Corcoran and Co. Mineral Waters
By Dan Carbery
This mineral water manufacturing business was established in 1827 by Thomas Corcoran. It was at the time when Catholic Emancipation was reaching its climax. In 1828 Dr. Doyle (J.K.L) Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin laid the foundation stone for Carlow Cathedral beside St. Patrick’s College. Shortly afterwards in 1830’s a new roof and spire was erected on St. Mary’s Church, designed by Thomas Cobden, the Architect for the Cathedral. By 1837 the Sisters of Mercy had established their convent on the Dublin Road.
Artists impression of Corcoran and Co. Mineral Waters. Photo Dan Carbery
Four of Thomas Corcoran’s children died young. The tombstone on his family grave at Tinryland Church has the following inscription on a flat slab surrounded by a metal railing (made by Deighton of Carlow) close to left hand side entrance to the Church.
“This monument is erected by Thomas Corcoran of Carlow in memory of his children who died of scarletina.
Patrick November 22nd 1842 Aged 3 years.
Julia November 25th 1842 Aged 8 years.
Catherine November 27th 1842 Aged 6 years.
And Maria December 22nd 1842 Aged 3 months.
The above Thomas Corcoran who died 27th February 1876 aged 78 years, and his wife Mrs. Catherine Corcoran who died 20th February 1879 aged 70 years and their daughter Eliza M Governey who died 13th October 1905”.
The Governey name is the connection with my mother Kathleen Governey. Her father Michael Governey from Ballylinan Co. Laois (Queen’s County) was born in 1850 and came to work as a young man in Corcoran’s. He progressed in the company and married the owner Thomas Corcoran’s daughter Eliza. On the death of her father they inherited the business.
The business expanded under Michael Governey and new buildings were built by Thomas Thompson of Carlow. Corcoran’s red lemonade was a most popular product and was sold in siphons as well as bottles. The bottles and siphons were returned when empty to Corcoran’s where they were washed thoroughly and reused. Many a child collected empty bottles and made a few pence for themselves.
Corcoran’s premises is at the right end of bridge. Photo Dan Carbery
Corcoran’s mineral waters were of a very high quality and used natural water from a well beside Carlow Castle adjoining the factory. Many awards were given to their products including at the International Exhibition in Dublin 1907.
Michael Governey was very involved in local and national politics being a close associate of Charles Stuart Parnell and John Redmond who were members of Parliament.
After the death of his wife Eliza in 1905 he was married again to Madeline Brodie, the daughter of a British Army Medical Officer who served in India, where she spent some of her youth. He was in his middle 50’s she was 22 years old. They had a large family and in 1924 when he died his eldest daughter Madeline left school to join the company. She eventually became Chairman of the board with her brothers Patrick and Francis joint managing directors.
Corcoran’s was a typical family business of the time with many of the family working in the company. Des and Hugh were sales representatives (commercial travellers). They worked in the Boot Factory prior to joining Corcoran’s. Des was for many years a TD in the Carlow Kilkenny constituency. The company enjoyed the advantage of a large loyal workforce mainly from Carlow town and of course Graiguecullen across the river. Several generations of the same families worked in Corcoran’s. Patrick F. Governey Jnr. was the third generation of the family to be managing director.
Michael Governey Patrick Governey
Patrick Governey Jnr
Photos Dan Carbery
Corcoran’s Bar, Governey Square. Photo Dan Carbery.
Corcoran’s is unfortunately no longer in existence and the factory buildings have been demolished. Corcoran’s Bar in Governey Square (formerly Wellington Square) is I think the only place the name is still displayed.
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