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Waterford & Unionism

Although led by Sir Edward Carson and very closely associated with Ulster Unionism the oppositing to Home rule was not limited to Ulster. There were Irish Unionist Party supporters in Waterford and Waterford was one of the locations outside Ulster where people opposed to Home Rule and born in Ulster were given the opportunity to sign the Ulster Covenant. In response to the introduction of the Home Rule Bill in April 1912 the Irish Unionist Party introduced the Ulster Covenant - a pledge to defend against the introduction of Home Rule"by whatever means necessary".

The Unionist oppostion to Home Rule in Waterford was led by Sir William Goff and Bishop Henry O'Hara, Church of Ireland, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. Sir William Goff in his opposition to Home Rule argued that the introduction of Home Rule would be detrimental to the prosperity of Ireland, damaging to trade, would increase taxes and lead to the separation of Ireland. Sir William Goff attempted to hold a meeting of unionists in City Hall in Waterford but was refused use of City Hall for this purpose by the Mayor of Waterford. Instead, the meeting was held at his home at Glenville on 13th June 1912.

Shortly after Ulster Day, 28th September 1912 when Unionists signed the Solemn League and Covenant - Bishop O'Hara presided over a special prayer service in Christchurch Cathedral at which Ulster men and women resident in Waterford could sign the Ulster Covenant. You can search for the Waterford signatories of the Ulster Covenant online on the Public Record Office, Northern Ireland.

The Wateford signatories included: John Brown, Morley Terrace; HJ Cashel, The Palace, Waterford; BL Caskey, William Street; Deborah Helen Chambers and Richard S. Chambers, South Parade; Frederick Chapman, Lady Lane; KS Dobbin, HMS Prison, Waterford; Besey C. Duffin, Newland; Emily Fitzgerald, The Club, Waterford; Henry James, Ballinakill.