Object of the Week - The Sunny Side of Ireland - How to see it by the Great Southern & Western Railway by John O'Mahony 1902

Guide books such as this were very popular with tourists many of whom came from England by boat and used the train network to get to destinations such as Dublin, Killarney, or the West.  The guide book does not feature Dungarvan but has Lismore, Blackwater, Tramore and Waterford City.  

There is a chapter on cycling holidays which says that June and September are the driest months in Ireland.  It recommends that cyclists call to the nearest Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks as they are the best source on information about what to see.  Chatting to locals was an “interesting and amusing experience - nothing can exceed their civility and courtesy”.  

The guide book recommends lunching in their cottages; excellent tea, homemade bread etc were available for one shilling per head.  They cautioned cyclists to slow down as “country people were rather stupid about getting out of one's way”.

Cruinniú na nÓg National Day of Creativity for Children at Waterford County Museum

On Saturday the 23rd of June 2018 the museum participated in the Cruinniú na nÓg national day of creativity for children.  Everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed the day and a big thank you to all those who participated.  A lot of organisation went into this event and our thanks to museum committee member Mary Giblin and to our two local artists Kaylee Regan and Tony Hayes for hosting this event.

A sample of the creative process in action.

Object of the Week - A guide to the latest bikes in 1869: 'Velocipedes - Bicycles & Tricycles - How to make and how to use them', London 1869

This book was published the same year that the Dungarvan Ramblers Cycling Club was established in Dungarvan by Richard Edward Brenan (1846-1917).  This was the first such club to be formed in Ireland.  In the same year the club held a four mile bicycle race which Brenan won and the cup which he was presented with is now on display in Waterford County Museum. 

The museum is currently preparing an exhibition titled - 'The Remarkable Brenan's - Cyclists, Photographers, Antiquarians, Artists and Printers'.  This exhibition will be of particular interest to cyclists and those interested in cycling history as we will have two 'penny farthing' bikes on show.  One locally made in the 1870s which has wooden wheels and spokes.  Recent donations of drawings, photographs and papers relating to the Brenan family will be on display for the first time.

If you have any documents, artefacts, photographs relating to this family we would love to hear from you.

Object of the Week - Lithograph of Castellated Bridge & Lodges, Ballysaggartmore Lismore 1853

This fantastic structure was built by Kiely on part of the avenue which was intended to lead to a large Neo-Gothic castle which was never built.  The castle was intended to surpass that of his brother John at Strancally Castle.  

During the Famine Kiely evicted many tenants which earned him a bad reputation as a landlord.  An assassination attempt was made on his life.  

In 1903 the house was acquired by the Hon Claud Anson and his wife Clodagh and sold by him in 1930.  The lodges and bridge fell into neglect and the main house was demolished.  

The lodge and bridge are now a major tourist attraction in Lismore.

Cruinniú na nÓg National Day of Creativity for Children at Waterford County Museum

Object of the Week - Catechism of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore being the Most Rev. Dr. James Butler's Catechism Revised, and the Smaller Catechism c.1920. Printed by Guy and Co. Ltd, Cork

Butler's Catechism was compiled by Dr James Butler in 1775 and was revised in the late 19th century and a new edition produced in the early 1950s was popularly known as the 'Green Catechism' because of the colour of its cover.

These rare examples of the Waterford catechisms are inscribed Con Sheehan, Dungarvan 1920.

Object of the Week - 'The Exhibition Display Outfit' 1940s

This boxed set of letters and symbols was produced to enable shop owners to print their own notices and prices on paper or card.  

Unfortunately there is no maker's mark or label on this set, but it was probably manufactured in England.  

Other examples of printing sets like this were also made for children.