From the Metal Man to Brownstown Head, sunken ships to old rail lines; Tramore is a town steeped in history. From the noblemen who called Tramore home, to the gothic-style church, Tramore is a must visit for all the history scholars, and those who wish to soak up the culture of Ireland. Have a look at the Gallery to see how the town has changed over the centuries.
The Wreck of the Sea Horse
by Andy Taylor
Tramore Bay is the delight of all who love to sojourn upon its gold-carpeted expanse of Strand. Yet like the black, gnarled rocks upon its shore, it has a dark and evil side to its nature, and the sad tragedy of the Sea Horse bears witness to the Jekyll and Hyde personality of this bay. The Sea Horse was a Transport Vessel of 350 tons burden, commanded by Capt. Gibbs. She served originally as a Frigate with the British Navy, having being built in London in 1784. On her last fateful voyage from Ramsgate to Cork she had on board 16 Officers, 287 Soldiers, 33 Women, 38 Children, the Master of the Vessel, a crew of 17 and a young Naval Officer. The young Officer (Lieut. Allen) had unfortunately taken passage on the ill-fated ship in order to join his own ship the "Tonnant" in Cork. The officers and Soldiers were members of the 2nd Battalion 59th Regiment, who had seen much action in the Peninsular War from 1808 until the Occupation of Paris. They returned to England in Dec.1815 to spend Christmas at home, before being assigned to garrison duty in Cork.
They embarked at Ramsgate on 25th Jan. 1813. The morning of Jan. 29th was the start of the poor weather conditions which led to the misfortunes of the hapless inmates of the Sea Horse. A strong breeze sprung up a S.S.E which freshened very much at noon; at 4pm Ballycotton Island was sited about 12miles distant. Unfortunately for the inmates of the Sea Horse, John Sullivan the Mate, who was the only person acquainted with the Coast, going up the fore-rigging to look at land, fell down on the forecastle and broke both arms and legs as well as suffering severe internal injuries. He died three hours later in the hands of his wife. As it now blew a stronger gale, and was becoming very hazy and dark, Capt. Gibbs hauled his wind for Kinsale Light, intending when he saw it to run down along the coast for the entrance to Cork harbour; but not seeing the light after a run of two hours in worsening weather conditions he was unwilling to proceed any further. He therefore close-reefed his top sails and hauled close to the wind, lying W.S.W. The ship fell off about 8pm and wore around the other tack, most of the night lying about S.E., wind S.S.W., but owing to the flood-tide setting strong on the shore, and heavy sea running, she drifted very fast inshore.
About five in the morning of the 30th Jan. Minehead appeared on the lee beam, the Vessel drifting very fast to leeward. The gale was now severe and the fore-topmast was ripped over the side, while the mainsail was in ribbons. The lifeboats were washed away and a seaman in the foretop had his back and thigh broken. Unable to weather Brownstown Head to arrive in Waterford Harbour, where Hook Tower could be seen under the lee bow, Cap. Gibbs ordered the anchors be thrown out and the sails clewed up. The ship was brought up under Brownstown Head in seven fathoms of water. At about midday, the anchors dragged, the wind and sea still increasing, and about ten past twelve the Sea Horse, battered and helpless, grounded in Tramore Bay less then a mile from the shore and safety. No assistance whatever could be afforded to the hapless inmates of the doomed Vessel by the numerous spectators who lined the shore hoping for a lull in the merciless gale. Crowds of soldiers lined the decks, many of them washed away by the returning wave. All hope of escape seemed now to forsake every break.
After the tragedy Lloyds of London funded the building of piers, including the erection of Metal Man to prevent similar calamities. A monument to the tragedy is located on Doneraile Walk and an Obelisk marks a burial plot at the Church of Ireland on Church Road.
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The Metal Man
by Andy Taylor
In the early days, sailing ships were at the mercy of wind and tide, and in stormy weather if a ship were blown into Tramore Bay there was no escape unless the tide ebbed or the wind changed. Another contributory factor to the numerous amount of wrecks in the bay was the error of mistaking the Bay of Tramore for the safe Waterford Harbour. The Sea Horse wreck in 1816 drew the attention of the Admiralty of Tramore. Admiral Wolseley made a survey of the Bay and suggested improvements which included two secure pier harbours, one at the western and another at the eastern end of the bay - estimated cost £16,000. However, these recommendations (like others) came to nothing. Then on June 27th 1821 the Corporation for improving and preserving the port of Dublin inserted a notice in the Waterford Mirror concerning their intention to erect three towers on Great Newtown Head and two on Brownstown Head. In compliance with that order, five pillars were erected in 1823. On the center pillar of the three on Great Newtown Head, His Eminence the Metal Man was positioned. This ancient mariner is about 14 feet tall. Each pillar is about 61 feet high. A romantic legend says that if a girl succeeds in hopping around the Metal Man pillar three times on one foot she will be married within the year. Another legend says that on stormy nights the Metal Man can be heard chanting:-
"Keep out good ship, keep out from me, For I am the rock of misery".
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The Tramore Train
by Andy Taylor
The Tramore Train, known as the "Iron Horse", started on the morning of September 1853, arriving in Tramore carrying special guests. It was the original intention to build a line from Cork to Waterford via the coast, passing quite close to Tramore, but when this project fell through due to lack of finance, the local directors applied to Westminster for an Act to allow them make a railway from Waterford to Tramore. This Act of Queen Victoria was passed on 24th July 1851. The first plan was to build the Station House on Strand St., where O'Sheas Hotel now stands, but this was changed to the present location (Tramore Tourist Offices). The Railway was ready for opening by the 2nd Sept. 1853.
An extension was planned to the pretty village of Dunmore East, but difficulty obtaining the land free of charge, and the desire of the residents to keep their pleasant resort 'select', caused the scheme to be abandoned. In 1855 a temporary station was built at Pickardstown where the train stopped on market days for the benefit of the farming community. In the same year, at the half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of the Waterford/Tramore Railway, it was announced that an increase in traffic on the line for the half-year ended 30th. June. The fares were:- First class single 8d; Return 1/-; Second class single 6d and return 9d; while dogs were carried in a separate compartment for 3d. Goods traffic was small and mainly confined to coal for the Gasworks and Benner's Coal Depot which adjoined the Station.
There were only three serious accidents during the lifespan of the Tramore Railway. The first was in the month of August 1858, when the engine ran out on the roadway at the Waterford Manor Terminus killing a young passerby named Patrick Kenny.
The second accident occurred on the 24th Aug 1935 when the engine of the 12.15pm from Waterford became derailed at Carriglong Bridge, and after dragging the coaches for about 300yds., went down an embankment at Perrys Bridge. Michael Power (the driver) had head and back injuries, while the fireman Michael Phelan suffered a broken collar bone and a crushed ear. The guard of the train was Christy Falconer, whose presence of mind in applying the handbrake, saved many more from serious injuries. He took immediate action to get the passengers clear as quick as possible. Dr. Phillip Purcell was passing by on the main road, and rendered medical assistance to the injured. The engine (no. 483) was a complete write-off.
The third accident was the most amazing of all. On the night of the 14th Aug. 1947 the 11.30 train from Waterford steamed into the Tramore Station, and burst through the end wall at a height of about eight feet or more above the Strand Road. Its still a source of amazement that no passerbys were killed, as the Strand Road would have been packed with people on an August race night. There was a previous accident at that spot, when an Engine burst through the wall, but on that occasion without sufficient impetus to crash onto the Stand Road - the engine being content to hang precariously over the wall.
The line was dieselized in 1954, and Tramore's day of the Steam Train had passed into oblivion. In 1960 C.I.E announced the imminent closure of the Tramore Line, and despite considerable local opposition, and a representative delegation going to Dublin, C.I.E. would only listen to alternatives such as the Bus Service. The train route started at Railway Square Tramore, through Crobally, over the Metal Bridge, on through Pickardstown, Carriglong, Duagh and Kilbarry Marshes before entering the tidy little Manor Station at journey's end.
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