Page 94 - Greystones Archaeological Historical Society

CANON ROBERT JENNINGS

Another of his great passions is history. In 2008 his book
Newcastle Down the Years was published. The book covers the
full history, heritage, community and religious past of Newcastle
and is a fount of information.

The history of Newcastle and its early inhabitants goes back
to prehistoric times. The earliest, but still visible, evidence is from
the Bronze Age 2000 - 500 BC.

In 1984 Bob released a commemorative booklet on Calary
Church and the Diocese of Glendalough.

In 2008 he was involved in the ceremonial erection of the
plaque in memory of the unknown crew members of the doomed
ship 'Elaine', which was lost with all hands along the Wicklow
Banks in January of 1883.

The 'Elaine' had broken up on the beach and three bodies
were found immediately. They were identified but the bodies of
another five crewmen were washed ashore weeks after the
tragedy. They were unidentifiable and buried in Newcastle's
Church of Ireland churchyard, but without any markers for their
graves. Bob also carried out his own research into the Newcastle
burial plots.

Bob also researched the life of Sir Albert Hime who lived in
Ballydonerea House, Kilcoole and became the first Prime
Minister of Natal in South Africa. On one of his visits to South
Africa Bob visited Himeville, called after Sir Albert, and received
a great welcome from the Mayor and residents. On returning
home, and with the support of others, he arranged for a plaque
to be erected on the entrance to Ballydonerea House in memory
of Sir Albert which was unveiled by the South African
Ambassador.

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