The official school photograph (with names) from the Class of 1983 of St Munchin’s College
Category: History
Women of Limerick App
The 6 January, the feast of the Epiphany, is culturally known in Ireland as Nollaig na mBan or Women’s Little Christmas. It was a time for women to gather to take time for themselves after all the Christmas festivities and activities. Meanwhile, the men and children would remain at home to take over household duties…
On This Day – January – In Limerick History
The following are a collection of events that are connected to the history of Limerick or people from Limerick during the month of January. 1 January – On this day 1 Jan 1877, Richard O’Shaughnessy (1842-1918) M.P. for Limerick received the Freedom of Limerick from Mayor James Spaight 2 January – On this day, 2…
Hilarious Theft of a Horse in 1856
The following article appeared in the Limerick Reporter 12 December 1856. It tells of a case of horse theft brought against Anne Rankin before the Limerick Police Court. P.G. Barron was Chairman of the court: STEALING A HORSE – Anne Rankin, a half-starved impoverished-looking creature, and who held a large piece of bread in her…
Great Southern and Western Railway from Limerick to Cork 1850
In a tale reminiscent of the golden age of railway travel, a memorable excursion took place on Sunday, August 11, 1850, as the Great Southern and Western Railway connected the cities of Limerick and Cork. The journey, despite the typically unpredictable Irish weather, was filled with excitement and eager anticipation. The journey was recorded in…
1862 Weddings Announcements in Ireland
1862 was two years before civil registrations became compulsory for all in Ireland on 1 January 1864 (there were civil marriage records from 1 April 1845 for non-Catholic Christian and Jewish marriages, but these did not include Roman Catholics marriages). All marriages at this time were recorded in the parish church in which the marriage…
A Letter from a Limerick Emigrant in Wisconsin 1851
Many Limerick residents relocated to Wisconsin in the years following the famine. The following is an account from a Limerick man in Wisconsin, in 1851. His letter was published in the Leinster Express on May 3, 1851. The paper described him as a “County Limerick gentleman, who sold off, and went to see his fortune…
Very Rare Photograph of the Photographer from C.1901
This exceptionally rare photograph from around 1901 captures a pivotal moment as a photographer skilfully prepares to take a shot. While examining my collection of Limerick photographs, I noticed a familiar scene of the military crossing Mathew Bridge. It suddenly struck me that this scene was also captured in the Ludlow Collection’s “God Save The…
Eamon De Valera unveiling The Daly plaque 1966
This never been seen before video clip of Eamon De Valera unveiling a plaque in honour of John and Ned Daly on Barrington Street in 1966. It was filmed by Eamon O’Connor and uploaded by Newcastle West Olden Times. The clip shows a view of Limerick from the Tower of St Mary’s Cathedral. It also…
An 1883 Wonderfully Detailed Description of Limerick
The following description of Limerick by Thomas W. Silloway and Lee L. Powers was first published in 1883. The pair travelled through Ireland to create a tour guide called “The Cathedral Towns and Intervening Places of England, Ireland, and Scotland: A Description of cities cathedrals, lakes, mountains, ruins and watering-places.” for potential visitors to the…
A letter to the Ulster Times from Limerick in 1836
The following extract was published first in the Ulster Times in 1836 and a year later in a bound volume of a tour around Ireland. It was written under the pen name J. K. The Limerick report was written in Killaloe, October 3, 1836 and read as follows: On the whole, we have been rather…
Princess Penelope of Capua and her Amazing Marriage
Princess Penelope was born Penelope Smyth, she gained her royal title through her marriage to Carlo Ferdinado di Borbonne, Prince of Capua. Their story reads like a fairy tale. Penelope was born in Waterford on July 19, 1805, while her beau was six years her junior. The pair met in the mid-1830s, but the circumstances…
1809 visit of the Lord Lieutenant and other tales of 19th century Limerick
The role of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland established in 1690 and was abolished in 1922. He was considered the representative of the King in Ireland. Officially, Lords Lieutenant were appointed for no set term but in practice they were usually replaced as each British Government ministry fell. A number of these men visited Limerick and…
Henry Strafford Ferrar, the great grandson of John Ferrar
For over a century, the births, deaths and marriages of the descendants of John Ferrar, the founder of the Limerick Chronicle, were recorded in its pages. Henry Strafford Ferrar was born in Belfast on July 10, 1850 the son of Mary Minchin and Michael Lloyd Ferrar, grandson of John Ferrar. Henry Stafford was educated at…
The Story of the Widows Alms Houses off Nicholas Street
Despite the common belief that the Widows Alms Houses off Nicholas Street were erected in 1691, they were in fact built much later. The myth probably arose from the following inscription that was on the gable of the buildings “Corporation Widows Alms Houses A.D. 1691”. (Although a Corporation Alms House did exist from 1691, it…