Old Photos of the Tholsel, Drogheda

[PJC]

Hi!
I am looking for old photographs of the Tholsel in Drogheda for a slightly odd reason!

My Great Grandfather Eugene Clarke had a drapery shop at 1 West Street and 1 Shop Street, Drogheda both shops being next door to the Tholsel.   I think it was 1 shop with entrances on both streets connected behind the Tholsel.

The shop "E. Clarke & Son" operated from 1886 to 1898 (possibly longer).   Any old photos of the Tholsel might show the shops on either street.   

Today the shops are occupied by O2 and Ladbrokes.

Can you help?

PJC

p.s. Tholsel comes from 2 old English words Thol meaning "Toll" and Sael meaning "Hall" i.e. a place where Tolls were paid - today we'd call it a Toll-Booth! -pjc

[KDQ]

Dear PJC

You could ask the local paper (well read newspaper for local issues), the drogheda independent, to put a 'letter to the editor' in for you for free:

http://www.unison.ie/drogheda_independent/

Perhaps you could contact the Old Drogheda Society:

http://www.millmount.net/html/h1.htm Broken Link

or Drogheda Library:  http://www.louthcoco.ie/louthcoco/louth/html/library/drogheda.html Broken Link

They may be able to either help or point you in the right direction.  Best of luck.  Kind regards, Karen

[PJC]

Thanks Karen, I'll follow that up.

Regards,

PJC

[jbhall]

I have a few old postcards of West Street (circa 1910, c.1920, c.1950), but the Tholsell is always in the far distance. If you want scans I can oblige, though genealogically they probably wont be of much assistance. Regards, Brendan

[PJC]

Thanks Brendan, I think I know the postcards you mean - the drapery shop is the small white building on the right of the Tholsel - but I need a closer image to see the name.

Listed in Bassett's LOUTH County Guide & Directory 1886 as Eugene Clarke, General Drapery, I found numerous advertisements for E. Clarke & Son in the Drogheda Independent dated 1898 on microfilm at the Library in Drogheda.   I also found the death notice which stated that Eugene Clarke's residence was at 1 West Street (my GreatGrandfather, b. 1824, d. 2nd Aug 1898).

His grave is St. Peter's Cemetery but neither of his wives are burried with him - Mary Ann McShane of Dungannon, married Mar, 1857 St. Audoen's RC Church, Dublin and Frances M. J. O'Neill married at Pro-Cathedral, Dublin.   There were 4 boys (I expect were all born in Drogheda) - 2 from each marriage:
* James Bernard Clarke - emigrated to America - numerous descendants all over the USA
* Eugene Clarke - died young

* Joseph Patrick Clarke married in England with 3 children - line died out
* Eugene O'Neill Clarke (my Grandfather) - numerous descendants in Ireland, England (and one in Taiwan!)

His parents were Bernard & Catherine Clarke of Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Pigot's Directory 1824 has "Robert Clarke Woolen Draper (and Haberdasher), Carrickmacross" who might be related - an uncle of Eugene perhaps?

The search goes on!


Peter
p.s. I'm sure you didn't need to know all above but once I get started.....

[candis2273]

Peter,

I'm so excited to find you here.  My name is Candice.  I am the granddaughter of Barrett Clarke, son of John Herbert Clarke, son of James Bernard Clarke.  I have been avidly trying to find the rest of James Bernard's family only to stumble on your posts this evening.  I would love to share information with you.  Also, I have a page of the original letterheard of E. Clarke & Sons. 

I look very forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Candice

[PJC]

Hello Candice!

I am glad you found my posting - I will email more details.

Best regards,

PJC