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St Patrick's Day at Clontarf 1880

St Patrick's Day at Clontarf 1880

From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

(Illustrated Sydney News, 20 March 1880, p5)

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Celebrating St Patrick's Day in nineteenth-century Sydney Clontarf

Subjects

Celebrations Irish

Places

Clontarf Clontarf Pleasure Grounds

People

Sheridan, John Felix

Events

St Patrick's Day

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State Library of New South Wales

Clontarf

Named for a seaside town near Dublin, Clontarf's beach was a popular picnic spot by the 1860s. In 1868, at a picnic in the pleasure grounds, Prince Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh was shot, in an unsuccessful assassination attempt, by Henry O'Farrell who was hanged. Clontarf remained a cheap suburb, with a tent city springing up in the Depression of the 1930s, but a new bridge in 1958 made it more accessible.

Celebrating St Patrick's Day in nineteenth-century Sydney

St Patrick's Day has been celebrated in Sydney since the early days of settlement, with observance ranging from horse races and sports, to banquets, boat races and church services. During the 19th century, different groups within Sydney's vibrant Irish community took charge of the day at different times, ensuring it remained part of Sydney's social calendar as the city changed and grew.

Irish

Celebrations

Clontarf

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Residential suburb on the northern shore of Middle Harbour, between Seaforth and Balgowlah Heights. In 1868 it was the site of an attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria's son, Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Clontarf Pleasure Grounds

Popular amusement venue in the late nineteenth century where Sydneysiders could travel by ferry to enjoy games, dancing and picnics. In 1868 it was the scene of the attempt on the life of Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh.

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Sheridan, John Felix

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Catholic priest who devoted himself to youth welfare and was fondly remembered for his skill as a fiddler.

St Patrick's Day

Cultural and religious festival commemorating the date of death of the patron saint of Ireland which is celebrated worldwide on March 17th.

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