Emigration Exhibition

WATERFORD PEOPLE ABROAD -THEIR STORIES IN LETTERS, DIARIES AND PUBLICATIONS

To mark The Gathering Waterford County Museum are mounting an exhibition which aims to tell the story of the emigrant experience as told by Waterford people using a selection of correspondence. Using letters, diaries, newspaper extracts etc., we will focus on a sample of county Waterford people who settled abroad. Each of the stories provide an insight into what life was like for the emigrant travelling to, settling in, and living and working in their adopted country.

If you have any letters, postcards etc,sent from relatives abroad please contact us at the Museum.


Ernest Shackleton Talk

We would like to  remind you of our Ilustrated talk on A legend of  Antartic Exploration, Ernest Shackleton by Michael Smith.
Wednesday 27th February at 8pm Town Hall Theatre, Friary St Dungarvan.
Subscription €5


Tom Graves R.I.P.

We were sadened to hear of the untimely death of Tom Graves of Ealing, London, recently. Tom was a great supporter of the Museum and followed its development over the years. He made a number of donations including photographs he had taken. In fact one of his photographs, that of Mrs O'Neill of the Coolnagour Dairy was the highlight of our main exhibition last year for many visitors.

Tom was from Knockenpower, Ring and was very proud of his roots. Last year Tom and his sister Rita very generously presented their father Seán's 1916 medal to the museum. We were delighted to have this important addition to our Irish history section. Tom was looking forward to the 1916 commemoration events, but sadly it was not to be.

Seán Graves and fellow Ring man Liam Reagan worked for Donal Ó Buachalla in Maynooth. Ó Buachalla brought Graves and Reagan with him to the G.P.O. in Dublin on Easter Monday 1916. Seán escaped from the building through a tunnel. He returned to Maynooth but was arrested soon after. He was sentenced to two years labour but was released after three months.

He worked in London in the publishing business and retired a few years ago from Weidenfeld & Nicolson where he was involved with picture research. He was particularly interested when books with an Irish historical theme were being published by the firm. In recent times he worked with the Bridgeman Art Library, one of the largest picture archives in the world, founded by Harriet Bridgeman. 

Tom was also a volunteer looking after the organic garden at Ealing Abbey.
Tom had a great sense of humour and was always well turned out and never appeared to look his age. We extend our sympathy to his sister Rita and his brother Tony in the U.S. and also to his extended family.
Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.

 

Nicolas Ó Gríofain, William Fraher, Rita Curran, Tom Graves and Eddie Cantwell at presentation of 1916 medal

An illustrated talk on Sir Ernest Shackleton

An illustrated talk by Michael Smith on Ernest Shackleton will take place in the Town Hall Theatre, Friary St, Dungarvan on Wednesday 27th February at 8pm. All are welcome.
Subscription €5
 

Sir Ernest Shackleton 1874-1922 - A legend of Antarctic exploration was one of the principal figures of the period known as the heroic age of Antartic exploration. He was among the greatest explorers of all time who became a legend on four epic voyages to the Antartic. He marched to within 100 miles of the South Pole in 1909. The Endurance expedition (1914-16), is the most outstanding story from the heroic age of Polar exploration. Skackleton led the dramatic battle to survive after his ship was crushed by the ice. 

The Kildare born Shackleton lived life "like a mighty rushing wind" and was happiest in the ice where he could leave behind his complex private life. Away from his expeditions, Skackleton's life was generally restless and unfulfilling. In his search for rapid pathways to wealth and security, he launched many business ventures and other money making schemes, none of which prospered. His financial affairs were generally muddled; he died heavily in debt. Upon his death, he was lauded in the press, but was thereafter largely forgotten.

Michael Smith is no stranger to resurrecting heroes of the past who have been forgotten with the passage of time. After bringing Tom Crean to the attention of the world, he quickly followed up with a number of best sellers dealing with other Irishmen who have braved the Antarctic. This time he has set his attention on another Irishman, Ernest Shackleton. Michael tells us that this will be a very frank account of Shackleton's life.

Michael is a good friend of the Museum and we are delighted to welcome him back. This is an occasion not to be missed and the author will be available for questions after his talk.

 

The Endurance

 

 

 

Michael Smith