Waterford County Museum Christmas Get-together

A very enjoyable night was had by all who attended our Christmas Get-together on Friday last, 14th December. The night began with an opening  address from Padraig O'Cuirrín, Museum President.

A presentation was made by Julian Walton to the Museum of an Indenture dated 1701 between John Stephens of Dromina & Richard Christmas.
  • Music was provided by Seán Fitzgerald.
  • Story telling and songs by Margo Kehoe, Orla Glascot  nee O'Keeffe , Julian Walton, Joe Power, John Daly and Matt Connelly.
  • Exhibition of Irish dancing by our own Ml. Flately aka Séamus Fraher.
Hot finger food and mulled wine was provided by Jitter Beans which went down a treat.

A quiz was organised by William Fraher where people had the opportunity to identify some of the unusual artifacts held by the Museum. Congratulations to Tom Kehoe, winner of the quiz.

A special word of thanks to our event organiser Eddie Cantwell.


Presentation of Indenture by Julian Walton to Padraig O'Cuirrín

Sean Fitzgerald, Orla O'Keeffe, Eddie Cantwell
 
Enjoying night Mr & Mrs Tom Broderick and Mai Fox


Group listening attentively to Joe Power


Seamus Fraher performing a hornpipe

Christmas Holiday Arrangements
Museum will be closing on Friday 21st for Christmas.
Open on Friday 28th and Monday 31st. 
Closed on Tue 1st (New Years Day) and opening as usual from Wednesday 2nd January 2013






Waterford County Museum launch new Dungarvan guide book

On Wednesday night last 28th November, a large crowd attended the official launching of our new guide book, "Dungarvan Historic Guide and Town Trail" by Mr Jimmy Taffe, CEO of Waterford Leader Partnership, at Waterford County Museum.

The book (an ideal Christmas present) is for sale at Waterford County Museum, Friary St., Easons at Dungarvan Shopping Center and at the Capital Cleaners O'Connell St., Dungarvan or you can buy it online.

 
Front left to right, Mr Billy Kyne, County Mayor. Mr JimmyTaffe, CEO of Waterford Leader Partnership. Mr Michael Cosgrave, Dungarvan Town Mayor. Back Mr.William Whelan, Mr. Padraig O'Cuirrín & Mr. William Fraher.
 
 
L to r. Jimmy Taffe, Cllr. Michael Cosgrave, Cllr. Billy Kyne, Collette Bannon - West Waterford Chamber of Commerce & Caroline O'Brien - WLP.
 

Cllr. Damien Geoghegan, Joe O'Flaherty - Dungarvan Town Clerk & Cllr. Theresa Wright
 
 
Group viewing the guide book 
 
Christmas Get-together
Waterford county Museum will be holding a Christmas get-together at Dungarvan Museum on Friday 14th December at 8pm.  Mulled wine, refreshments, finger food and entertainment will be provided. Tickets now available at the Museum €10.
 

Very Busy Week For Waterford County Museum

Fund Raising Event A Huge Success

On Wednesday last 21st November the premier of "Days of Our Youth!" by Muiris O'Keeffe was staged at Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre.

Dungarvan Dramatic Club, to whom we are very grateful, kindly donated the takings from the first night of the four night event to the Museum. The fund raiser was a great success as the theatre was filled to capacity. An enjoyable night was had by all. We greatly appreciate the wonderful support of all who attended.

Lecture

On Saturday afternoon 24th November, a large crowd attended a host of talks by Ivan Lennon and Dr Pat McCarthy.

 
Crowd enjoying talk
 

 Pádraig O'Cuirrín, Ivan Lennon and Dr. Pat McCarthy


Dr. Pat McCarthy
 
Book Launch "Dungarvan Historic Guide & Town Trail"

On Wednesday next 28th November at 8pm, we will have the official launch of our new guide book. The book would make an ideal Christmas present for family and friends at home and abroad.
New Dungarvan guide book is now available for sale in the Museum for €10 or you can buy Dungarvan Historic Guide & Town Trail online. A short video about the book is available on YouTube.

Buy Our Book - Dungarvan: A Historic Guide & Town Trail



An introduction to the new 80 page guide book about Dungarvan from Waterford County Museum, Ireland. Content includes a history of Dungarvan, articles on notable local personalities, historic sites in the locality, a town walking trail, numerous full page photos and maps. The book is produced to a high standard and the museum ships worldwide. All profits go the upkeep of the museum. The book is available to buy in  museum from the 28th November 2012 for €10 or can be bought on-line from today using PayPal.

Customers In Ireland


Customers In The UK & Europe


Customers In The US & Worldwide

Dramatic Weekend at Waterford County Museum


Museum Fund Raising Event


Play About The War Of Independence In West Waterford
Wed 21st to Saturday 24th Nov 2012
Dungarvan Dramatic Club premieres "Days of Our Youth"  by Muiris O'Keeffe and directed by Margaret Dennehy at Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre from Wed 21st to Sat 24th Nov at 8pm each night. Tickets for sale in Museum at €12. Opening night performance proceeds in aid of Waterford County Museum.

Afternoon Lectures
Saturday 24th November 2012
To coincide with the play Waterford County Museum will host a series of afternoon lectures at the Museum on Sat 24th beginning at 3pm. Ivan Lennon, the son of George Lennon, flies in from the United States to be present for the play. He will also oblige with a short talk about his father on Saturday afternoon. This will be followed by a lecture from Dr Patrick McCarthy. There will be an entry fee of €5 for the afternoon programme, tea and coffee will be provided.

Photographic Exhibition
Waterford County Museum will also mount a photographic exhibition featuring some of the personalities that feature in 'Days Of Our Youth' in the Town Hall Theatre for the duration of the play.


Free Children's Halloween Fun In Dungarvan

Witches Cave
Waterford County Museum are hosting the annual Children's Halloween Event on Saturday the 20th October 2012 from 12.00 - 1.00PM. It will be held in the Museum, Friary Street, Dungarvan.

Learn about the history of Halloween in Ireland and enjoy Halloween crafts, creepy crosswords and scary stories.

All children are welcome and admission is free.

Dungarvan Group Visits Museum for Positive Age Week


Local group visited Waterford County Museum in Dungarvan for Positive Age Week.  William Fraher gave an interesting talk about The Gathering 2013 and the programme which the Museum are currently planning for the event.  The visitors enjoyed a cup of tea and a chat  An enjoyable time was had by all.
Waterford County Museum welcomes all groups and admission is free.

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.

Annual Book Sale A Great Success


Great Bargains were Available at the Sale
The Museum Society held their annual fundraising book sale over a five day period from Wednesday 18 July to Sunday 22 July.  The event was again this year held at Garvey's Supervalu on Main Street. The sale surpassed all expectations and the Society are delighted with the money raised which will go towards new exhibition cases, stands and conservation equipment.

A big thank you to Eddie Cantwell, committee member who did trojan work organising the pricing of the books, the venue and overseeing the whole event.
Also thanks Garvey's Supervalu for the use of their premises, Ormonde Cafe and Abbeyside Scouts for their tables, Cait, Jim & Frankie Ryan, Tony Fitzgerald and Ger McCarthy for transporting the books,  the volunteers and staff  who manned the sale.

We are very grateful to Baumann's Jewellers for the beautiful set of Belleek cutlery which they provided for a raffle.  The winner of the raffle was Joanie McGrath, Ballyquiry.

Museum Annual Book Sale

The Museum annual book sale will take place in Garvey's Supermarket from Wednesday 18th July through to Saturday the 21st July 2012. Opening hours are as follows:

Wed/Thur 9.00am -  6.00pm.
 Fri/Sat 9.00am - 9.00pm.

Books are still being accepted and can be handed into the Museum Mon-Fri 9.45am - 5.00pm.
As this is the Museum's main fundraiser for the year we would appreciate your support.

Launch of " The Cry of the Curlew" a Great Success


Author Tommy Mooney and Family at the Launch

"The Cry of the Curlew" written by Tommy Mooney of Ardmore and detailing the history of the men of the Déise Brigade  IRA and the War of Independence (1913-1922) was launched in the museum on Friday June 8. On hand to launch the book was the former GAA County President Paddy Joe Ryan with the museum President Nioclás Ó Griofáin opening the proceedings.  Another speaker was well known historian and author Mike Hackett who regaled the audiance with amusing stories.

The Museum Society was delighted with the number attending the launch, the first publication by Tommy. The book is the result of many years of research and is an important contribution to the study of this period in West Waterford. It contains over 300 pages and is illustrated with some very interesting photographs. This is a limited edition and can be purchased in the museum at €20. To view images of the night visit us on facebook

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.

Return Visit by Cork School



2nd Year Students from the Regina Mundi College Cork
Friday April 20 saw a return visit to the museum by the 2nd year students from the Regina Mundi College in Cork.  The visit was part of their geography studies and this is their second year visiting the Dungarvan area.

They studied St. Augustine's Church Abbeyside, King John's Castle, the Quayside and were also taking a trip to the Cunnigar to study the fauna.

They were very taken by the latest exhibition here in the museum " Co. Waterford, A Commercial History in Photographs 1890-1990. It gave them a great insight to the changes that have taken place over the last century and is sure to help them with their project work.

Sweet Memories, Children's Event a Great Success

Darren Moynihan giving his Pesentation to the Children
The museum was packed to the gills on Saturday for the children's event which took place between the hours of 12 and 1pm.  The event was as ever organised by Helen and DarrenMoynihan

Darren gave a powerpoint presentation on the history of sugar and sweets through the ages and covered Irish sweet factories and local sweet shops.
Helen dressed in the style of local sweet lady Nano Manahan recreated her famous sugar stick to the delight of all the children and adults alike.

A big thank you to Helen, Darren, Emma and Ashling for a very successful event and to the staff members and committee members who helped out.
The museum would also like to thank the Dungarvan Sweet Shop for providing sweets and for the event.

The museum remained open for the afternoon and on Sunday afternoon in conjunction with the festival of food.  On both days the crowds kept on coming and the museum volunteers were kept very busy.  More pictures of the event can be viewed on facebook

Official Opening of "Dungarvan & Co. Waterford A Commercial History In Photographs 1890-1990"

Curator WilliamFraher, Mayor Teresa Wright and President Nioclás Ó Griofáin
The museum's latest exhibition was opened in the museum on Wednesday April 11 by the Town Mayor Teresa Wright.  In her address she praised the work and the professionalism of the museum.

Those attending enjoyed the many beautiful images of the various shop fronts, many of which are no longer in existance today. Curator William Fraher thanked all those attending and thanked the museum staff for all their help in putting the exhibition together and a special thanks to Chloe Keane a transition year student from Ard Scoil na Déise who spent a week sourcing all the images for the exhibition during her work experience in the museum.

The exhibition will be on display throughout the summer.  Visit us  on facebook. to view the photographs from the night.

Free Audio Walking Trail For Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland

Map Screen Android App

Download: Free Android Version Of Dungarvan Town Trail


Download: iPhone Version Of Dungarvan Town Trail

The audio tour we launched late last year on the iPhone is now available free of charge on the Android platform. It will even work on entry level Android Phones. The tour also functions as an audio introduction to Dungarvan history for those who cannot visit the town. On both platforms it is best if the tour is downloaded over Wifi as the audio tracks are too substantial to download it over 3G. Thanks to all of the people who gave their time free of charge to make both versions of this heritage tour happen.

What Does Dungarvan Heritage Trail App Do?
Discover the history of Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland and explore some of the historic landmarks. This easy to use audio tour features contemporary accounts from soldiers, travellers and writers from times past. Travel back in time and see the town as our ancestors saw it. The app contains an interactive map with GPS system, photos (most over 100 years old), a cast of 9 actors, sound effects and a script created by historians from Waterford County Museum. Once the tour has been downloaded it works offline, which means that you can enjoy the tour without needing to connect to the internet.

This audio trail has been produced by Waterford County Museum in co-operation with rememberwhen.ie (a Dungarvan company that specialises in producing DVD slide shows for special occasions and recording oral histories) and local volunteers and actors who gave their time freely so that you can enjoy our town's history. The iPhone version of the Dungarvan Heritage Audio Tour costs 79 cent, it is available now via the App Store. The Android version of the app was coded by Martin Whelan of Deise Design.

About Waterford County Museum
Screenshot iPhone App
Waterford County Museum is a voluntary organisation and a registered charity dedicated to preserving the history of County Waterford. You can see screenshots from the app on iTunes App Store or on the Google Play Store.

Follow The Museum On Facebook, Twitter & YouTube
One of the best ways of keeping up with what the museum is doing is to follow us on

www.facebook.com/waterfordcountymuseum

www.twitter.com/waterfordmuseum

www.youtube.com/user/waterfordcomuseum

Dungarvan & Co.Waterford A Commercial History in Photographs 1890-1990

Merricks & Ruddell, the Site Where Shaw's Department Store Stands Today


Work is well under way on the museum's latest exhibition "Dungarvan & Co.Waterford A Commercial History in Photogrpahs 1890-1990. Curator Willie Fraher is busy putting together the many photographs and artifacts from the businesses of days gone by, many of which are no longer in existance. The photographs will bring back memories to many with some well known faces and shop fronts.

The exhibition will be open to the public on Thursday April 12 and will run throughout the Summer.

"Sweet Memories" Children's Event at Museum

In conjunction with the Festival of Food, Helen Moynihan Education Officer in the museum has put together another popular children's event which will take place in the museum on Saturday April 14 between 12 - 1pm.

The event is free and children are welcome to come along and learn about the history of sweets through the centuries and how they were made by Dungarvan lady Nano Manahan in years gone by.

The Blackwater from Source to Sea Lecture

William Fraher, Eddie Cantwell, Bill Power & Nioclás Ó Griofáin

The Museum Society finished off the lecture series on Wednesdsay March 21 with a very informative talk from Bill Power, author and photographer.  The talk on the river Blackwater traced the source of the river from it beginning in Kerry to Youghal.

The talk was well attended and the group enjoyed Bill's talk, which included some very nice illustrations. Follow us on facebook to view more images from the night

Discovering the Irish Rhine from Source to Sea

Author and Photographer Bill Power

Waterford County Museum are delighted to have engaged author and photographer Bill Power for their March lecture. Bill's lecture is going to be a mixture of photos, people and events associated with the river or villages close to it.  Obivously because the river is in Co.Waterford Bill will concentrate on that aspect of the river and will give a slightly heavier emphasis on that end of it.

Bill has been working on his "Blackwater" book for some time, and had hoped to travel the river in early Spring by boat and plane. Due to  high waters and illness on part of his boatman and lack of aircraft these trips have yet to take place.  This was a very important part of Bill's research and has of course delayed the publication of his book.  Being an excellent photographer of wild life we are sure to see some of his excellant shots of various species of wild life that dwell along the river.

Bill is a writer, author, historian and a seriously enthusiastic amateur photographer, he has been taking photographs since around 1981. As a history writer Bill likes the solitude that comes with researching and writing books (12 to date), his photography complements this.  His current book project "The Blackwater" will be and exploration of the history and heritage of the river which he fully explored by foot, car and boat.

Bill's lecture will take place at the Town Hall Theatre, Friary St, Dungarvan on March 21 at 8.pm. All are welcome to attend and the entry fee is €5.

Successful PhotographicTable Quiz Fundraiser

"Team Mine Head" winners of quiz receiving their Prize from Nioclás Ó Griofáin Museum President.

On Thursday night March 1 the museum held their first photographic table quiz to raise funds for the museum. The quiz consisted of 150 images of people places and businesses in Dungarvan and local areas over the years.

The quiz was well attended and the results were very goods with all teams scoring goods points in each round. Prizes were given for the top three teams with the winners being the Mine Head team which was made up of the McGarry family and friends.
Local artist and museum employee Tony Hayes donated one of his painting which was one of the prizes raffled during the interval.

A big thanks goes to Eddie Cantwell event organiser and Tony Hayes for his beautiful art work, the Park Hotel for the use of their room and to the committe members and staff who helped on the night.  To view images of the event visit us on facebook.com

Historic Republican Cheque Purchased by Museum



The museum recently purchased a cheque at auction which was written by local man Dan Fraher, Dungarvan for the amount of £99 and made payable to Cathal Brugha.  Dated the 4/1/1920 the cheque was probably for the Dáil Loan Fund.

Signed on the reverse by Michael Collins, Cathal Brugha, D. O' Donnachada and the bank manager.  The museum were very fortunate to be able to purchase this historic cheque which was made possible from the recently set up purchase fund.

Upcoming Events at the Museum

The following is a list of some events taking place at the museum over the coming months.

February 15 - Talk by William Fraher- Old Dungarvan Families

March 1- Historical Table Quiz- in aid of museum funds - 8.pm at  Park Hotel

March 21 - Talk by Bill Power The Black-Water River. Discovering the Irish Rhine from Source to Sea.

April 12 - Exhibition - County Waterford A Commercial History in Photographs 1890-1990

April 14 - Children's Event - "Sweet Memories"
Talks as always will take place in the Town Hall Theatre at 8.pm. Admission is €5.
More information on the upcoming events will be detailed nearer the date.

Table Quiz Fund Raiser

Each year the Museum Society puts together a fundraising  event to help with the costs of maintaining the museum. Eddie Cantwell is the brains behind such ventures and this year is no different.

This year he has come up with the novel idea for a table quiz.  Using a powerpoint presentation participants will be able to view historical scenes of Dungarvan and Districts on the big screen.  It is not necessary to have a knowledge of the history of Dungarvan as most of the illustrations will be recognisable and questions will not be difficult.  The photographs will include buildings, streets personalities and shop fronts etc and the questions will be based on identifying the street or person in the images.

We are looking for teams of 4 per table to participate with a fee of €40 per table.  Groups of 3 are welcome to take part as long as the fee of €40 is paid. The quiz is open to everyone and we would like to see the businesses and factories in town and surrounding areas enter a team as we search for the most knowledgeable team of "Dungarvan's faces and places".

The table quiz will take place in the Park Hotel on Thursday March 1 at 8.pm

 This fundraiser is sure to generate a great deal of interest and will be great fun. We ask those who wish to take part to register their team at The Museum, on Friary St, Dungarvan as this will help us to arrange the facilities for the event and provide two screens if needed.

The museum is open Mon - Fri from 9.30 am to 5.pm. Tel: 058-45960.

Some Old Dungarvan Families

An Aerial View of Ballinacourty House, which will be featured in the Talk
The next lecture in our series takes place on Wednesday February 15. This talk will be given by the museum curator William Fraher on the old families of Dungarvan.

William will give an illustrated talk on a selection of families associated with Dungarvan and district over the centuries. Some of the families featuring in the talk include McGuires of Clonea House, Moloney's and Currans - ship owners and merchants, Dower's. Gibbons, Anthony's of Dungarvan and Ring and Longan of Ballincourty.

This is the first time that such detailed research has been compiled on these families.  William has been collecting genealogical material over many years and is delighted to be able to make this initial presentation on his findings  This promises to be a fascinating evening.

The talk will take place in the Town Hall Theatre and entry is €5.  All are welcome to attend.

Dr.Richard Henebry, the Déiseach Musical Priest, by Dr. Méabh Ní Fhuartháin

Dr. Méabh Ní Fhuartháin who will give a talk on Fr. Henebry.


Dr Méabh Ní Fhuartháin is currently Co-ordinator of the BA with Irish Studies at the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway.  A native of Waterford, she returned to Ireland following graduate work and lecturing in the United States. Méabh has a particular interest in the culture of music in Ireland.  She has contributed articles and reviews to various journals and is subject editor on the forthcoming Encylopaedia of Music in Ireland (UCD Press, 2012). Her research on Dr Richard Henebry is part a a larger archive digitisation project currently underway at UCC.

Revd Dr. Richard Henebry was born into an Irish speaking farming family in Mount Bolton, Portlaw, Co. Waterford in 1863. He was involved with the foundation of Ring College and also taught there for a time. The family were  musical, Henebry played the fiddle and he had a great interest in traditional singing and uilleann piping. During the 1890's and early 1900's he worked in America as professor of Irish in Catholic University of Washington DC and in Berkeley University in California.

While working in the America he became friendly with Capt. Francis O'Neill in Chicago and other Irish musicians. Suffering from ill health he returned to Ireland in 1903 and made a valuable collection of early cylinder field recordings in Waterford in 1905.  These led to correspondence with leading German ethnomusicologists in Berlin, and formed an influential component of his theories on Irish scale and intonation.

From 1909 until his death Henebry was professor of Irish Language and Literature in University College Cork. He had a great interest in Irish music and produced writings and books on the subject, including his handbook of Irish music. He died in Portlaw on 17 March 1916 and was buried at Carrickbeg.

Méabh's talk will take place on Wednesday January 18 at 8.00pm in the Town Hall Theatre.  Entry fee of €5, and all are welcome to attend.