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.