Thursday 2nd February 2017 Lecture - 'Blest be the hour which gave my Sarah birth: verses to a young lady', by Julian Walton

The next lecture in the Dunhill History Lecture series will take place on Thursday 2nd February 2017 at 8pm in the Dunhill Education Centre.  The speaker will be Julian Walton and his subject is 'Blest be the hour which gave my Sarah birth: verses to a young lady'.

On either side of the fireplace in the inner hall at Curraghmore House hang two gigantic portraits.  To the right is the celebrated Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, chatelaine of Curraghmore during the Famine.  Much has been written about her.  To the left is her far less well known sister in law Lady Sarah Beresford, Countess of Shrewsbury.  This is her story.

This looks like being a very interesting lecture which is not be be missed!

Object of the Week - Part of the Schooner 'Parton'

This schooner was built at Annan in Wales in 1886 by the shipbuilder Nicholson.  Her official number was 53139.  At this time her owner was William Kiely and the boat was registered at Whitehaven.  The dimensions of the schooner were: 81.9 x 20.5 x 10.6 feet, tonnage 93.

Later the Parton was acquired by Sheehan and Ryan of Main Street, Dungarvan, who used it for transporting coal, timber and oats to and from Cardiff, Newport and Bristol.

The schooner was damaged by a collision with a tugboat in Milford Haven.  It was brought back to Dungarvan where it was eventually abandoned near the Cunnigar where traces of it can still be seen today.

Object of the Week - Part of the High Altar of St. Mary's Parish Church, Dungarvan, by Scannell of Cork, 1861

The Cork Examiner of 11th September 1861 published a report on the new high altar for St. Mary's Parish Church, Dungarvan, which it described as 'one of the finest in Ireland'.  It noted that the altar was the gift of Miss Katherine Kennedy of Dungarvan at a cost of £500.

A large sculpture of the Dead Christ was the centrepiece of the composition, in Carrara marble, carved by John Scannell, Architectural and Ecclesiastical Sculptor, of Union Quay, Cork.

The paper went on to describe the altar surrounds: the tabernacle, which from the slab of the altar will rise to the imposing height of 18 feet and a half.  At its base will be placed the tabernacle itself, to be ornamental of wrought iron, and adorned with marble and enamel.  Above, the figures of two angels will be carved, before a tazza of marble, intended for a monstrance for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Marble shafts rise at either side and support an archway for which an octagonal spire springs, terminating in a winged seraph.  Winged seraphs also crown the two small shafts that rise at the base of the spire.

The report noted that the altar would be completed in two months.

Lecture - 'Sir John Keane and Cappoquin House in time of war and revolution' by Mr. Glascott Symes

This lecture is part of the Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society's Winter/Spring Lecture Programme 2017, and will cover Sir John Keane's management of the Cappoquin estate through his service in both the Boer War and World War I, returning home for the War of Independence.

He went on to serve in the first Senate of the Free State only to have his home destroyed in the Civil War.

However, he personally oversaw the rebuilding of the house.

Please see our previous review of the book in the same name by Mr. Symes.


Venue:  St. Patrick's Gateway Centre, Patrick Street, Waterford

Date:     Friday 27th January 2017

Time:    8pm

1916 Exhibition & New Temporary Exhibition from Reserve Collection

The 1916 exhibition has now been dismantled and we would like to thank all those who loaned artefacts and provided information.  Part of the exhibition has been incorporated into our permanent display on the revolutionary period.

We will be replacing this exhibition with a selection of artefacts and documents from our reserve collection not normally on show.

Trip Advisor Visitor Review - 'Wonderful Museum'

'The Waterford County Museum is a great place to spend time.  It is in a central location in Dungarvan and its exhibits are very well laid out.  The staff are friendly and informative.  When you visit the area, you will have a good experience of our local culture.  It is a must visit when calling to Dungarvan, Co. Waterford'.  Visited October 2016.

Object of the Week - Programme for the Tipperary V. Cork Football Semi-Final at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, 4th July 1948

This is one of a collection of hurling and football programmes in the Museum archive.  It was printed by the Dungarvan Observer.

There are a number of advertisements for local businesses, including two on the front cover shown in this image for Miss Boyle, O'Connell Street, and M.J. Cleary, publican, Grattan Square.

The result of the match was Cork 0-12, Tipperary 0-3. Referee P. Ryan.

Trip Advisor Visitor Review - 'A Must on Your Next Trip to Dungarvan'

'I cannot say enough about the Waterford County Museum!  It is a wholly inclusive account of the history of Dungarvan, with beautiful displays and artefacts filling the entire space.  Every display is beautifully staged with a description providing even more history and context.  And that is just the museum itself.  The people are what really make the museum shine!  The whole team was so helpful and attentive.  They were able to print beautiful photos for us of my great-grandfather (which were in their archive) and even helped us identify a medallion that we had of his.  Eddie Cantwell, the local historian, went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that my family and I had an immersive and enriching experience both at the museum itself and all around Dungarvan.  I cannot recommend a stop at the Waterford County Museum enough on your next trip to Dungarvan!  We will be back for sure!'  Visited July 2016.

Object of the Week - Wooden Butter Pats, Early 20th Century

When the butter was removed from the churn the butter had to be 'grained' so that it was thick enough for moulding.

It was then washed several times in cold water and the buttermilk drained off.  Once the butter was clean enough, butter pats were used to mould it into shape.  The pats were dipped in water in between to avoid the butter sticking.

Butter sold in grocery shops came in large slabs.  The grocer cut off a section and shaped it with the butter pats.  Sometimes the butter was stamped with a design from a wooden mould.

New Book - 'Faces in the Window' by Susan M. Green

This is a beautiful new book full of stunning photographs of details of the stained glass windows in Mount Melleray Abbey.

These close up photographs show the stained glass windows made by Harry Clarke Studios circa 1940's, along with quotations from Scripture and St. Patrick's Breastplate to aid meditation on the images, all printed on thick glossy pages.

Available from Mount Melleray Abbey Book Shop.