Author: ewan.duffy

IH News 2023

Irish Mist book – call for information

Post author By ewan.duffy
Post date 19th April 2023

Irish Mist was a liquer produced in Tullamore, Co. Offaly between 1947 and 1985.

Offalyhistory, with the support of Creative Ireland and Offaly County Council, are looking to publish a book on the production of Irish Mist and are calling for those who can provide first hand accounts of working in the production of the drink to get in touch to share this or any other relevant information.

From the Offaly Express:

“Please contact John Flanagan, Ardan Heights, Brian Jaffray or Michael Byrne or Frank Nicholson. Why not email us info@offalyhistory.com or call to Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore.”

Greenways IH News 2023

The Big Bad Greenway is coming

Post author By ewan.duffy
Post date 23rd March 2023

Cry me a river. Agriland.ie reports on the “concerns” of a farmer in Cork about the possible building of a greenway along the former railway route from Mallow to Dungarvan.

Complaints about farms being split have no merit – when there was a railway there (up until 1967), any farm was split and had to move livestock etc across an operational railway. Doing the same across a greenway is far less hassle as people/bikes can stop in a shorter timeframe than a moving train. The specific farm in question only acquired the route in 1982 – what did they do pre-1982?

The usual objections that arise around any other infrastructure project are also trotted out – pollution and in this case, the effects on freshwater pearl mussels. So, build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything (BANANA).

I’m sure if the farmer wanted to build a one off house in the countryside, they would not have any concerns about pollution or anything else for that matter.

Events

The History of a Port City: Transport, Trade and an Archive

Post author By ewan.duffy
Post date 17th March 2023

The above titled lecture, given by Lar Joye (Heritage Officer for Dublin Port Company) will be held on 29th March 2023 in the Milestone Gallery at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin at 19:30.

IH News 2023

City Basin unearthed?

Post author By ewan.duffy
Post date 17th March 2023

TheJournal.ie have an article reporting on the uncovering of what they claim is part of the former City Basin, which was located to the west of the Grand Canal Harbour in Dublin 8 (the latter also filled in).

However, I am not convinced it is part of the City Basin and, in fact, the article goes on to state:

“Long since filled in, the city basin, which was situated between what is now the St James’s Hospital campus and the Guinness Storehouse, was once part of the Grand Canal’s original mainline from Inchicore to Grand Canal Harbour”

The last part of this statement is incorrect. The City Basin was separate to the canal mainline from Grand Canal Harbour and based on the location of the excavation, this feature is more likely to be connected to the canal.

IH News 2022

New park at Summerhill, Cork City

Post author By ewan.duffy
Post date 12th March 2023

Echolive.ie reports that plans are coming together for the sale of the former Cork & Youghal Railway trackbed at Summerhill in Cork City (located on an embankment above the Lower Glanmire Road) by CIE to Cork City Council, to allow the area to be converted into a public park.

Industrialheritageireland.info welcomes this initiative.

IH News 2023 Locations

Bishopswood Level crossing cottage, Co. Tipperary

Post author By ewan.duffy
Post date 11th March 2023

In 2020, I noted that the former Bishopswood LC cottage was up for sale (by auction) by CIE. From the property price register, I see it was sold for €62,000.

It is back for sale, having been partially restored, with an asking price of €150,000.

Events History

Johnson & Perrott

Post author By ewan.duffy
Post date 11th March 2023

The Irish Examiner and Echolive.ie (the former has a soft paywall) have both reported on the discovery of archives of the Cork firm Johnson & Perrott, nowadays a car dealership but which started life in carriage manufacturing.

The archives have been donated to the Cork City Archives and there is apparently an exhibition about the company in the Cork Public Musuem, but I can find no reference to this on the latter’s website.

Events

The Goodbodys: Millers and Manufacturers

Post author By ewan.duffy
Post date 28th February 2023

The Ormond Historical Society will be holding the above titled talk, given by Reggie Goodbody at 20:00 on March 6th 2023 in the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh.

All are welcome.

Events

Adventures of a ‘Fighting Railway’: the Belfast Central Railway, 1864-1885

Post author By ewan.duffy
Post date 19th February 2023

H/T to John Gibbons for bringing this talk to my attention. The talk is hosted by the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) on 28th February 2023 at 13:00.

The event is free but pre-booking is required.

Locations

Château d’Eau de Knocknaheeny

Post author By ewan.duffy
Post date 19th February 2023

RTE’s 100 building series has another IH feature – this time, the water tower at Knocknaheeny in Cork.