A pic from the past

Each week, PICS FROM THE PAST features a different old photograph, postcard, print or piece of memorabilia that captures the people, places and memories of long ago, offering a fascinating glimpse into Ireland’s past.

This week’s pic from the past is a 1940s postcard featuring Inchydoney Ocean Hotel – as it was then called – located on “the island” just 3km from the town of Clonakilty in West Cork. If you can identify either of the two men pictured in the foreground, please do let us know in the comments below.

Inchydoney Hotel

Built in the late 1920s or early 1930s by P. W. O’Donovan, Inchydoney Hotel occupied 150 acres of grounds and quickly established itself as a popular seaside resort. Its amenities included hard-surfaced tennis courts and a 9-hole golf links, while guests also enjoyed bathing, boating and fishing in the Atlantic waters. By 1937, Inchydoney Hotel was playing a significant role in boosting tourism in the area and it began advertising itself as the “most modern … all-electric hotel”.

With its own ballroom, the hotel maintained a lively social calendar and regularly hosted dances and fancy-dress parties. The inaugural dance of Inchydoney Golf Club took place there on 26 September 1934, running from 9.30pm to 3am, with music provided by Billy Foley’s Band. Pat Crowley’s Band became a regular fixture at the hotel throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

The hotel’s “monster whist drive and dance” events, along with its carnival nights, proved especially popular. The Red Cross also made frequent use of the ballroom for its charity dances. In 1936, the district justice ordered that such dances be limited to the hours of 8pm to 1am, but following an appeal, the traditional 3am closing time was restored.

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Despite the popularity of its two sandy beaches – both generally considered safe – Inchydoney has witnessed a number of tragedies. In August 1932, a double drowning claimed the lives of Timothy O’Sullivan, aged 22, of Casement Street, Clonakilty and Joseph Santry, aged 19, a plasterer from Clarke Street. Charles P. Millar of Summerhill, Cork, managed to rescue a third swimmer in difficulty but, despite his valiant efforts, he could not save the others due to the rough sea conditions.

Inchydoney Hotel was demolished in 1997. Today, Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa stands on the site of the original hotel, carrying on the long tradition of seaside hospitality.

The photo of Inchydoney Hotel featured here was printed as a postcard by H. Rosehill, Cork. Harry Rosehill, a well-known Jewish businessman, arrived in Cork in 1906 and established a music store. His son Fred, born on MacCurtain Street in Cork city, later worked in the family business and also opened a picture-framing shop, which became known for selling holy pictures to Catholic customers. This postcard is likely a product of Fred’s enterprise.

In later life, Fred played a central role in maintaining Jewish worship in Cork, keeping the synagogue open as the community dwindled. At its peak, Cork’s Jewish population numbered around 500, comprising 65 families. The synagogue was eventually deconsecrated and finally closed in 2016 – Fred died later that year.

Send us your old pics

READERS: Do you have old photos, postcards, videos or pictures of memorabilia that could be of interest to others? We would love to feature them. And if you need help identifying people in old photos, our readers might be able to assist. Please email us at info@irishheritagenews.ie.

Please note: by submitting material, you confirm that you either own the copyright, have permission from the copyright holder to share it with us for publication or that the copyright has expired.

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