Carlow County - Ireland Genealogical Projects (IGP ^TM)

Carlow Fire Brigade

Source:   http://www.carlowcountymuseum.com/default.html 

A fighting force for Carlow was established in 1880. It was not until 1937 that £800 was raised by public subscription to purchase the first motorised appliance for the county.

The following is from a newspaper cutting:

According to its edition of 20th September that year the new Fire Engine specially made for the Carlow Town Commissioners by Messrs Shand and Mason, London, which arrived in this Town last week was tested on Tuesday afternoon. “After a minute inspection of the Engine, which is well and tastefully fitted up, and provided with lamps, buckets, portable tank, several length of hose and all other requisites, a pair of horses was attached to the machine, was manned and then driven by Mr R G Johnston, at a smart pace, through the principal streets of the Town. The novel procession attracted a good deal of attention and a considerable crowd subsequently collected at the Quay to witness the test trial, which was considered satisfactory, although the engine was not worked to it’s full power. It is guaranteed to throw a jet of one hundred and thirty foot high”.

Carlow Fire Brigade crew with tender and crew in 1898. Photo Carlow County Museum.

Much credit is given to Mr. Thomas Murphy of the Cross along with others that the Fire Brigade became mechanised. As a member of the Urban District Council he campaigned and pushed for a fire brigade committee to be formed. A fund was established, the people of County Carlow made donations and the Council, both County and Urban supplemented it.

Willie O’Neill 55, Tullow Street was awarded the contact to supply a fire engine for Carlow Fire Brigade and on August 1936, he travelled to London to place an order for a heavy-duty water pump with a firm in Wembley. Shortly afterwards, he purchased a Ford V8 engine and chassis from Cork. Over the following months, Willie assembled and mounted the pump and adapted the power transmission to the Ford gear box. William Purcell and Sons, coach builders, 86 Tullow Street, carried out the carpentry work on the substructure, which accommodated the hoses, extinguishers, axes and other gear, under a sub contract. Others involved who worked in the Garage at the time were Jim O’Brien, Johnny and Dick Hogan and Jack Dillon. The painting was carried out by John Kelly, particularly the lettering on both sides of the appliance. Following a few tests runs the fire appliance was handed over in June 1937.

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In the photo we see U.D.C. chairman accepting the keys from William O'Neill. The vehicle was assembled and stored in his garage in Tullow Street and from there it had attended its first fire in Murphy's of Park. For months the U.D.C had debated whether it could afford to buy uniforms or hose for its volunteer force, now with its Simonis pump and V8 engine it became one of the best equipped fire brigades in the country.

In the background is John O'Brien, weigh master and caretaker. John was born and lived in rooms situated under the Town Hall; a cloths line is erected in his front porch

Source: Michael Purcell

Source:  http://www.carlowcountymuseum.com/default.html