Council purchases historic newspaper report about building of Carrick-on-Suir Town Hall

Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District has acquired a fascinating framed newspaper report from nearly 180 years ago about a meeting of subscribers to the new Carrick-on-Suir Town Hall.

Councillors were informed of the purchase at Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District’s monthly meeting in Carrick Town Hall.

District Administrator Marie O’Gorman said they acquired the historical report about the Town Hall in an online auction.

It’s a report of a special general meeting of subscribers on October 2, 1844 for the purpose of receiving a report of the Town Hall’s Building and Finance Committee agreeing to the terms of the Trust Deed and “to adopt such other measures as may appear necessary for the more speedy completion of the building”.

According to the newspaper article, the special general meeting took place in the new building and was chaired by the Earl of Bessborough with Edmond Power, Esq., and Dr Purcell, acting as secretaries.

The detailed report on the progress of the project shows the Town Hall building also had several other purposes including a Temperance Hall, a Savings Bank, a Loan Fund Bank and Mechanics Institute.

Carrick councillors Kieran Bourke and Carrick MD Cathaoirleach David Dunne welcomed the purchase of the document. “Well done, it’s a lovely piece of history,” he declared.

The framed newspaper report will now be displayed in the Town Hall. Cllr Dunne remarked that he would like to see a number of other items of council memorabilia erected on the walls along with this new addition.