History of Waterford
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Waterford city is situated in south eastern Ireland, on the river Suir [pronounced Shure] about seventeen miles (27 km) from where the river enters the sea. Practically the entire city is built on the south bank of the river. The "Old town", now the business centre, clusters behind the broad quay-front on a low-lying strip of land left behind by a gentle loop of the river at this point. From this, the land rises sharply to the east and opposite to the west while remaining level in between. The eastern slopes are almost entirely occupied by private residential estates, while the western and southwestern prominences are largely given over to local council housing development. There are corresponding elevations on the north bank eastwards towards Christendom and westwards towards Mount Misery nothing.
The rocks which form the base of the city all belong to the
Waterford is Ireland's oldest city and is thought to have been founded by
See
Foundation
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The foundation of Waterford is claimed in some quarters[by whom?] to have taken place late in prehistoric times. Other writers place the event about the middle of the 2nd century. However, it is difficult to go along any distance with either theory on the strength of the supporting evidence quoted.
There are references to
This part of Ireland, in pre-Danish times, was inhabited primarily by pastoral shepherding peoples and those who made their living hunting. Towns were uncommon, excepting settlements surrounding monasteries. Seaports, in particular, were all but unheard of until the founding of Waterford, which began its history as a port town.
The
Among the most prominent
During the late 10th and early 11th centuries, the rise of
Anglo Norman invasion and medieval Waterford
The next phase in the life of Waterford began on 25 August 1170 when the city was taken by the
Throughout the medieval period, Waterford was Ireland's second city after Dublin. Waterford's great parchment book (1361–1649) represents the earliest use of the English language in Ireland for official purposes.
In 1487 the city refused to obey the direction of the
Area and extent – the city walls
Until recently there was no record of the extent of any settlement that may have existed at Waterford prior to the middle of the 9th century. The Danish colony founded about that time (853 AD) was triangular in shape and contained 15 acres (61,000 m2) approximately. This area was enclosed by stout ramparts linking Reginald's Tower with St. Martin's Castle (site in Spring Garden Alley); from thence running to Turgesius' Tower, which stood in the immediate vicinity of the Allied Irish Bank (corner of Barronstrand St) and returning along the river-front to Reginald's Tower.
Substantial remains of the wall in the 500-metre stretch between Reginald's Tower and St. Martin's Castle still exist, except where broken by the erection of the City Hall and the opening of Colbeck Street (former (Colbeck Gate). These traces may be observed between the houses of the Mall and Bailey's New Street and, further up, between Spring Garden Alley and Lady Lane, about 12 metres back from the northern frontage of the former. In the old handball alley, some four metres of the Wall—in places six metres high—stand exposed. Also, parts of the breastwork of St. Martin's Castle have been incorporated in the foundations and lower courses of the buildings that now stand on its former site.
There are a few traces at the wall linking St. Martin's Castle with Turgesius' Tower, and which followed the line of Michael Street and Broad Street, about sixteen to twenty metres back from the present eastern frontage of these streets.
The wall fronting the Quay has completely disappeared. It was demolished and the material thrown down to form the foundation of the present Quays, partly under the Cromwellian Commissioners in 1650 and totally by the Corporation of 1705, which improved and enlarged the Quays. –
Religious war and upheavals
Waterford was occupied by
However, Waterford's
After the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, both James II and William of Orange came by Waterford, James on his way to France and William returning to England. It was soon after this, about 1700, that the Huguenots came to Waterford, sponsored by the English Protestant regime.
18th century Waterford
The 18th century was a period of huge prosperity for Waterford. Most of the city's best architecture appeared during this time. Trading with Newfoundland brought much wealth into what was then the third largest port in Ireland.
In 1783, George and William Penrose founded a glass factory, which would become Waterford Crystal, the most famous business in the city.
There was no armed uprising in the area as part of the
A permanent military presence was established in the city with the completion of the Cavalry Barracks at the end of the 18th century.[2]
Catholic Emancipation and Famine
In 1826, Waterford returned
The
Waterford 1850–1923
In the 19th century, great industries such as glass making and ship building thrived in the city.
In the early 20th century John Redmond was MP for Waterford and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, which almost achieved home rule and a new parliament for Ireland.
The Irish Civil War
After the evacuation of British troops (Devonshire Regiment) from Waterford city at the end of the Irish War of Independence, the military and police barracks were occupied by the Waterford Flying Column, under the leadership of George Lennon of Dungarvan, which was part of the combined (1921) Waterford Brigade under the command of Pax Whelan from Dungarvan. These men opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1922 and therefore took the Republican side when the Irish Civil War commenced with the firing upon the Four Courts in late June 1922.
Republicans considered Waterford to be the eastern stronghold of the "
The Republicans had chosen to defend the city along the southern bank of the river Suir, occupying the military barracks, the prison and the Post Office. Prout placed his artillery on Mount Misery overlooking their positions and bombarded the Republicans until they were forced to evacuate the barracks and prison. However, the gun had to be brought down to Ferrybank to fire over open sights before the Republicans abandoned the Post Office. Some street fighting followed before the Irregulars fled the city and retreated westward to Mount Congreve in Kilmeadan. Two Free State soldiers were killed in the fighting and one Republican fighter. Five civilians were also killed.[3]
References
- ^ a b Downham, The historical importance of Viking-Age Waterford, pp. 81.82
- ^ "Heritage Walk map" (PDF). Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- ^ Terence O'Reilly, Rebel Heart, p175-188
Sources
- Waterford: A Municipal Directory
- Paul V Walsh, The Irish Civil War 1922–23 -A Study of the Conventional Phase.
- Downham, Clare (2004), "The historical importance of Viking-Age Waterford" (PDF), The Journal of Celtic Studies, 4: 71–96, archived from the original (PDF) on 16 July 2011, retrieved 25 March 2010