May, 2021
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Cycling at the Turn of the 20th Century [Updated]
Danny Dowling recorded the names of local people who were the first to own bicycles as well as information concerning the brands or types of bicycles purchased. Please see our post of 28 December 2019 for the details.
The young men and women of the 1890’s were the first to have access to what were known as the early “safety bicycles.” These bicycles replaced the dangerous penny farthings. By the end of the decade the price of bicycles declined and their popularity in Ireland increased. The fall in the price of bicycles was due to new methods of mass production and fierce international competition resulted in bicycles being made affordable to more people which in turn paved the way for a social revolution in terms of recreation and transport. “Previous distances which may have taken the best part of a day could now be easily done within an hour” (Barry Shepherd, The Irish Story blog, 7 Nov. 2019 “Recycling History: The Bicycle and Protest in Ireland“). One common problem across Ireland was the state of road surfaces.
Shepherd has noted that at the same time cycling was becoming popular in Ireland there was a cultural revolution rapidly spreading across the country, revitalising the Irish language, literature and sport that eventually reached politics. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) was founded in late 1884 and immediately sought to incorporate field sports, athletics and cycling under its control. Earlier in 1884 the Irish Cycling Association (ICA) had been founded. The rivalry between the two groups continued until 1910 when the ICA ceased operating. Irish cycling clubs attached to preservation and language revival groups at the turn of the 20th century became very popular.
The activities of the first generation who took up cycling not only changed their own lives but changed society as a whole. For example, people living in rural areas, such as Glenmore, the bicycle dramatically increased the number of potential spouses as they were able to socialize more frequently and meet others outside the parish. As the price of bicycles decreased in the 1890’s it became increasingly possible for working class women to purchase bicycles. The bicycle was not only a symbol of, but also a means of achieving freedoms for women (William Manners, “The Secret History of 19th Century Cyclists,” The Guardian, 9 June 2015).
One of the liberated ladies who had “a machine” had a bit of a crash in Waterford in 1899 which was reported in the Munster Express (Sat. 2 December 1899, p. 5). On the first of December sometime between one and two in the afternoon an English lady, who was visiting friends in Catherine street, Waterford, had an “exciting and perilous experience.” While riding her bicycle out of Syme’s Lane on to the Waterside she turned in the direction of the park “and something went wrong.” The lady and her machine splashed into John’s Pill “to the utter astonishment of some men in a barge belonging to Messrs Murphy Brothers, who fortunately were working in their boat near at hand. They promptly assisted the lady to terre firma very wet, considerably frightened, but otherwise none the worse for her impromptu bath. Her great anxiety when on land once more was as to the fate of the machine, which was ultimately fished out of the river, and handed to its damp but grateful owner.”
In 1900 the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway time table (p. 17) advertised special fares for cyclists. The railway would convey the owner’s bicycle at the owner’s risk from or to Limerick and Waterford to enable cyclists to go out by train and return by road or vice versa. The cyclist fares were available for all trains except the first morning train in each direction. The Munster Express in reviewing the advertised fares observed that “the wording of the directions like the sections in an Act of Parliament, are beautifully ambiguous.” Under the terms of the offer the railway charged five pence more for the carrying of a cycle 8 miles than it would charge a passenger (Munster Express, Sat. 7 July 1900, p. 5). Further afield the Cycling newspaper of Britain began publishing articles about cycle tours in Ireland including a run from Kilkenny to Thurles (Cycling, Sat. 26, April 1902, p. 44) and from Dublin to Killarney by Wicklow which directed cyclists through “New Ross, Glenmore and Waterford.” (Cycling, Sat. 20 July 1901, p. 70). Later in the decade other areas, such as Mullinavat, sought the business of cyclists. “A Pleasant Run for Waterford Cyclists—The Pioneer House, Mullinavat, has opened a rustic Tea Room, for cyclists. D.B.C. charges, pot of tea, 3d; roll and butter, 2d.; cake, 2d; barm-brack freshly cut, 2d; cream, 1d; hams, honey etc. Large parties catered for. Tables reserved if postcard stating hour reaches Manageress, Pioneer House, Mullinavat, same morning (Munster Express, Sat. 16 July 1910, p. 5).”
Glenmore was not immune to the cycling craze and by the turn of the 20th century the Glenmore Cyclists Association was founded. Unfortunately, very little information is available regarding the group, but from a newspaper account it is known that both men and women were members. The following article appeared in the Munster Express (16 March 1901, p. 5)
“A meeting of the Glenmore Cyclists Association was held on last Sunday. Several of the lady members kindly graced the meeting by their presence. After some preliminary business being transacted it was unanimously adopted, on the proposition of Mr. J. Dunphy, seconded by Mr. N. Gaffney, and ably supported by Messrs. J. Fluskey and M. Murphy, that –“We, the members of the Glenmore Cyclists Association, shall take our first run for the season on St. Patrick’s Day, our destination being Tramore. All members are requested to meet at the “Churns” at 12 o’clock sharp.”
A review of the 1901 census provides that N. Gaffney was Nicholas Gaffney who lived in Glenmore Village and was 27 years of age. J. Fluskey was James Fluskey who was 19 in 1901. J. Dunphy may refer to John Dunphy, of Ballyverneen, who was 21 in 1901. Attempting to identify M. Murphy is very problematic as 5 young men named Michael Murphy were found in the 1901 census. The townlands and ages are as follows: Ard Beg (Coolnaleen) aged 19; Ballylammy, aged 19; Ballybrahee, aged 20; Cappagh, aged 22; and Rathinure, aged 22.
To cycle in 1901 from Glenmore to Tramore the main road went through Slieverue Village and the cyclists had to pay a toll to cross the Suir at Waterford city. The old Waterford wooden bridge was called Timbertoes. In early 1908 it was reported in Cycling that the old wooden toll bridge, after 50 years efforts, and a large public demonstration attended by cyclists, was freed. The Waterford Corporation obtained the power for compulsory purchase of Timbertoes and paid the owners £63,885, 17s, 9d, as compensation (Cycling, Wed. 8 Jan. 1908, p. 22).
A couple of months after the Glenmore Cyclists Association’s 1901 run to Tramore the Munster Express (Sat. 15 June 1901, p. 5) reported on a “great bicycle race” which took place on the “New Line” in Glenmore on Sunday evening the 9th of June.
“The favourite won on his old “Dunlop” in a canter. “Jem” was a good second; N.G’s tyre got punctured. “Ter,” said he would not think worth his while to race against any of them. I understand the man on the “rotten bundle of sticks” would have a narrow escape only for the starter.” [It is believed that N.G. refers to Nicholas Gaffney and Ter may refer to Terrence Fluskey who was 16 years of age in 1901. Jem may refer to Jim Fluskey aged 19 in 1901.]
However, at the turn of the 20th century, just like today, not everyone liked cyclists. “A case of unexampled blackguardism occurred on the road from Waterford to Tramore on Sunday,” the 27th of April 1901 when four or five Waterford cyclists encountered a road block. “[S]ome fellows of the ‘pot-boy’ class who seemed to have laid in a larger stock of some intoxicating beverage” stood with their arms locked and blocked the public road. They apparently sought to impose a toll on the cyclists who refused to pay. The editor of the Waterford News & Star advised cyclists subjected to similar insult to thrash the blackguards (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 3 May 1901, p. 3).
Update 2 June 2021–while searching for something else the following was discovered regarding some “fancy trick riders” in Glenmore in 1903. “Our wonderful acrobats and fancy trick cyclists continue to vie with each other at ‘the Churns.’ Martin and Tom are certainly famous, but be h—ls Jimmy hasn’t yet appeared. We all anxiously await next Sunday at six when Tom intends managing four bikes at a time. ‘Tatler'” (Munster Express, 5 Sept. 1903, p.1).
The popularity of bicycles continued to grow as the 20th century progressed, and during the War of Independence the bicycle played an important means of transportation and communication. As we have reported in other blog posts the Crown military authorities severely limited the use of bicycles in some areas in an effort to stop attacks on Crown forces and the R.I.C.. See generally, Barry Shepherd, Recycling History: The Bicycle and Protest in Ireland.
The featured photo above is a Player’s Cigarette Card, courtesy of the New York City Library’s digital collection.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh