The Curragh of Kildare is noted for horses and horse-racing, for soldiers, also for sheep, maybe some cattle, and for wrens. Wrens of a species now vanished. See later. Con Costello, author of a comprehensive study of the Curragh, published in 1996, has a lively article in the current issue of History Ireland, the quarterly magazine. His subtitle is "A goodish place, sort of, in dry weather". That refers to long ago, but even recently, say a few decades ago, a former private soldier remembers the driving rain which always seemed to come from the east as he walked into Newbridge, perhaps to eat a meal, after his mug of tea and half a loaf (maybe with a bit of "kitchen") at half-past-four in the afternoon.
Back to Con Costello, who vividly brings us on from the decision of 1854, with the outbreak of the Crimean war, to build a camp at Aldershot and one on the Curragh. That plain had long been a place of summer mustering of troops, regular and volunteer, with attendant spectators and camp followers. Perhaps from the 16th century. In 1855 timber hutments went up with a few permanent buildings: clock tower, water works and, God bless us, racquet courts. A warm spell split the wood and rain came through in torrents. For the public the new settlement was a great draw. Business flourished in the area. Farmers could sell their oats and hay and other produce. Newbridge grew.
Queen Victoria's son Edward was to spend time "on the short grass" with the Grenadier Guards. He was not a success and his mother is quoted as believing that the death of her consort Prince Albert later that year was hastened by grief at Edward's liaison with "the actress Nellie Clifden". The camp became permanent after much negotiation with the Turf Club and various holders of rights such as common pasturage, finally in 1870. The wrens. That was the term given to prostitutes who "lived all the year round in the furze bushes which are the only ground cover on the plain. They might also give birth or die." In 1869 a hospital for the treatment of the women opened in Kildare.
The eyes of many will be caught by the very detailed illustration of "Captain Gore's celebrated horse Oakstick beating Mr Daly's Narcissus over the two-year-old course for One Thousand Guineas". Much hurrahing and exclamations. That's the Curragh many know. You must read the whole article. Y