The Story Of Our Antique Slate
Each type of slate used by Slateways has a unique story and pedigree in Irish heritage. Our wine coloured slate was introduced to this country from Portland, UK, as far back as 1680. The Blue Bangor slate, quarried in Wales, dates back to the 1890s.
Slate From Dungarvan Workhouse
Construction of the workhouse began in 1839 and was completed in the summer of 1841, It was designed by George Wilkinson in a Tudor/Elizabethan style and was deemed capable of housing 600 inmates. At the height of the Famine it housed over two thousand inmates from all over West Waterford. The building was divided into three sections. The entrance building housed the board room, clerk's office, waiting room and porter's office. Behind this was the main building which contained the school rooms and wards for the elderly and infirm. In the centre of the block were the master's and matron's apartments. Connected to this block was a long narrow building containing the kitchens, dining hall and chapel. This section connected with the final part of the complex - the infirmary.
Slate From St. Carthages Cathedral, Lismore
St. Carthage's Cathedral in Lismore was first constructed in the 12th Century and is named after St. Carthage or Mochuda who founded a church, monastery and school in Lismore in 635. In the early 17th century the Cathedral was burnt by the White Knight. Richard Boyle Earl of Cork, reroofed the choir. The Cathedral was again destroyed in the Cromwellian period. It was rebuilt between 1663 and 1679 under the supervison of architect William Robinson. The attractive entrance gates and piers were erected in 1811.
Slate From Kilmacthomas Workhouse
Kilmacthomas Poor Law Union was created on 7 June 1850. It comprised of the eastern part of Dungarvan Union and the western part of Waterford Union. The Union covered an area of 107 miles and included Kilmacthomas, Annestown, Ballylaneen, Carrigcastle, Comeragh, Dunhill, Fews, Gardenmorris, Newtown, Stradbally, Tinnasaggart, Kilbarrymeaden and Georgetown. The workhouse building designed by George Wilkinson was erected on a six acre site at a cost of over £6000. The workhouse closed in 1919.
Slate From Villierstown
Our green slate was quarried by the Villiers Stewart family of Dromana House, Villierstown c. 1848. The present Dromana House dates to c.1675 incorporating part of the mediaeval tower house built by the Fitzgeralds c.1475. In the 1780s a large house was built in front of this structure by George Mason Villiers, 2nd earl of Grandison. Henry Villiers Stuart made further improvement in the 1840s. The 18th century portion of the house was demolished in 1966. The unique Hindu- Gothic style gateway was erected in 1849 to a design by Martin Day.
Slate From Kilrossanty Church
The present church was built and designed in 1840 by the Rev. Richard Power P.P. who also rebuilt Fews church at the same period. The church is Gothic in style and cruciform in plan. It replaced an earlier church built in 1802. The graveyard had been laid out in 1828. According to the historian, Canon Power, Father Power was a bit of an inventor who invented an improved plough, and an ingenious method of propelling a boat by paddles..etc' The ruins of the ancient church still stand and nearby are three holy wells.
Slate From Clashmore
The Clashmore Slate we use was quarried c. 1850 and used to roof the houses of local farmers.
Slate From The Waterford Dungarvan & Lismore Railway Lodges
The Waterford, Dungarvan & Lismore Railway (W.D. & L. R.) was opened to rail users on 12th August, 1878 and provided an important link in the Mallow to Waterford route. The construction of the line was costly and difficult, carried out by two contractors: Smith Finlayson of London and J. W. S. Stanford of Dublin. There were 53 level crossings between Waterford and Lismore. Each of the crossings had lodges associated with them to house the person who operated the level crossing.
Slate From Glendine National School
In 1831 the Irish National School system was set up to educate the poor of the country. One of the earliest National Schools set up in under this initiative was Glendine National School, built in the early 1830's. We have sourced Black Flint Slate from this school which has seen the education of many generations of West Waterford children.