peoplespark

The current Waterford Athletic Club was not founded until 1923 but the city had a record of athletic achievement stretching back many years. This is an extract from the clubs website. "From its earliest days Waterford Athletic Club had its fair share of famous sports people as an examination of its first officers illustrates. The President was the famed G.A.A. referee Willie Walsh, one of the giants of the early years of that association. The vice President was Peter O'Connor, double Olympic medallist in the 1906 Games where he won gold in the triple jump with 14.08m and silver in the long jump with 7.02m. After his final attempt victory in the triple jump, O'Connor (who had been forced by political considerations to compete for Great Britain) climbed the flagpole, pulled down the Union Jack and replaced it with the green flag of Ireland."

The shed in the background appears in some of Pooles other photos such as this one POOLEIMP 272A It looks to me like it's probably taken in the peoples park by the Goff cycle track. There is a building marked on the old 25" Ordnance Survey map that is no longer there. maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,661104,611974,7,9

Peter O'Connor mentions the Goff Track in this piece, "The luckiest thing that ever happened to me was to take up residence in Waterford … I had the advantage of training with those excellent athletes … including E. W. Clyne, J. Curry, Frank Furlong and others. I may indeed, gentlemen, attribute the greater portion of my success in the athletic arena to my having come to live in Waterford. For years I have been hovering around record figures but bad luck haunted me. My jumps were always a wee bit short of the mark and, when over the mark as they were on several occasions, the ground failed to stand the test of the spirit level, which is absolutely essential before any credence is given to any jumps. I would have disappeared and chucked athletics altogether, were it not for three reasons, viz., 1st. The kindness of my employer, Mr. David Dunford, Solicitor, in permitting me to attend all the main athletic meetings in the South of Ireland, in a greater part of Leinster and elsewhere. 2nd. I found splendid facilities in Waterford for training - Waterpark College grounds for the long jump and the Goff track for sprinting. This track is the finest track in Ireland for cycling and sprinting. 3rd. I received every encouragement in the flattering and undeserved articles from the pen of my good and true friend, Mr. Redmond, in his excellent paper - the Waterford News." waterfordireland.tripod.com/peter_o'connor.htm

Excellent piece Paul, It shows how the athlete benefitted from good will and good fortune. Well done Waterford.

Swordscookie Paul O'Farrell And lookie here - who's that but Peter O'Connor, Irish Olympic and Waterford athlete...

This is a bicycle race at the cycle track built by WGD Goff in what is now The People's Park in Waterford. Goff was a pioneer cyclist and motorist.

Bob Montgomery Thank you! Your excellent info added to description and tags. P.S. Any idea on a date when the cycle track was laid?

The cycle track was opened in May 1891.

Bob Montgomery Ahh, a good ten years before this photo was taken then. Thank you, Bob!

Google ParkView

I got a book about bicycling in victorian Ireland for Christmas. I may be the fount of all knowledge on this photo in a week or two when I get time to read it.

derangedlemur We'll await developments then! :D

Interesting gearing ratio on the Tridem (or whatever it's called). If the first two guys don't pedal the third guy's going to have a hard time of it.

Usually known nowadays as a triplet. They were often used for pacing riding on solos. Three can go faster than 1 (3 times the power, but much less than 3 times the wind resistance). The rider being paced would stay as close behind the triplet as possible to maximise the aerodynamic advantage. They disappeared when motorcycles appeared on the scene. Nowadays 75cc 'Dernys' are used, although I've seen big 750cc brutes used on outdoor tracks. Triplet being used for pacing

I was given the chance to ride 1200 km on this triplet , but turned down the offer. The three of them made their own way to the start, and had never ridden the machine together before. It has a lot of extra ironmongery* to make the frame stiffer, but was still very 'bendy', according to Steve, who took 'my' place at the back. *The one in the picture has a double top-tube (crossbar).

Limerick was a bit late in getting a Peoples Park - or that was the view in Limerick

There was also another project, and which was possessed by cities and towns far inferior in importance than Limerick - and that was a - "People's Park" - with some exertion, the Citizens of Limerick would succeed in having a - "Park"- (hear, hear)

Mr Michael Ryan, former mayor, at the inauguration of his successor, Alderman Fitzgerald. (Limerick Chronicle - Wednesday 04 January 1860)

Work then commenced on the Park 14 years later on 26th October 1874. The mayor was presented with an inscribed spade, then

The mayor then raised the sod amid enthusiastic cheering, and lifting it into a handsome and fancifully painted wheelbarrow, brundled the vehicle a couple of yards, and setting it down declared the work of setting out the Limerick People's Park to be commenced.

After more ceremony including laying a foundation stone and speeches there was a "sumptuous déjeuner" (Bassett's Chronicle - Saturday 31 October 1874) [yes, he brundled the wheelbarrow]

If you cannot remember going there 10 years ago, is it still déjà vu?

It finally seems to have opened to the public in May 1877.

I have a feeling that the French / Lawrence photo is newer than the WR&S one. You wouldn't cover over paths in a People's Park, or get rid of a young tree in the triangle. I always forget; is William Ritchie after 1903?