Launch of New Book on The War of Independence in West Waterford by Tommy Mooney

A History of the Men of the Déise Brigade IRA in West Waterford  1913-1922

The Cry of The Curlew is a history of the men of the Déise Brigade IRA in West Waterford 1913-1922. It traces the actions of the War of Independence in West Waterford. Beginning with the founding of the Irish Volunteers in 1913 to the outbreak of the Civil War in June 1922, it should be of interest to many West Waterford families, of whom members were involved in the fight for freedom. A number of those acknowledged in the book were well known to the author and several were family members. The sacrifices that they made with a staunch belief in the righteousness of their cause become more evident from a reading of their history.

There is information in this book also of a more mundane nature, belying the environment of threatened arrest, or perhaps worse in which the volunteers were living. These were ordinary men and women who in different circumstances would never have thought of themselves in any militaristic way.There is a description of how those who sought not to become involved attempted to carry on living  in as normal a way as possible. The police lost the trust and much of the companionship of their communities which led to their eventual demise.

There are accounts also and some diagrams of the major actions carried out by the officers and men of the 2nd West Waterford (or "Déise") Brigade at Ardmore, Piltown, Durrow and the Burgery and an escape of some leading IRA figures from Spike Island Prison in Cork Harbour, engineered by an Ardmore Volunteer.

Few were foolish enough to imagine that by their arms alone they had defeated the British but were aware nonetheless they they had succeeded in disrupting the administration of British rule in West Waterford. The British Government were ultimitely forced to deploy an ever increasing force of troops, including the infamous Black and Tans.

The launch of Tommy's book will take place in the museum on Friday 8 June  at 8.pm. The M.C for the night will be museum President Nioclás Ó Griofáin and well known Waterford County Board Chairman GAA,  P.J Ryan will be on hand to launch the book. All are welcome to attend, to meet Tommy and get a signed copy of this, his first publication. The book will be available to buy in the museum.

Annual Book Sale 2012

We are presently taking books for our annual book sale. All types of books in a good clean condition are accepted. (no magazines). The book sale is one of the museum's main fund raising events and is very well supported each year.

Organiser Eddie Cantwell promises it will be bigger and better this year with great bargains to be had. The sale will be held over a four day period from Wednesday July 18 - Saturday 21 July. The venue as usual will be at Garvey's Super Valu.

  Books can be handed in to the museum any day Monday-Friday between 10.am and 5.pm.

A Drama on the Great Famine to be Performed in Dungarvan

Waterford  County Museum is delighted to have the Hob Nail Boot's Theatre Company perfrom in the Town Hall Theatre on Friday June 15 at 8pm.
The performance "Hunger" was adopted and directed by the well known Irish Poet, Eamon Grennan. This is one of a number of dramatic productions which have been adapted by Eamonn.

 The  performance uses documentary evidence to give audiences a dramatic feel for what has been such a silent and traumatic element in our history known as "An Gorta Mór". This stage performance comes very highly recommended. Hunger is guaranteed to transport you out of your seat and into the period of Ireland's deepest and darkest shame. The great hunger is vividly portrayed by Tegolin Knowland and Séan Coyne. 

Tegolin trained at London's central school of speech and drama where she received Hillman's best actress award, she worked with the Exchange Theatre Company, Druid Theratre and has performed for Amnesty International and UNISF. Séan has a passionate interest in theatre, he is co-founder of the Hob Nail Boot company appearing in numerous productions, he is also co-founder of the children's theatre company "Teoglin's Tales".

Eamonn Grennan has lived for 40 years in America, but spends as much time as he can in the West of Ireland. He has a Ph.D from Harvard. He taught for 30 years in Vassar College teaching poetry, Sharespeare and Irish literature. He teaches in the graduate writing programme of Columbia and New York University. The theatre group also travelled to the US in 2011 where they received rave reviews. Eamonn will travel from the States and be present on the night.

The actors and poet are interested in chatting with the audience after the show. Refreshments of wine, tea and coffee will be served during this mingling period. Tickets for the event are on sale at the Museum, Friary St, Dungarvan for €10.