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The Fishermans Hall
Dunmore East is a small fishing village on
the south-east coast of Ireland, 16kms from
the city of Waterford.
It sits on the western side of the Waterford
Harbour Estuary, 4.8kms from Hook Head in
Wexford.
Dunmore East, Co. Waterford,
Ireland
The Fisherman's Hall is one of Dunmore 's great landmarks, an essential part of the village.
I remember going to public dances in the Hall on a Sunday night in the very early 70's. There was no drink
allowed, but there was drink there all the same, in the shape of small bottles of spirits in men's pockets.
The music at the time was provided by the band "The Entertainers" from Waterford , featuring "Gerry the Veg" on
drums, with John O'Connor and one of the Comerford brothers on guitar. No disco in those times.
What a great band! Their rendition of “Save The Last Dance For Me” was brilliant.
I remember dancing a slow dance at the time with Avril Murphy (whom I had taken quite a shine to), but I was kept
at arms length. If one got too close the priest might come over and separate you a bit.
There could be trouble as well. Because it was a public dance, anyone could come in. I remember Nicko Murphy
and some of the “older lads” rounding up a crew to sort out some Passage men who were trying to infiltrate their
territory, ie. steal their women.
Below are two pages of a document pertaining to the founding of the Fisherman's Hall.
Reading this document, there is a certain sadness there, when the Hall was commissioned by Nanny Malcomson
in 1900.
It was built, apparently, in memory of Joseph (Master Joe) Malcomson, who was born in 1860 and died in 1880, in
Elva (wherever that is), at the tender age of 20.
The last paragraph is a bit confusing, where it is stated that the Haven Hotel (or Villa Marina, as it was originally
called) was built by Joseph Malcomson for his eldest son David in 1861, yet Joseph Malcomson was only born in
1860.
Did the originator of this document (who may have been Roger Shipsey?) mean to say that the Villa Marina was
built by David Malcomson for his son Joseph? (who would have been 1 year old at the time)
Who knows. The answer is out there somewhere.
Louis
More information on the Hall (and of course all the other topics on the site) is greatly appreciated.
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