Successful Heritage Week Events at Museum

Lieut Col. Philip Chearnley O'Sullivan, US Army Retd. & Son making a donation to William Fraher and Eddie Cantwell on behalf of Museum.

On the first day of Heritage week Helen Moynihan, Willie Fraher and Darren Moynihan presented a fascinating insight into a day in the life of a child in the "Big House" using original artefacts, clothing, books and extracts from original diaries.
Last week William Fraher gave two lunch time talks on the Chearnley Family of Salterbridge House, Cappoquin.  Original documents were on display which have been generously donated by Lieut Col. Philip Chearnley O'Sullivan.  Lieut Col. Chearnley O'Sullivan visited the Museum on Friday and was most impressed with what we have achieved and gave a generous donation.

Aidan O'Hara Talk - Links Between Waterford & Newfoundland

Author Aidan O'Hara

When: 8pm Friday September 7th 2012
Venue: Town Hall Theatre, Dungarvan
Admission: €5

Waterford County Museum are delighted to welcome well known author, lecturer and film maker Aidan O'Hara to speak in the Town Hall Theatre on Friday September 7. Aidan O'Hara, has worked as a presenter and producer with RTÉ (Raidió Telefís Éireann - Irish National Broadcasting) and CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). Aidan is engaged in writing full-time, but stays in touch with broadcasting through his regular contributions to Radio Telefís Éireann and Raidió na Gaeltachta.

His biography on the legendary Delia Murphy,'I'll Live 'Till I Die' was highly acclaimed as was Aidan's story of the Irish in Newfoundland, Na Gaeil i dTalamh an Éisc, was published in 1998. His paper "The Irish in Newfoundland" was published in The Emigrant. He presented three acclaimed Radharc documentaries on the Irish of Newfoundland on RTE. He is currently writing a book on the Irish in the era of the American Civil War 1861-65, and his chapter, 'Judge Charles Patrick Daly (1816-99)' is due for publication next year in "Irish Soldiers - American Wars".

His is a keen historian with a special interest in the Irish emigration experience. Aidan is Chairman of the Emmet and Devlin Committee and co-founder of the Association of Canadian Studies in Ireland. Aidan's PowerPoint presentation will illustrate the strong Waterford connections with Newfoundland. He will be drawing from his own fieldwork researches in the 1970s while doing postgraduate studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and will play extracts from his three Radharc/RTE film documentaries of the 1980s and from his recordings in the 1970s in Newfoundland and Waterford. This promises to be one of the highlights of our upcoming lecture season.

Refreshments will be served after the event. So come, meet and chat with Aidan and his wife, Joyce who is an author and songwriter in her own right on the night.

Lecture On Chearnley's of Salterbridge House, Cappoquin

Willie Fraher's Talk on Chearnley's of Salterbridge House

Waterford County Museum held our second event for Heritage week here at the museum on Tuesday 21st August. Willie Fraher gave a talk on the Chearnley Family of Salterbridge House near Cappoquin. The event was well attended and there was plenty of opportunity for everyone to ask questions and view the many original Chearnley papers on display in the Museum. A special thanks to Willie Fraher for his research and presentation.

The original Chearnley papers are on display in the Museum please pop in to view.

The talk will be repeated on Friday 24th August at 1.00 in the Museum all are welcome.

A Childs Day in the Big House

Schoolroom in the Big House

Last Saturday we held our first event for Heritage Week in the County Museum. It was attended by many of the local children and was a huge success. A section of the schoolroom in the Big House was recreated with period toys, furniture, childrens clothes etc. Helen Moynihan played the role of the Governess "Miss Stevens" and took the children through the day of a child in the big house - breakfast, clothing, lessons, lunch, play etc. Willie Fraher went through the clothes children would have worn, as well as books and scrapbooks they would have used. Darren Moynihan demonstrated a simple form of moving pictures which the children were able to make.

A special thanks to all the museum staff and committee members for the research and time given to ensure the day went off smoothly. Well done to all concerned. To view more images visit us on facebook

Children's Event for Heritage Week

Chavasse Children on Bicycles

On Saturday 18th August from 12 to 1 o'clock the Museum will host a children's event entitled "A Childs Day in the Big House".  The focus will be on dress, food, education, play etc.  View original costumes, books etc. and meet the Governess.  The event is free and all are welcome to attend.

Heritage Week Talks at Museum

Salterbridge House Cappoquin

As part of Heritage Week William Fraher will hold lunch time talks in the Museum on Tuesday 21st and Friday 24th August at 1.00pm.
The topic for the talks will be "A House by the Blackwater", The Chearnley Family of Salterbridge House Cappoquin. Original documents will also be on display.
Talks will last for 30 mins. approx. and admission is free.