7.2 Kilrush & Shannon Estuary News: 1852-1908

1852 29th. December (Times of London)
Eliza, of port Maddock, from Sligo for London with oats is ashore at Scattery Island and is a total wreck.

1853 28th September
The Floating Docks (Limerick) the finest work of the kind in Ireland were opened by the Earl St Germans who was entertained on this occasion at a great banquet in the theatre.

1856 17th October (Times of London)
Royal Artillery inspection of Military posts in the south of Ireland.

1859 Friday 11th February (Limerick Reporter)
Wreck of the Jane Black
The timbers of the Jane Black belonging to the eminent firm of Spaight & Co of the city, which has been wrecked some weeks since on her way homewards from Quebec timber laden, have been discovered floating at the cove of Clare Island in the County Mayo.

1859 Friday 24th June (Limerick Reporter)
Limerick Harbour Board
---- The discussion was in reference to the construction of sewers and the removal of nuisances. Present The Mayor in the Chair, Messrs R Russell, T McDonnell, Cullen, John McDonnell, O’Neill, Hartigan, Todhunter, Sharp and Mullock.

1859 Tuesday 27th September (Limerick Reporter)
Dreadful accident on the Shannon - four lives lost
On Sunday afternoon one of the most dreadful accidents---opposite Tervoe House the seat of William Monsell MP. A party had embarked in a yacht belonging to Mr FC Sikes, grocer Patrick Street, Limerick. Two of them the only persons saved, being that gentleman's sons. As the yacht passed “The Hole” near Coonagh Point, it was caught by a squall and filled with water—it went down in deep water there was a strong current---. Four perished: James Dooley painter who had a wife and three children: John Jones a pilot who had a wife and four children (Jones's son was drowned a month go): Thomas McNamara grocer—and a boy named Martin, son of a pilot.

1859 Thursday 29th December (Clare Journal)
Arrival of Col. Keane
We are happy to announce the arrival of Colonel Keane of the 86th Regiment at his brother residence, Beechpark, (Ennis) in renewed health after the great veteran's recent dangerous illness, contracted during his Indian campaigns.

(This is Colonel Giles Keane, older brother of Marcus Keane of Beechpark)

1865 Monday 20th November (Clare Journal)
Kilrush Special Sessions
An application for a presentment from Michael Morrissey and James Comyn to build 10 perches of new sea wall 8 feet high:-to repair 13 feet of wall 6 feet high:16 perches of parapet and 28 feet of coping on the road between Steamboat Quay and Ballynote - £45.

1866 Tuesday 6th March (Limerick Reporter)
Naval Movements
The Prince Consort left Tarbert Roads on Saturday, she is to be replaced by the Black Prince. The men and officers of the Prince Consort were highly esteemed while there---.

1866 Monday 12th March (Clare Journal)
Festivities at Kilrush House
Colonel and Lady Vandeleur received a select circle at a dinner on Wednesday evening at their residence Kilrush House.

Among the guests were: Lord Frederick Kerr, Captain of HMS Black Prince and five officers serving under his Lordship: William Burton Esq, ---Henn Esq, Several officers of the 73rd regiment: Desmond Fitzgerald Esq and Mrs Fitzgerald, Miss Lloyd, Miss Vandeleur, Cragbeg: Councillor O'Gorman, Rev Mr Wolseley, Mrs & Miss Wolseley &c &c.

In the evening a ball was given at which the gentry of the surrounding country was entertained.-----Mr Burton (Carrigaholt Castle) Mr Henn (Dublin) the Messrs Studdert (Clonderlaw Cottage) Mr and the Messrs Bennet (Knock)------ Dancing commenced at 10 o'clock and was kept up until five o'clock next morning.

An excellent band from Limerick was in residence at two o'clock the company sat down to a splendid champagne supper at which the rarest delicacies were in abundance.

1866 Thursday 7th July (Clare Journal)
The Foynes Line
The new steamboat The Vandeleur arrived on Wednesday morning at Limerick to ply between Foynes Harbour and Kilrush. The boat is two feet longer than the Rosa has a cabin on deck with railings around the top and will replace the Rosa on Monday next.

1866 Thursday 19th July (Clare Journal)
We regret to learn that the Rosa (SS), the property of the London and Limerick Steamship Company was wrecked off Falmouth Harbour a few mornings since. She was returning from London to Limerick after one of her annual trips to the former place when she ran on a rock, about 3 o'clock in the morning---.

1866 Monday 23rd July (Clare Journal)
Laying the foundation stone of the Carrigaholt Pier
The interesting ceremony of laying the first stone of the Carrigaholt Pier was performed on Thursday by Lieut. Francis N. Burton of the 18th Royal Irish. -----

(This is the pier near the Castle).

1870, Clare Champion July 15th 2005 (Banner in the Bygone Days: 135 years ago)
The forts of Kilcredane and Doonaha near the mouth of the Shannon have been just dismantled under the superintendence of Mr Commissary-General Elmes of the Limerick District. The guns with which these forts were mounted are of very large dimensions and of the old pattern: and though of the oldern very serviceable. They have been placed on the pier at Carrigaholt where they await one of her Majesty's ships of war to convey them to Chatham.

The forts at Scattery Island and Tarbert are to remain to protect the river which has also the advantage of war ships at Foynes. It is said by the Engineers that the forts just dismantled were of no material utility.

1870 Clare People Tuesday 10th October 2006
The people of the small Donegal village of Port in Glencolumbkille are to honour a Kilrush native who was just two of 21 men to survive a shipwreck on its shore in the 1870’s Patrick Faul survived the shipwreck of the Sydney on October 16 1870 but the west Clare survivor then disappeared from the history books leaving the people of Glencolumbkille with a huge task of tracing any living family members..... Four of the crew of the Sydney were buried at Port .According to the Greenock Telegraph on October 20th 1870, four days after the disaster the ship was a 1117 ton ship and the property of a Mr Hamilton and Mr Adam of Greenock. The two men had bought the ship a few months previous and put it into the Quebec timber trade. Nine years previous it had been employed in the Clyde and East India trade, and was built in 1860 by Mr Russell for J.H.Watt in Glasgow. The Sydney was commanded by Captain Hamilton, and was on the passage from Quebec to Greenock. She sailed from Quebec on September 15th and it appears had reached the entrance to the North Channel, when she was caught in the fierce gale of Monday and driven to the Donegal coast speedily becoming a total wreck. The cargo of timber on board was salvaged by the small fishing and farming community of Port and used by the local tradesmen in the construction of houses and furniture. The shipwreck maintains a strong position in the folklore of Glencolumbkille and the tragedy a regular topic of discussion.
(Patrick Faul was born on Scattery Island on 27/12/1843.)

1874 Tuesday 25th August (Limerick Reporter)
Kilrush Regatta Results
Four oared Gig race won by the Kilrush Boat Club.
Four oared canoe race was won by the Scattery men
Four oared heavy Gig race won by Mr McMahon's boat Kilrush.

1878 Tuesday 1st October 1878. (Limerick Reporter)
Fatal and Melancholy accident on the Shannon
On Friday night between 10 and 11 o'clock a slight tip was heard at the hall-door of Capt. Borough Cappa. On being opened a sailor dripping wet from the sea lay in an exhausted state at the door. Poor fellow he had just cheated death. Edward Gribble was one of a party of five who had left Tarbert in a long boat for the revenue cruiser Stag which is lying in Scattery Roads awaiting the arrival of the Valiant. Gribble accompanied by Grunter, Sliney son of a coast-guard well known in Kilrush, and two others one of which was a Petty-Officer. The night though dark was calm. Either at Tarbert race or about Money-point where there is a strong current the boat went down bow foremost......All four were drowned.

1879 Thursday 16th October (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The Agnes Capt. Morrow, with 185 tons coal consigned to M Studdert Gibson, Esq, Cappa is off the harbour.

1879 Thursday 21st August (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The Commodore steamer landed a number of excursionists from the city of the “Violated Treaty” at Scattery’s Saintly Island on Saturday last. A Band attended.

1881 22nd January (Times of London)
The Anchor Line steamer Italia from New York for Glasgow arrived in Scattery Roads today short of coal.

1881 12th December (Times of London)
The Kragero, Norwegian barque is reported from Cappa, by telegraph from Kilrush, December 13th, to have gone ashore on Scattery Island in trying to go between Hog Island and Scattery Island.

1883 Thursday 27th September (Times of London)
Intelligence from Cappa yesterday states that the steamers Mermaid and Vandeleur broke their chains and drove across the beach under the Coast Guard station. The Shannon Pilot Boat parted both anchors but will be got off. The Leopold Marie, French barque from Limerick drove from her moorings in Scattery Roads, and stranded on the Clare shore, and will probably be a wreck: her foremast having gone by the board. Crew saved.

1885 Tuesday July 28th (Limerick Reporter)
Another man drowned near Kilrush
Another case of drowning took place in the Harbour on Thursday. A man named Burns who had been keeping tally on the barque Aryle when going to the vessel from the town fell overboard and his body has not yet been recovered. He belongs to Limerick.

1885 Friday 31st July (Limerick Reporter)
Ship News at Limerick:
Arrived:
Dago SS, Philadelphia, Maize.
Ketka SS Holyman Sulina, do.
Est Tassimo, San Francisco, Wheat.
Earl Granville, do, do.
Page, do, do,
Diano, Cardiff, Coals.
Cinters, Torquay, Pipeclay.
Kearwn, Torquay, Pipeclay.
Greenwood Bell, Norway, Railway Sleepers.
Sailed:
Star, Hamilton, Gloucester, Oats.

1886 Saturday 3rd April (Saturday Record)
The Storm in Kilrush
Details of the sad results of Tuesday's storm have come to hand. The drowning of three French fishermen off Loop Head is confirmed with the loss of a smack, which wreck is coming ashore at Kilkee. The fully rigged ship Phases of Greenock, 1500 tons registered (Captain Crystal) has put into the Shannon with a cargo of wheat for Limerick 19½ (/?) days from California, with all canvas and topsails torn away. On entering the Shannon the Phases was boarded by the pilots from Scattery. The wheel and compass were broken away, and the man steering is despaired of his arms and legs broken in several places. Several vessels of smaller dimensions are stranded along the coast.

1886 Saturday 4th September (Saturday Record)
Carrigaholt Regatta and Athletic Sports
-----Yacht Race -Not exceeding 2 Tons with time allowances.
First Yacht £3 Second Yacht £2.
These started: Simon Cahill's Niagara, Kilrush,
John Behan's Countess, Carrigaholt,
Michael McMahon, St Simon, Scattery Island,
Daniel Moloney's Hededer, Labasheeda,
F W Burton's Mosquito, Carrigaholt,
Mr Pilkington's, Midge.
Result: Niagara, 34 mins 1st St Simon 34 mins 3 s 2nd the other yachts ran in 3 mins later.

1887 Saturday 4th June (Saturday Record)
River Excursion to Loop Head
The first of our summer excursions is fixed for tomorrow week when a steamer will leave Clare Castle pier for Loop Head and auguring by the eagerness with which the public received the first announcement and the anticipation indulged in on all sides we are sure the trip will be a mighty successful one. The promoter Mr Kelly has succeeded in getting a substitute for the Mermaid.

The sister vessel, the Vandeleur which has just undergone a thorough overhauling in Dock and has been newly finished throughout. The vessel will touch at Kilrush on the downward journey and land passengers, calling for them on the return of course. This allows an opportunity of a visit to Kilkee, but when we call to mind the exorbitant sums demanded on former occasions by the Kilrush jarveys for the run to that favourite seaside resort it is one that we should think will not be availed of to any great extent.

1887 Saturday 6th August (Saturday Record)
Kilrush Harbour Regatta:
----- Open Sail Boats: St Simon passed the judges boat by barely half a length ahead of the Banner.
------Three men canoes: Scattery crew: Michael McCarthy, John Mahony, John Mangan and a second crew started from Scattery. The Kilkerrin crew won easily by over 10 lengths, Kilrush was second. ----.
------Three oared canoe races for Scattery women:
First Boat: Mrs Griffin, Kate Hanrahan and Mary Hanrahan,
Second Boat: Ellen McCarthy, Ellen Scanlan and Nora Brennan.
Mrs Griffin's crew won by two lengths.
------Four oared boats to be rowed by coastguards, cutter or yachtsmen. The following boats started: Kilrush coastguard’s crew: O H Beale (bow), John Spice, W Harris, T Carter, John Roache (cox). The Glin cutter crew: J Hallinan (bow), Clancy, Burns, Reilly (stroke), John Harris (cox). The cutter men finished five lengths ahead.

1887 Saturday 26th November (Saturday Record)
War Ship in the Shannon
It is officially announced that the authorities have decided to send an ironclad ship and two gunboats to Mount Trenchard near Foynes to be stationed there for the future.

1887 Tuesday 29th November (Limerick Reporter)
Limerick Harbour Board
The Limerick Steamship Company and the trades
Mr Harris stated that the contract for lighting the docks with electric light provided that a certain number of lights should be supplied for a certain period, sometimes they had not used all these lights and at other times they had to use a little more. The Limerick Steamship Company and other companies but the former in particular were in the habit of using gas throughout the night. Their (The Board) arrangement was that the lights should be supplied up to 11 o'clock but the Limerick Steamship Company used it for discharging their boats the whole night---.

1888 Friday 9th March (Limerick Reporter)
Advertisement:
Limerick Steamship Company:
Are now selling very best Wigan steam coals at lowest prices,
How is it done?
They pay cash down for their coals they ship direct from the collieries by their own steamers and they charge no profits these hard times.
“Strange but True”.

1888 Tuesday 26th June (Limerick Reporter)
Limerick Harbour Board
The Ardnamult
A complaint was made by Mr Morrissey, manager of the Limerick Steamship Company, that his steamship the Ardnamult arrived in the dock last night from Liverpool with a varied cargo of 700 tons weight, and 400 tons of coal, and although he expostulated with the Harbour Master and pointed out how he could remove the difficulty and enable him to discharge his vessel and have those to whom the miscellaneous cargo was consigned get possession of the goods without delay, up to the present he received no satisfaction whatever.

1889 Clare Journal - Vandeleur Evictions are well documented during the year.

1889 Saturday 4th May (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
Lower Shannon Steamship Company (Advertisement)
Intended Order of Sailing for May 1889.
Steamers: Vandeleur, Mermaid, Erin, Ross & Co.
Daily Sailing between Limerick, Tarbert (Listowel), Redgap, Kilrush (Kilkee) also calling at Killadysert on Monday Wednesday and Friday and at Glin on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday if the tide will not allow the vessel going along side the Glin pier, passengers and goods must be embarked at Tarbert.

Advertisement: Important to Merchants and Traders of Kilrush, Kilkee and adjacent districts there is now plying between Kilrush and Limerick and back weekly the fast packet boat Hopewell........ Moderate charges Patrick Shannon Captain and Owner.

Advertisement: House to let at Cappa at moderate rent a fine commodious and well arranged house suitable for a private family excellent accommodation. Apply to Mrs B Boland, family grocer, Cappa.

1889 Saturday 11th May (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
Advertisement: Andrew Ryan Teas!
Special Price list of Indian Assam's,
Matchless Quality        3s.- 0d.
Vera Choice Teas         2s -6d.
Fine Rich Teas            2s - 1d.
One trial makes many. Fancy and General Bakery. Wholesale and Retail.
Provision Establishment, Market Square and Henry Street, Kilrush. Stores in John Street.

Advertisement: Home Manufacturer M Glynn and Sons.
Beg to call attention of the public to their Tweeds, Serges, Friezes, Flannels; Blankets which are made from pure wool, and the finish and durability cannot be excelled. Any quantity of the above can be had at their factory at exceedingly low prices for cash or in exchange for wool. All colours and shades in dyeing done on the premises together with carding, scouring, finishing with the greatest satisfaction and least possible delay.
Kilrush Woollen Factory, 29th November 1885.

1889 Saturday 25th May (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The Schooner Elizabeth Roy has arrived at the Revenue Pier with a cargo of 360 tons of coal for the local firm of M Glynn and Sons, Merchants Quay.

1889 Saturday 22nd June (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
'Jack Ashore'
Captain McSparren of the good ship Elizabeth Roy was fined 5s and costs being found by the police in a public house of Miss O’Donnell (Henry Street) after legal hours. The others with him were only fined 1s as the chairman considered it was all the Jolly Tar's fault - Adjourned.

1889 Thursday 10th October (Clare Journal)
Shannon (Kilrush) Quarries: It is said the Belfast Corporation have contracted for supply of 10,000 tons of flags from Moneypoint Quarries.

1889 Saturday 2nd November ( Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The L S (Lower Shannon) Steamship Co has opened a bi-monthly service to Carrigaholt.

1889 Monday 18th November (Clare Journal)
The sailing ship Drumelton with 2500 tons of wheat, from San Francisco consigned to Messrs Banatyne has arrived at Beigh Castle where she will be lightened before entering Limerick docks.

1891 Saturday 7th March (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
An Almost Useless Pier and a Chocked Creek
The public have been subjected to the greatest inconvenience during the past week since the berth of the Lower Shannon Company's steamer at Cappa was appropriated by another steamer the William Connall having a cargo of potatoes for the guardians and coals, the rest of the pier has been occupied by a steamer with rails for the South Clare Railway Company and a schooner occupies the upper portion of the pier. The Lower Shannon had in consequence to refuse eggs, butter, cattle and other merchandise as it became risky enough for passengers to have to cross a large vessel with open hatches and other obstructions before getting on board the river steamer. Even the ship Nobbleburn with her large cargo of wheat for the Messrs M Glynn & Sons must discharge in the harbour which entails great loss to the owners of the ship, to the firm to which consigned and to the Harbour Board. All this commercial deadlock and great inconvenience-almost amounting to panic-arises from the inadequacy of the present pier at Cappa and the unapproachable conditions of the otherwise fine creek up to our doors....

1891 Saturday 26th September (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
South Clare Railway Company:
The rails are today finished up - and connect Kilrush, Kilkee and Cappa Pier!

1891 Saturday 10th October (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The Barque Elwy (Captain Thomas Harris) has arrived in the port of Kilrush from Portland Oregon with a cargo of 2000 tons of wheat for our local great and most enterprising Merchants and Manufacturers - the Messrs M Glynn & Sons - who alone have been doing anything to advance Kilrush out of its present sluggishness. The ship was five months on the passage and encountered very bad weather in the Atlantic.

1891 Saturday 31st October (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
At the suit of the harbour Board, Mr P Tyrrell, owner of the Brigantine Clarement was prosecuted for having through neglect torn up one of the mooring posts at Cappa pier, in the late gale, by the vessel. Mr Bourke, Harbour Master was examined and stated that instead of remaining on board his own vessel during the gale Tyrrell was on board the Elwy aiding her crew and only one man after him with John Boland.
Mr Kelly - There was a far better man than Boland there (Laughter).

1891 Saturday 7th November (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
Spiked Cannons:- Kilrush Town Commissioners,
Mr Culligan said the dismantled cannons in the Scattery Fort would make first rate moorings posts for those lost by the recent storm.

1892 Saturday 9th. April (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The Barque Craiglands Capt. Forbes master with a large cargo of wheat from Portland Oregon put into the Shannon on Monday having encountered a most disastrous passage. In February last off Cape Horn the second officer of the ship was killed on the deck by a sea and was buried in the ocean. One of the sailors got both his legs broken and the ship on entering the Shannon was making sixteen feet of water her pumps having to be continually worked. Dr Counihan was brought on board on Monday to set the limbs of the sailor. The Craiglands is chartered for Limerick.

1892 Saturday 9th April (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
It was reported that John Boland, Managing Director of the firm of Boland and Company Limited Cappa - Pilots, Brokers and Stevedores of this port - has refused to finish the dredging of that portion near Cappa for which he was contracted until it suited him. He has taken all he wanted for the ballasting a schooner and with injury to the place too until stopped by the Harbour Master after considerable dodging!
The Board made an order that if the Master Pilot of the “High Seas” between the Boat Club and the Railway Bridge did not immediately carry through this contract.....

1892 Saturday 9th July (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The ship Victoria has arrived at the Revenue Pier, Kilrush from Quebec with a large cargo of timber consigned to our local enterprising Merchants, Messrs Doherty & Sons. A large cargo of coal is now discharging at Merchants Quay for the same firm. It is only but a short time since similar large consignments have arrived for Messrs Doherty.

1892 Saturday 16th July (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The new SS Shannon built for the Waterford Steamship Company arrived in Limerick on Wednesday from Belfast. The Shannon is specially adapted to its passenger’s traffic and is lighted throughout by electricity. The refreshment cabin is under the Company own management. The steamer is intended to run on the passenger service commencing on next Wednesday.

1892 Saturday 17th September (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
A Steamer put in Quarantine:
A great deal of excitement prevailed in Kilrush last Monday owing to the arrival in Scattery Roads of the steamship Clieveden from Ibrail on the Danube flying the yellow flag. Dr Counihan the public officer for health for the district was immediately communicated with and was put on board by the coastguards and on examination found one of the crew an Englishman was suffering from acute diarrhoea. After remaining on board three hours Dr Counihan placed the steamer in strict quarantine for the present. The vessel is bound to Limerick with a cargo of grain for Mr Bannatyne; Dr Counihan again visited the ship at night.....

1893 Saturday 17th June (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
Shipping News – Port of Kilrush.
Arrivals:
Amaryllis, Nuten, Belfast, Coal.
J B Wood, Polard, Cardiff, Coal.
Java, Murray, Newport, Coal.
Sailed:
Evernus, Hatton, Newport, Ballast.

1893 Saturday 15th July (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The Leven Services.
---Powerful screw steamer purchased by Messrs M Glynn & Sons---cargo services three trips each week to and from Limerick---.We wish the Leven full freights, favouring gales and prosperous voyages.

1893 Saturday 29th July (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
A War Ship for the Shannon—is Kilrush Harbour to be again ignored!
To the Editor of the Kilrush Herald, Kilrush, 28th July 1893.

Dear Sir,
I heard today a large War vessel will very likely be stationed in the Shannon soon and now that we have a railway service to Kilrush and with such a fine roadstead as there is at Scattery, I cant see why she should not be just as well be stationed here as up the river, especially as the former would be the proper place in case of action afterwards now that Carrig Island and also the Battery on Scattery Island are dismantled. It would be beyond any doubt, a very great boon to every trader in Kilrush, Kilkee and the whole of West Clare to have such a vessel with 500 to 700 men on board stationed here. I therefore think if the rumour I heard is correct every possible effort should at once be made to have her stationed at this port.
Yours Truly,
Henry R Glynn.

1893 Saturday 19th August (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
A Fearful Drowning Catastrophe in the Shannon: Sixteen lives lost
On Wednesday night about 12 O'clock ten men and six young women, including an elderly man on excursion from the neighbourhood of Tarbert to Kilkee, were drowned off Rinanna Point (off Scattery) and Beale Bar ------- The whole party were lost and their boat Maurice Murphy was found at Kilcredane bottom upwards on Wednesday morning.
Drowned:
Maurice Murphy owner and his son, respectable farmer named Scanlan and his three daughters one of whom was a teacher, a boy named Glazier, Richard Allen, P Lyndon and sister, Bovenizer (2), Norah Fitzgerald, Hannah Sullivan, Johanna McGrath, John Naughton, John Holly all farming classes-----This is another great argument for having a troopship on the river, or the forts re-manned as it was within the Scattery, Carrig and Doonaha forts that this dreadful catastrophe occurred.

1893 Saturday 20th September (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
Mr James Scanlan
Mr James Scanlan chief officer of the Cumberland has arrived at the residence of his respected mother, Mrs James Scanlan, Market Square on a short visit. This splendid four-masted clipper ship on which our gallant and popular young townsman is second in command- is considered to be the finest craft engaged in the Merchant Service and has just arrived at her docks, Liverpool from 'Frisco. We are glad to see Mr Scanlan is in enjoyment of robust health and we wish him still further success in his profession.

1893 Saturday 14th October (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
Direct Steam Communication between, Dublin, Liverpool and Kilrush. SS Creaden.
Sailings for October from Liverpool - 13th & 27th. Particulars to freight which are less than half the existing ones to be had from H G Supple, Agent Cappa.

1894 Saturday 28th April (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
Kilrush -----Arrivals: SS Red Rose from Fenit in ballast, SS Deerhound from Galway do, SS Creaden from Liverpool general cargo, SS Leven from Limerick do, Emma Eineat from Cardiff coals, Village Belle from Cardiff do.
Sailed: Steamers, Red Rose, Deerhound and Creaden with hay, Leven general, ----- It is now time the Harbour Commissioners would stir themselves and take steps to have the Creek deepened or the Pier extended.

1895 Saturday 3rd August (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The four-masted clipper ship Eudora (Captain O'Glivie) from Swansea arrived at San Francisco this week. A young Kilrush gentleman, Mr James Scanlan occupies the responsible position of chief officer on board this magnificent vessel.

1896 Saturday 1st February (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
The steamer North Cambrian (Captain Roberts) arrived in the Scattery Roadsteads on Wednesday flying the yellow flag. The vessel was bound from Baltimore to Limerick with a large cargo of wheat. A crew of coastguards under chief officer Sliney immediately put Dr John E Foley, Francis St, and acting medical officer of the port, on board who found three of the crew suffering from small-pox. --------- Meanwhile excitement ran high in the town against bringing these sailors ashore-------.

1896 Saturday 20th June (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
A new steamer for the Shannon:
We are very glad to learn that Messrs M Glynn & Sons have just purchased a splendidly equipped passenger steamer the Eglantine from Lord Ardilaun. The vessel which cost close to £10,000 will run on the Shannon service-------.

1896 Saturday 10th October (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
A terrific storm:
Last Wednesday, through the agency of the spars and wreckage of the brig Nicholas the sea-wall at Cappa has been battered away by the force of an exceptionally high-tide.

1897 Saturday 1st May (Saturday Record)
The Tourist Scheme in Ireland
The recent visit of Mr Robertson, Chairman of the Board of Works, to West Clare in connection with the development of the Tourist Scheme in the south-west of Ireland has at least been signalled as we have learned that the Government has given the contract for a passenger steamer between Tarbert and Kilrush during the summer months to Messrs Glynn. ----- We have not heard how many tenders were in but we have no doubt but that the competition must have been very keen. We congratulate the Messrs Glynn's as that success which invariably crowns what we may term “go in business” and we trust that the connection--- may prove of much benefit to those both in Kilkee and Killarney to whom a successful tourist season always means so much.

1897 Saturday 12th June (Saturday Record)
Boycotting the New Steamer for the Lower Shannon
The Waterford, Limerick and Western Railways have boycotted the new tourist steamer which was to ply from this season from Kilrush to Tarbert------by refusing to issue any tickets in connection with her---.

1897 Saturday 26th June (Saturday Record)
The Steam Trawler Shamrock has arrived at Kildysert where she is to be stationed for the season for the purpose it is stated of engaging in the sole and turbot fishery in the Shannon a source of wealth which has hitherto unfortunately been left wholly undeveloped.

1898 Saturday 4th June (Saturday Record)
Important Suit for Quayage Fees
Mr H S Vandeleur has a process against the Messrs Glynn's for fees due for the berthage of the vessels of their firms at Merchants Quay-------.

(This case eventually went to the House of Lords in 1907 who decided, as one would expect, in favour of the Landlord Vandeleur. The Lords in deciding that Vandeleur was entitled to the foreshore referred back to Letters Patent of King James the First, dated 19th January 1621 and confirmed by Letters Patent of King Charles the Second dated 1st September 1661 made to Henry, then Earl of Thomond. In 1749 Vandeleur's ancestor (John S. Van de Lur) in consideration of a sum of £9826 obtained a grant from the then representative of the Thomond family of the Manor of Kilrush in fee and ever since the estate has gone under that title. Although the foreshore was not specifically mentioned in the grant the Lords decided that it was inferred. It was also stated that the present pier was constructed in 1846 at the expense of the late Crofton Moore Vandeleur at a cost of £1600.)

1898 Saturday 17th September (Saturday Record)
Master of a Vessel drowned at Kilrush
The Inquest.
Today Dr Wm Sexton, coroner for West Clare held an inquest at the Boat-House, Cappa on the remains of Captain Owen Thomas master of the ship Camborne whose dead body was found this morning on the beach----.

1898 Saturday 3rd December (Saturday Record)
Collision in the Shannon
A Steamer sunk - Limerick Saturday
While proceeding from Limerick to Waterford last night the steamer Mermaid (Captain Cotter) collided with the steamer Premier from Hamburg the latter sustaining such damage that she sank within fifteen minutes afterwards. The collision occurred about 8 o'clock when the two vessels were between Kilcredane and Scattery near the mouth of the Shannon, the Premier being struck on the port side and having her plates torn open, while the Mermaid's bows were badly damaged. The crew of the Premier with the Captain Murray took to the boats before the vessel sank and were picked up some time after by an inward bound steamer. The Mermaid it was first thought would have to be beached but she subsequently steamed to Limerick. It is not known how the collision occurred. The Premier is a Scottish vessel and was chartered by the Limerick Steamship Company with a cargo of 600 tons of sugar, chiefly consigned to the Messrs Cleeve Bros.

1899 Thursday 20th April (Clare Journal)
A mast of a vessel, 74 feet long was driven into Kilkee Bay on Saturday evening, it is supposed to be that of a vessel wrecked somewhere about the Clare coast. Never before was such a long piece of timber driven into Kilkee Bay.

1899 Monday 17th July (Clare Journal)
Shipping in the Shannon
There has been an unusual stir in Limerick Shipping during the past week, and the number of vessels discharging cargoes exceeds previous records within the past eight or nine years. The vessels include the Kiwata a Norwegian ship registered tonnage 1667 with a cargo of 2400 tons. The Louiseapadra a French vessel registered tonnage 1500 with a cargo of 2000 tons. The Scottish vessel Inverlochy registered tonnage 1660 with a cargo of 2200 and the Marmarins from Adelaide registered tonnage 1670 cargo 2200. The cargoes of these four vessels consist of wheat consigned to Messrs Bannatyne and Sons. In addition there was also discharged the Kirkstall and the Rosina Maindale with large cargoes of maize for the same firm.

1899 Thursday 28th September
Steamer aground in the Shannon
The Steamship Kittie, from Philadelphia with 3000 tons of maize for Messrs Bannatyne and Sons, Limerick went ashore at the Cock Rock near Tervoe on Saturday morning. The accident it is said arose through the vessel refusing to steer. She remained fast till Sunday morning when she was taken-off by the Shannon the cargo having been lightened in the meantime. The vessel was docked on Sunday night by the Flying Huntsman.

1900 Monday 11th May (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
Poole's Cappa
Mrs Poole the well known caterer for the public and tourist needs, has reopened the refreshment bar and restaurant in the charming suburbs of Cappa after an extensive and complete renovation and it is now not alone the best appointed but the prettiest in Clare, ---.

1900 Friday 2nd November (Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette)
On Monday the No 1 National School of Kilrush was opened for the first time, after an eventful period of nearly half a century, in a new building for itself at the top of Henry Street opposite the fair green.----.

1908 Wednesday 9th September (Irish Independent)
French Ship Blows Ashore.
A violent gale blowing from the north-west passed over West Clare last night but has been fortunately unattended with any serious results to life or property on sea or land. In a stormy sea, about 2.30 o'clock this morning the French three-masted ship Admiral de Courmeliur outward bound in ballast for Adelaide, which had anchored in Scattery roadstead, off the Kilrush Harbour drew both her anchors, and went ashore near the dangerous rocks at Isle Varoon. The Limerick pilot, Mr Charles Hanrahan, who is aboard for the purpose of taking the big grain vessel outside Loop Head, at once took soundings and found that the vessel lay on soft ground, and no immediate danger was apprehended. The Chief Officer at Cappa Coastguard Station, Mr Hammond immediately notified Lloyd's agents here, Messrs M. Glynn and Sons, shortly after six o'clock and the passenger steamer Shannon, belonging to the Waterford Steamship Company, in command of Captain Colivet went to the assistance of the Admiral de Courmeliur, then three hours ashore, and towed her back safely to the roads. A report went about that the ship was making water but the master, Captain Tenouol, when questioned on that point, gave an emphatic denial to the statement. He is proceeding seawards tomorrow morning. The weather has now considerably improved, but a heavy sea, is running outside.