Historical Context
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| The Town origin can be attributed to its position on the tidal reaches of the Suir River. The town is linked to the busy market town of Clonmel and to the port of Waterford via the river, which functioned as the only dependable traffic route between the settlements throughout most of the town’s history. The main area of the town is located on the northern banks of the river while Carrickbeg, is located on the southern banks. The town was initially incorporated circa 1245 when royal assent was granted to Matthew Fitzgriffin to hold fairs in the town. The name Carraig mhac Griffin was given to the town for some time after this event. The first defensive walls were erected circa 1300. Today Lough Street, the Suir River and New Lane bound this defensive area. Later that century the town came under the ownership of the Butlers, then Earls of Carrick and later Earl of Ormonde. The settlement of Carrickbeg was formed with the establishment of the Franciscan Friary circa 1336 on the site of the present day parish church. The friary was originally linked to Carrick via a ferry, which was later replaced by a bridge. Self Government within the town was established with the granting of a charter in 1366,while the town was enlarged circa 1440 and the existing Old Bridge erected between the town and Carrickbeg. A Castle was also erected on the northern banks of the river just east of the town, which was altered by the building of Ormonde Manor House circa 1565. By the eighteenth century the town had become the centre of woollen trade in the area and by 1800 leather goods, cloth, beer and whiskey, ropes and river craft were being manufactured in the town. The manufacture of woollen goods ceased in l825, which resulted in a dramatic fall in the town’s population during the following years. The Suir Navigation Act of l836 saw the improvement of navigation allowing access for larger vessels to the town while a new Town – Commission was formed the same year to ensure efficient self governance. This allowed the provision of public lighting, street paving and cleaning and the construction of public drains and sewers. The new bridge was constructed circa 1875 at which time the town functioned as an import and distribution centre for its hinderland. During the last century the main industry in the town was the tannery which was finally closed in l985 while there has been, and still is, a strong presence of agriculturally related activity in the town. |
The Origins of Carrick-on-Suir Town Council (14 kbs)
A short history of the origins of Carrick on Suir Town Council by Dr. Matthew Potter
