It is hard to believe that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the museum. The initiative came from Dungarvan I.C.A. and its then President Mrs Joan Bailey.
A public meeting was organised and took place in
Lawlor’s Hotel in 1982. The large attendance included the new County Manger,
Dan Hurley and the new County Librarian, Donald Brady.
A committee was set up and the intention was to have a
local historical society or friends of the museum. The name decided on was Dungarvan
Museum Society. The hunt was then on for a premises and fortunately R A
Merry’s old store (The Old Market House) in Lower Main Street became available.
Before the building was modernized and restored the Museum Society held an
exhibition (in 1983) upstairs, titled ‘Gallowshill and The Lady Belle’. Enthusiastic
volunteers made temporary cases and visual displays. The first committee was
photographed by Rory Wyley on the night along with Mayor of Dungarvan, Jimmy
Byrne, and consisted of the following:
Mrs Joan Bailey; Kitty Hayes, former Co Librarian;
Donald Brady then Co Librarian, Willie Fraher, Jim Shine, Donal Walsh, Richie
Walsh, Billy Kyne, Gai Morrissey, Mrs Kathleen Dowling, and Tom Nolan.
The building was restored and repurposed to house a
library on the ground floor and a museum on the first floor. The official
opening in 1984 was performed by author
Molly Keane.
In April 1999 the UDC vacated their offices in the old
Town Hall in Friary Street and the museum moved into the ground floor. In 2009
the museum moved back into the newly renovated Town Hall space.
Since 1982 the museum has held numerous exhibitions,
public talks, and published a number of local history books. Our extensive
image archive now contains over 7,400 images for Dungarvan and Co Waterford. We have been the recipient of
numerous awards, including for one of the most ambitious projects, the
investigation and archaeological dig at Gallowshill which has resulted in
rewriting the early history of the town.
The majority of our collection has been donated over
the years and we would like to sincerely thank all the donors who have decided
to entrust us with their cherished items and ensure that they remain within the
county. This year the museum has funded a completely new lighting system, new
text panels, and introduced colour into our exhibition area, all of which
contributes to a better visitor experience.
The remit of the museum is: ‘to record, display and preserve artefacts, documents and images relating to the history of Co Waterford and make them available as a resource for the enjoyment and education of the local community and visitors, irrespective of age, gender, disability or ethnicity’. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 to 5, including lunchtime. Admission is Free and all are welcome.
