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 feature is an old unused scorecard for a progressive whist drive, recently discovered by Kelly Warburton while renovating her newly purchased Victorian house.
Kelly, a screenwriter from West Cork, moved back to Ireland from Brighton earlier this year and became a first-time homeowner in January. The property – a long-vacant, late-19th-century terraced house – is located in a historic suburb on the south side of Cork city. Kelly has been documenting the progress of her restoration project on Instagram (@little_victorian_terrace_cork), sharing tips and the ups and downs of her DIY journey.
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Whist
The whist drive advertised on the scorecard was organized by the Cork city branch of the National Teachers’ Association and was scheduled for Sunday, 27 April, in the Hibernian Hall. That day and date combination, supported by other documents found with the card, points to the year 1919.
Whist, a trick-taking card game that emerged in the 18th century, evolved from earlier card games played in the 16th and 17th centuries. It takes its name from the archaic word “whist”, meaning quiet, silent or attentive – pronounced whisht in Ireland when used to call for silence. Another possibility is that the name stems from an alteration of “whisk”, likely referring to the action of “whisking” the cards after each trick. The game was governed by elaborate rules that set out not only how it was to be played but also player etiquette.
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Popular across Ireland, especially from the early 20th century to the 1960s, whist was an important component of social life for many. The much-enjoyed pastime brought people together for friendly competition and camaraderie.
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Whist drives
Whist drives were regularly hosted as charity events and social gatherings by clubs, charities and associations. During these drives, players rotated between tables, switching partners after each round. The progressive format meant that the winning (or sometimes losing) pairs would “progress” around the room. Typically, one member of each pair moved up the table sequence while the other moved down – with all the men progressing in one direction and all the women in the opposite direction. On arriving at the new table, the next hand would be played.
The rules for the game are printed on the back of the scorecard, giving us a sense of how these evenings were structured and their conventions.
Inside the scorecard are spaces to record points, tricks and players’ names. In this case, however, the card is blank – perhaps one of the former owners of the house, who Kelly tells us may have been a teacher, never made it to the drive. A full progressive whist drive typically involved 24 hands, with a break for refreshments after the first 12 – just as laid out on this card.
Although whist eventually gave way to bridge, another trick-taking card game, it is still played at the occasional charity event or community fundraiser.
Hickey & Byrne printers
Though browned with age, this scorecard remains in good condition and its neatly printed design can still be admired. It was printed by Hickey & Byrne – a well-known Cork printing firm that operated from Sullivan’s Quay for much of the 20th century, producing everything from event cards to commercial stationery and election flyers. In fact, Kelly came across several other items printed by this firm while carrying out the renovation work.
Kelly found the scorecard – along with other printed ephemera, handwritten notes and an old cigarette box – inside a window frame while replacing the window. It’s not unusual for old houses to yield such finds. Window frames, floorboards and skirting boards were often stuffed with whatever was to hand – newspapers, matchboxes, bits of clothing – to block draughts and insulate the house. Sometimes, the items were deliberately chosen and tucked away for safekeeping or left as time capsules, but more often it was simply a matter of using whatever was readily accessible, of little value and could be dispensed with. Either way, finds like this offer a fascinating glimpse into the everyday lives of the former occupants of an old house.
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Kelly told Irish Heritage News that she loves uncovering these little pieces from the past, with each discovery revealing another layer of the long history of her house as she works to breathe new life into it and write her own chapter in its story.
So, if you’re renovating an old house, be sure to keep an eye out for hidden treasures like this. What were once discarded scraps of paper, probably destined for the fire but saved and repurposed – likely with little thought given – now offer a snapshot of the past.
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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