Silver Springs, Delgany

[eadaoin]

Thoms Directory 1941 gives ...

J Fitzgerald, Silver Springs Hotel
the Downs
Delgany

1956 shows M Slingsby at this adress

eadaoin

[chappers]

Hello eadaoin

Thank you for the information about Silver Springs Hotel - I had not heard of Thoms Directory before.

I've been told my grandfather, name of Withers, purchased Silver Springs in 1941 - perhaps J. Fitzgerald was the previous owner at that time.  I wondered if the name of Withers might be in the Directory in about 1942/3?
Many thanks again

Regards, Carol

[DDHS]

Hello Carol,

Silversprings is still inhabited and in perfect order.  It used to be known as the Downs House. The coordinates from Google Earth are as follows: 53° 07' 48.07''W   6° 07' 03.48''W.
The name of the family living there is Cohler.
It has previously been owned by Stoney family and the Slingsby family. I would be keen on any information you have regarding the place as I am trying to compile the history of the Downs village and environs. I do not know the correct postal address but Silversprings, Downs Village, Willow Grove, Delgany, Co. Wicklow should work.
regards, DDHS

[chappers]

Hi DDHS

Thank you for your very helpful reply about Silver Springs.  It's great to have the google earth reference and also a definite address for the property.   I don't have any information about the property itself other than my grandfather Mr. Withers purchasing it around 1941.  I have pictures of myself when about 18 months old in the spring of 1943 sitting on the lawns with my grandmother.  The building had steps leading up to the front door and the lawns were surrounded by a small terraced wall.  Due to ill health my grandfather had to sell the property soon after 1943 but that is all I know.   Unfortunately, there are no family members alive now who could tell me anything more.   You say the building is still inhabited so I presume it will look much the same as it did in the early 1940s.  I hope to see the property when I visit Co. Wicklow again next year in another stage of my family research.

Thank you again
Kind regards
Carol

[DDHS]

Hello Carol,

I am glad to be of help. By the way, DDHS stands for Downs and District Historical Society. My name is Peter.

regards, P

[chappers]

Hello Peter

I wondered what DDHS stood for!  It's great that I've been in touch with a Historical Society in the area.  I live in Manchester, UK.  My parents were from Belfast but lived in Co. Wicklow for many years in their later life.  They are now both deceased but I still like to visit Ireland a couple of times a year.  Next year I am planning to visit Delgany and find Silver Springs. 
If I have any more queries arising from my family research I hope you don't mind if I contact you again.

Many thanks
Carol


 

[chappers]

A PS

Hello again Peter

You kindly gave me the references for google earth recently concerning Silver  Springs.  I am having a bit of trouble downloading google earth.  I used to have this facility on my computer and be able to just click into it but when I do that now, it tells me to download.  I've done that but still can't get google earth.  Perhaps I'm doing something wrong.  Has google earth changed its format? 
Any help would be very much appreciated
Carol

[DDHS]

Hi again,

All I can suggest is search for google earth's website and download the latest version.
http://www.earth.google.com/download-earth.html

regards, Peter

[chappers]

Hello Peter

OK, will try the link you suggested
Thanks

Carol