Tales of the Estuary – The Cockle Women Re-Enactment

The Passage Cockle Women spent their days rooting out and picking cockles on the banks of the River Suir, from Passage East to Tramore. They brought the cockles to Passage by ass and cart; there, the cockles were washed, boiled and shaken from their shells through a ‘riddle’, then sold for sixpence a pint on the streets of Waterford every Friday. They sat at a makeshift counter made from wooden porter or fish boxes. In 1926, the women were summoned by Waterford Corporation for blocking the public thoroughfare when selling cockles and brought before the District Court. They won their case.

There is evidence that women sold cockles on the streets of Waterford as far back as 1870. Many of the women were single, widowed or ‘deserted’, and cockle picking was their only means of providing for their families. Despite their modest incomes, these strong-minded, hardworking women were renowned for not just looking after their own families but also supporting other families who struggled to cope.

Their history is mostly handed down through the stories told within their families and the community. A ‘Blue Plaque’ commemorating The Cockle Women is now proudly displayed in Arundel Lane, Waterford City.

This re-enactment is their story - an excerpt from The Minaun Community Theatre Group’s highly acclaimed eight-night sell-out theatre production. All women involved are the original actors, many descendants of the cockle women themselves.

Reenactment will be followed by serving of traditional cockle chowder in bread bowls.