Can you identify anyone in this photo? If so, please let us know.
Stories from Old Newspapers
Dungarvan
Observer 1 April 1961
Unveiling of Plaque to Irish Scholar at Bonmahon
‘A plaque will be unveiled at Seafield, Bonmahon at
3p.m. on Monday next, April 3rd, to mark the place where the first
college for the teaching of the Irish language was founded in 1830 by Philip
Barron. An appropriate plaque was
presented by An Bord Failte to the County Waterford National Monuments Advisory
Committee…The unveiling ceremony will be performed by the President of the
Gaelic League and the attendance will include a number of the delegates to the
Gaelic League Congress which will be held in Waterford city over the Easter
weekend. Philip Barron has been described as the first Gaelic Leaguer and born
in 1802.
The Irish college which he founded is said to have
been wantonly destroyed by a local family who harbored a sense of grievance
against the Barron family. As a result
of his political activities Philip Barron had to leave Ireland and live in
France. He died in 1860’.
Aine Ui Fhoghlu gave a comprehensive presentation to
the Museum Society on Philip Barron. The
plaque is no longer in place and it is now time that a new plaque be erected in
the vicinity to celebrate his achievement.
Tuesday 29th October 2019 - Event in SGC Cinema
“Leonardo
The Works”
– Leonardo da Vinci as you have never seen him before
Leonardo da Vinci is acclaimed as the world's
favourite artist. Many TV shows and
feature films have showcased his extraordinary genius but often not examined
closely enough is the most crucial element of all: his art. Leonardo's peerless
paintings and drawings will be the focus of “Leonardo: The Works” as EXHIBITION
ON SCREEN presents every single attributed painting in Ultra HD quality. This has never been seen before on the big
screen. Key works include: The Mona
Lisa, The Last Supper, Lady with an Ermine, Ginevra de Benci, Madonna Litta,
Virgin of the Rocks and more than a dozen others. This film also looks afresh at Leonardo's
life, his inventiveness, his sculptural skills, his military foresight and his
ability to navigate the treacherous politics of the day through the prism of
his art. To be released on the 500th
anniversary of his death, this is the definitive film about Leonardo: the first
to truly tell the whole story. This is a
show not to be missed.
Tickets at a
reduced rate are available at the Museum on Friary Street, courtesy of Eugene
Tobin, SGC Dungarvan.
Venue: SGC Cinema Dungarvan
Date: Tuesday 29th October 2019
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Thursday 31st October 2019 - Children's Halloween Event in the Museum
FREE HALLOWEEN CHILDREN’S EVENT
Waterford County Museum invite Children
and their parents to participate in a free event
and their parents to participate in a free event
Make your own Halloween Mask!
Venue: Waterford County Museum, Dungarvan
Date: Thursday 31st October 2019
Time: 11a.m. – 1p.m.
ADMISSION FREE!
Age 8+ years
All children must be
accompanied by an adult
Materials will be
provided.
Spaces on this event are
limited and participants are required to book in advance.
Contact us by email: info@waterfordmuseum.ie
Or phone: (058) 45960
Wednesday 30th October 2019 - A Talk by William Fraher in Dungarvan Sailing Club
Wretched and Unsanitary - Working Class Housing in Dungarvan
1800 - 1970
1800 - 1970
 |
| William Fraher |
A Talk by William Fraher
This is the first detailed research to be undertaken on the type of houses in which the poorer citizens of Dungarvan lived from the 19th to the 20th century. Descriptions of Dungarvan by 18th and 19th century travel writers comment on the amount of 'cabins' to be seen all around the town especially on the roads and streets leading out from the centre. These had thatched roofs and stone or mud walls with one, or at the most, two rooms. The shocking aspect is the number of people who occupied these tiny spaces - sometimes eight to twelve people. Houses were built by the Marquis of Waterford and the Duke of Devonshire in the1820s as part of the activities surrounding the 1826 election. These houses were solidly built and appear to have had slate roofs but were still being lived in up until the 1950s and 1960s when they had become totally unsuitable. Sometimes the slum dwellings were owned by members of councils which meant that nothing happened apart from issuing an order to the landlord to the repair the property. Willie will also talk about the new housing developments initiated by the council -Loughmore, Cathal Brugha Place, Dr Caseyville and Murphy Place. These were a vast improvement on the slum dwellings but they were not without controversy. Issues with sewage, high rents, faulty doors and windows, and leaks were reported in the local papers. The Murphy Place development was one of the first in Ireland to employ direct labour.
This is the first detailed research to be undertaken on the type of houses in which the poorer citizens of Dungarvan lived from the 19th to the 20th century. Descriptions of Dungarvan by 18th and 19th century travel writers comment on the amount of 'cabins' to be seen all around the town especially on the roads and streets leading out from the centre. These had thatched roofs and stone or mud walls with one, or at the most, two rooms. The shocking aspect is the number of people who occupied these tiny spaces - sometimes eight to twelve people. Houses were built by the Marquis of Waterford and the Duke of Devonshire in the1820s as part of the activities surrounding the 1826 election. These houses were solidly built and appear to have had slate roofs but were still being lived in up until the 1950s and 1960s when they had become totally unsuitable. Sometimes the slum dwellings were owned by members of councils which meant that nothing happened apart from issuing an order to the landlord to the repair the property. Willie will also talk about the new housing developments initiated by the council -Loughmore, Cathal Brugha Place, Dr Caseyville and Murphy Place. These were a vast improvement on the slum dwellings but they were not without controversy. Issues with sewage, high rents, faulty doors and windows, and leaks were reported in the local papers. The Murphy Place development was one of the first in Ireland to employ direct labour.
 |
| Tobin brothers at Shandon Street, Dungarvan ( Note the half door). |
William Fraher is by
now recognised as the foremost historian in Dungarvan. His contribution to the
history of the town and surrounding area is unequalled. This talk takes place
at the wonderful Dungarvan Sailing Club venue on the quay, a location for which we
are very grateful.
To hear more - come along, take a seat and enjoy a drink, as you listen to this
illustrated talk on Wed 30th October at 8p.m. There will be a €5
entrance fee, and as usual, all are welcome.
Venue: Dungarvan Sailing Club, Davitt's Quay, Dungarvan.
Date: Wednesday 30th October 2019.
Time: 8 p.m.
Admission: €5
Photo of the Week
Can you identify anyone in this photo taken in Abbeyside Tennis Club in 1950s?
If so, please let us know
Stories from Old Newspapers
Dungarvan Observer 4 February 1961
‘Jack Aranson and Mary Rose McMaster have returned to
Ireland after five years in America. During
that time, they appeared in several plays in New York, on T.V. and toured the
States extensively mainly in a Shakespeare programme. Orson Welles with whom
Jack Aranson appeared in ‘King Lear’ on Broadway, has personally given him the
sole rights of his adaption of Moby Dick.We learn this Company will play in Dungarvan
on the 12th and 14th of February and have stood down on Monday
night 13th so that the Dungarvan Harriers patrons could have the
amenities of the Friary Hall. What a
sporting and noble gesture’.
Mary Rose McMaster (1926-2018) was the daughter of
actor Anew McMaster. She married
American actor Jack Aranson and they founded a production company. Her biography of her father was published in
2018 – A Life Remembered: A Memoir of Anew McMaster. Anew McMaster appeared in many dramatic productions
in Dungarvan. Mary Rose died in her 90s
in America.
17th October 2019 - "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Live in SGC Cinema Dungarvan
The Theatre becomes the forest – a dream
world of flying fairies, contagious frogs and moonlight revels. This comes live from the Bridge Theatre and
stars Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) & Oliver Chris, (Green Wing)
with a full supporting celebrity cast.
Tickets are now available at a reduced rate
at the Museum on Friary Street thanks to Eugene Tobin, SGC Dungarvan. This very highly rated show and comes live to
SGC Dungarvan at 8 p.m. on 17th October 2019.
You are advised to purchase your tickets early.
It should be noted that the Bridge Theatre,
where the show is running, requests that under 16s be accompanied by an adult.
"Butlerstown Revisted" - Launch of new Book
“Butlerstown Revisited” was launched
recently. It is the second volume
published by Meitheal Staire Butlerstown.
There are many articles in it on local people, places and events, including
one on Claude Chavasse, whose portrait is on display in the museum, kindly
given by ‘The Friends of the National Collections’.
This attractively produced book is on sale
for €12.00.
Stories from Old Newspapers
Waterford News
& Star 25/5/1923
Mr. James
Larkin in Dungarvan
Mr. James Larkin
addressed a large Labour meeting on the Square, Dungarvan, on Wednesday. The Labourers marched in a body from the Town
Hall, a piper playing, the men proceeding four deep. Mr. Butler T.D. presided, and introduced the
speakers, among whom were Messrs T. Ryan, Waterford, and Organiser Baird,
Belfast.
Mr. Larkin who was
received with cheers, recounted the early efforts of his to forward the cause
of the labourers in England, Scotland, and Wales, also in Belfast, and then in
Dublin. In speaking of Belfast, he said there were 870 men, 320 women and 139
children shot down by special constables.
Referring to the political situation, he said that Mr. de Valera made
certain proposals and the Premier replied: he said the republicans must swear allegiance
to the English King. But many Kings had
lost their jobs, and King George may lose his, too, before very long. In the Dail there were 36 men, and of these, twenty hold office, and this without getting back to their
constituents. The farmers made millions
by the blood lust during the war, and they want to cut down the men’s wages
now. There were 85 million pounds in the
banks, but the labourers had none of it.
He called on them to have peace, to strengthen the union, and work for a
worker’s republic.
Photo of the Week
Do you recognise anyone in this photo of three ladies enjoying a picnic on Clonea Beach c1950s?
If so, please let us know.
8th October 2019 - Royal Opera: Don Giovanni Live in SGC Cinema
We have another special 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 event is: Royal Opera: Don Giovanni - Live
It will be shown in SGC Dungarvan on Tuesday 8th October 2019 at 6.45 p.m.
Stories from Old Newspapers
Dungarvan
Leader 11 February 1950
Tom Tobin, writer of the Spotlight column in the
Leader received a letter from Thomas D McCue (native of
Abbeyside and brother of Jack McCue) in San Francisco relating to the first
Irish ship flying the tricolor to pass through the Golden Gate:
‘On Thursday morning January 27 I witnessed one of the
greatest thrills of my exiled life when the first Irish ship ‘Irish Plane’
first to fly the Irish flag, sailed through the Golden Gate…Later in the day I
had the pleasure of visiting the ship and meeting a young man from Dungarvan,
Michael Shalloe, who is a cadet aboard her…In a very short time my son Capt
James McCue and myself had him travelling around San Francisco seeing the
sights. Later…my daughters, Mrs James P
Moloney and Mrs Frank J Mealy, known in Abbeyside as Margaret and Dorothy McCue
entertained our visitor to dinner. My sister
Aileen McCue enjoyed Michael’s visit very much as she knew his father’.
Photo of the Week
Thursday 24th October 2019 - Museum A.G.M.
The
Museum A.G.M. will take place in the museum on Friary Street, Dungarvan on Thursday 24th October at 8 p.m.
We look
forward to meeting current and new members on the night.