DUNGARVAN

In 1868, the parish of Dungarvan contained the following places:

"DUNGARVAN, a parish, market, and post town in the barony of Decies-without-Drum, in the county of Waterford, province of Munster, Ireland, 28 miles S.W. of Waterford, and 21 from Clonmel, the nearest railway station. It is situated on Dungarvan Bay, and the soil is of good quality. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Lismore, value with Clonea, £437, in the patronage of the Duke of Devonshire. The church was built in 1831 by means of a loan from the late Board of First Fruits: its situation commands an imposing view of the harbour. There are three Roman Catholic chapels in the parish, a convent, Augustinian friary, and seventeen day schools. The chief seats are Cloncoscoran, Carriglea, Moonroc, Clonca, Bayview, Duckspool, and Hermitage. The town, which is a borough and subport to Waterford returning one member to parliament, stands on the, river Colligan, directly opposite to Abbeyside, which is reached by a bridge and causeway built by the late Duke of Devonshire, lord of the manor, whose name is connected with numerous improvements. St. Garvan is said to have founded an abbey here in the 7th century, whence the name of the town. The town was surrendered to Henry II. by King Roderic, and King John threw a wall with towers round the place, of which there are yet some traces; he also built the castle, which with the manor came to the family of Devonshire after having passed through the hands of the Talbots, Desmonds, Thorntons, and Boyles. An Irish Act touching it was passed in 1463, an English Act in the 4th and 26th of Henry VIII.: part of the castle is now used as a barrack. Dungarvan was incorporated by James I., and before the Union sent two members to the Irish parliament: it was governed by a sovereign and twelve burgesses. In 1641, it became the scene of numerous struggles; and was ultimately reduced by Cromwell in 1649, on his giving up the siege of Waterford. The town has a considerable trade and ling fishery, of about 500 boats. Here are constabulary and infantry barracks, bridewell, market-house, Inland Revenue and Stamp offices, two banks, coastguard station, dispensary, and post-office savings-bank. Quarter sessions are held, and a manor and seneschals court every three weeks; petty sessions every Saturday It is the head of a Poor-law Union, and has a workhouse. The harbour will admit vessels drawing 15 feet, and at the landing stages the depth is 14 feet. The recent improvements are the introduction of gas; telegraphic communication to Cork and Waterford; town and harbour commissioners; a life-boat station; appliances for Fitzroy signals, and a lighthouse. There is no railroad. On the W. side of the town is Cromwell's Mount, said to have been thrown up by him during his attack upon the place; and at Abbey-side are some ruins of a castle formerly of the McGraths, who founded an abbey in the 13th century in the vicinity; the ruins of which are still remaining, with a tomb to Donald McGrath. There is a chalybeate spring at Two-mile Bridge. Market days are Wednesday and Saturday. Fairs are held 7th February, 22nd June, 22nd August, and 8th November, and the second Wednesday in each month."

"ABBEYSIDE, a village and a suburb of Dungarvan, in the parish of Dungarvan, in the barony of Decies-without-Drum, in the county of Waterford and province of Munster, Ireland. It lies on the river Colligan, an inlet of Dungarvan bay. Here are the ruins of McGrath's castle, and of an Augustine friary, founded in 1295; the steeple of the latter is 60 feet in height; near the altar is seen the curious monument of Donald McGrath, buried in 1400; the Gothic arch which supports the tower is worthy of notice; there are also traces of a round tower."

"TWO-MILE-BRIDGE, a hamlet in the barony of Decies-without-Drum, county Waterford, Ireland, 2 miles S.W. of Dungarvan. Fairs are held on 25th July and 18th October."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018