Bathing Beauties
One great incentive for a trip to Tramore was, and still is, to enjoy the sand and sea. Believe it or not, only for about the past two hundred years have people gone to the seaside in great numbers for recreational purposes.
Women on a Beach c.1900
A photograph of women on a beach in Ireland dating from around 1900. The two figures in the foreground are wearing swimming costumes which are typical of the period. Even though the figures are quite blurred, it is easy to see that swimming costumes from this time differ greatly from the swimwear common today. Long, loose costumes were designed to preserve the modesty of the bathers.
© National Library of IrelandWomen on a Beach c.1900
© National Library of Ireland
© National Library of Ireland
Women on a Beach c.1900
A photograph of women on a beach in Ireland dating from around 1900. The two figures in the foreground are wearing swimming costumes which are typical of the period. Even though the figures are quite blurred, it is easy to see that swimming costumes from this time differ greatly from the swimwear common today. Long, loose costumes were designed to preserve the modesty of the bathers.
© National Library of IrelandThe opening of the Waterford and Tramore Railway allowed more people to enjoy a day out at the seaside as well as take part in the fashionable activity of bathing.
Sea-bathing had become very fashionable by the end of the 1700s. Initially, bathing was practised for health reasons. It was believed that sea water could have all sorts of health benefits. The wealthy people who flocked to resorts like Tramore did not spend time splashing about in the water or playing in the sand. The beach was for children and their nannies.
Ladies' Bathing Place, Tramore
Bathing areas for men and women were seperated in order to preserve the modesty of female bathers. Bathing boxes were available on some beaches for extra privacy.
© Waterford City LibraryLadies' Bathing Place, Tramore
© Waterford City Library
© Waterford City Library
Ladies' Bathing Place, Tramore
Bathing areas for men and women were seperated in order to preserve the modesty of female bathers. Bathing boxes were available on some beaches for extra privacy.
© Waterford City LibraryThere were seperate bathing areas for men and women. There were ladies' bathing places on the Cliff Road and also an area known as "Ladies Cove".
Ladies Cove was only used very early in the morning as after ten o'clock there were too many people around and it was not considered private enough.
A promenade was built in 1914 and became very popular with visitors.
The Promenade, Tramore
A postcard featuring the promenade in Tramore. Promenades became popular in the 1800s when seaside resorts were a fashionable holiday destination. An evening walk along the promenade was often the highlight of the day.
© Waterford City LibraryThe Promenade, Tramore
© Waterford City Library
© Waterford City Library
The Promenade, Tramore
A postcard featuring the promenade in Tramore. Promenades became popular in the 1800s when seaside resorts were a fashionable holiday destination. An evening walk along the promenade was often the highlight of the day.
© Waterford City LibraryIn fact, a walk on the promenade in the evening was often the highlight of the day for the ladies and gentlemen holidaying at the resort. The promenade was the place to see and be seen!