Help in deciphering names on 'shop fronts' and ad. signage-Wexford Ireland 1880s

[leemeetee]

Am in the very early stages of a bit of research on a premises on Wexford's Main Street (where Superdrug now is).....which may come to nought.

I have attached a close up taken from a photo from the Lawrence Collection at the National Library of Ireland [French, R., & Lawrence, W. (1865). Main Street, Wexford, Co. Wexford.....cited from NLI] and am looking for a bit of help.

If any one could shed a light on

1.  the 1880 names of the premises marked 1,2,3 and 4 (have tried to turn and twist the name on this shop every which way but it has me beaten all ends up!!!)

2.  the four signs marked A,B (Dunlop / ....../ tyres in stock), C (Agency for ......) and D.

I would be very grateful!

[cath151]

Hi
 C , i think it is a Rudge sign, later Rudge Whitworth , so a cycle shop most likely.
"Agency for ?  cycles" perhaps.
Something similar to this?

Cathy

[HeatherLynne]

Are trade/street directories available for Wexford? If so, find Haddens and then you might be able to work out the shop names you want 🤞

[athacliath62]

I think the photo is a bit later - possibly 1890s or early 1900s, most of the Lawrence collection adate from 1890s / 1900s

 A Frederick Hadden apothecary (at the corner on the left) is shown at no. 11 main street in 1901, his neighbours include an Ironmonger and Auctioner 'Shaw' at no. 10, a woollen draper 'Stafford', another draper 'Cahill' etc...

There's only a alphabetic index in Bassett's 1885 directory no street listing.

[Jool]

I think the photo is a bit later - possibly 1890s or early 1900s, most of the Lawrence collection adate from 1890s / 1900s

 A Frederick Hadden apothecary (at the corner on the left) is shown at no. 11 main street in 1901, his neighbours include an Ironmonger and Auctioner 'Shaw' at no. 10, a woollen draper 'Stafford', another draper 'Cahill' etc...

The Ironmonger and Auctioneer ‘Shaw’ is Richard Henry Shaw on the 1901 census linked above.

The Wexford newspapers for late 1800s and into the 1900s have many articles mentioning R.H. Shaw, Ironmongers and Cycle Agents.

JUST TO ADD:  Findmypast has free access from 10-14 November, including their newspapers.

[cath151]

Wexford People 1891

"D J Healy, wholesale and retail hardware merchant and cycle agent, 27 Main Street.
"agent for pneumatic tyres".
Could fit in with the Rudge and Dunlop signs?

Cathy

[leemeetee]

Thanks for the help so far - especially the Rudge sign Cathy!
I think that could be the key......Superdrug is now at 85 Main Street......recent book on Selskar suggests that while the premises numbers down there have chagned dramatically over the years...the numbers on the Main Street have basically stayed the same. RH Shaw (iron-monger / auctioneer) is mentioned in 1895 as having promoted cycling in Wexford for over 20 years!!! Rudge / Dunlop / RH Shaw.....I wonder???