We are delighted to have Julian Walton kick off our 2017/18 lecture season with an illustrated lecture titled 'Curraghmore: A Hidden Treasure on Our Doorstep'.For many years one of the most fascinating country houses in Ireland has remained hidden from the national media, and forgotten by many in the Déise. Curraghmore House is now beginning to receive the attention it deserves. For at least six hundred years the house and demesne have been the home of the same family, the name changing only once through marriage. For the last three centuries it has been the seat of the Beresfords, Marquesses of Waterford, who played a leading role in the evolution of Georgian Ireland, and in Victorian times produced some famous churchmen and soldiers. For three centuries before that it was the principal castle of the Power clan who ruled East Waterford until the coming of Cromwell. Every generation has left its mark on Curraghmore.
The magnificent demesne of some two and a half thousand acres is open to the public subject to common sense restrictions. The gardens (leave €5 in the honesty box), in a stunning setting along the River Clodiagh with a medieval bridge, hills, forests, avenues and splendid vistas, are open from Easter to the end of September. During the same period there are guided tours of the house, with its huge courtyard, fifteenth century entrance hall, décor by Wyatt and others, historic furniture, paintings including family portraits. The fine eighteenth century Shell House in the grounds is included in the tour. The former parish church on Clonegam Hill serves as the family mausoleum.
Julian Walton is currently working on the archives at Curraghmore, with the assistance of Marianna Lorenc, and our Museum Curator William Fraher. Julian's immense treasure of knowledge and his humorous observations on historical events will ensure a very interesting and entertaining lecture which will be well worth attending.
We are also breaking new ground with this talk because it takes place at the Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club on Davitts Quay, which is itself a very historic location which is where the famed 'Linny' used to stand, as they have very kindly allowed us to use their clubhouse for the talk.
There is a lift at the clubhouse to take people to the top floor. All are very welcome!
Venue: Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club, Davitts Quay, Dungarvan
Date: Wednesday 20th September 2017
Time: 8pm
Admission: €5
