Streets

Bridge Street, Boyle c.1960

Published by McDonagh's of Boyle this view concentrates more on the upper part and Market Square end of the street. The first building in the left foreground was Taylor's a general merchant whose shop was unfortunately burned down. It was rebuilt and subsequently called Phoenix House. Moriarty's partially obscured by the green van is still in existence, but has closed as a general merchant and fruit store. Peter Phelan's ice cream parlour nestles alongside Alphonsus Casey's store, which now houses Marian's Fashion store. On the right the ladies are resting on the window of Kelly's supermarket which is still there, as is it's neighbour Taylor's Jeweller, now owned by Dick McGee, also a jeweller. There is a relaxed and easy going pace associated with this view, and one gets the feeling that if the parked cars were to move, they would be in the way of the pedestrians!

Bridge Street, Boyle c.1960

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The picture postcard is a snapshot in time, and thus can be used as an eye witness account to the history of an area.

The development of Bridge Street, from a sleepy back water to a bustling hive of business is captured in these photgraphs of the streetscapes of Boyle.

Gallery

Bridge Street, Boyle, late 1800's

This colour tinted Woolstone postcard of Bridge Street, looking towards Green Street, was possibly taken late in the 1800's. According to Slater's Directory of 1881 Darcy's general draper, now Ryan's Pharmacy, the building in the centre of the shot and on the corner, did not yet exist. The block on the right of the card are Frank Cunningham's Bar, Ann Wynne's Bar, Casserly's Grocery and MacDonagh's Booksellers. The block on the left of the photo starts with Coleman's Egg Stores, Pat Walsh's Grocery Shop and general merchant, and Boles drapery store.

Bridge Street, Boyle, late 1800's -

Bridge Street, Boyle early 1900's

A winter scene, judging by the top coats, hats and scarves worn by the people going about their business in the town. The Bazaar is the first building in the right foreground, beside which is the Royal Hotel formerly Freeman's Royal Hotel. In the right middle distance is the Imperial Hotel with it's distinctive diamond shaped nameplate on the centre gable end. Coleman Egg Exporters is the first building where the bridge ends, in the mid left of the postcard. The electric poles may appear to be out of this time frame, but Boyle indeed had Direct Current electricity at this time. The Stewart family, owners of Boyle mill supplied electricity to the town of Boyle from 1901 until the Electricity Supply Board took over in 1966. This card published by Hely's Limited was posted from Boyle in 1919 to England at a cost of one penny.

Bridge Street, Boyle early 1900's -

Bridge Street, Boyle c.1930

This sepia print posted from the USA in 1947, but written in Boyle, described Boyle as "a quaint old town". This shot is taken almost from the same angle as the Hely's Limited card but some forty years later, perhaps. The pedestrians are attired in more modern clothes, there is a bus, a car, and a couple of bicycles. The Imperial Hotel has lost its diamond name plate because it is now owned by Cunninghams. Coleman's Egg Exporters has acquired the embellishment on the gable. The Royal Hotel has also upgraded its entrance door with a fancy porch shelter. Note also the introduction of street furniture in the form of additional business advertisement. The left hand side of the postcard is serrated, rather like a stamp and it was published by Keany, The Bazaar, Boyle.

Bridge Street, Boyle c.1930 -

Market Square, showing Court House, Boyle

This photo postcard of the Market Square, Boyle was postmarked Boyle 1914. It has the Tower Clock erected c.1880 to the memory of the Hon. Laurence Harman King-Harman, who died in 1875. It also has some well attired school children who appear to be posing for, and completely absorbed by the photographer. The road was in a very rough condition, fit only for the donkey and cart waiting patiently for it's owner at John Scotts, later Kelly's Supermarket at top left corner of the image. The private residence with the round doorway, later became a cinema. To the right foreground is the Court House, built c.1830. This is a three bay, two storey building with ashlar sandstone facade and three steps. Right beside it is Clewes Hall, originally erected for the entertainment of Protestants, the front porch is now gone. A remodelled modern shop front is now in use as Emmet's Electrical Stores.

Market Square, showing Court House, Boyle -

Upper Bridge Street, Boyle

This view of Upper Bridge Street, Boyle is a black and white photo postcard taken by P.C. Photo Great Britain. The Clock Tower dominates the foreground. The Abbey Cinema, refurbished in 1939 can be seen as the second building on the left with the round doorway, now Kelly's Pound Shop. The Ford Anglia is slowly making it's way up a somewhat improved road, and the bicycle, parked in the top left foreground of the picture, shows that the horse and cart, still in evidence, was beginning to be replaced as the chief mode of transport.

Upper Bridge Street, Boyle -

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