John O'Grady donates his Geraldine's Goal Keeper's Jersey to the Museum

John O'Grady was born in 1942 to parents Ned and Maureen O'Grady. He attended Aglish National School. His first employment was with the ESB before he travelled to Newport in Wales and Nottingham where he took up employment. On returning to Ireland, he worked at different jobs in the locality but eventually took up a position with John A Woods at Whitechurch, Cappagh in 1964. He married Helen Mernin from Villierstown in 1965.

Over the years John had many social interests, especially fishing, shooting and card playing but he is best known for his many exploits on the GAA field playing with the Geraldines. He began by playing Minor Hurling and Football with near neighbours Ballinameela. He played with the Geraldines for over 30 years, his first game was in 1958 playing Senior Hurling against Tourin.

John O'Grady & William Fraher 

John won four County Championship and six Western medals with his club and one Western Championship medal with nearby club Villierstown, (his wife's Helen home club). He captained his Junior and Intermediate Hurling teams to two County Championships wins in 1967 and 1976 against the Mollerans and Portlaw, respectively. He also played on two losing Senior Football teams for his club in the County Finals of 1962 and 1969 against Kill and Tramore. On the Inter County front, John captained the Waterford Intermediate Hurling team in 1967 which was defeated by Clare, and played Senior Football Tournament with his county against Tipperary in Dungarvan. On one particular day he had the honour of playing with his two sons, Paul and Brendan, his brother Eddie and hid nephew Harold.

He is affectionately known to all as "the Keeper" or perhaps as "O'Grada" a name conferred on him by Father Pat Fitzgerald P.P.

The Museum is very grateful to John for donating his Goal Keepers Jersey which he wore with pride from 1963 to 1991.

Children's Event Bee Amazed a Tremendous Success

Once again the Festival of Food children's event at the Museum which took place on Saturday last 13th April was a tremendous success.

Darren Moynihan told the fascinating story of the relationship between the honey bee and the bee keeper. The children met some very busy bees and tasted their honey. They also enjoyed colouring and filling in work sheets, and enjoyed some of Flahavan's  Flapjacks and other little treats.

 

Children listening attentively to Darren

 

Darren in his bee keeping suit

 

Young boy modelling some of the safety equipment

worn when bee keeping

 

 

Adults and Children enjoying the event

 

A very enjoyable morning was had by all who attended.

Many thanks to Darren.

 

Childrens Event at Museum for Waterford Festival of Food

Bee Amazed at the Museum

Where: Waterford County Museum, Friary St, Dungarvan
When: Saturday 13th April 12 to 1 pm
Admission: FREE

On Saturday next 13th April, Helen and Darren Moynihan will present their popular children's workshop in the Museum for the Waterford Festival of Food.

"Bee Amazed" will tell the story of the relationship between the honey bee and the bee keeper. Participants will be able to taste the end  product, a wonderful local honey. Meet some real busy bees up-close in their beehive and be captivated by the story of the life of the honey bee as told by Darren. Work and drawing sheets will be available.

This free event will take place at the Waterford County Museum, Friary St, Dungarvan  on Saturday from 12 to 1 pm. All are welcome.

Talk: Dungarvan Workhouse Orphan Girls - "To Hell or Australia" 
by Eddie Cantwell

Where: Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre, Friary St, Dungarvan
When: Wednesday 17th April 8 pm
Admission: €5

On Wednesday 17th April, Eddie Cantwell will give an illustrated talk on the Dungarvan Workhouse Orphan Girls. Between 1848 and 1850 under the Earl Grey scheme over 4,000 orphan girls were removed from workhouses all over Ireland. These girls were aged between 14 and 18. Forty two girls were taken from the Dungarvan Workhouse.

Eddie Cantwell has been researching the Dungarvan Workhouse girls over the past 12 months. He tells us that while many girls left Dungarvan workhouse, some claimed Lismore, Clashmore, Cappoquin and other townlands as their home place. He also informs us that the Dungarvan Orphan girls story will be of special interest to people because the girl's surnames can still be found in the townlands they came from. This was a bitter, desperate and uncompromising period of Ireland's history. Families were torn apart in the worst possible way, as the strongest survived and the weakest perished.

Who were these girls? What became of them? Were they all orphans? To get some answers to these questions come along to the Town Hall Theatre on Wednesday 17th April at 8pm. All are welcome. Subscription €5.

Book Sale
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday the 2nd, 3rd & 4th of May our annual book sale will take place at the front entrance to Garvey's SuperValu, Main St., Dungarvan from 9am each day. If you have any books other than magazines that you no longer require, please drop them into the Museum at Friary St.