Thursday, Dec 10th Museum Christmas Party a great success

Waterford County Museum Christmas Party

Our Christmas party was held in the museum once again. The space was transformed for the night into an atmospheric venue. The night was planned by Christina Flynn, ably assisted by other museum staff.

A capacity crowd of 70 enjoyed the wonderful food and Hugh O'Donnell provided the music. Niall Hurley also obliged by singing two songs from his new C.D. There was some energetic dancing from some of the ladies present!

Museum President, Willie Fraher welcomed the guests and thanked the staff for all their hard work in the preparation of the event. A special thanks to Winnie and Bridge who came along on the night to help and to Richard and Brian for moving all the tables and chairs. It was greatly appreciated.  He also thanked Coláiste na Rinne and Ard Scoil na nDeise for their assistance.

He referred to the museum's plan for an exhibition next March to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising. This exhibition will highlight the local involvement in the Rising. He appealed for the loan of any relevant material and in particular asked for a copy of the Dungarvan Observer for Easter week 1916 and subsequent weeks.


A great night was had by all.






Happy Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Wednesday, Dec 2nd Goin' to the Pictures Book Launch

Picture-going as it was back then

Goin' to the Pictures is the name of a new book by Frank O'Donoghue, with excellent photographs compiled by Andy Kelly. It is an affectionate recollection of the pre-television era when the cinema was the most popular form of entertainment.

 The book will be launched by Willie Fraher.

Venue: Waterford County Museum, Friary Street
Date: Wednesday, 2nd December
Time: 8 pm

Well illustrated throughout, this book is very readable. Experiences are recounted by those who frequented the cinemas in Dungarvan, Youghal, Tallow, Lismore, Cappoquin, not to mention the mobile film providers who visited the village halls on a weekly basis. A good Christmas present and well worth the €15.

All are welcome to attend.

Tuesday, Dec 15th The Three Tenors Christmas Concert 2000

Waterford County Museum in conjunction with SGC Dungarvan are showing this concert in the cinema.

Venue: SGC Dungarvan
Date: Tuesday, December 15th
Time: 7 pm

The Three Tenors (Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti) singing Wiegenlied in the wonderful concert in Vienna, Austria.

Tickets are available at the museum at a reduced price of €10. Not to be missed.

A Great Christmas Present: Waterford History Books for Sale

We have a good selection of history books for sale in the museum. Click on the links to see pricing & postage information. We ship worldwide. They make ideal Christmas presents (particularly our special offer bundles).

Titles include the following:

Dungarvan Historic Guide and Town Trail
Waterford County Museum
79 page introductory history to Dungarvan includes notable personalities, walking trail, street names.

The Irish Revolution 1912 - 23
Pat McCarthy
A comprehensive history of Waterford during the turbulent and extraordinary years of the Irish Revolution.

On this Day
Julian Walton
For almost 20 years Julian Walton has delighted his radio listeners with anecdotes about things that happened in and around Waterford.

Medieval Dungarvan above and below ground
Dave Pollock
An illustrated introduction to the medieval archaeology of Dungarvan.

Two centuries of Tall Ships in Waterford
Bill Irish and Andrew Kelly
This photographic voyage takes us through two centuries of shipping and ship building in Waterford, from the Suir to the Blackwater.

The Making and Breaking of a Mining Community
Des Cowman
A history of mining in Bunmahon and the Copper Coast.

The Déise Divided
Tommy Mooney

Ghosts of the Copper Coast
John Daly

Windmills of the Mind
John Daly

Na hÓglaigh sna Déise 1913 - 1916
Silvester ó Múirí

Other titles available. Contact us and the staff will be delighted to assist in any way.

Thursday, Dec 10th 2015 Christmas Party Night For Museum Members

Three Course Supper & Drinks

Venue: Museum (Old Town Hall)
Date: Thursday, December 10th
Time: 7.30 pm
Booking: (058) 45960. Members only. €15

Music by the wonderful Hugh O'Donnell. Great night of fun, merriment and a little bit of devilment!

Wednesday, November 11th Waterford Heritage - Plans and Projects

Waterford Heritage - Plans and Projects

Continuing our series of talks, the next talk will be by Bernadette Guest, County Heritage Officer.

Bernadette Guest, County Heritage Officer

She will highlight some of the recent projects carried out under the current Heritage Plan and also proposals for future projects on natural and cultural heritage in Waterford. She will be looking forward to hearing from the audience and plenty of audience participation.

A date for your diaries.


Venue: Town Hall Theatre, Friary Street

Date: Wednesday, 11th November

Time: 8 pm

Admission €5.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 15th Nov 2015 Julian Walton Talk & Lunch

"Et in Arcadia ego: the story of Clifford and of a childhood on the Blackwater in the 1940's"

Venue: Dromana House
Date: Sunday, 15th November 2015
Time: 1pm lunch followed by a presentation
Tickets: includes 2 course lunch €30 booking essential (numbers limited)
Enquiries: bgrubb@eircom.net
Telephone: 024 96144

Clifford is dramatically situated overlooking the Blackwater between Mallow and Fermoy. It was built in about 1790 by Richard Martin, a Cork solicitor who was Seneschal of the Manor of Mallow and descended through the Mansergh family during the nineteenth century. From 1925 until 1946 it was home of the Walton family. This talk is a nostalgic evocation of the story of Clifford and of a childhood spent in what was then the remote countryside of North Cork.

Julian Walton is a former secondary schoolteacher and librarian with a lifelong interest in history. Since he "retired" in 2006, he has been Resident Historian at Dunhill Multi-Education Centre in County Waterford, where he lectures on aspects of local history. He is author of The Royal Charters of Waterford and of many articles in historical journals. His most recent publications are On This Day volumes one and two, which are based on a series of short programmes broadcast on Waterford local radio between 1994 and 2012.

This house was occupied by Richard Martin in 1814 and by Thomas Lloyd in 1837 and at the time of Griffith's Valuation, when he held the property from Edward Beatty. The buildings were valued at £26. Clifford passed by marriage to the Mansergh family of Grenane, County Tipperary and at the time of the sale in 1879 was inhabited by Captain C.S Mansergh, who held it on a lease dated 1868. The representatives of E. Charles Mansergh of Clifford owned 511 acres in County Tipperary in the 1870's. In 1942, the Irish Tourist Association survey reported that it was the residence of the Walton family and that the estate had been reduced to 40 acres. This house was recently renovated.

Saturday, October 31st Waterford's Revolutionary Decade Roadshow

Venue: Park Hotel, Dungarvan
Date: Saturday, 31st October 2015
Time: 11.00 am - 4.00 pm
Free Admission

Waterford City and County Archivist, Joanne Rothwell and Bernadette Guest, County Heritage Officer are working with Gabriel Doherty from the School of History UCC to bring a Revolutionary Roadshow to the Park Hotel, Dungarvan on Saturday, 31st October from 11 - 4  pm. This show is to highlight the revolutionary period from 1912-1923 in Waterford city and county.

Local history groups, including ourselves, will have stands at the event and visitors on the day will have the opportunity to find out, not only about wider national events but also about what was happening in local parishes throughout the city and county.

There will be exhibition stands, talks, re-enactments and music performances held during the day and it will be open to the public as a free event.

Programme:

11.00 am
Welcome address by Tom Cronin, Mayor, Dungarvan and Lismore District.

Joanne Rothwell, Archivist

Opening address by Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. John Cummins, Waterford City and County Council.  

11.00 - 4.00 pm Exhibition Stands By:
Waterford County Museum
Irish Volunteers Commemorative Organisation
Women's History Association of Ireland
Munster Military Vehicle and Re-enactment Group
Western Front Association
Mercier Press
Aubane Historical Society
Portlaw Heritage Centre
Mahon Bridge Local History Group
UCC School of History
Waterford County Council
1848 Tricolour Committee
Battle Group Centre

Bernadette Guest, Heritage Officer

11.30 - 11.50 am  Performance by Comeraghs Comhaltas

12.30 - 12.45 pm  Cumann na mBan and Jenny Wyse Power - Áine Ní Fhoghlú

1.00 - 1.30 pm  Battle Re-enactment between Crown Forces and IRA, staged by the Munster Military Vehicles Re-enactment Group.

2.00 - 2.20 pm  Performance by Cór Fear na nDéise

2.45 - 3.00 pm  Researching your British Army Ancestry - Ger Crotty, Portlaw Heritage Centre

3.15 - 3.30 pm  The War of Independence in West Waterford - Tommy Mooney.

3.30 pm  Irene na Gealaí Drama performance by Aisteoirí an tSean Phobail.

Gabriel Doherty, School of History, UCC

3.45 - 4.00 pm  Waterford's 2016 Commemorations Programme - Joanne Rothwell, Waterford City and County Council.

4.00 pm  Event concludes.

Not to be missed. A date for your diaries. Entry free.

Wednesday, 14th October Ballysaggartmore House, Lismore

   Waterford County Museum Presents

An illustrated talk by William Fraher

Ballysaggartmore House, Lismore                 

       Ballysaggartmore House was the country seat of the Kiely family. Arthur Kiely-Ussher earned a reputation as a  heartless landlord as a result of evicting his tenants during the famine. There was a failed attempt to assassinate him.

Ballysaggartmore House and bridge, Lismore

        Ballysaggartmore was famed for its garden and demesne which featured a walled garden, conservatories and the imposing Neo-Gothic style entrance lodge and bridge now known as "The Towers".
         The House was purchased by the Hon. Claud and Lady Clodagh Anson in the early 1900's. The talk will also include the impressions of a young English governess who was employed by the Ansons during Christmas 1917. She gives a vivid impression of life in the Big House at this period and of the local people.
         Earlier this year, Willie was invited to give a paper on the correspondence of the governess at the 13th Annual Historic Houses of Ireland Conference, the theme of which was "Women and the Country House".

Venue: Green Room (upstairs), Town Hall Theatre, Friary Street.

Date: Wednesday, 14th October.

Time: 8 p.m.

There will be a €5 entrance fee.  All are very welcome.


William Fraher, who is our Museum President, is also one of our better known speakers. He has been researching the history of Dungarvan and Waterford since his school days! The subject matter of his latest offering is almost certain to raise a few eyebrows! It will of course be delivered with his usual charm and added darts of wit.

Certainly not to be missed.

Micheál Martin visits museum.

Micheál Martin visits museum

Last Friday, 2nd  October, there was an air of excitement and anticipation as the leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin visited Waterford County Museum.

Mr. Martin holding the Golden Gloves.

 Mr. Martin was born in Turner’s Cross, Cork in 1960, the son of Paddy Martin, formerly of CIE and ex-international boxer and Lana Corbett. He was educated at Scoil Chriost Ri. He later attended UCC and qualified as a secondary school teacher. It was at UCC that he developed a keen interest in politics. He is a member of Dáil Eireann since 1989 and the leader of Fianna Fáil since January 2011. He is married to Mary O’Shea and they live in Ballinlough, Co.Cork.

Willie Fraher being presented with memorabilia 

Micheál Martin receiving a photograph 

Mr. Martin spent time looking around the museum and was very impressed with the work being carried on. He showed a keen interest in the various exhibits and was excited that the history of the area was being preserved in such a fascinating way.

 The museum then presented him with a photograph showing his father Paddy with the noted and highly regarded Dungarvan boxer, Peter Crotty. He was delighted to receive it and gave a speech to thank all those present. He met the Crotty family who were present and reminisced about the olden days. Also present were Gerry O'Mahony, Dungarvan Boxing Club and Eddie Cantwell, Waterford County Museum.

The Crotty family donated Peter Crotty memorabilia, including his golden gloves to the museum, who were delighted to accept them. They will be on display in the museum for future generations to enjoy and cherish.

 Afterwards Mr. Martin spent time talking to staff and showed a very pleasant temperament and disposition. He answered questions and showed a keen interest in their work.

Reminiscing about the olden days with members of the Crotty family.

 Overall, Mr. Martin enjoyed his visit to Waterford County Museum immensely and vowed to return.
 It was a very memorable day in the history of the museum.

Tuesday,29th September Older Than Ireland

Older than Ireland

Luke Dolan

Directed by Alex Fegan (The Irish Pub), Older than Ireland is a landmark documentary that tells the story of a hundred years of a life as seen through the eyes of thirty Irish men and women aged 100 or over. Often funny and at times poignant, the film explores each centenarian's journey, from their birth at the dawn of Irish Independence to their life as a centenarian in modern day Ireland.
Reflecting on such key events as the day they got their first pair of shoes, the thrill of their first kiss, from the magic of their wedding day to the tragic loss of their loved ones, these centenarians have lived through it all. Having witnessed a century of immense social, political and technological change each centenarian has a unique perspective on life and its true meaning.
From the oldest Irish person ever on record, 113-year-old Kathleen Snavely to Ireland's oldest man, 108-year-old Luke Dolan, we meet a colourful cast of characters, from all walks of life, from four corners of Ireland.
These centenarians are our living history and these are their extraordinary stories.

Kathleen Snavely

Keen GAA man, Luke Dolan, attributed longevity to a boiled egg every day, plenty of sugar in his tea and a devoted wife.

Venue: SGC Dungarvan

Date: Tuesday morning, 29th September

Time: 11 a.m.

There will be a €5 entry fee. All are very welcome.

Weds,16th Sept - Lecture: To the Gap & Back - Walking through History in the Nire Valley



Michael Desmond

An illustrated talk by Michael Desmond

"Every year thousands of people walk in the Nire Valley to the Gap. For some, the Gap is their destination, for most it is the jump off point to climb higher into the Comeragh Mountains, but very few know the stories and history to be found along this much travelled route. The construction of a road through the mountain, the funeral path, the connection with the killing of D.I Gilbert Potter, the final days of the Irish Civil War, the church built by J.J McCarthy, settlements from the Bronze Age to cluster villages. The road to the Gap is more than a simple Boreen crossing the Comeragh Mountains".



Church built by J.J McCarthy

Waterford County Museum are delighted that Michael Desmond is delivering this talk for them. He held his audience spellbound on the last occasion that he delivered a lecture for the Museum. This will certainly prove to be another such occasion.

Michael holds a Diploma in History from UCC. He also leads guided walks in the Comeragh Mountains which has become a second home to him over the last 16 years. Members of the Museum Society who recently visited an area of the Comeraghs were overcome with the natural and spectacular beauty and indeed, the historic evidence that is prevalent there!

Michael's talk is most certainly not to be missed.

Venue: Town Hall Theatre, Friary Street, Dungarvan.

The Nire Valley

Date: Wednesday, September 16th.

Time: 8.00 p.m.

Admission: €5

All are welcome to this event.

Friday, 21st August The Mystery of Gallows Hill Revealed

Waterford County Museum will be announcing the results of the geophysical survey of Gallows Hill carried out by Geophysicist Kevin Barton

All will be revealed tonight 

Venue: Town Hall Theatre, 

Date: Friday, 21st August.

Time: 8.00 p.m.

All are welcome. 
Admission free.

Dino Day A Tremendous Success

Dino Day took place in Waterford County Museum, Friary Street on Saturday, 15th August.
The event was a huge success and it generated a big interest in Dinosaurs.
A very large crowd turned up for the event, a mixture of adults and children, all excited to be there. There was a presentation and a question and answer session. All the children were very enthusiastic with their questions about the Tyrannosaurus Rex. The children played with the dinosaurs in the sandpit and coloured pictures. There were goodie bags and sweets for all the children.

The event was a great success and the interest in Dinosaurs is well and truly alive, one little boy even proclaiming that he was going to be a Paleontologist when he grew up!

We would like to thank all the parents and children who turned up on the day. Your enthusiasm and participation made the event totally worthwhile and we look forward to seeing you all again for further events at Waterford County Museum.

 

August 15th 2015 Dino Day for Children

Free Children’s Event

Dino Day 

Venue: Friary St  
  

Date:  Saturday 15^th August 

Time: 11 am to 12.30pm

All children are welcome 

Visitors to Museum

Tommy and Katelyn Walsh on their visit to the Museum. They were very excited when they saw the latest addition to our Children's corner, they had great fun playing with the dinosaurs.

Tommy and Katelyn with the Dinosaurs

1760 Map of Dungarvan

A map of Dungarvan dated 1760 is now on display in Musem

The map which has recently been restored to mark the granting of a charter to Dungarvan by King John in 1215 is the first detailed map of the town to survive. For this reason it is an important historical document which will be a lasting memorial of the 800 celebration.

The map was made by Charles Frizell and his son Charles Frizell Junior. The Frizell's were a family of leading map-makers in 18th century Ireland. Charles Frizell Snr. came from Co Wexford and his sons Charles and  Richard followed their's father's profession as surveyors and map makers.

To the right, the image shows a very small section of the map. If you are passing the Museum at any time and would like to view the map in its entirety  you would be very welcome. Admission is free.

Bob Frizelle and his wife Karen visited the Museum to view the restored map.
Bob is a descendant of the map-maker Charles Frizell.

July 3rd Official Launch of Dungarvan 1215

Weekend of Celebrations

Official Launch of Dungarvan 1215



Friday 3rd July 5.45pm 

Flotilla of Boats in Dungarvan Harbour

followed by

Presentation of Charter at Kings John’s Castle

Friday 3rd July 8pm

Historical Talk by Professor Séan Duffy

followed by

Medieval Music by Laoise O’Brien

at

Town Hall Theatre Dungarvan

Admission €5.00 Refreshments will be served.

Saturday 4th July 7.30pm

Medieval Banquet at Crew’s Restaurant

Tickets €35- Limited number still available

Medieval dress not required.
Contact the Museum for tickets 058-45960

30th June 2015 Dungarvan through the Ages

The Lookout Dungarvan  1900

Waterford County Museum will hold a Photographic Exhibition titled
 "Dungarvan through the Ages"

This will be an exhibition not to be missed so don't forget to mark it in your diary.

Venue: Dungarvan Shopping Centre

The Lookout Dungarvan 2000

Date: 30th June to 10th July

Time: 10am -5pm Monday to Friday

Admission is free and all are welcome.

Archeological Survey To Be Carried Out At Gallows Hill, Dungarvan

A Motte and Bailey Fortification Copyright 2002 by Jeffrey L. Thomas
 
On the 11th and 12th July the first geophysical survey of Gallows Hill will begin to answer the speculation that has surrounded the mound for centuries. Speculation has included its use as a gallows, medieval Norman Bailey Castle (Motte and Bailey), Bronze Age barrow, or the Fort/Dun from where Dungarvan is named. As part of July’s 800 year celebration of Dungarvan’s Town Charter, Waterford County Museum in association with residents from the surrounding area have organised a Community Archaeology Project that will attempt to find the answer.

When, after the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1179 resulted in the establishment of a strong base in the city of Waterford. The Normans viewed the Dungarvan area as the gateway through which expansion into Munster by way of the Blackwater Valley could be most easily achieved. With the establishment of the town came the need for an initial defensive structure known as a Motte and Bailey. The structure was made up of a wooden stockade and living quarters on top of a mound within a larger stockade yard at surface level, all surrounded by a defensive ditch.

Gallows Hill is believed by the National Monuments Service to potentially be such a 12th century Norman Motte and Bailey type fortification. The aim of the Gallows Hill Community Archaeology Project is to test the theory with a geophysical survey of the Hill with the help of community Geophysicist Kevin Barton and members of the local community. Geophysical survey is a technique which allows Archaeologists to create maps of archaeological features and traces of human activities beneath the earth’s soil without carrying out an excavation. The results of the survey planned on Gallows Hill could help to establish it as Dungarvan’s oldest standing monument.

The weekend of discovery will commence Friday 10th July at 7pm with a talk by Geophysicist Kevin Barton in the Town Hall. The survey will run all day on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th. Children’s activities will run alongside the project at the Town hall and on site, including a mock dig, Motte/Bailey model making and painting. The day will conclude with a talk/demonstration by Kevin Barton in the afternoon. Unfortunately numbers that can take part in the survey will be limited so do contact the Museum if you live close to the mound and want to get hands on experience. For more information or to register your interest in taking part contact: Waterford County Museum, Friary Street, Phone: 058 45960, Email: history@waterfordmuseum.ie

The Gallows Hill project has been funded by Waterford City and County Council.

3rd July 2015 An Evening of Entertainment

Historical Talk by Professor Séan Duffy

followed by

Medieval Music by Laoise O’Brien

Seán Duffy is Professor of Medieval History at Trinity College Dublin. He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, from which he also holds a Ph.D. He is a Fellow of the College, where he has lectured since 1993 and is currently Professor/Associate Professor of Medieval History in the School of Histories and Humanities.

Laoise O'Brien has a growing reputation as a virtuosic performer and imaginative concert programmer.

Laoise studied recorder at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam having completed an undergraduate degree on concert flute at the College of Music in Dublin. She also holds a Masters degree in Performance and Musicology from NUI Maynooth. 


Venue: Town Hall, Dungarvan
Date: Friday 3rd July
Time: 8pm
Admission: €5.00
Refreshments served, all are welcome

4th July Medieval Banquet

Limited number of tickets available

If interested in attending the Medieval Banquet in celebration of the 800th Anniversary of the Granting of the Town Charter by King John, please call to the Museum, Friary Street or contact 058-45960 to secure your ticket.

The Banquet will be held at Crew's Restaurant, Church Street, Dungarvan on Saturday 4th July at 7.30pm

19th June 2015 Villiers Stuart's Egypt Exhibition

The official opening of  the Villiers Stuart Egypt exhibition

The exhibition is part of a programme of events to mark Dromana 800. It is also intended to highlight the research of amateur Egyptologist, Henry Windsor Villiers Stuart M.P. (1827-1895) of Dromana and the Irish interest in Egypt over the centuries.

The exhibition will include Henry Windsor's publication on Egypt and a number of original lithographs. Also included in the display are some of the original artefacts from his collection which has now been dispersed.

The exhibition will be officially launched by Dr. Rachel Finnegan.
Dr. Finnegan has a PhD in Classics and is a former Lecturer in Cultural & Heritage Studies at W.I.T.. She has written and lectured on the collecting and connoisseurship of the 2nd Earl of Bessborough. In 2008 she published a new edition of Richard Twiss's Tour of Ireland in 1775.

She is the editor of a three volume work titled: The Grand Tour Correspondence of Richard Pococke and Jeremiah Milles.
Vol 3, Letters from the East (1737-41) contains a chapter on Egypt.

Venue: Museum, Friary St., Dungarvan

Date: 19th June

Time: 8pm

Admission free and all are welcome