Brief Overview of Stradbally The village is situated in the Barony of Decies-without Drum in the heart of the Deise County on the South East Coast of Ireland in Co.Waterford. It was once a Gaelic speaking area. It has many pre-Christian associations as in the famous Drumloghan Ogham Cave or Burial Place. Here we find some of the finest Ogham inscriptions in Ireland. Names such as one find in "The Annals of the Four Masters" can also be found. There are also many archaeological foundations still to be seen in the area, as in the examples of Ring Fort (Cathair) and Liosanna. The name Straid Baile unlike the other nine Stradballys in Ireland is mediaeval. The village was probably a stopping place on the King's Way from Waterford West in the thirteenth century. The Woodhouse estate forms a large part of the village. Fitzgeralds who were a branch of the Desmond Geraldines built the fine country house. In 1723 Richard Fitzgerald sold Woodhouse to Thomas Uniake, Builder of the Red House of Youghal Co.Cork. Subsequently, it became a Beresford Stronghold through intermarriage. In latter years Lord William Beresford sold it for private enterprise. In 1742 152, 640 trees were planted in the Woodhouse Demesne Valley and Village environs. Today we enjoy the beautiful Sylvan setting and mild climate created through the foresight of our ancestors. The Village is the focal point of four converging roads. It has an elongated and irregular shape diverging from our flower bedecked Village Green. The houses surrounding the village green are of varying architectural style gives an atmosphere of security to the resident and quaintness to the visitor. On the way to the Stradbally Cove there is the award winning thatched Cove Cottage. (These are all listed buildings) On the outskirts there are two new housing estates, which completes the lovely environmental picture. The village represented Ireland in the Entente Florale Festival in 1990 and won a Heritage Award in this prestigious competition. The economy of the area is dependent mostly on agriculture. Dairy farming is predominant in the area, with some mixed farming. There are several horse breeders and trainers within the community. There are two Coves the in vicinity of Stradbally Ballyvooney Cove and Stradbally Cove. Both coves attract many visitors annually by their rare charm and beauty. Stradbally is one of our quieter; family oriented relaxed 2 seaside resorts. It is well served by good shops, homely Old World pubs and top class guesthouses. Stradbally has a thriving go ahead community with excellent facilities. There are three churches in the parish and three primary schools. It boasts of one of the best G.A.A Clubs in the country, which has its own social club. This is the centre for all social and sporting functions. The old Barron Hall is alive and active in the hands of the Boy Scouts. It facilitates scouts, girl guides, cubs, brownies and the pipe band, and many other social activities. The Ruins of Mediaeval Church at St.James Grounds A consultant engineer has completed and survey on Mediaeval Ruins and a programme is planned to protect this most important part of our heritage. An Archaeologist report has also been completed and funds sought to preserve these ruins. The Fas workers have railed off the whole site in the essence of health and safety. The whole community will be involved in fundraising for this important project. The Heritage council, Ducas, Fas, Tidy Towns committee and The Local Authority has all been contacted. This project will have total commitment from the whole community to preserve our heritage for generations to come. The Water Garden/ Wildlife Area on Cove Hill A natural preserved area with a small pond with water cascading from it down Cove hill to the sea. This pond has become a spawning ground for eel that come up from the sea and the river Tay. There are lots of unusual shrubs in the garden first put there many years ago by on old American lady who lived in the house across the road. The Tidy Towns committee took over the garden when it became neglected when the old lady passed away. The wildlife area of Cove Hill is a natural amenity that has tree and ground cover and a water course coming from the water garden going down to the sea. In May this whole area is covered with bluebells and looks breathtaking. It is the home to all sorts of wild creatures, rabbits, foxes, squirrels; pheasants are also very plentiful as they escape from the gaming section of the estate. The birdlife is in abundance from the Water Garden and all that area down to the Cove. It is unusual that the casual walker can enjoy this wildlife haven while strolling on the footpath from the public road without infringing on its occupants Page 3 A Green & Clean Environment: As a community we are very committed to a green and clean environment. We are currently part of Anti Litter Challenge, which is a competition organised by the Local Authority to keep all Waterford Towns and Villages free from Litter. Our very high standard is being maintained by our involvement with the Student Employment Scheme, Schools, Scouts, Girl Guides, and Local Community Groups and our resident's complete co-operation through pride of own place. In Spring each year the whole community get involved in a "Clean Up Campaign" in co-operation with the Local Authority and An Taisce. A record number of skips of old white goods are removed from back yards and garages with enthusiasm. Residents achieve tidiness within the community by their participation with the home-composting scheme, co-operation with the litter warden, and constant awareness of their surroundings. There is great work achieved by our Fas Workers. I.e. stone wall building, planting, preparing ground for trees and shrubs. The transition year students from the local college participating in the Gaisce Awards work in co-operation with us at all levels. Our own Tidy Towns Committee is unselfish in the giving of their time,- sometimes even after a day's work throughout the year. Page 4 Built Environment: Stradbally Community has been involved with the National Tidy Towns competition for the past 18 years. This has been most beneficial to our village. With planting, and painting and encouraging the community to upgrade and enhance property makes this an area that people find most desirable to move to. House prices have always been higher here than other parts of the co". We have been winners of the best village of the county on several occasions. On two other occasions have won the best village of the Southeast Region. This year the greatest emphasis has to be to preserve the character of the village and secondly to do all work with the environment in mind at all times. There are at least 3 housing developments about to commence here in or about the village, with a lot more planning permission requests in the pipeline. We shall plan around these developments while trying to integrate the old with the new. A new recycling centre has been opened with the permission of the Parish Priest in the church car park. This coincides with a home composting scheme for 47 houses in the village that has been set up in co-operation with the Environmental Section of the Local Authority. The Tidy Towns committee is now building they're own composting unit to take the grass, weed plants and debris to reduce out waste to the Land Fill site. For the millennium celebrations our church as been repainted and a special cross was commissioned in China and imported to a site at the church. This granite cross and a statue in the car park are floodlit and a stone-faced wall was built to finish off the project. This has been church, community and Fas working together to enhance the area. The railings surrounding the village green have been renewed and painted. The focal point of the green "The Village Pump" has also got its annual coat of paint. Street furniture has been painted and placed in the village green and picnic tables have been placed in the two coves and also seating placed at selected locations around the village. Annually dead and damaged trees have been replaced, trees, shrubs and flowers and hanging baskets are all attended to on a regular basis. All roadside verges are also attended to on a regular basis. Great care is taken with our three groves of disease free elms imported from the U.S.A. as part of a bequest from a former resident who had particular interest in nature and the natural environment. The bird population is catered for by the many berried shrubs planted around the village and especially in the water garden where this year as always we have an abundance of birds of all types. Page 5. We take special care to trim our hedges and ditches at the correct times to protect nesting birds and wild flowers and plants. The Social Life of the Community: For a village with a population of approximately 700 people Stradbally has many clubs and organisations. To name a few the G.A.A. (Gaelic Athletic Association) A Soccer Club. Young Farmers Group, Tug of War Association. Two Whist Clubs, Scouts, I.C.A. (Irish Countrywomen Association) Comhaltas Irish Music & Culture. Agri Tourism and Tourism & Enterprise. A Local Pipe Band and of course our own Tidy Town's Committee. Many people find themselves on three of more committees but this does not deter people from getting involved. There is easy access to 4 Golf Clubs and 4 Hotels in a fifteen-minute drive to our nearest large town Dungarvan. Both our economic and social needs are well catered for from where we are situated. The local G.A.A. Club has its own Social Centre which has a licensed bar. A lot of the community events take place there. The Barron Hall was formerly an old school but was taken over by the community. The local scouts, brownies and guides run the hall and it is also used for visiting scouts who come camping in the summer for a base for cooking and washing. It is also used by the wider community for fundraising events such as cake sales, craft /flower displays and Keep Fit Classes. In all there is plenty to do and lots to keep the community busy. |
PHOTOS OF STRADBALLY CLICK ON PHOTO |
