Carcur Cottages is a terrace of houses in the north of Wexford Town, approximately 1 km from Redmond Square. The street forms part of the R730 regional road, running from the Seamus Kelly Roundabout near Páirc Charman to Redmond Road.

The terrace was built circa 1874 on a road then called New Road. They were reportedly constructed for local fishermen setting out from Wexford Harbour and for employees at the nearby railway station.

An 1882 OSI map placed the cottages just inside the barony and parish boundary line. The same map recorded a large “old quarry” across the street.

John Richards

According to the heritage service, BuildingsOfIreland.ie, the cottages were commissioned by a “now-forgotten patron” identified only by the initials “J.R.”

A review of newspaper archives by Wexford Hub found that a landlord named John Richards owned the properties in the 1880s. The records indicate that Richards remained the owner into the early twentieth century, when the cottages appeared again in local reporting.

In August 1908, a Wexford People article headlined “Carcur Water Supply: A pump with no water” reported on a meeting of the Wexford District Council chaired by Gregory Walsh, JP.

A council member told the meeting the pump was out of order and the people were “crying out for water.” The council surveyor stated it was inadequate. Solicitors acting for the landlord questioned the surveyor’s expertise, asking when he had become a water expert.

Walsh asked whether the houses belonged to John Richards. The clerk confirmed they did. Another council member asked about compelling the landlord to provide water. The clerk replied that the council had the power to do so, and it ordered Richards to provide a proper water connection.

History

Throughout the early 20th century, the cottages served as homes for several railwaymen. Many of them were frequently away or returned home late at night. In 1930, a meeting of Wexford Borough Council highlighted a hazard directly opposite the houses. An unprotected trench 18 inches deep was very poorly lit at night, presenting a danger to workers coming home in the dark.

In the early 1950s, Wexford County Council formally requested that Wexford Corporation supply water to the cottages. The corporation agreed on the condition that the council take responsibility for extending its existing water main and pay an agreed annual sum for each house connected.

On 19 November 1996, flooding struck after one of the council’s pumped drainage systems burst. Water overtopped the low boundary wall and poured into several dwellings, reaching a depth of approximately 600 mm. The Fire Brigade cleared the area by about 7 am, and Wexford County Council later repaired the damaged footpaths and road. Wexford Corporation provided heaters and dehumidifiers to the affected cottages.

All information sourced from newspaper archives and minutes of meetings from the Wexford Corporation and Wexford County Council.

Map

A map showing its location: