Latest Decies Journal Published

Decies Journal No 67

The latest issue of Decies has just been published. There is the usual fascinating collection of articles. Of particular interest is the article by Margo Griffin titled From Waterford to Worcester: Records from a Massachusetts Archive. This tells the story of Richard O'Flynn (1829-1907) of Newtown, Kilmacthomas who settled in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1851. He opened an antiquarian bookshop which was commercially successful. He was a founder of the Worcester Society of Antiquity and had a particular interest in recording the history of the Irish in Worcester. All of his research was recorded in twenty folio volumes.

This article refers to the Co Waterford people recorded by O'Flynn. These include fascinating pen pictures of the individuals, such as Jeremiah Kane of Dungarvan who became one of Worcester's famous detectives. There are people from Stradbally, Dungarvan, Ring, Mothel, Kilmacthomas, Fenor etc. Copies of the journal are on sale at the museum at €20.

Living History in An tSeanphobal

On Saturday November 26 the Parent's Association of Ballymacart National School in Old Parish are holding a history event.  This event is being held to celebrate the fact that Old Parish is the oldest parish in Ireland and also to launch their newly restored school inspection books from 1866.

The event will run from 1.30 - 5.30pm.

1.30 -2.00 - Unveiling of a plaque at the site of the Old Parish soup kitchen.
2.00 - 2.30 - Official opening of the restored school inspection books.
2.30 - 3.00 - History of the school from 1840 - Martin Coffey.
3.15 - 4.30 - Lecture on the famine - Willie Whelan.

Also in the afternoon:

• Genealogy - One to one on how to trace your family - Eddie Cantwell & Nioclás ó Griofain.
• An tSeanphobal young musicians.
• 70 years of Aisteoirí an tSeanphobal (Actors Group)
• Old Parish Photos.

Exhibitions will include farm machinery from a by-gone age, plough, pulper, pony and trap, household items that have been replaced in modern life, the gramophone player and wireless. Some school items, ICA memorabilia and other exhibits. Of special interest for the children on the day will be the creating of a time capsule.

The museum are happy to be invited to attend and participate in this event with our President Nioclás, Eddie, Willie and Martin all giving talks.

"Evidence of Shandon" Lecture A Great Success

John Tierney at the Podium

The latest talk in our lecture series was a great success, with a large crowd attending to hear John Tierney's talk on the Viking Settlement in Shandon and the early history of Dungarvan.

John who is a field archaeologist based in Co. Waterford kept the attention of the crowd with his very informative talk on this area of our local history.

The Origins of Dungarvan, Evidence of Shandon by John Tierney

The next talk in the series will take place on Wednesday November 16 at 8.pm in the museum.  This talk will be given by John Tierney.  John is a field archeologist based in Co. Waterford, a partner in Eachtra Archaeological Projects he has been involved in a large number of archaeological projects throughout Waterford and Ireland.  He is co - author of Near the River Bend ( an account of the excavation outside Kilmacthomas) and the Lowlands of South Galway, an account of a series of excavations near Gort in Co. Galway. He is currently project director of a survey of historical graveyards throughout Ireland having recently collaborated with the Waterford County Museum in Dungarvan.

His talk will center around the significance of Shandon in the early history of Dungarvan. Reference to the Shandon caves can be found in Smiths History of Waterford City and County in 1746.  It is also believed that there was a Viking settlement in Shandon.  A carved bone trial piece with Viking pattern  from the 9th/10th centuries was found in this area.  John Tierney will reveal all in this talk which is aptly titled " The Origins of Dungarvan" evidence from Shandon.

Children's Halloween Event At Museum



Group of Children with Darren Moynihan enjoying the Halloween Event

On Saturday October 29 the children's Halloween event was held in the museum.  A large group of children and adults enjoyed the story of halloween and took part in some arts and crafts along with some scary stories.

The event was organised by Helen Moynihan and assisted by Darren Moynihan and Emma Walsh. Well done to all for a successful event and also a thank you to Eddie for the photographs and Mary who helped out on the day. Follow us on Facebook to view more pictures of the event.