Killiney in 1911

== Introduction ==
1911 was a good year in terms of the recording of people and events and in this article we present some of this source material which may be of interest to anyone researching their Killiney ancestors or those who have a general interest in the history of Killiney and its inhabitants.
Part 1 is the Killiney and Ballybrack entry from Porter’s Post Office Guide and Directory for Kingstown, Blackrock, Cabinteely, Dalkey, Ballybrack, Killiney, Shankill and Neighbourhood of 1911. This scarce document is similar to the more widely known Thom’s Directory and we were fortunate to have been given a photocopy of the original Killiney/Ballybrack section by Anna and Colin Scudds, of the Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society, which we transcribe here. We also include images of a selection of the adverts which were placed by local businesses and tradespeople in the directory. This guide and listing provides an insight into the lives and times of the more affluent members of Killiney society and is a snapshot in time of a changing environment which would be hastened by events which were unfolding both locally and farther afield.
Part 2 is our extract from the 1911 census records for the Killiney area which is currently the most recent census data available. The Irish Census of 1921 was cancelled due to the on-going War of Independence and it was not until 1926 that it was finally completed. This data will not be released until 2026 due to the 100 year rule. Thus the returns of 1911 represent a valuable source of information which covers all the inhabitants of Killiney. Quite a detailed level of information is provided on each individual including occupation/birthplace/religion/family size/age etc. The data allows for a close examination of the structure of society in the district and is both interesting and insightful on a personal as well as general level. We have created a searchable table which can be filtered by each category recorded. For example, there are 117 gardeners listed out of a total population of 1,794.
Part 3 covers the big society event of the year which was the Royal Visit of King George V. The well to do of Killiney were greatly involved with the welcoming party and the prominence of Killiney Hill played a big part in the celebrations. We also include a selection of newspaper cuttings of other less significant, but none the less interesting, events which took place that year.
== Part 1. Porter’s Post Office Guide and Directory ==
=== KILLINEY and BALLYBRACK. ===
These two interesting Villages, with the hamlet of Loughlinstown, were formed into a township on the 18th of July, 1866. The present valuation is £12,910. The latest suburban rate is 4s. 6d. in the pound. The district is managed by an Urban District Council, consisting of the following members:—Chairman, Reginald T. Meagher; Vice-Chairman, Francis B. Ormsby; Councillors—Wm. Jennings Bramley, J.P. ; George Browne, D.L. ; James E. Day, Wm. Meagher, Hamilton Ormsby, A.H., D.L.; John R. O’Connell, LL.D.; Wm. J. Shannon, Joseph Ward, J.P.; Howard A. Waterhouse, E. B. Healy; Clerk, Robert Cunningham; Surveyor, J. M. Mitchell; Medical Officer of Health, W. M. Wright, M.D.; Sanitary Sub Officer and Water Inspector, John Montgomery; Local Government Auditor, J. A. Baker. The Council control the sanitary arrangements, water supply, and care of highways and footpaths. Area of the district, 1,010 acres. Population, 2,910. There are about 450 houses, of which only eight are unoccupied. The Hill Of Killiney—Cill-Ingen-Leinin (The Church of the Daughters of Leinin), is 9 miles from Dublin and 1 from Dalkey. It is charmingly situated, commanding magnificent sea and mountain views. Nearly all the residences have a southern aspect. There are many ‘very fine mansions studded over the district, most of them detached, and convey an impression of neatness, dignity, and repose not to be found to the same extent in any other part of Ireland. The gardens, shrubberies, enclosures and roads are remarkably well: kept. It is a purely residential neighbourhood, chiefly occupied by the nobility, clergy, gentry, professional classes, and merchant princes of Dublin. There is a beautiful beach extending along the shore for nearly two miles. It is not generally regarded as a pleasure resort, nor is it the wish of the inhabitants that it should be so, although the temperature is very equable and the death rate very low. As a winter residence it gains considerably from the formation of the surrounding mountains, which break and intercept the rain clouds, and consequently lessen the rainfall.
The enterprising Council have recently constructed a number of excellent labourers’ cottages, to which is attached gardens of sufficient size when properly cultivated to produce sufficient vegetables throughout the year. The average rental is about 2s. weekly. Private enterprise has also done a great deal in this direction. There is an excellent water supply, and a very efficient railway service from Killiney or Shankhill to Dublin. Elementary education is provided for by the National Schools, the Church of Ireland School, so ably conducted by Miss de Saix, being one of the best managed, neatest, and most successful National Schools in Ireland. The Catholic School is conducted by Miss Roche, with an average attendance of about 100 (mixed), and the result of recent examinations prove conclusively the efficiency and high standing of the school. Charabancs run during the season from Dalkey Railway Station at frequent intervals to the Victoria Hotel, where dinners, lunches, teas, and all kinds of refreshments are provided at moderate charges.
=== CATHOLIC CHURCH. ===
According to Dr. Petro, the first Catholic Church of Killiney was coeval with the ruins of Glendalough, and dated back to the late sixth or early seventh century. It is situated on the slopes of Killiney Hill, quickly although somewhat laboriously reached by the steep footpath leading up the Hill from the Railway Station. Fifty years ago it stood in the open fields, a picture in the landscape. It was approached from the main road by a rude boreen, on the left hand side of which stood a cairn station, or altar, and close by a thorn tree, which must have been centuries old. Both tree and cairn were considered by the people to have been very sacred, but cairn and tree have disappeared, and the earthen fence which surrounded the churchyard has given place to an ugly stone wall erected according to the then unsympathetic standards of the local Poor Law Guardians. The church originally consisted of nave and choir or chancel, though, the latter is a very rare feature in old Celtic churches. Nave and choir are connected by semi-circular arch, with inclined jambs, such as are to be seen in the original doorway in the west gable. At a period long subsequent to its foundation, but previous to the visit of our Norman friends, an addition was made on its northern side, which may be regarded as an aisle, connected with the primitive structure by openings broken in the north side of the wall. This old pile was either dedicated to or founded by the daughters of Leinin—five in number—Druigen, Loigen, Luicell, Macha. and Rionhtach, according to the Martyrology of Donegal, and supposed to have flourished in the sixth century. The original doorway in the west gable is a: splendid example of its class, and possesses a remarkable feature in having carved in relief on the underside of its lintel what is regarded by some as a Greek Cross. The entire length of the building is 35 feet; its breadth of nave 12 1/2 feet; in the chancel 9 feet 6 inches. Father Bat. Sheridan secured the site for the present church, and a splendid new church of considerable size and architectural design was constructed—no one seemed to know how, for there were no collections or meetings or bazaars. The neighbourhood was no longer the desert it had been since the Reformation; but was gradually being seized upon for building Plots, on which handsome and commodious mansions and villa residences were being run up rapidly, and in a trice Killiney and Ballybrack became the most fashionable suburb of Dublin. In 1856 the new church was solemnly opened and dedicated to St. Alphonsus and St. Columba. Father John: Harold then took charge, and was succeeded by Dr. Forest first, and in 1859 by the Rev. Joseph Flanagan. This arrangement continued until the death of Father Sheridan in 1862, when rumours of a dividing up of the parish became prevalent. When Glasthule, Dalkey, and Killiney were made a new parish in 1863, with Rev. John Harold as first’ P P., with the administration of Cabinteely and Little Bray, during the period Father Harold was curate, he collected over £600 towards the erection of a parochial residence, and built a commodious presbytery, with coach-house and stables, at a total cost of £1,600. Finding the parish too large for him, he prayed to be relieved of Cabinteely and Little Bray, and these entered upon a new career. Little Bray was made into a separate parish, under the administration of the Rev. James Healy. known as the greatest wit of the nineteenth century. Father Joseph Flanagan was then in Ballybrack. In April, 1868, Father John Harold, who shortly before had been made canon. Father D. Heffernan was then in residence. Father George Harold followed, and remained until 1876. He was succeeded by the Rev. Robert Conlan, who amongst other improvements provided a fine toned bell, which had to remain in a wooden shelter until the present graceful spire was erected. The present Archdeacon of Glendalough, Very Rev. Timothy Gorman, followed. The Very Rev. George Harold took up residence in 1881 in the new Presbytery in Glasthule, and in 1882 Father Gorman and Father O’Hea, now the esteemed Canon Michael O’Hea, exchanged places, the latter being the present popular Parish Priest of Killiney, Ballybrack, Shankhill, and Loughlinstown. There is also a parish church (of Ireland) in Ballybrack.
=== HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, KILLINEY. ===
This church, situated on Killiney Hill and well-known to all visitors to that well- known resort, was erected in 1869 on a site given by Mr. Robert Warren. It cost £4,500, and is in the early English style, with transepts and apsidal chancel. The fittings comprise a fine organ, which has been lately rebuilt at a cost of £240: a pulpit, costing £154, erected by the Misses Waterhouse to the memory of the late Mr. S. Waterhouse; besides a lectern, font, prayer desk, and several stained glass windows and monuments, all either gifts or erected to the memory of deceased parishioners. The church can accommodate over 250 persons. The first Incumbent was the Rev. James Bell, who was succeeded by the Rev. Canon Staveley. The present Incumbent is the Rev. Canon Stoney, treasurer of Christ Church Cathedral, and one of the Lord Lieutenant’s Chaplains There is an attractive rectory attached to the living, and a parochial school for the children of Holy Trinity and the adjoining parish.
== ... ==
VICTORIA Hill, known as Killiney Park, was acquired by the Queen’s Jubilee Memoriai Association on the 21st of June, 1887, being the day appointed for the celebration of the 50th year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Opened as a public park by H.R. Highness Prince Albert Victor of Wales. Trustees—The Earl of Meath, Lord Ardilaun, Sir Edward Cecil Guinness, Bart.; Sir Richard Martin, Bart.; Hon. F. R. Falkiner, Q.C., Recorder of Dublin; Thomas Pim, jun., J.P.; James Talbot Power, DL.; Samuel S. Waterhouse, J.P.; John R. Wigham, J.P. Transferred under the Open Spaces to the Commissioners of Killiney and Ballybrack, July, 1891. Captain P. Stewart, chairman of the Commissioners; Robert Cunningham, Town Clerk; Andrew Murdagh, Park Keeper.
== ... ==
KILLINEY GOLF LINKS is beautifully situated on the western slopes of Killiney Hill. It covers 45 acres, and is under the very capable control of a committee of local gentlemen, of which Captain E. P. Stewart is the chairman. The views from all parts of the links are simply charming, even in the winter. Visitors are admitted at a fee of 1s. per day. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 2s. each, or £1 per month. Mr. James Davies is the manager and professional golfer. He holds the record of the United Kingdom.
BALLYBRACK POST OFFICE. Money orders, Savings Bank, Parcel Post, Telegrams, Insurance, Annuity, Express Delivery. Mrs. Anne Montgomery, postmistress.
KILLINEY POST OFFICE. Money Orders, Telegrams, and Savings Bank, etc. Mrs. Maxwell, postmistress.
ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY, Sergeant Wm. Brunt and 4 Constables.
== Selection of adverts which appeared in Porter’s Directory of 1911 ==
File:Advert-for-Victoria-Arms- 30102021-1024x783.jpg
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File:A1.jpg
== Killiney alphabetical list ==
of Nobility, Clergy, Gentry, Professional Classes, Private Residents and Traders
(Properties which are highlighted are featured in more detail on this website, click to view)
== Ballybrack alphabetical list ==
== Part 2. Census of 1911 ==
=== Introduction ===
The National Archives of Ireland website has made available on-line the census returns for the 32 counties for 1901 and 1911. We have extracted and combined the records from the townlands and districts which we believe best represent the Killiney area. A total of 1,794 individual records are available to search here. We have also included Ballybrack in this listing as there is much overlap between the two districts. Killiney-Ballybrack Township was established on 18 July 1866 and was designated as an Urban District Council in 1898. The combined areas were generally treated as one entity up until 1930 when they were amalgamated with the Urban District Councils of Blackrock, Dalkey, and Dun Laoghaire to create Dun Laoghaire Corporation.
== The townlands of Killiney ==
== Part 3. Royal Visit ==
The main event of the year was the Royal visit of King George V and Queen Mary which commenced on Friday 7th July 1911. Killiney was to feature in a significant way as the Royal Fleet was to anchor in Scotsman’s Bay. A welcoming committee was set up to mark the occasion with fireworks and bonfires, although all did not go quite according to plan.
=== Illumination of Killiney Hill. Irish Times, 30th June, 1911. ===
Last evening a meeting of ladies and gentlemen was held in the Town Hall, Killiney, for the purpose of considering means to raise funds to carry out a scheme for illuminating Victoria Hill, Killiney, in honour of the visit of King George and Queen Mary. Mr R.T. Meagher, J.P. Chairman of the Urban Council, presided. There were also present Mr. George Brown D.L., Major Blake, Messrs Henry Pemberton, Joseph Ward J.R., George Stewart D.L., Miss Stronge, W. Lloyd, Captain Stewart J.P., R.H. Jebb, Miss A. Waterhouse, Miss E. Waterhouse and James E. Day.
Mr. L. Waldron wrote suggesting that some fete should be given to the children. The Chairman, in opening, said that they were met to discuss the question of what part they in Killiney should take in the welcome that was to be universally accorded to Their Majesties in the County Dublin on their arrival in Ireland. It was only right and fitting that they should do so, for on the occasion of the visits of Their late Majesties Queen Victoria and King Edward Killiney was very prominent and the residents came forward in a very generous manner in subscribing for illuminations in Victoria Park. He was quite certain that on this occasion the project would receive generous support. Their Majesties’ arrangements had been slightly altered. Instead of arriving on Saturday morning they were to anchor in Kingstown on the evening of Friday the 7th. If it were possible to have the illuminations on Friday evening they would be in full view of the Royal Yacht as well as of the fleet. It would be a great matter if it could be so arranged, and they would be sure to get much greater support. If they could get sufficient funds to make the illuminations really effective, they would certainly present a very fine sight to the Royal Yacht and the fleet, Killiney Hill being such a prominent landmark on the coast of South County Dublin.
The Hon. Secretary stated that they had already received £20 towards the project. Mr. Stewart said on a former occasion they paid £50 for fireworks. They received £100 on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s visit and had a bonfire and gave a fete to the children. The Chairman said they would require a minimum of about £70.
Mr. Stewart proposed that the proceedings of the informal committee which had met during the week be ratified and that it be decided to illuminate Victoria hill in honour of Their Majesties’ visit on the evening of Friday 7th prox. He said they had now the advantage that the illuminations would be seen both by Their Majesties and the Fleet.
Mr. Brown seconded the motion which was adopted. Mr. Ward proposed that a committee with power to add to their numbers be appointed to carry out the terms of the resolution. Major Blake seconded, and the motion was adopted.
Some discussions took place as to the advisability of having a bonfire. The chairman said a bonfire would be very dangerous at that time of the year and if the timber were ignited the appearance of the hill would be spoiled for years. In reply to Mr. Stewart the Chairman said they could not very well admit the public to the hill on the night as they had no means of policing it. On former occasions the public had been excluded. It was decided to enter into a contract with Messrs. Hudson, the Irish firework firm, for the supply of illuminants for the obelisk and fireworks. Mr. Stewart suggested that the display should be begun with a Royal salute of 21 guns, and conclude with a bouquet of flowers. This was enthusiastically adopted. The committee then adjourned for the purpose of raising the necessary funds.
=== Newspaper reports of the visit ===
The complimentary press reports of the Killiney illuminations belied the reality of what transpired on the night. It turns out the results were a little more dramatic than expected as a report in the Dublin Daily Express a few days later suggests.
File:Dublin-Daily-Express-08-July-1911.png
File:Weekly-Irish-Times-15-July-1911.png
File:Dublin-Daily-Express-20-July-1911-Fire-on-hill.png
File:Killiney hill burnt-KH.jpg
File:Arrival-of-barge-1911-KH2-1-1024x846.jpg
File:Dublin-Evening-Mail-15-July-1911.png
Blogpost by: Bernard Kelly, Historian in Residence, Dublin City Library and Archive.
The visit did not go unopposed. Dublin Corporation, dominated by nationalist councillors, did not play a part in the Royal Visit, and republicans were unsurprisingly against the whole thing. James Connolly wrote:  ‘All these parading royalties, all this insolent aristocracy, all these grovelling, dirt-eating capitalist traitors, all these are but signs of disease in any social state – diseases which a royal visit brings to a head and spews in all its nastiness before our horrified eyes.’ With republicanism on the rise and revolution in the air, George would be the last British monarch to visit Ireland until Elizabeth II in 2011.
== A selection of miscellaneous newspaper cuttings from 1911 ==
File:Evening-Irish-Times-20-January-1911-speeding-fine.png
File:Dublin-Evening-Mail-18-September-1911.png
File:Evening-Irish-Times-28-February-1911.png
File:Irish-Times-03-January-1911-Suffraget.png
File:Dublin-Daily-Express-07-September-1911-Furious-riding.png
File:Wicklow-News-Letter-and-County-Advertiser-16-December-1911.png
File:Dublin-Daily-Express-10-April-1911.png
File:Dublin-Evening-Mail-25-May-1911-Housing.png
File:Evening-Irish-Times-24-July-1911-Industrial-show.png
File:Dublin-Daily-Express-15-April-1911-Rainfall.png
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File:Dublin-Daily-Express-20-July-1911-Fire-on-hill.png
File:Dublin-Daily-Express-08-July-1911.png
== Newsreel clip of the arrival of the Royal Barge at Kingstown Harbour ==
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