Culture Night in the Museum

Julian Walton - Guest Speaker

Waterford County Museum held an event on Friday 20^th September for Culture Night.  It was entitled ‘Reading the Past – County Waterford People and Places’. 
A big thank you to our guest speakers who read from published and unpublished works focusing on County Waterford from the 17^th to the 20^th century.

The event was a huge success and we were delighted with the large number in attendance.  After the readings everyone enjoyed the chat and refreshments. 

William Fraher - Curator

John Daly - Guest Speaker

Eddie Cantwell - Guest Speaker

Nicolas O'Griofain - Guest Speaker

Christina Flynn, Museum President - Guest Speaker

Book Sale

Books Wanted

We are now collecting books for our annual book sale which will take place shortly.  Please no magazines, text books or encyclopaedias.  Books must be in good condition.

Books can be dropped into the museum in Friary Street from Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland visit the Museum

A group of people from Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland visited the museum on Wednesday 25th September.  They were on holiday in Waterford and spent the afternoon in Dungarvan.  The curator William Fraher gave them a tour of the museum and they were particularly interested in the Irish Artist, Sarah Purser and her connection to Dungarvan.

The museum is always delighted to welcome community groups, schools and local history societies.  

Terry Family visit the Museum

The Terry family of Wisconsin were recent visitors to Dungarvan.  Nicholas Graves and Eddie were delighted to meet up with the family whose roots are at Ardo, Ardmore, and at Garranbane.  Left of the picture is Kevin Terry from Cork who is a serious Terry researcher.  Far right is David Terry of Wisconsin and next to him is his wife. Eddie shares information with both John and David.  Also in the picture, third from left is an Australian Lady, Hazen Cleary who is researching her O'Brien roots here in Dungarvan.  Hazen has a direct connection to Francis Xavier O'Brien.  A memorial is erected to him at the 360 cookhouse, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan.

Photo of the Week

Can you identify anyone in this photo of Dungarvan Literary Club from 1960s?  If so, please let us know.

Stories from Old Newspapers

Dungarvan Leader 4 February 1950

Laying foundation stone of new TB sanatorium, Ardkeen.

Tom Tobin in his ‘Spotlight’ column reported on the laying of the foundation stone of the new TB unit by Minister for Health Dr. Noel Browne.

Public representatives for all over the county were present as well as the County Manager, Mr. S. J. Moynihan.  County Secretary Mr. J. G. Dowling, council officials, engineers and all those associated with the building of this great sanatorium in which will take place the never ending fight against Ireland’s bitter enemy – T.B.

One of the early arrivals on the scene was His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr Cohalan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore.  The Bishop assisted by the Rev Father R. Coady blessed the site…and the minister turned the first sod and immediately afterwards he was presented with a silver trowel by Mr. Murphy, contactor.  Later on the steps of the tall and massive mansion [Ardkeen House built by John Malcomson c.1869] and facing a large and representative gathering the Minister spoke of his great plans to end Ireland’s greatest scourge…Afterwards an informal reception was held in Ardkeen House.

Gallows Hill Community Group involved in Archaeological dig at Kilkenny Castle

Pictured left to right, Chrissy O’Connor –Knight, Doríeann Nic Mhurchadha (WCM/Gallows Hill Dungarvan), Phil Kenny  Kilkenny Archaeology,  Cóilín Ó Drisceoil, site manager, Kilkenny Archaeology, Eddie Cantwell & Sarah Lucas, (WCM/Gallows Hill Group)  Dungarvan; Dan Lenehan , Kilkenny Archaeology.

Members of the Waterford County Museum, Dungarvan / Gallows Hill community group were delighted to be invited by Cóilín Ó Drisceoil to take part in the Archaeological dig at Kilkenny Castle.  Cóilín is in charge of excavation on behalf of the Office of Public Works.  The Archaeological excavation which was funded by O.P.W. has been undertaken to uncover the remains of the gatehouse which was built in the early thirteenth century by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke to guard the main entrance into his chief castle in Leinster.  This year marks both the 800th anniversary of the death of the Marshal and also fifty years since the castle was brought under the care of the Office of Public Works. The gatehouse was badly damaged during the Cromwellian attack on the castle in March 1650 and what remained of it was removed in around 1770. Before it was demolished its plan had been drawn / illustrated, to varying levels of accuracy, by Francis Place c.1699, John Rocque 1758 and Richard Steile 1767, all of whom showed it comprised two large circular towers.

In 2010 a ground-penetrating radar archaeological survey was undertaken of the structure, which identified the precise location of the gatehouse.  The aim of the investigation is to ascertain the depth, extent and condition of the gatehouse's surviving masonry.  Results to date are very encouraging and show that the two towers of the gatehouse survive to nearly their original first floor level.  So far, the south tower has been exposed, along with an arrow loop embrasure and part of the main entrance passage between the towers.  Around a thousand artefacts have also been recovered, including a numerous lead musket balls, an Irish Volunteers button and handles of medieval pottery jugs.  The Dungarvan group were delighted to have spent the day on the dig in such wonderful surroundings.  It is the second Archaeological dig that Waterford County Museum, Dungarvan group have been invited to by Cóilín, Kilkenny Archaelogy, having spent several days at the Ballinamintra caves with the group.  

Medieval Harp tuning peg, discovered by Dan Lenehan

Photo of the Week

Can you identify anyone in this photo of Dungarvan G.A.A. Club Waterford Senior Football Club Championship winners, 1926??

If so, please let us know.

Stories from Old Newspapers

Clonmel Herald 4 July 1835

Abduction

About twelve o’clock on Sunday night last, a party of fellows belonging to the faction denominated GOWS, went to the house of a man named Lynch, residing at Canune [?], in the parish of Rathgormac, in this county, and forcibly carried away his daughter, not even allowing her to dress herself, the family having been in bed at the time of these ruffians’ visit.  The party was headed by a notorious character, named Michael Hasey, who had on a former occasion proposed marriage to Lynch’s daughter and his addresses were rejected principally owing to his well-known bad character.

Every exertion was made by the Rathgormac and Carrick police, who are still on the alert, to discover the retreat of Hasey, but he has as yet eluded their vigilance.

Photo of the Week

Can you identify anyone in this photo of the Abbeyside Parish outing to Gougane Barra in 1930s?  If so, let us know

Wednesday 18th Sept 2019 - Lecture by Julian Walton in Dungarvan Sailing Club

Lecture by Julian Walton in Dungarvan Sailing Club

Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford (1818 -1891):

a bicentenary assessment and fresh discoveries

Julian Walton is back with what will prove to be a most interesting talk. 

Waterford County Museum Dungarvan is always delighted when Julian agrees to come and deliver a talk for us.  Readers and followers of the ‘Historical Giant’ will be drawn to the words in his lecture entitled ‘Fresh Discoveries’.  The subject matter of his talk will be, Louisa Anne Stuart, who was the younger daughter of Lord Stuart de Rothesay, a career diplomat and Lady Elizabeth Yorke.  Beautiful, artistic and deeply religious, who to the consternation of her family, married Henry, 3^rd Marquess of Waterford, who had hitherto been renowned for his reckless and spendthrift behaviour in 1842.  Her reign of seventeen years at Curraghmore was marked by humanitarian endeavours which did much to alleviate the plight of the poor, especially during the Great Famine. 

            After the death of her husband in a freak hunting accident, Louisa retired to Ford Castle in Northumberland, where she survived her husband by thirty-two years.  In Ford she rebuilt the castle and village, decorating the walls of the school with biblical stories for which the models were the local children.  She was a gifted and prolific artist and was the friend of Ruskin, Rossetti, and other leaders of the art world.

            Louisa has been the subject of four biographies and several articles.  This lecture offers fresh insights into her character, based on her correspondence and art work at Curraghmore, much of which was not known to previous biographers.

             Now then, does that whet your appetite for more? Julian’s lecture takes place at the Sailing Club venue on the Quay, Dungarvan this Wednesday 18^th at 8.pm. There will be an entrance fee of €5, and as always, all are very welcome.

Friday 20th September 2019 - Culture Night at Waterford County Museum

'Reading the Past - County Waterford People & Places'

Friday 20^th September 7 - 8.30 p.m.

Hear a selection of guest speakers read from published and unpublished works focusing on Co Waterford from the 17^th to the 20^th century.

During the evening we will hear about Mr Boulez le Gouz’s impressions of Dungarvan and Waterford people in 1644,  Linen Cooke, the 18^th century vegetarian from Cappoquin, Welshman Lewis Dillwyn’s visit to the Cunnigar in 1809, and many more.

Come along and have a chat and refreshments and celebrate Culture Night with us in the Museum.

Admission Free

Sunday 6th October 2019 - Scandal in the Big House! - Dromana House, Cappoquin

Venue: Dromana House, Cappoquin, CountyWaterford

Date:    Sunday 6th October 2019

Time:  10 am for 11 am start: Coffee

Admission:  €75 pp or €130 for 2 persons to include morning coffee, lunch & afternoon tea.

Julian Walton (Dunhill Education Centre): 'The Scandalous Lives of the Carpenters, Earls of Tyrconnell'.

Prof. Claire Connolly (UCC): 'Hot and Cold Scandal in Maria Edgeworth's Novels'.

LUNCH

Dr. Eibhear Walsh (UCC): 'Scandal in Merrion Square: The Other Wilde Trial'.

Dr. Peter Murray: 'Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know - Lord Byron, Lady Caroline Lamb and Lismore Castle'. 

AFTERNOON TEA AND GUIDED TOUR OF THE GARDENS

Enquiries & Booking Email: info@dromanahouse.com Tel: 086 8186305

€75 pp or €130 for 2 persons to include morning coffee, lunch & afternoon tea

Programme subject to change without notice.

Photo of the Week

Can you identify anyone in this photo taken in Rome in 1950s at the church of St. Maria Maggiore?  If so please let us know.

Stories from Old Newspapers

‘The Irregular’s taste for the finer things’

Examples of two Dungarvan compensation court claims in 1923

Waterford News 11 November 1923

Thomas H Murphy of the Park Hotel, Main Street, Dungarvan, claimed £56.0.3 for teas, drinks, stouts, etc. taken by the Irregulars.  Murphy stated that the I.R.A. supplied meat to him which he had to cook for them.  They took the drink by force.  They also took a suit of clothes and a lady’s trench coat.  The state solicitor Mr. Ryan was intrigued and remarked: ‘What do the ladies want trench coats for?  We have enough going into trench coats without the ladies going into them’.  Murphy also said that the Irregulars took a quantity of underclothing and left their own clothing behind.  Mr. Ryan cross-examined Murphy who admitted he did ‘fairly well with the British military owing to his place being near the barracks.  The I.R.A. paid for some drinks they got, but they commandeered all the drinks they claimed for.  On the first night three of the Irregulars came in with a bomb and demanded three large stouts.  He sent to the barracks when the bomb was produced and the pin taken out, and the Irregular was removed.  Murphy found the bomb on the premises next morning and some ammunition’.  The judge awarded £20 in compensation.

R.A. Merry & Co claimed £1.13.3 for puddings, sausages and £84.16 for groceries, liquors, including six ‘quibs’ of champagne.  Mr. Ryan, solicitor, commented: ‘There must have been some fellows ‘craw-sick’ which produced much laughter in the court.  Merry’s felt they had to hand over the goods as the men had revolvers. The judge awarded £60.

1st October 2019 - Event in SGC Cinema

Members can avail of reduced rates to  this event courtesy of Mr. Eugene Tobin, Manager SGC Cinema, Dungarvan.  It is advisable to book your tickets in advance for these event. 

Placido Domingo 50^th Anniversary Gala Evening on Tuesday 1^st October also at 7.30.

17th September 2019 - Event in SGC Cinema

Throughout the year we will have specials for our Museum members in conjunction with SGC Cinema.  Members can avail of reduced rates to events courtesy of Mr. Eugene Tobin, Manager SGC Cinema, Dungarvan.  

It is advisable to book your tickets in advance for these events.

Members can call to the museum to pick up their concession tickets.

The first event is Rigoletto on the Lake on Tuesday 17^th September at 7.30 p.m.

Photo of the Week

Can you identify anyone in this group photo in Dungarvan ?  If so please let us know.