Tramore Hidden History
The Tramore Lifeboat House
The original RNLI Lifeboat House was built in 1859. It stood just above the high-water mark on Tramore Strand. It was directly in front of the old Racecourse Grandstand.
Charles Tarrant was the architect for the project. He was an Architect, Civil Engineer and County Surveyor for Waterford 1855-1877.
The contract for building the Lifeboat house was awarded to Mr. John Waters Maher. The Lifeboat house was completed in September 1859 and ready for occupation. Its location gave it a full view of Tramore Bay.
It remained in situ for 40 years. It had been damaged by many storms and eventually the structure was undermined by erosion. It was decided to build a new Lifeboat House further back from the sea. The great cost of doing so was discussed by the Lifeboat Committee. They decided to take the existing Lifeboat House down and re-build it on its new site.
1899
It was re-built at the new located in Longhouse Lane “now Riverstown”
The Lifeboat House was opened by Lady Camilly Fortesque on Thursday 12th October 1899. It remained in service for the next 25 years.
It officially closed down on the 3rd of February 1924.
The building still stands there today. It is now in private ownership.
History by Paul Brent
