Cummin's Hotel

Granville Hotel, with the Clock Tower in the foreground

Granville Hotel, with the Clock Tower in the foreground.

© Waterford City Library

Granville Hotel, with the Clock Tower in the foreground
© Waterford City Library

Granville Hotel, with the Clock Tower in the foreground

Granville Hotel, with the Clock Tower in the foreground.

© Waterford City Library

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Bianconi appointed agents to manage his business in the most important cities and towns, such as Clonmel and Waterford. Head Office was located in a house in Dublin Street, Clonmel, which in later years was transformed into Hearn's Hotel. Dan Hearn was his right hand man and the agent for Clonmel.

Cummins Hotel was the terminus for the Waterford area. He used the yards and stables for his horses and cars.Cummins Hotel was originally a Georgian House owned by the Quan family. It was later owned by Thomas F. Meagher M.P. The Meagher family sold the premises to Bianconi.

The hotel was managed by a Mrs Cummins, her husband Edward Cummins was Bianconi's agent in Waterford. Cummins Hotel is now the Granville Hotel, one of Waterford's premier hotels, which retains its links to Bianconi to this day.

In the June 1826 election, Bianconi earned £1000, by providing transport to the supporters of Mr Villiers Stuart, who succeeded in defeating Lord George Beresford. This money provided Bianconi with financial security.

Mr Villiers Stuart was the preferred candidate of Daniel O' Connell, because of his favourable views on Catholic Emancipation. Originally Bianconi was hired to provide transport for Lord Beresford, but had to withdraw his services after some of his cars were attacked.

The Bians covered most of the country, at its peak there were 100 cars, 140 stations, 100 drivers, 1,300 horses providing cheap and regular transport between the main towns and cities.

When the railways were introduced to Ireland, Bianconi did not resist them, but adapted his routes to meet the changing times.