If Walls Could Talk: Trip back in time to the once bustling Potato Market

BUILT on the site of the medieval long dock, work began in 1843 on the Potato Market; it was formally opened in 1845. The new dedicated site provided an open market space for the sale of potatoes, and other root vegetables.
Previously, the potato market was located at George’s Quay. After it moved from that site, it was suggested that the as yet to be built Milk Market would be situated there. In deciding on the location for the market, the Town Council commissioned a report from Mr Rhodes, an engineer. He reported that the Long Dock site was valued at between £90 and £100 per year. In September 1842, the Town Council noted that ‘the dock is required for the benefit of the citizens generally, the filling up of the dock lends itself to the general improvement of the port and will provide a site much needed in the city – a public potato and root market, and prevent the recurrence of many fatal accidents from the exposed dock.’ The resolution was then forwarded to the Board of Works. In late 1842, an alternative site was suggested by a group of enterprising Boherbuoy residents who presented a memorial to the wide-street committee, arguing that the potato market be established in their locality. Their appeal fell on deaf ears.
On September 4, 1843, the Limerick Chronicle reported that ‘members of the council processed in their full gowns to the ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the new potato market.’ When completed, the potato market cost £2,000. The market area is enclosed by limestone walls and handsome wrought-iron railings with cast-iron spear and axe-head finials. Massive limestone Greek Revival gate piers were also erected. The reported cost of painting the railings was £7. Gas lamps were also installed at the market, as was a pump. James Cavanagh was appointed the inspector of the new market, he had previously been attached to the Commercial Reading Room in the city. Cavanagh’s salary was set at £40 per year while a weighmaster earned £20 and two assistants were paid £10 each for the discharge of their duties. By 1845, the Mayor reported that the Potato Market was ‘conducted exceedingly well in the past year, and income stood at £181, expenditure was £131, and profits were a healthy £49.’

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During the grim years of the Great Famine, space was granted to the Soup Committee of St Mary’s Parish to make and distribute soup in the Potato Market from January 1847. The importance of soup as a source of sustenance for the starving poor was reported in the Limerick Chronicle ‘the friends of the suffering poor agree that nothing is better adapted to mitigate the appalling mass of destitution from which now afflicts a multitude of our fellow creatures, then the establishment of parochial soup kitchens, to give sustenance gratis to those who are literally starving.’ The Limerick Examiner also reported later in 1847 that ‘poor people, waiting in droves outside the railings of the market, tear the clothes off each other in their anxiety to purchase potatoes.’ Other incidents that occurred during Black ’47, included food riots which resulted in armed soldiers and guards being placed at the entrance to the Potato Market to protect the provisions within. In early 1848, the local press contained reports of unidentified victims of the famine being laid out in the Potato Market in the hope that their ‘emaciated remains’ might be claimed by a family member.
In 1851, a tenant-right meeting was held in the Potato Market to ‘arouse the tenant farmers of Limerick to a sense of their duty’ in respect of the continued evictions taking place in the county. It was attended by about 200 farmers, 20 Catholic clergymen, the Congregated Trades (united under their banners), while a temperance band played at the occasion. Also, on sale in the market was Indian meal which a visitor described in September 1848 ‘I visited the Potato Market and found them (potatoes) very bad, in fact many of the poor people were purchasing Indian meal at 1s 6d per stone, which is made into a very thick gruel of which they consume as their only form of sustenance.’ He continued ‘I was very struck with the large number of ragged people, numbering nearly 1,000, standing idle on the streets nearby.’
A tragedy occurred at the market on August 8, 1844, a ‘girl named Cahill, aged 11 years, residing in the potato market was putting down some potatoes for breakfast, when her clothes ignited, and before assistance was offered, she died.’ Another tragic incident occurred on New Years’ Eve 1852 when a severe storm passed over the city, the Limerick Reporter noted ‘the flood swept away the two wooden gates to the Potato Market opposite the Custom House; potatoes, turnips and other commodities were carried off in large quantities, and the market ground remained covered with some feet of water.’ The clerk to the market, Mr. O’Connor, succeeded in recovering the gates. However, during the storm, a man named Patrick Flannery was struck by a slate and succumbed to his injuries.
The Limerick Market Trustees were incorporated in 1852 for the purpose of providing, managing, regulating and governing markets and market places in Limerick.
The Potato Market remains extant and is in use primarily as a carpark. A popular coffee shop occupies a section of the site. From time to time, entertainment and arts events are held in the market. The Potato Market continues to be a reminder of a period in our history when outdoor markets of all kinds formed an essential part of the county and city economy.
Dr Paul O’Brien lectures at Mary Immaculate College.