9th November 1852
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In the early hours of Tuesday, 9 November, sleepers in Dublin and the surrounding counties were awoken by a low rumbling noise and a strong vibration, subsequently identified as an earthquake...

"Windows shook violently, house-bells rang, and delph, glasses and candlesticks ‘rattled audibly’.

Some ‘fancied they heard the floors of their rooms creak beneath a heavy footstep, and on the minds of most of those who thus abruptly awoke from their midnight dreams an indefinable feeling of fear and awe was impressed.’

The shock was strongly felt at Bray, Kilruddery and Enniskerry.

'At Powerscourt ... and at other mansions in the same locality, there was a violent tremulous motion', but no injuries and a correspondent from Kilbride reported that ‘the house rocked in a most fearful way – the bed pitched like a ship at sea – the clock stopped on the mantelpiece – jugs and basins danced a fearful jig.’

At Delgany, ‘some describe their beds as being violently rocked for the space of half a minute or so; one lady heard her keys jingle on her chamber candlestick, where she had placed them on retiring to rest; a noise was also heard, like that proceeding from a heavily-laden wagon driven rapidly.

It was also felt in the neighbourhood of Newtownmountkennedy. I trust’, this witness piously concluded, ‘this appalling event may lead many to put to themselves that all-important question – “Am I prepared to meet my God?”’

[From Earthquake And Tempest 1852 By Rosemary Raughter  READ MORE ...]

 

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