One Hundred Years Ago: The Peace Christmas 1921

In December 1921, most of the local newspapers referred to the impending Christmas as the Peace Christmas. The War of Independence had ended, the fragile truce was holding and the Civil War although smouldering did not commence until June of 1922. Below are a selection of events, advertisements, prices and wages reaped from local newspapers in December 1921 prior to Christmas. In 1921 these local newspapers could be purchased for 2d (2 pence).

Royal Proclamation Regarding Internees

At the beginning of December 1921, it was reported that a Royal Proclamation was issued ordering the immediate release of interned prisoners. On Thursday the 15th of December 5,000 men, who were never charged, were to be released. It was further reported that an English Press Agency had provided that the question of amnesty for all Irish political prisoners are discussed at the Conferences, but it was decided to leave the matter to be adjusted after the ratification of the terms of the Agreement by the British and Irish Parliaments (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Dec. 1921, p. 4).

On Thursday the 8^th a large number of prisoners and internees, including two belonging to Waterford, arrived in Waterford by the 8 o’clock train from Maryborough. They were met at the station by a huge crowd carrying Sinn Fein flags.  As the train steamed in many fog signals were exploded and bonfires blazed on the rock overhanging the station. On the same date two prisoners were released from the Waterford jail, Miss Cullanane, of Kilmacthomas and Miss Lilian Hawe, of Cobh (Munster Express, Sat. 10 Dec.1921, p. 5)

Across the river in County Kilkenny the entire population of the Walsh Mountains went to Mullinvat on the 16th to welcome home the released prisoners. The street of Mullinavat was decorated and the windows of the houses illuminated. In the centre of the village an enormous bonfire blazed that burned for several days. The surrounding hills were also ablaze with bonfires. The released men were R. Foskin; J. Foskin, P. MacDonald; P. Raftis; J. Durney; and M. McGrath (Munster Express, Sat. 17 Dec. 1921, p. 5).

1921 Local Christmas Shopping & Business Advertisements

In reviewing local newspapers from December 1921 there are a couple of surprising items. The abbreviation “Xmas” is used in most local business advertisements. The second surprise was the fact that many local businesses advertised a wide range of Christmas gifts for sale which were well outside the type of items or goods usually sold by the business. For example, Murphy’s Bakery, on John Street in New Ross informed shoppers that “now is the time to make your selection of Christmas Presents—Great Variety of Toys, games and fancy goods and proclaimed that it was the house for china and delph (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 December 1921, p. 4).

Christmas Turkey

It was reported in the New Ross Standard that nearly 15,000 turkeys were “despatched” from New Ross by local buyers with nearly £10,000 being paid for the turkeys Amongst the turkeys brought into Ross during the past few weeks were a few cocks that weighed 27 lbs. each. (New Ross Standard,  Fri. 23 Dec. 1921, p. 4).

The Wexford Poultry Society placed the following verse in the New Ross Standard to promote their product (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Dec. 1921, p. 2).

Turkeys. Turkeys. Turkeys. 
What is home without a mother? 
Or what is Christmas Day without a turkey? 
We tell the truth, we don’t tell lies, 
We have the finest turkeys every size. 
Come early and avoid the rush, 
If you are satisfied tell others, if not tell us.

Other Foods for the Festive Season

James Fleming of New Ross advertised for Xmas 1921… a choice selection of goods suitable for the festive season including: meats of every kind; finest young beef and mutton; bacon of every description; hams; sausages; rashers; and heads etc. Also, Fleming claimed the best selected teas, new fruits and new season’s jams and every variety of Jacob’s biscuits and cakes—Plum, Cherry, Ginger, etc. Only the best brands stocked. SOLD AT LOWEST FIGURES.  However, no prices were provided to test if the prices were the lowest (New Ross Standard, Fri. 23 Dec. 1921, p. 1).

The London & Newcastle Tea Co. at 3 Charles St., New Ross provided some prices for “Xmas Groceries” but sent out a slightly garbled message to customers.  “Shop early in the week and early in the day if possible, but if not come any time. Best Value in the Trade. Raisins from 1/-per lb. Currants from 7 ½ d per lb.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Dec. 1921, p. 6).

C. Sheehan & Sons, Bridge St., New Ross appealed to potential customers by advertising “All our goods are plainly marked in our windows. Shop with the firm that displays prices and stocks only the best.” Their advertised special included fancy boxed fruit from 1/-; South African oranges from 1/- per dozen; and tinned meats, potted meats; brawn from 10d. per lb.; onions, 4s per stone and Irish cheddar cheese, 1 /4 per lbs. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Dec. 1921, p. 5).

The most straightforward advertisements came from Murray’s Victuallers, of South St., New Ross and William Aylward Family Grocer of O’Connell Street and Thomas St., Waterford.  Murray’s “Ye Olde Butchers’ Shop (established over 50 years)” had prime beef and mutton for Christmas “specially fed on my own lands” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Dec. 1921, p. 5). William Aylward was a native of Parkstown, Glenmore and in addition to groceries sold tea, wine and spirits. In December 1921 the word Christmas or Xmas does not appear in his advertisements. However, he offered “stabling accommodation free to customers” (Munster Express, Sat. 10 Dec. 1921, p. 3).

Christmas Presents

Moran Brothers Printers and Stationers of New Ross advertised a number of items including: Christmas and New Year cards, religious cards and markers, children’s gift books and annuals, prayer books, writing cases, wallets, pocket books, fountain pens, photo frames and stationary cabinets (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Dec. 1921, p. 1).

Doyle and Dillon Jewellers, of 76 Quay, Waterford stated “gifts that last are the gifts to give.” They noted that they had Christmas presents of silver or plate ranging from 2/6 to £50. They advertised silver candlestick from 25 per pair; silver mounted salad bowl and servers from £6 6s; and a cut glass butter dish with lid and stand from 10/- (Munster Express, Sat. 17 Dec. 1921 p. 1). Zimber Brothers Jewellers, of 7 Charles St., New Ross advertised alarm clocks for 7s 6d (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 dec. 1921, p. 6). Next door, R.G. Vickers, watchmakers, jewellers, and opticians (late Fegan) of 5 Charles St. offered gold expanding bracelet watches from £3.18s.6d; ladies’ wrist watches from 15s; and alarm clocks from 3 s. 11d. Vickers also noted that it had “a choice selection of spider jewellery” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 dec. 1921, p. 8).

Clothing

Very few businesses advertised in a newspaper in another town or city. One exception was the Phelan Brothers, of George St., Waterford who advertised in the New Ross Standard as well as the Munster Express. Phelan Brothers, was also unique because it had the largest ads taking up a fourth of the newspaper page. In an effort to avoid the continued boycotting of non-Irish goods the Phelan Brothers noted that they were the “Cheapest Drapery and Boot Stores in Ireland,” and 75 per cent of their goods were Irish made. Within the long list of items on sale several of the items were army surplus such as socks and blankets. Phelan Brothers stated, “We pay carriage on all orders over £1. All enquiries when accompanied with remittance to cover cost of postage will be attended to as quickly as possible…” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Dec. 1921, p. 5).

French and Hayden, The Cloth Hall, New Ross were selling men’s heavy tweed overcoats at 33s that cost £3 to make; men’s Irish-made trousers at 20s; boys’ suits, 16s, 11d; men’s shirts 3 s, 11d; inside cotton pants and vest, 2s, 6d [long underwear]…all wool socks 1s 2d; ladies’ all wool tweed coats, 19s 6d; tweed costumes, 45s; raincoats 24s; tweed skirts 3s 11d; and heavy ribbed stockings 1s, 2d (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Dec. 1921, p. 4).

Edward Deevy and Co. of 1 & 2 Michael St. and 54-55-56-57-58 & 59 Patrick St., Waterford, in addition to having unusual addresses advertised gents overcoats 35s. up; suits from 35 s. up..caps from 1s each…soft hats from 8s. 6d; ladies’ handkerchiefs neatly boxed from 1s. 3d. per box (of half dozen) to 15s.; scarves from 2s 6d to 45 s.  “Dressmaking department—have our expert cutter make you a costume. Now taking orders…navy serge costume to order £3 10s.; tweed costume to order, in ten colours £2 19s 6d. Orders executed strictly in rotation (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 9 Dec. 1921, p. 1).

Santa & Toys

The vast majority of 1921 Christmas advertisements in local newspapers do not mention toys or Santa Claus. Santa Claus only appears on the pages of the Waterford News & Star in December 1921.  Edward Deevy & Co. with the unusual address in Waterford stated that they were the “store of Christmas spirit,” and their advertisement had a drawing of the head of Santa. “Santa Claus has arrived with his trunks full of toys for the children…it will be a treat don’t let them miss it” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 9 Dec. 1921, p. 1). Thanks to the Deevy ads we have a list of some of the toys available in 1921 for those who could afford them. Deevey shamelessly advertised “Toys in great variety for the kiddies—do not deny the little ones the treat of inspecting our huge collection of toys. Santa Claus has made our shop his headquarters, and has brought with him a present for everyone including: coloured lead soldiers; bugles; tops; musical boxes; dolls’ sets of kitchen and table utensils; teddy bears; mechanical trains; xmas stockings; dressed and undressed dolls; etc. etc. Come along and see them—it does not matter whether you buy or not” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 2 Dec. 1921, p. 11).

John Carroll & Co., 47 Quay, Waterford utilized a full drawing of Santa Claus in their advertisement in the Waterford News & Star (Fri. 9 Dec. 1921, p. 4). Although Robertson, Ledlie, Ferguson & Co., the Quay, Waterford (now Shaw’s Dept. Store) made no reference to Santa Claus, it did declare itself Waterford’s greatest store for Christmas gifts. “Our great xmas bazaar and toy fair is in full swing. Immense variety of toys; dolls; games; motor cars; scooters; engines and hundreds of other choice gifts suitable for xmas presents” (Munster Express, Sat. 10 Dec. 1921, p. 2).

Charity

The New Ross Standard carried several articles in December advertising the Annual Pound Day which was to take place on 2 January 1922 to raise funds for the County Wexford Infirmary. Readers were asked to bring or send a pound of anything, money, Foodstuffs etc. to the Institution or to Mrs. G.H. Fitzgerald, Johnstown Castle, Wexford. “FUNDS MORE URGENTLY NEEDED THAN EVER” (Fri. 23 Dec. 1921, p. 9).  It was widely reported that by the end of January the workhouse system would end and institutions caring for the poor were scrambling seeking funding.

Wages

The New Ross Market, held in mid-December 1921 had the following reported prices paid to farmers for their produce: turkeys, 10d to 1s per lb; geese, 7d to 9d per lb; ducks, 6d per lb.; chickens, 1s per lb; hens, 6d per lb; eggs, 2s 6d per dozen; butter, 1s.3d per lb; and potatoes, 6d. per stone, wholesale (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Dec. 1921, p. 8).

On Christmas Eve it was reported in the Munster Express that the County Council of Kilkenny had announced and endorsed a plan to reduce the wages of its road workers by 7 shillings per week representing a reduction of a quarter of the wages of a road worker. This proposal to cut the wages of road workers was made to tackle high unemployyment. It was thought that if wages were reduced more men could be hired. It was noted that agricultural labourers were earning 30 shillings per week and were better off than the road workers because the agricultural labourers were in constant employment while the roadmen only worked part of the year. After objections and discussion, it was agreed that for employees earning £2 or more would have their wage reduced by 7 shillings per week, and employees on lower wages would have their wages reduced by 5 shillings per week (Munster Express, Sat. 24 Dec. 1921, p. 5).

Glenmore in the News

The only article concerning Glenmore just prior to Christmas 1921 noted that a branch of the Gaelic League was started in Glenmore Parish, where a “most successful” meeting in furtherance of the League’s objects was held. “The special schoolroom in which the inaugural meeting was held was not equal to accommodating the large numbers present.” Nicholas O’Currin (sic), the teacher in the old Glenmore Boys’ School directed the meeting. (Munster Express, Sat. 10 Dec.1921 p. 6).

Please send any errors or omissions to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

The photo to the right is St. James Catholic Church, of Glenmore, with a Christmas tree in front. The photo was taken Christmas Eve 2021.

The featured photo above is a photo of the Glenmore Village Christmas tree and light display 2021.

We wish all our readers a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year!

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh