arklow

“AI Overview

Arklow Pottery was established in 1934 in Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland, and operated until its closure in 1998. It was the second pottery company to be founded in the Irish Free State. The factory produced a wide range of decorative earthenware and tableware, and at its peak employed around 480 people.
The company was known for its innovative designs and export-driven approach, producing up to 25,000 items per week. Arklow Pottery supplied dinnerware to many top hotels and institutions across Ireland. The company developed its own unique style, with many early patterns featuring 22-carat gold finishes.
The history of Arklow Pottery is deeply intertwined with the social landscape of Arklow and Ireland. The factory was a significant employer in the area and played a central role in the community.”

Some of their better work, bottom left

www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Art-and-Industry...

Seagullview 3D - www.google.com/maps/@52.790912,-6.1484361,152a,35y,70.72h...
I'm glad to see they have got rid of that 'knuckle' at the bend in the waterway. It must have been an accident waiting to happen.

"I'm a little teapot ..."
via Stephen Davies

And some ladies at a trade stall, via The 'Eir-Lite' Book of Whimsy

I was looking in the 1911 census for any sign of a Pottery tradition in the area prior to the business being started there in 1934, but the search did not reveal anything concrete (or ceramic for that matter). I did find some interesting occupations as follows, High Explosive Mixer, Seafaring Tailor, Cartridge Wrapping in Explosive Factory, Labourer in Cordite Works, Factory Girl Kynocks, Traveller in Tea, Seniptress, Shipowner, Electric Wire-man, Lead Miner Unemployed and Lamplighter.

Wouldn't be surprised if some of your best detectives could hazard a guess as to where the church, whose interior you started to describe, is located. I have no idea where the fine building shown, is located.

There are arms on the building. Looks like two stags supporting a quartered shield with a crown and maybe a ship? Maybe a boar? The arms have a coronet, so baron or better.

Shelton Abbey, Arklow! (I looked at Eason photos nearby in the catalogue, and they are all mislabelled, and all near Arklow. Looking in the NIAH for Arklow produced this).

I'm busy today, but you might try here: archiseek.com/buildings/ireland-buildings/demolished/page... A lot of stuff north of the border wound up flattened.

The Arms are of the Earls of Wicklow, and the "boar" is a lion.

God bless your eyesight! That Chicken is a Dog!

DannyM8 That is a matter for debate! It could be a cat, a small cow, or a giant Rhode Island Red!!!!!

That ain't no chicken ... that's a dog!

Going by 'Bradshaw's Lane' (see note) as a constant, streetview (?) - goo.gl/maps/EKvEAqFqLw76yJaq9

Thomas Birthistle died at his home in Main St, Arklow, in August 1931. From his obituary in the Wicklow People:

Of a retiring and unobtrusive disposition lie disliked publicity, but it is a widely-known fact that whatever time could he spared from the calls of his own business concern, was spent by him in endeavours to achieve practical results to promote welfare of the town, and above all to improve the lot of the sick, and the necessitous poor. In the latter respect he showed tireless energy and such unrelenting interest in the work of the various religious and other associations in the town formed for the purpose of alleviating distress among the poor that be has implanted in the hearts of those whose cause he so fondly espoused a feeling of appreciation and gratitude which will not be soon eradicated ... As the funeral cortege, which was of very large proportions. and representative of creeds and classes, passed through the town, shops were shuttered and blinds drawn