Local Notes: Portlaw Heritage Centre, GAA news, camogie success, soccer news and more
Portlaw United had their final blitz of the season winning two out of three games
The moment we have been waiting for, to walk once again through the gorgeous Curraghmore Estate. Curraghmore has opened their gates for the 2025 season. Curraghmore has over 2,500 acres of formal gardens, woodland, and grazing fields, making this the most extensive private house and gardens in all of Ireland. So this is not a job for the faint-hearted. The grounds of Curraghmore House were laid out by the first de la Poer – Beresford Earl of Tyrone around 1750, and provide a splendid example of an 18th-century romantic landscape, with the house as its centrepiece. In front of the house is the garden in the French manner designed by Louisa, 3rd Lady Waterford. Its formal terraces, with balustrades and statuary, overlook a man-made lake.
Thanks to its long history, the Curraghmore estate boasts a selection of wonderful old trees. Perhaps the most prominent are the gnarled pink chestnut, which form an avenue within the Courtyard at the back of the big house or perhaps the majestic old specimens which line the 2km avenue leading from the main gate to the house’s entrance front. The woodland gardens contain more enormous sweet chestnut and oaks, as well as a magnificent beech, Chinese Fir (one of the five largest specimens in Ireland), Japanese Umbrella Pine (a British Isles Champion), a Maritime Pine (Irish Champion), Lebanese Cedar and of course the estate’s and Ireland’s tallest tree, an enormous Sitka Spruce.
You can book a tour of the gardens at Curraghmorehouse.ie
The scale of the operation in Portlaw is becoming evident when one looks at the newspaper accounts from the period. In the absence of official records on the factory, the newspapers give a valuable insight of the progress of the new industry with three different accounts of a visit by the Lord Lieutenant to the Cotton Factory, in The Waterford Mirror of Saturday, August 16, 1828, as well as Finn’s Leinster Journal of Saturday, August 23, 1828 and The Carlow Morning Post, Thursday, August 28, 1828. In The Waterford Mirror the Lord Lieutenant observed the way in which the business was conducted and noted how the Irish and English employees were working well together. The Malcomsons had brought in skilled workers from mills in England to train local workers. The newspapers also give us an insight into the growth of the workforce quoting numbers between six hundred and six hundred and fifty men, women and children across all three accounts. In addition, The Carlow Morning Post reported that “Messrs. Malcomson has invested 50,000l. in the extensive Cotton Factory at Portlaw, County Waterford.” The modern £ symbol is said to have developed from l which was the first letter of the Latin word ‘libra’ which meant a scale or balance or simply a weight in coinage. The reputation of the Malcomsons and their enterprise is growing. Keep sharing and spreading our story and thanks for all the support.
Wednesbury saw our bowler's are taking full advantage of the outdoor mat in the current weather conditions, while the school children participated in a teddy bears' picnic.
Huge well done to Matilda and all her Waterford teammates who won the U16 All Ireland. We are so proud of you.
Our U10s had their final blitz of the season in the Paddock recently playing Park Rangers, Carrick, and Kilmacow. An excellent display of football from all four teams with Portlaw winning two out of three, of their games. Our defence was as solid as ever with Aoife, Mia Rose, MaryKate, Ashlee, and Rachel playing some brilliant football trying to take touch where possible but clearing when needed. Lacey, Emily, Amelie, Ellie G, Hannah and Emma were excellent in midfield playing some lovely passes to one another. Last but not least up top we had Willow Sadie and Maddie who were brilliant getting out in front of defenders and chasing everything down all game with all three getting on the score sheet. Special mention to our goal keepers today Amelie, Lacey, Emily, Emma, Sadie, and Ellie G who were very brave making some excellent saves. Goalscorers were Maddie, Willow, Emily, and our hat-trick hero Sadie. Thanks so much to the girls and their parents for their commitment all year, it’s great to see how much they have improved since the start of the season. Well done to all.
Our Youths team recorded a comfortable win with Kilmacow the midweek visitors to the paddock. A Sam Croke first half hat-trick was the highlight of the game with goals from Samuel Deevy, Alfie Keane, Peter Power and Finlay McHardy ensuring we continue our current good run.
Well done to our Junior Ladies Football team who were crowned Division 4 Champions in Brickey Rangers GAA Field. The girls put in a massive performance beating Old Parish 5-10 to 2-3. Thanks to the management team Annette and Paul Shankey, our first aider Heather Harris and our sponsor Fresh Food Courtyard - Dungarvan.
