Silver Springs, Delgany

[eadaoin]

more Thoms Directory ...

1943,44,45 shows J Withers, Silver Springs Hotel

remember there's a lead-in time for publishing books like this, so he could have bought in 1942, or even a bit earlier
1946,47,48 show Mr Powell in Silver Springs

eadaoin

[chappers]

Hello eadaoin

Many thanks indeed for the useful information from the Thoms Directory.  I'm glad the surname Withers is mentioned for the relevant years although my grandfather's initial was W for William - I don't know who a J Withers may have been so I'll have a look amongst some family papers for any clues.
Thank you again.
Regards
Carol

[Wicklowwolf]

Hello everybody,

I just found this forum by accident. I am a hobby historical researcher living in Delgany, Co. Wicklow. I am familiar with Silversprings/Downs Hill House and surrounding areas.
Silversprings (used to be a hotel in the 1930's) still exists. The current name is Downs Hill House, and the house is occupied by the Kohler family.

There are a number of house ruins between Glen O'Downs and Downs Hill and to the rear of Downs Hill House near the pylon line. These are the remnants of Downs village which came to an end during the famine years. The best preserved structures are the ruins near the phone mast  and the one overgrown with blackthorn at the edge of the Glen O'Downs nature reserve.   

[Wicklowwolf]

Last summer I took a short vid of the area in question. (Link below)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3PzEF9gyFI

Downs Hill House can not be seen, because it's hidden by the trees. But the hill in the background toward the end of the vid is Downs Hill. I know it's a poor quality vid, but you may recognize a red building. To the left is a white spot. That's a small cottage. Downs Hill House is located in those trees to the  left of the small cottage.

[chappers]

Hello Wicklowwolf

I've just seen your postings about Silversprings which I note is now called Downs Hill House.  Thanks very much for this information, also the youtube video - it's great to see the area.  I hope to visit Delgany soon and see the building for myself as I think I lived there as a baby around 1942-43
Thanks again
Carol

[Wicklowwolf]

I enclose a recent photo of the house. I know it's a poor pic, but the house is well hidden from public view.

[chappers]

Hello Wicklowwolf,

Thank you so much for sending me the picture of Silversprings.  I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to see what the house looks like now.  I have two photos of myself aged about 2 taken at Silversprings and on the photos, you can see the terracing and steps just as they are now, also the bay windows, so the building has obviously not changed much over the years; (apart from all the foliage I expect).  It's wonderful to be able to piece my photos together with how things look today and it was very kind of you to send me this photo.  I have printed it off to go in my family album with my original 1942 photos.
Very many thanks again
Regards
Carol
 

[spellmba]

Does anybody rember a paperback book that came out about 15/16 years ago about Delgany Village/
I really thought it was called "Between the mountains and the sea" but can't locate it anywhere

[aghadowey]

Could this be the book?
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlwic2/articles/delgany_parish_book.htm