screw, thousand-foot liner. Much of the population worked with the company. Great improvements were also made by the Cork Harbour Board, with port facilities and lighting and buoying of the entire area under the control of that ever-watchful board.
Under the date 10 January 1919, the General Manager of the Cunard Company, Liverpool wrote to the Cork Harbour Board. The manager acknowledged receipt of the Board’s letter and the wish that the Cunard Company would resume their sailings to and from the Port of Cork, now that all Admiralty restrictions at the port were cancelled; “We have been looking forward to the resumption of our old friendly relations with the Commissioner, and hope it will not be long before our first ship calls at Queenstown. Meantime we note that we may count upon the Commissioners giving every facility to the Company, and the matter shall receive our careful attention”.
The Managers of the White Star Line, replying to a similar letter from the Cork Harbour Board noted: “We have already had under consideration the question of recommencing the call of our steamers at your port, but for the moment we are unable to make any definite plana in connection therewith. Our vessels are carrying full complements of troops westward, and are still running under Liner Requisition. We will not fail to advise you immediately we see an opportunity of resuming not only the call of the steamers, but also the old friendly relations, which, as you say, have existed between us for such a long period”.
Liverpool’s Mersey Docks and Harbour Board gave one month’s notice of surrender of the hopper Owenabue. Harbour Members said that this would mean a big loss of income to the Board as the hopper was let out at £350 a month. It was decided to revert to the pre-war hiring arrangements, £250 a month.
In connection with the resumption of the docking outside of Cork harbour of the White Star and Cunard liners in the spring of 1919, the Town Clerk of Queenstown wrote in January to the managers of the companies. He outlined the question of and proposals for an improved tender service. His letter gives insight into the challenges of not being able to bring the larger ships into the harbour and the inconvenience of it for passengers. In pre-war times the ordinary tourist traffic dealt with the tenders Ireland and America. They were ill adapted to the work required of them – that of intercepting the liners in the open sea outside the mouth of Cork Harbour and conveying hundreds of passengers and their heavy luggage to the deep-water quay at Queenstown. The tenders were responsible for unnecessary delays to the liners. For example, working from them at sea in bad weather often led to a failure of unloading. It was also well known that large numbers of American tourists wishing to disembark at Queenstown to tour Ireland, declined to do so when they found the small class of ill-equipped tender provided to convey people to the shore – a distance of several miles.
Missed a column last year, check out the indices at Kieran’s heritage website, www.corkheritage.ie
Kieran is also showcasing some of the older column series on the River Lee on his heritage facebook page at the moment, Cork Our City, Our Town.
Captions:
982a. Postcard of Liners at Queenstown (now Cobh), c.1900 (picture: Cork Harbour Through Time, 2014, by Kieran McCarthy & Dan Breen)
982b. Postcard of White Star Line Offices, Queenstown, c.1900 (picture: Cork Harbour Through Time, 2014, by Kieran McCarthy & Dan Breen)
Between the Garda press office & Council officials, they have noted it Has been found & will be returned to its location in the coming days; v little other info has been made available; Garda enquiries are to continue said short Garda brief.
“I am very saddened and furious to see this form of cultural vandalism; It is a well known piece of heritage in Cork; it has been there for nearly 60 years and it has not been inferred with in six decades- it is a disgrace that someone would come along and say “let’s knick this”- the piece has huge cultural value. Someone trying to sell this piece will be unable to because of how well written about this trough is on social media.
To remove this trough would have required some machinery as it was based in concrete- some one must have seen this trough being lifted and should report it to Anglesea Street Gardai. There is intense CCTV in the area and that should be able help identify and be able to track the culprits from St Patrick’s Street to their residence”.
Tales from 1919: Proceedings of the First Dáil Éireann
Three minutes before the time announced for the beginning of the proceedings of the first Dáil Éireann on 21 January 1919 Count George Plunkett, attended by his colleagues entered the Round Room of the Mansion House, Dublin (continued from last week’s column). They proceeded to their seats. The audience rose and indulged in loud and prolonged cheering.
A roll call of members, available from the Oireachtas archives, lists the Sinn Féin MPs in attendance: Seán T O’Kelly (College Green), P O’Maile (Connemara), J J Walsh (Cork City), Michael Collins (South Cork), Seán Hayes (West Cork), Eoin MacNeill (Derry City and National University), Joseph O’Doherty (North Donegal), Peter J Ward (South Donegal), Joe Sweeney (West Donegal), George Gavin Duffy (South Dublin), Philip Shanahan (Harbour Division Dublin), Richard Mulcahy, Clontarf, Dublin, Michael Staines (St Michan’s, Dublin), Alderman Tom Kelly (St Stephen’s Green, Dublin), Piaras Beasley (East Kerry), Dr John Crowley (North Mayo), Donal Buckley (North Kildare), Con Collins (West Limerick), J J O’Kelly (Louth County), Eamonn Duggan (South Meath), Kevin O’Higgins (Queen’s County), Count George Noble Plunkett (North Roscommon), Harry Boland (South Roscommon), James A Bourke, (Mid-Tipperary), P J Moloney (South Tipperary), Cathal Brugha (Waterford), Roger M Sweetman (North Wexford, Dr Jim Ryan (South Wexford), and Robert C Barton (West Wicklow).
Journalists from papers such as the Cork Examiner and the Irish Independent jotted down the proceedings, which were passed by a press censor. On the motion of Count Plunkett, seconded by Mr P O’Maile, Mr Cathal Brugha was moved to the chair amidst much applause. He spoke about doing important work, “the most important work that had been done in Ireland since foreigners landed in that country”. Continuing he noted: “It is also a holy work. The people of Ireland have hope and trust in God, and for that reason they might humbly ask God to give them help in the work that they had undertaken”. He then asked Fr Michael O’Flanagan to give a blessing on their work.
The Chairman then called the names of all the Irish Parliamentary representatives invited to assist the establishment of the Dáil Éireann. The Chairman highlighted that invitations had been sent to all persons elected for Irish constituencies in the December general election of 1918. There were no replies when the names of Unionist members were called and in the case of the Sinn Féin members in prison the answer “in gaol” was given”.
Mr Seán T O’Kelly then proposed the adoption of a temporary constitution. He said this constitution was a very simple one; “all the members of the Dáil have already got it in their hands, it did not require any long advocacy of it from me. It is sufficient for the time being for the purpose which the Dáil holds in view, namely, to make a permanent Republic in Ireland”. Sean Hayes seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. The Chairman read the Declaration of Independence to be endorsed by the Dáil. The declaration was read in English by Mr E J Duggan, and in French by Mr George Gavin Duffy. It was accepted by each MP present.
On the motion of Mr O’Maillie and seconded by Dr Jim Ryan, Eamon De Valera, Count Plunkett, and Arthur Griffith were appointed delegates to the Peace Conference.
Mr J J O’Kelly read an address to the “Free Nations of the World”. Count Plunkett read the address in Irish. Mr John MacNeil, who proposed the adoption of the address, said they were not asking the people of other countries to establish a Free State in Ireland, because he deemed that the state had already been established. All they asked was that it should be recognised and guaranteed by the “Powers” which were assembled in Paris to settle the peace of the world and granted the rights of small nations. Mr J J Walsh from Cork City seconded, and the motion was unanimously carried.
The constitution of the Dáil was then read and also agreed to. It provided that the Dáil should have full legislative powers and should consist of members elected by the people from the existing constituencies; “Full Executive power shall reside in the Ministry, which shall consist of a Prime Minister selected by the Dáil, and four Ministers, namely, Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, and Defence. The Prime Minister shall nominate the four, and have power to deprive them of office. A Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) shall be selected, for the year by the Dáil, ‘ or a substitute if he is not present. The Ministry shall receive whatever money they require by vote of the Dáil and will be responsible to the Dáil for the monies voted”. Provision was made for the-auditing of the accounts, and the Constitution provided that was temporary, and could be changed by written resolution submitted on ten days’ notice.
Mr Piaras Beasley read in Irish, and Alderman Tom Kelly in English, the democratic programme of social and economic principles. Mr Richard Mulcahy moved the adoption of the programme. Mr Con Collins seconded the motion which was carried. The sitting was then adjourned till the following day when Standing Orders were to be under consideration. As the members of the Dáil rose in their places for the adjournment they were loudly applauded, and the cheering was renewed by the crowd outside the Mansion House when they left the building. The crowd then quietly dispersed. At night a reception was given by Mr Cathal Brugha, Speaker of Dáil Éireann.
Missed a column last year, check out the indices at Kieran’s heritage website, www.corkheritage.ie
Kieran is also showcasing some of the older column series on the River Lee on his heritage facebook page at the moment, Cork Our City, Our Town.
Caption:
981a. Archival documents on display in Cork City Museum showcasing the organisation of the first Dáil Éireann in 1919 (picture: Kieran McCarthy)
Tales from 1919: Preparations for the First Dáil Éireann
“Within recent years no such interest has been centred in any function in the capital of Ireland as that associated with the Sinn Féin Constituent Assembly, which commenced its deliberations in the Mansion House this afternoon. For some time past the opening sitting of An Dáil Éireann (to give the function its Irish title) has attracted a considerable amount of publicity, and all forms of rumours as well as speculations have been circulated with regard to it. In Sinn Féin circles, of course, the function was regarded with the utmost interest, but it is no exaggeration to say that the people of the country, as well as those of Great Britain and many other nations, anxiously awaited its deliberations” (undocumented press reporter, passed by the Press Censor, Ireland, 21 January 1919).
The 21 January 2019 coincides with the centenary commemoration of the assembly of 28 (of 73) Sinn Féin MPs at Dublin’s Mansion House and their declaration of the first Dáil Éireann. The Cork Examiner and Irish Independent provide much detail on the event. Some hours before the opening of the proceedings, crowds began to assemble outside the Mansion House, and along the different thoroughfares adjoining the official residence of the Lord Mayor. It became apparent that the attendance of the general public would reach large proportions. Stewards on the streets were in place to make sure public congestion was avoided. Vehicular, tram, and pedestrian traffic along Dawson Street were not impeded to any great extent.
Admission was by ticket and ticket-holders were formed into a queue – a system that was rigidly enforced. Those who did not possess tickets, lined the footpaths in the Mansion House quarter waiting for the arrival of the Republican representatives, and extended to each a hearty applause and cheer. The crowd increased as the afternoon advanced. Photographers, film and camera operators were plentiful.
From the windows of houses in Dawson street several sightseers were accommodated with seats, and amongst those that were observed were Colonel W Edgeworthe Johnstone, Chief Commissioner of Dublin Metropolitan Police and Brigadier-General Sir Joseph Byrne, Inspector-General RIC, as well as some military officers who followed with a deep interest the happenings on the street. Several detectives in plain clothes mingled with the crowd or took up positions adjacent the entrance to the Mansion House. However, there was no interference with the Sinn Féin members of Parliament or public or the proceedings within the building.
Early visitors who proceeded through Grattan Street to the Mansion House were surprised to find that the popular street, which adjoins Dawson Street, was decorated with Union Jacks and the flags of the Allies. The flags were exhibited in connection with an entertainment provided in the Mansion House in the forenoon for expatriated prisoners of war from Germany. This entertainment did not conclude until about ninety minutes prior to the commencement of the Constituent Assembly proceedings, and the soldiers, who were attached to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, left the building in presence of the queue and large crowd gathered in Dawson street. Headed by their band, and accompanied by other soldiers and civilians, the soldiers marched towards the centre of the city without any incident taking place.
In accordance with arrangements for the Mansion House, the members of the Dáil Éireann assembly, as well as the Press representatives, who were in attendance from many parts of the world, were admitted by the main entrance, and the public ticket holders by the side entrance. The sitting of Dáil Éireann was devoid of all ceremonial symbolism, and there was no Volunteer display outside or inside, the Mansion House. A majority of the Sinn Féin members of Parliament were in jail or in America. The Round Room of the Mansion House, which was spacious, was allotted to the assembly, and every part of it was quickly filled. The portion of the building underneath the lecture platform was occupied by the Sinn Féin MPs, while the galleries and other parts of the room were allotted for the accommodation of the public.
The attendance of the general public was large and representative, and included Rev M O’ Flanagan, Mrs Maud Gonne McBride, numerous Catholic clergymen, an Australian Catholic clergyman in uniform, a number of American Naval officers, but the labour movement had only a few representatives in the gathering.
Three minutes before the time announced for the beginning of the proceedings, Count Plunkett, attended by his colleagues, entered the Round Room. As they proceeded to their seats the audience rose and indulged in loud and prolonged cheering. There was no delay in proceeding with the business of the meeting, which was conducted in the Irish language, with the exception of the announcement in English of some declarations after they had been first read in Irish. It was evident that the business transacted had been carefully prepared, as each of the Sinn Féin MPs was provided with printed matter, which they read in the order in which they were called upon to do so. The sitting occupied about two hours and was devoid of any incident except the enthusiasm which greeted the declaration of the Irish Republic.
More next week…
Missed a column last year, check out the indices at Kieran’s heritage website, www.corkheritage.ie
Kieran is also showcasing some of the older column series on the River Lee on his heritage facebook page at the moment, Cork Our City, Our Town.
Captions:
980a. Photograph of first Dail Éireann meeting, 21 January 1919 (National Library, Dublin)
980b. Public admission ticket to first Dail Éireann meeting, 21 January 1919 (Capuchin Annual, 1969, National Library, Ireland)
Tales from 1919: Permits, Parcels & Prisoners of War
Nearly three hundred men, natives of Munster who had been prisoners of war, were given a warm welcome on 7 January 1919 at the Imperial Hotel, Cork, by the members of the Cork branch of the Irish Women’s Association. A special food permit was obtained to have a dinner, which together with entertainment were held in the decorated ballroom. The event was described in detail by the Cork Examiner and gives an insight into the support base back home in Cork whilst Cork soldiers were on the front line. The Branch also had regular meetings, which were minuted and published in the local press. The January 1919 event also took place against the backdrop of a campaign by Westminster’s Ministry of Labour to get returned soldiers and officers back into their old jobs before they left.
Those present at the Cork branch dinner were representatives of all the Irish uniforms – the strongest contingent being from the Royal Munster Fusiliers and many others from regiments, corps, and the Navy. The Fusiliers had lost nearly 180 officers and over 4,000 men in the World War. Over 10,000 had seen the inside of German Prisoner of War camps. In the ballroom, the gathering was one of war worn soldiers, some of whom had over 25 years’ service and who had fought and survived many times before the war they had just returned from. Others had answered the call to help from 1914 onwards. Many had been prisoners from 1914, with a few been captured in 1918. Some amongst them were maimed and crippled from wounds received in battle. Some suffered from the treatment they were subjected to in Germany. Those present were appreciative of the work of the Cork Women’s Association who supplied parcels to the frontline.
The Cork Branch of the Irish Women’s Association was founded by the Countess Bandon on Christmas week in December 1915. The volunteer work was organised and led by Mrs Ethel Helen Peacocke from Skevanish House, Innishannon (wife of Lieutenant Colonel Warren Peacocke, who was executed as a suspected spy of IRA activities in 1921). The Cork branch first sent parcels to a small number of Corkmen who were prisoners of war from the 6th and 7th Battalions of the Royal Munster Fusiliers in Salonika Greece. The remainder went to France for the benefit of the Cyclist Corps of the 1th Division. The number of men catered for grew as well as the content of the parcels from food initially to gloves, caps, pocket handkerchiefs, vests, milk tablets, soup tablets, soap, socks, foot powder, playing cards books to hurley sticks, balls and footballs. Parcels were posted once a fortnight to Limburg POW camp in Germany through the help of the British Diplomatic Office in Berne, Switzerland and through the Irish Women’s Association, Kensington Palace, London. From time to time, the Cork branch sent parcels to the Munster men in the fighting zone. It also provided parcels to soldiers of the Royal Irish Regiment and Cork men in the Connaught Rangers. The army supply of many provisions was regulated by the information received from the commanding officers as to what was most necessary.
All the parcels could not be done, without funds. To meet the expense Mr James F McMullen, Branch member (and City Engineer), organised two Munster wide flag days. The first, which took place in December 1915, realised over £1,000, and the second, in November 1916, raised £651. After these, the scheme called “Godfathers and Godmothers” was instituted. This simply meant that the funds for each prisoner’s parcels were supplied by the godfather or godmother.
Ethel Peacock managed the Cork branch well, ably assisted by many willing volunteers who devoted their time. Her able co-worker was Miss Niva Delacour Gregg. The branch was given a premises at 37 Grand Parade on Christmas week 1915 to pursue their work. At the depot, items as they arrived had to be classified, made up into parcels, addressed and dispatched. At the peak of its work, up to 77 parcels were sent fortnightly. Besides keeping up a constant supply of parcels the branch were able to send £100 to General Hickey in France to assist in buying a motor cinema, to show short films for the Irish regiments at the front, and during Christmas 1918 £100 was also sent to France to help in providing a Christmas dinner for the Munster Fusiliers. In addition, James F McMullen on behalf of the Association sent substantial subscriptions to Lady McDonald and the Hon. Anne McDonald, in London, for the Irish Women’s Association, which was doing similar work for Irish soldiers from other Irish provinces.
When the armistice was signed, and the prisoners began to arrive home, the Cork Branch decided to devote the funds remaining on hands to provide dinner and entertainment on 7 January 1919. Before and during the dinner the Rev Mr Nicholson’s string band played an entertaining programme. Photos were taken by Messrs Guy and Co, and General Travers welcomed the men and thanked the ladies for their work. The comedy troupe, the King’s Jesters, had a two hour programme.
Most of the food was the gift of generous donors, and each man was given cigarettes and a box of matches. Ethel Peacocke expressed the wish that any other Munster men in any regiment or corps who had had been prisoners would communicate with her at the Association’s depot, 37 Grand Parade, Cork, as it was intended to host another event for them (on 11 February 1919). Before the event concluded the guests were given tea, and with the singing of “God Save the King” the event was brought to a conclusion. The Cork Branch closed it depot at its final meeting on 22 March 1919.
Missed a column last year, check out the indices at Kieran’s heritage website, www.corkheritage.ie
Kieran is also showcasing some of the older column series on the River Lee on his heritage facebook page at the moment, Cork Our City, Our Town.
Caption:
979a. Grey building on right, Caseys, marks 37 Grand Parade, former depot of the Cork Branch of the Irish Women’s Association, 1915-1919 (picture: Kieran McCarthy)
Welcome to Our City, Our Town for its 20th year. The official anniversary is in October of this new year. I wish to continue exploring life in Cork during the period 1916-1921. The back issues of this column, which explored the period from 1916 to 1918 are on the index of my website, www.corkheritage.ie and the articles from this column from the last ten years are now online and accessible to read. Before that many are published in book format and the titles of these books can be viewed on the website. In addition, I post extra articles and pictures on my heritage facebook page, Cork Our City, Our Town or check out my twitter page at @cllrkmac.
The first week of January 1919 coincided with the ongoing controversy of the ceasing of the Cork National Shell Factory and finding a future use for it. The work of closing down the Irish munition factories begun shortly after the cessation of the First World War in late November 1918. The 1 January 1919 coincided with the public call by the Ministry of Munitions, London that the plant machinery of the respective Irish and British munitions factories would be advertised for public sale and buildings leased by local owners such as Corporations to new leasees. The Government authorities wished not to have role in picking the new owners but would pass on interested business interests to the relevant owners.
Staff at Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Galway were to be dispensed with. The staff of the Dublin factory, which at one time numbered over 1,500 were all been paid off, except for a small number required to catalogue the considerable machinery and stock. The value of the machinery in Parkgate factory exceeded £100,000. Most of it was not suitable for private work – it being impracticable to attempt to adopt shell making machines to other general uses. The machinery was to be sold as scrap.
Another effect of the closing down of the Parkgate Street Factory was the freeing for industrial use of a large quantity of gas and electric power. When the factory was in full swing the gas consumed was at the rate of over 6,000,000 cubic feet per annum, while electricity was being used at the rate of 250,000 units a quarter. As big extensions were in progress when hostilities ceased, the amount of gas and electric current required would have been considerably more. The freeing of this amount of power was to greatly benefit, industrial firms in Dublin, who because of the coal shortage had their supplies considerably reduced.
There were about 150 employees in the Cork Shell Factory, which opened in June 1916. By December 1916, the scale of the wages paid to the girl workers was 10s 6d per week of 45 hours as probationers. At the conclusion of the probationary period, they were to take their places in one of the three eight-hour shifts, when their wages according to the shift in which they were engaged, namely – those on the shift from 6am to 2pm received 2s 6d per day, 2s 9d per day if on 2pm to 10pm shift; and 3s 3d per day if on the shift from 10pm to 6am. At its maximum capacity there were 42 machines, chiefly lathes used for the manufacture of 4.5-inch shells. Elsewhere, there were over 100 hands employed in the shell factory at Galway and 600 workers found remunerative employment in the Waterford Cartridge Case Factory.
Schemes were developed for the utilisation of the four factories for commercial purposes, but no definite pronouncement was expected immediately in regard to their future. An offer was made for the Cork factory by a Dublin trader and it was favourably considered by the Ministry of Munitions. However, it did not meet with local approval and the offer fell through. At the Tolls and Markets Committee of Cork Corporation on 1 January 1919, reference was made of the Hammond Lane Foundry Company Ltd, Dublin looking for a lease of the premises known as the Cork National Shell Factory, 40-41 North Main Street, which extended to Corn Market Street. The matter fell through owing to a remark made at a Council meeting and broad opinion that the building should be leased to a local firm. The proposal was to employ approximately a hundred men.
By late June 1919 the lease of the factory in its entirety was taken over from the Corporation of Cork in association with the Ministry of Munitions by Mr Richard Woodhead, who acted on behalf of the Ford Company. The purchase comprised the entirety of the valuable electrical plant, machinery, compressor, and accumulators. It was the specific intention of Mr Woodhead to make the factory a depot for repair work for the South of Ireland for Fordson farm tractors and Ford cars. To that end considerable money was expended in the installation of the most up-to-date plant, and the entire building was altered and renovated. The plant aimed to employ 100 people and trade under the name “City Garage”. The firm was to have its own petrol pump inside and outside the premises and have a modern hydraulic tyre press. The business survived 1921 and during the 1920 saw two lessees, first the Universal Motor Company, circa 1924 to 1929 and then the Lee Motor Company, c.1930s onwards.
Happy New Year to all readers of the column.
Captions:
978a. Section of Goad’s insurance plan of North Main Street and Cornmarket Street, 1938 showing Dwyer’s’ Lee Hosiery Company, former site of Cork National Shell Factory (source: Cork City Library).
978b. Former site of Cork National Shell Factory, now the Bodega on Cornmarket Street; the factory site stretched to North Main Street (picture: Kieran McCarthy)
January 2018, A Light in the Winter: Lord Mayor’s Tea Dance at Cork City Hall, with the Cork Pops Orchestra under the baton of Evelyn Grant, with Gerry Kelly, and singer Keth Hanley; next tea dance on 27 January 2019.
February 2018, What Lies Beneath: Archaeological discoveries on the proposed Event Centre site by Dr Maurice Hurley and his team are revealed at packed out public lectures; they unearth objects and housing dating to the 11th and 12th Century AD; there is an ongoing exhibition in Cork Public Museum in Fitzgerald’s Park.
March 2018, Upon the Slopes of a City: Storm Emma creates a winter wonderland.
April 2018, A Safe Harbour: Cork Community Art Link do another fab display of the Cork Coat of Arms on the Grand Parade providing a brill entrance to Cork World Book Fest 2018.
May 2018, The Truth of History: A reconstruction at UCC of a fourth class cottage from the times of Ireland’s Great Famine laids bare the realities of everyday life for many people. It was built to coincide with Cork hosting the National Famine Commemoration at UCC.
June 2018, The Challenges of the Past: Charles, Prince of Wales, visits Cork. https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/speech/speech-hrh-prince-wales-civic-reception-cork-ireland
July 2018, Shaping a Region: US artist Tamsie Ringler begins pouring the molten ore for her River Lee iron casting sculpture at the National Sculpture Factory, Cork.
August 2018, The Beat of Community Life: Ballinlough Summer Festival organised by Ballinlough Youth Clubs at Ballinlough Community Centre reaches its tenth year; its Faery Park and Trail also grows in visitor numbers.
September 2018, On The Street Where You Live: Douglas Street AutumnFest brings businesses and residents together once again for a super afternoon of entertainment, laughter and chat. The ongoing project wins a 2018 national Pride of Place award later in December 2018; & a new mural by Kevin O’Brien and Alan Hurley of first City Librarian, James Wilkinson, who rebuilt the city’s library collections after the Burning of Cork, 1920.
October 2018, The Playful City: Cork’s Dragon of Shandon is led by a host of playful characters and the citizens of the city.
November 2018, Lest We Forget: Marking the centenary of Armistice day at the Fallen Soldier Memorial on the South Mall for the over 4,000 Corkmen killed in World War 1, led by Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Mick Finn.
December 2018, A City Rising: the Glow Festival on the Grand Parade & in Bishop Lucey Park attracts large numbers of citizens and visitors to Ireland’s southern capital.
