Write a comment
Born in 1832, Thomas D’Arcy Hoey is considered one of the most prominent and influential businessmen in 19th century Newry. He owned the principle share of the local spirit wholesalers, Matt. D’Arcy & Co. Ltd. and was a major shareholder in the Newry Navigation Company. He was made a Magistrate in 1869 and served as a Justice of the Peace.
Thomas D’Arcy’s uncle, Matt D’Arcy, made him apprentice in his distillery, at the age of twenty-one. After the death of Matt D’Arcy, Thomas took over the management of the company at the age of twenty-four. Under the management of D’Arcy Hoey, the company went through several changes to improve working conditions and sales. During his twenty-nine years of working in the business, Thomas had the large chimney that was built by Samuel Hanna demolished and built a two-story warehouse that spanned twenty thousand square feet. He also hired local architect William J. Barre (of notable fame for his work on the Ulster Hall and Albert Clock in Belfast as well as the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Newry) to build a fascia for the building. Hoey’s competitor, Henry Thompson who was the nephew of Matt D’Arcy’s former business partner Robert Thomson, also employed Barre to create a façade for his buildings at Trevor Hill. Despite the business rivalry, both men would collaborate on occasion. Both D’Arcy Hoey and Thomson owned shareholdings in the Newry Navigation Company, which saw them working alongside one another in their attempts to extend their businesses in the proposals for a sixty-one-mile tramway spanning from Rathfriland to county Tyrone.
D’Arcy Hoey owned pure bred hunting horses at his home at Dromalane House which had been built by Hill Irvine, the owner of Dromalane Mill. He experienced notable success in the owning and breeding of racehorses and Edward, Prince of Wales, bought his horse ‘Coquette’ for £1500. He also owned a kennel of greyhounds and beagles for hunting. As a sportsman, D’Arcy Hoey was Master of the Newry Harriers and served as President of Newry Rowing Club, Newry Cycling Club and the Newry Regatta and Athletics Club.
As well as his own business, Thomas D’Arcy Hoey also supported other local businessmen. After hiring him to work on the gardens at Dromalane House, D’Arcy Hoey offered funding to Thomas Smith which allowed Smith to buy the six acres that eventually became the renowned Daisy Hill Nursery.
D’Arcy Hoey died in 1886 at the age of fifty-three due to heart failure after suffering from pneumonia beforehand. His work and legacy continued through his business with his best friend and business partner Thomas O’Hagan’s operation at Matt D’Arcy and Co.
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the exhibition galleries on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11.00 am. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museum@nmandd.org for further information.
Please visit our new website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
