Another German Band in Clare? Ballyvaughan 1857

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Sduddy
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Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Another German Band in Clare? Ballyvaughan 1857

Post by Sduddy » Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:03 am

The Clare Journal and Ennis Advertiser of 27 Aug 1857 mentions a German Band playing in Ballyvaughan. I wonder if this is Herr Pfeiffer’s band (see topic “Herr Pfeiffer’s German Band in Clare 1855-1856": http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewtop ... 592#p13592), or is it another German band.
The Ballyvaughan Sports. The amusement of boat and horse races at the Clare side of the bay, though got up at short notice, induced large parties of the Galway gentry to visit the romantic district of Ballyvaughan, while numerous parties arrived from Ennis, Miltown, Limerick, Ennistymon, New Quay and even from Kilkee.
A perfect calm having prevailed, and while waiting a breeze to fill the sails of the hookers, the canoe races were allowed to take precedence.
The Glanninagh men, well known for their experience and boldness in braving an Atlantic storm beneath the precipitous cliffs of Arran and Blackhead, were the first to enter the lists. Some delay and hesitation were experienced on the part of the Ballyvaughan men, doubting their powers to compete with men whose daring energy and expertness in the management of canoes were considered unrivalled.
Overcoming, however, their reluctance, and having prepared for the struggle, the start was given, when, to the general surprise, and much to the disappointment of their opponents, after a “long pull and strong pull,” the Ballyvaughan men became the victors and secured the prize!
A repetition of similar trials of strength and skill took place with similar results. A post-chase followed next in order, and afforded much amusement.
These and other sports were kept up with such spirit while waiting a breeze for the hooker race, the postponement of which, however, became unavoidable, the calm continuing.
An adjournment then took place to Lissanarde, the hospitable marine residence of Mr. Comyn, where a sumptuous dejeuner was provided, at which the hospitable host, with his accomplished lady, by their welcome and courteous attention, contributed much to the enjoyment of their numerous guests.
Among the company we noticed – Mr. and Mrs. O’Flaherty, Knockbane; Mr. and Mrs. Blake, Glenarde; Mr. and Miss Blake, Menlo Castle; Mr. and the Misses Blake, Furbo; Mr. and the Misses Lambert, Aggard; Mr. and the Misses Bodkin, Kilcloony; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Martyn, Gregans Castle; Mr. J. Martyn, Captain Stacpoole, Ballyalley; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Blake, Hollypark; Mr. and Mrs. Bagot Ballymoe; the Misses Bagot, Rev. P. Daly, Mrs. Lahiff, Ballyturn; Doctor Hogan, Captain Clarke, R.N., and Mrs. Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. D’Arcy, Clifden Castle; Mr. Stacpoole, Edenvale; Mr. Finucane, 5th Dragoons; Mr. Blake, Oran Castle; Hon. H. Blake and Mr. Farrell, Dalystown; Mr. and Mrs. Cowen, Captain O’Loghlen, Rev. Mr. Bellew, Mr. O’Reilly, Tycoolly; Mr. and Mrs. Lynch, and Miss Blake Butler, Messrs. McCarthy, O’Geary, Capt. Thunder, W. York, Butler, O’Farrell, Edward Singleton, Esq., &c., &c.
The enjoyments of the table having concluded, dancing commenced, a German band being in attendance, and was kept up to a late hour.
To close the amusements of the first day, a display of fire-works were got up under the direction and management of the Coast Guard party of the Station, and, being kept up to a late hour, gave, by their novelty here, must amusement to the public.
The second day’s sports consisted of a flat and two leap races, each being well contested; the running was prolonged to a late hour in the evening, the intervals between the heats being enlivened by the performances of the Band.
From the success of these sports, together with the pleasure and healthful recreation afforded by a visit to the romantic district, admittedly the Cove of Clare, a numerous attendance may be calculated on, whenever an announcement is made of a renewal of such amusements.
Sheila

Sduddy
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Re: Another German Band in Clare? Ballyvaughan 1857

Post by Sduddy » Mon Dec 14, 2020 12:07 pm

A German Itinerant band is mentioned, in passing, in Transatlantic Triumph and Heroic Failure, by Timothy Collins (2002), on page 153. This book tells the story of the Galway transatlantic steamship company set up by Fr. Pat Daly (the most enterprising priest of all the enterprising priests) and John Orrell Lever, in 1858:
Coincidentally, it would appear, the Galway Vindicator (Saturday 5 June 1858) reported the establishment of the Galway Bay Steam Navigation Company with Fr. Daly as Chairman. This Lever-backed company represents the first formal attempt at providing a steamship service in these waters, both to carry passengers and freight across Galway Bay and from the Aran Islands, and to provide a tender service for the larger transatlantic shipping which, it was planned would soon be arriving and departing from Galway. The PS Sovereign [the author uses PS to denote paddle steamer], which as already mentioned, had been brought by Lever to Galway for the purpose of starting such a service, became the first ship chartered to the new company. However, as she had proven herself unsuitable in these waters, she was replaced in late June by the PS Vesper, which was also owned by Lever and now chartered by him to the Galway Bay Steamship Navigation Company. (Page 31).
The transatlantic shipping line was a great success for a time, and won the government contract for conveying mail (essential for making a profit) so that, in early 1859, it was renamed the Atlantic Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company. Lever, now at the height of his popularity in Galway, and was elected as M.P. for Galway in 1859, but by 1864 the shipping line had failed* and he was defeated in the election of 1865.
Lever did not give up on Galway, and, in 1865, he tried to start a Flax and Cotton industry, and this is where we get a glimpse of the itinerant German band:
The Galway Vindicator (Wednesday 23 August 1865) reported how far advanced were the plans for the enterprise, in an account of the delivery of 40 large looms which had arrived at Lever’s request by sea from Liverpool. Fr Daly had each loom loaded onto a float which was decorated with green boughs and a triumphal procession, with himself in a carriage preceded by an itinerant German brass band, headed from the docks through the town to some vacant warehouses that had been leased form Persse’s Distillery at Newcastle…. Nothing further was ever heard from Lever’s looms… (p 153).
*In explaining the reasons for the failure of the company, Collins gives a great deal of information on shipping at that time, and on the difficulty of delivering the mail within the time stipulated, plus difficulties caused by the U.S. Civil War, but the book is suitable for a general reader. It is light to hold, so you can read it sitting in the armchair, the print is not too small and there are pictures – the first things I look for!

Sheila

Sduddy
Posts: 1827
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Another German Band in Clare? Ballyvaughan 1857

Post by Sduddy » Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:27 am

Sorry - that should be Fr. Peter Daly – not Fr. Pat Daly. Here is the Punch Cartoon of Fr. Daly offering inducements to Prime Minister Lord Palmerston, to ensure that the postal subsidy is given to the Galway Line (1861): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7x10-punch-c ... 1884636656. For anyone interested in Fr. Peter Daly, here is a piece on him by Ronnie O’Gorman in the Galway Advertiser, which also gives suggestions for further reading: https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/articl ... -gratitude.

Getting back to Co. Clare: The Clare Journal,7 Jun 1858, carried a report on the Vesper Steamer (from the Galway Vindicator):
The Vesper Steamer. We are glad to find that this fine little vessel is making satisfactory progress in her traffic between the coast of Clare and Galway, accomplishing the distance to or from Ballyvaughan (12 nautical miles) in one hour each trip. She arrived in the dock on last Friday evening from Ballyvaughan with 160 sheep and a considerable number of cows, together with a quantity of butter and other agricultural commodities. She had been engaged in this traffic all last week. Her towing capabilities have been already proved, and her accommodation for passengers is not inferior to that of many cross-channel steamers. – Galway Vindicator.
And getting back to the German Band: The Clare Journal,19 May 1858, carried this report of an excursion on the Vesper (from the Galway Vindicator):
Pleasure Excursion to Arran. “We wont go home till morning” – Old Song. On Sunday last the steamer Vesper conveyed a number of the inhabitants on a pleasure excursion to the Island of Aran … A very good German Band was on board, and by their performance enlivened the company much …
Sheila

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