thomashmasonsonslimited

Seems like it was a thing but the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and is one of the 365 most endangered species in the world, as per the 2nd link below.

thepearlgirls.com/blogs/pearl-blog/irish-pearls

www.pearlmusselproject.ie/freshwater-pearl-mussel.html

A picture from the catalogue of their shop in Belfast

catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000519165

“THE DIRECTORY OF BRITISH ELECTROPLATED SILVER MAKERS described this establishment as: "A retail business active since 1884 at Donegall Place, Belfast and at Edgware Rd, London from 1852 until c. 1880. In 1909 the firm was converted into a Ltd. Sharman Dermott Neill was a descendent of Robert Neill, who in partnership with Henry Gardner, advertised 'Telescopes' in 1810. Sharman D. Neill Ltd is still active at 7-9 Royal Avenue, Belfast" An interior shot of the shop: When World War One broke out, Mr Neill was commissioned to make cap badges for the Young Citizen Volunteers (YCV). Each member of the YCV had to purchase one of these distinctive badges, which depicted a shamrock and the Red Hand of Ulster, topped by a crown. The business also made the ‘Neill’s Sight’, a sniper sight for the 36th Ulster Division. This was issued to the best shots in the battalion. It differed from other sights as it was affixed to the side of a rifle - thereby allowing a soldier to focus on far away targets while also being able to use the gun’s normal sight for closer range. Two sons from the Neill family, Dermot and Robert, joined The Royal Irish Rifles. Both were killed on the Western Front”

www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/buildi...

No pearls, so far

Suck Diesel Keep panning for pearls.

EST. 1728 There are almost three hundred year’s of stories buried in our walls. ... ...
... There is speculation about how the bar acquired it’s current name ‘The Purty Kitchen’. The local narrative is that an American visitor, who had embarked at Kingstown port, walked up to the door of no. 4 and said to the proprietress, “Say Mamm, you sure have a mighty purty kitchen. ...”

From - www.purtykitchen.com/

beachcomber australia very good.

via Dawn Sparks


via Slainte TV

Note: The original and not the imposter in Temple Bar

Welcome inside

maps.app.goo.gl/Wdj1B8HwNAkqksh26?g_st=ic

Via Trove, an 1894 description - trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/115549483?searchTerm=%...

" ... On the side of this road, past Monkstown, and about a mile from Dunleary, an excellent wayside inn was to be met, where thousands of people resorted, some for refreshments on their way to the sea coast to enjoy the sea breeze ; others went to the grounds to dance, pitch quits, play skittles, and drink genuine Irish whisky or Alley's famed ale at this house, well known as the 'Purty
Kitchen.' How the house received this name I know not, but I have no doubt it was in consequence of the coppers and pewter plates and dishes upon the dresser. These were kept more for ornament than use, and made as bright as hands could polish them. In fact everything about the kitchen was in first-class order, and it was laughable to hear some of the ladies and gentlemen from Thomas-street and the Liberties of Dublin saying: "Oh, then, Jim, isn't it a purty kitchen? Look at the beautiful coppers and pewters."
Jim would likely reply after this fashion: "Faith and it's myself would like to be sitting forninst one of thim dishes with a pig's head lying on a palliasse of cabbage upon it, and some good cup potatoes, and a quart of Guinness's stout to wash my dinner down."
"Just like you, Jim, always thinking of your stomach."
So the fun would go on at the 'purty kitchen.' ... ..."

The Saw Mill is on the 25", and the ruins are visible on the Google map aerial view: maps.app.goo.gl/mPhRzjX4fWbRKjDK7

History page below, there was a mill here from 1851 to 1999.
www.navanhistory.ie/elliotts-saw-mill/#:~:text=The%20buil....

As a teenager I worked for a builder in his workshop and occasionally was given the job of taking circular or bandsaw blades to McMahon's timber yard. There I would hand the saw over to a skilled Sawyer who would tune and sharpen it. That was skilled work where the teeth were adjusted by bending the them alternately left and right and then carefully filing the cutting face. I wasn't supposed to linger but I was fascinated with the skill and application of those men.

Here in the 1911 census are Thomas Mortimer, Timber Merchant and boss of the Mill, and his family. Also guest Joshua Elliot, who would later marry daughter Edith and run the mill.

www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Meath/Navan_Urb...

Mason has another shot in the archive titled Mill and Boyne River, but it is the Blackwater unless I have the wrong Mill.