Fresh Herrings, Scibs and Red Petticoats
This photograph of a very animated open air fish market was taken about 100 years ago, and shows lots of creels, scibs, various types of basket, a wondrous variety of patterned shawls, petticoats and práiscíns. There seems to be more selling than buying. It must have been very colourful and competitive …. Just imagine them all calling out, in lovely Galway accents, “Fresh Herrings”, “Johnny Dory” etc.The fish market used to be on Bridge Street until they opened the original Wolfe Tone bridge in 1887.The bridge made it easy for Claddagh women to congregate in front of the Spanish Arch to sell their wares.
The fishermen never did any of the selling, it was always the women. Not all the women came to this spot, many walked the streets or the roads in the suburbs with a scib full of fish on their head, knocking on doors trying to sell their product.
Note the boats moored in the bay, the elegant electric light pole to the right of the arch, and the equally elegant gaslight to the left of the arch.
The house we see on the left was occupied by Stephen Joe Joyce who ran Ruane’s fish packing factory in Spanish Parade. Next door was Connolly’s pub (with the porch) and in the corner lived a Mr. Lynskey who was a rope and twine maker. Beside him was Tierney’s grocery, which later became Kelly’s shop, and by now was owned by Tim Shea. The little house beside the arch belonged to Anna Marie Dillon from Nun’s Island.
Johnny Beatty had a forge in the ‘blind’ section of the arch at the time. The high stores you see behind the arch belonged to Tom Keane, and were used for storing carrigeen moss.
TK
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