Launch Of Keohan Photographic Exhibition

 The Keohan Family With Committee Members & Julian Walton

On last Friday night April 23rd our latest exhibition "Edmond Keohan (1852-1934) Photographer".  Helen Moynihan Museum Society Vice-President was MC for the night and started proceedings by welcoming the museum members, guests and especially the extended Keohan family.

Willie Whelan then spoke of behalf of the committee and  thanked the curator and staff for their work on putting the exhibition together, he also acknowledged the continued support of Fás, Waterford Leader Partnership, Dungarvan Town Council and the Heritage Council. He then handed over the proceedings to Julian Walton who officially opened the exhibition.

Julian told how Keohan was born in Tramore and settled in Dungarvan in his early 20's.  He observed that Keohan was a real Rennaiscence man, Chairman of the Town Commissioners, an expert billiards player, member of the Dungarvan Ramblers Cycling Club, President of the Literary Society, and the Photographic Society.  His most significant achievement was the publication in 1924 of the first History of Dungarvan.

This will be the first time that a complete exhibition has been prepared to highlight the work of this Dungarvan based photographer.  Edmond Keohan was the first full time professional photographer to record people, places and events in this area.  This exhibition  features original cameras owned by Keohan, publications and events. A number of photographs in this exhibition are printed from newly donated glass negative plates and have not been previously published. The exhibition is open daily 10am  to 5 pm and will run through out the summer.

Michael Smith, Willie Fraher, Sheila Murphy & Eddie Cantwell At The Opening

Underwater Archaeology Lecture A Great Success

 Jimmy Lenehan (3rd left) With Some Museum Members

The final lecture of the current season was held on Wednesday 21st April.  The talk, with the title Secrets Of The Deep, was given by Jimmy Lenehan.  Jimmy who is an underwater archaeologist, gave a fascinating presentation on some of the sites that he has worked on.  These included the excavation of a medieval bridge in Kilkenny, the survey of a possible slave trader (circa 1701) off the coast of Cork, an Armada shipwreck in Donegal and the excavation of a medieval boat in Drogheda.

Bee Talk A Tremendous Success

Children Check Out A Frame Of Honey With Darren

The museum was alive on Saturday morning the 17th April to the sound of Bee's. Darren Moynihan of "Moynihan's Honey " captured the attention of young and not so young with his talk on the life of the "Honey Bee".  He brought  along a hive, a bee keepers suit and some  live bees and gave a very informative talk which kept the large crowd of more than 150 entertained for 2 hours.

This event was held as part of the Waterford  Festival Of Food, and was a resounding success. There was also a large display of old type cooking utensils and  bread tasting, compliments of Nude Food.

We would like to thank Darren, and the Moynihan family for the time and effort put into the event, Helen our Education Officer for organising the event, Nude Food for their tasty breads, Flahavan's Kilmacthomas for their flap jacks and Butler's O'Connell for their ice cream vouchers, the committee and staff members that helped in any way.

Mícheal Moynihan, Darren Moynihan & Ashling Ahearne

New Exhibition Of Keohan Photographs

 Keohan's Shop, Main Street, Dungarvan

Our Spring / Summer exhibition will highlight the work of the Dungarvan Photographer Edmond Keohan (1852-1934).  This is the first retrospective exhibition on the photographer's work.

While Edmond was born in Tramore he spent the major part of his life in Dungarvan at 17 Main Street (now Dunphy Insurance).  Keohan was the first person to compile and publish a history of Dungarvan.  This was published in 1924, illustrated with his own photographs.  The book is particularly valuable in its coverage of the War of Independence / Civil War period and the photographs of the destruction which took place in Dungarvan and district.

There are many new photographs in the exhibition which have not been published. The exhibition will include a sample of Keohan's work- portraits, buildings, streets, events, leisure, War of Independence etc.

As well as being a photographer Keohan was also Chairman of Dungarvan Town Commissioners, President of the Dungarvan Literary Society, member of the Dungarvan Rambler's Club.  He was also an excellent billiards player.  The exhibition also includes cameras used by Keohan.  There will be an opportunity to handle a stereoscopic viewer showing 3D images.

The exhibition will be officially opened by Broadcaster and Historian Julian Walton on Friday 23 April at 8 p.m in Waterford County Museum.  The exhibition opens to the general public on Monday 26 April.

Talk And Display At Museum For Waterford Festival Of Food

 Michael Moynihan And Son At Moynihan Apiaries

  
Let your children be captivated by the story of the life of a honey bee as told by local Primary School Teacher, Darren Moynihan, of the well known Moynihan bee-keeping family. Explore a real bee hive, examine a bee keeper's suit and taste some wonderful local honey.

Display of Vintage Cooking Implements From The Museum Collection
Come and see the cooking implements used long ago - learn about the Bastable Pot, Griddle, Skillet Pot, Butter Pot, Butter Pats, Butter Churn, and many more.

This talk and display will take place in Waterford County Museum on Saturday 17 April from 12 - 2pm.  Admission is Free.

Waterford History Network

The museum has helped develop an initiative (with help from County Heritage Officer Bernadette Guest) that is going to try and link all of the local history groups operating in County Waterford. Essentially we are starting up a mailing list, facebook pages and blogs so that participant groups will be aware of what other groups are up to. This will hopefully mean that we will share information between ourselves and the public in a more efficient manner. We also hope to have joint training days and a single Google Calendar for heritage events in Waterford County. Some cross promotion of events and sharing of exhibitions will also be an aim. At the moment participating groups are Portlaw Heritage Centre, Dolmen Historical Group (Butlerstown, Kilmeaden, Waterford City), Tallow Heritage Committee, Dunhill Education Centre, Gaultier Historical Society, Bunmhaon Heritage Society, Waterford County Museum and local historian Sean Murphy. We know we have left out one or two groups inadvertently. We will get these on board as quickly as we can. It will take some time before this group makes an impact but over time we hope that the network will help us improve our services to the the community.

More information on this initiative can be had from william@deisedesign.com