Sand on the River Suir

An interview By David Rowe

  1. Where on the River was the sand taken from
  2. Dourane Store Road May field Thurkstown
  3. What dept of sand ?

1 to 4 ft deep

  1. How was it taken from the river with and what was it transported away from the river?
  2. It was shovelled manually off the bank into the boats which were called Barges and Liothers.

    Dredging for sand

  3. When did people start taken it from the river?
  4. At the start of 19th Century
  5. When did stop?
  6. About 1975
  7. How many people were employed
  8. 2-3 people per boat
  9. How much did it make what year?
  10. At the start of Century 4p per tonne and at present £10 per tonne
  11. Where was the sand taken to ?
  12. Mainly sold in Waterford
  13. Any buildings built with this sand ?
  14. Parish Priests house and Covenent old Ardkeen and all local schools around
  15. Any accidents ?
  16. No
  17. How did they know where the sand bank was ?
  • They pulled the ship in between sally trees the anchor was dropped beside the barge of

    Sand and the tide went out they got out of the ship and shovelled the sand in until the tide rose again .They sailed off to where they were going to sell the sand . The sand would be back the next day.

    •

    Well  known  Knocknagow , now in Kilkenny

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