Heritage Week Talk

We had a full house on Wednesday 16th August for our Heritage Week talk by museum curator Willie Fraher. His topic was the Municipal history of Dungarvan from the 15^th century. The talk was illustrated with a PowerPoint presentation, prepared by staff member Stephanie. The curator and trustees would like to thank Anthony, Mike, Tony and Brid for their assistance with the event. The curator also acknowledged the Heritage Council grant towards a new display case which was on show at the lecture, containing a selection of civic memorabilia.  The new museum display case which has been acquired and supported by the Heritage Council under the community Heritage Grant Scheme 2023.

Thomas Phelan and Willie Fraher ( Museum Curator)

 Some of the Attendees at Museum Heritage Event August 2023

Visit To Cappagh House

On 12 August we had a very enjoyable visit to Cappagh House with 25 members of the Museum Society. We were fortunate that the weather stayed fine. The owners Charlie and Claire Chavasse gave us a warm welcome. Willie Fraher and Julian Walton gave us a brief account of the families associated with the estate – Fitzgeralds, Osbornes, and Usshers. Charlie Chavasse told us about his grandparents’ purchase of Cappagh in 1944 from Arland Ussher. After a tour of the house Charlie brought us on a fascinating tour of the grounds.  He pointed out Old Cappagh House, the lake, the castle ruin and the lovely old farm buildings. We concluded our visit with refreshments and home-made biscuits. All agreed it was one of the most enjoyable society trips of recent times.

Focus on Museum Collection

The Pier near Faithlegg House, County Waterford, watercolour by Maud Power c. 1920s.

Maud Anne Power (1860-1938) was the daughter of Patrick and Olivia (nee Nugent, daughter of Earl of Westmeath) Power of Faithlegg House. Maud travelled extensively with her parents. Her parents leased Temple Hill House in 1875 where she was living in 1911. She was an amateur artist who wrote and illustrated a book titled 'Wayside India' published in 1907.  The Spectator reviewed it as follows: 'Miss Power relates her Indian experiences in a lively fashion, not without a certain tone of satire when she comes to describe the manners and customs of the British.  On the whole, the pen and ink pictures are effective...the sketches which are by the same hand, show an elegance'.

She died on 10 October 1938 aged 77 at 19 Alma Road, Monkstown, and is buried at Deansgrange cemetery along with her sisters Ellen and Mary.

The Pier near Faithlegg House, County Waterford, watercolour by Maud Power c. 1920s

 

 

Can you identify anyone in this Photography

 Do you know the boy or the lady in this photography?  Or have any information about this photo.

Please contact the museum on

Tel: (058) 45 960

Email: info@waterfordmuseum.ie

Waterford County Museum - Heritage Week Event

 Talk & Exhibition

Dungarvan – ‘The most great and antient honour’

The Story of Dungarvan’s Municipal History 1463-1950 

 By William Fraher

Wednesday 16^th August at 3p.m. Admission Free  (places must be booked in advance)

The speaker will trace in broad terms the history of town administration from Medieval times to the mid-20th century. The establishing of Burgesses, a Corporation, Town Commissioners, and Urban District Council will be discussed. The talk will look at the people who held office, some of the key issues in Dungarvan during this period, shipping, quay construction, Cunnigar Bridge, waterworks, new Town Park, Swimming Pool, Dungarvan Gas works, new Town Hall, public housing, and more.

To compliment the talk there will be a display of a selection of civic memorabilia. This will be exhibited in a new museum standard display case which has been acquired and supported by the Heritage Council under the community Heritage Grant Scheme 2023.

 

As space is limited places must be booked in advance by contacting the museum at 058-45960 or at info@waterfordmuseum.ie

Focus on Museum Collection

 Illuminated address presented to Richard Charles Moore-Smyth (1859-1888) from his tenants on the Ballynatray Estate, to mark his coming of age.

By John & Florence Gilbert, Cork

Watercolour, ink & pencil

The address depicts the house on the top left corner and at the bottom the family coat of arms.

Sir Walter Raleigh was granted lands by an order of 28 February 1587, which included the “Castle & Lands of Ballinatray”.  Raleigh returned to England in December 1589, when he sub-let his lands at Ballinatray to Robert Maule.  Raleigh subsequently sold the estate to Sir Richard Boyle in 1603.  In 1611 Captain Richard Smith came into possession of Ballynatray.

In 1795 Grice Blakeney Smyth married  Mary Broderick Mitchell, daughter and co- heir of Henry Mitchell of Mitchell's Fort, Co. Cork. The Hon. Charles William Moore Smyth was living in Ballynatray in 1870s.  he was son of the Earl of Mountcashel and was Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace.  He married Charlotte Mary Smyth, an only child and heiress of Richard Smyth.  Their son was a recipient of this address. 

On the death of Mr. Horace Holroyd Smyth in 1969 the house passed to his cousins, the Ponsonbys of Kilcooley Abbey Co. Tipperary. It was sold in 1995 to the Boissevain family who carried out an extensive reconstruction. In 2004 they sold it to Henry Gwyn-Jones.

Illuminated address presented to Richard Charles Moore-Smyth (1859-1888) from his tenants on the Ballynatray Estate, to mark his coming of age.

 

 

 

 

Museum Visit to Cappagh House

This visit will take place on Saturday August 12^th 2023, those who have booked a place for this visit and who may need a lift to Cappagh house, please contact the museum on  058-45960. We will be meeting and leaving from the Museum premises in Friary Street at 10.30 am on the morning of the visit.

We are arranging a second visit to Cappagh house, provisionally for early September 2023. Those on the waiting lost will be given priority on this trip.

Can you identify anyone in this Photography

 Do you know the boy or the lady in this photography?  Or have any information about this photo.

Please contact the museum on

Tel: (058) 45 960

Email: info@waterfordmuseum.ie

Focus on Museum Collection

 Portrait of Rev James Vincent Cleary (1829-1898), Archbishop of Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Oil on canvas. Late 19th century, artist unknown.

James Vincent Cleary was born in Dungarvan on 18th September 1828.  His father Thomas (1792-1871) was a merchant and ship owner of Main Street.  His mother was Margaret O'Brien (1800-1858) who was related to the Fenian, F.X. O'Brien.

He was educated locally at a classical school in Church Street. He studied for the priesthood in Rome and at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He was ordained on 19 September 1851. He also studied at Salamanca in Spain before returning to Ireland to become a professor in St John’s College, Waterford, where he also served as president of the college from 1873 to 1876. He was awarded the Doctor of Divinity degree (DD or STD), by the Catholic University of Ireland. Rev. Cleary was appointed Parish Priest of Dungarvan on 13th February 1876. 

In 1881 he was made Bishop of Kingston when this portrait was made. It originally hung in the convent of the Presentation Sisters in Dungarvan. He died aged 69 on 24 February 1898 and is buried in Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral Kingston, Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada.

 Portrait of Rev James Vincent Cleary (1829-1898), Archbishop of Kingston, Ontario, Canada

 

National Heritage Week

The Waterford Event Guide for Heritage week 12^th – 20^th August 2023 is now available at the Museum.

Waterford County Museum - Heritage Week Event

 Talk & Exhibition

Dungarvan – ‘The most great and antient honour’

The Story of Dungarvan’s Municipal History 1463-1950 

 By William Fraher

Wednesday 16^th August at 3p.m. Admission Free

The speaker will trace in broad terms the history of town administration from Medieval times to the mid-20th century. The establishing of Burgesses, a Corporation, Town Commissioners, and Urban District Council will be discussed. The talk will look at the people who held office, some of the key issues in Dungarvan during this period, shipping, quay construction, Cunnigar Bridge, waterworks, new Town Park, Swimming Pool, Dungarvan Gas works, new Town Hall, public housing, and more.

To compliment the talk there will be a display of a selection of civic memorabilia. This will be exhibited in a new museum standard display case which has been acquired and supported by the Heritage Council under the community Heritage Grant Scheme 2023.

 

As space is limited places must be booked in advance by contacting the museum at 058-45960 or at info@waterfordmuseum.ie

 

Focus on Museum Collection

 Portrait of Edward O’Dell of Carriglea

Drawing inscribed ‘C Grant, del., Oxford.’ Pencil and watercolour.

The Irish branch of the O’Dells is said to have come from the village of O’Dell in Bedfordshire. In 1678 Charles O’Dell of Castletown McEnery, Co Limerick married Anne, daughter of Sir Richard Osborne of Ballintaylor and built a house called Mount O’Dell, a few miles from Dungarvan. In 1827 John O’ Dell built a new house in a Tudor Gothic style to a design by Daniel Robertson, not far from the old family home at Mount O’Dell.  In 1827 he married Caroline Ambrosia King, daughter of Lieut. Col. Sir Henry King. According to newspapers reports he died in May 1847 aged 45 of Famine fever which he caught while attending Relief Committee meetings in Dungarvan. John had no children, so he left Carriglea to his nephew.

Edward O’Dell (1807-1869) was the brother of John O’Dell (1801-1846) of Carriglea. Edward was educated at Harrow and at Christchurch, Oxford, where this sketch was executed.  Before moving back to Carriglea in 1846 Edward had been on a continental tour and had visited Sicily with John, 2^nd Marquis of Ormonde and was writing an account of this trip. In 1838 Edward married Harriett Ricarda Nugent-Humble of Cloncoskeran House, and they lived in Malta before returning to Carriglea.  Edward held the post of magistrate and had a keen interest in history.

 

This portrait was sketched by C. Grant at Oxford. Little is known of this artist but there is a lithograph based on a portrait by him of Hugh Gough, 1^st Viscount Gough in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Edward O'Dell Carriglea House 1830

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Opening Times - Waterford County Museum

The museum will now be open on Saturdays, starting from the 15^th July to 26^th of August 2023 and the opening times are 11am to 4pm.

Cumann na mBan Book

 The last few copies of this excellent account of the Revolutionary Waterford Women written by Eddie Cantwell and Chrissy Knight O’ Connor can be purchased at the Museum and retails at €25.

Waterford County Museum - Heritage Week Event

 Talk & Exhibition

Dungarvan – ‘The most great and antient honour’

The Story of Dungarvan’s Municipal History 1463-1950 

 By William Fraher

Wednesday 16 August at 3p.m. Admission Free

More details to follow.

Focus on Museum Collection

 Irish Prisoner of War Art

This box was made by an Irishman who was captured fighting on the side of the Boers during the Second South African War which took place between 1899 and 1902. There were thousands of Irishmen fighting on the British side and other Irish who fought for the Boers. The British won the war, led by Field Marshal Lord Roberts (from the Roberts Family of Waterford). However, thousands of Boer women and children were held in many concentration camps established by Lord Kitchener and over 26,000 died, marking this as a shameful episode in British colonial history. It is important to say that many thousands of Irish were enthusiastic participants within the colonial empire.

A number of Irish who fought for the Boers were captured at the end of the war and imprisoned in various camps. One of these was a Mr. O’Haughie who carved this box at Bellary Camp in India which housed over 800 men and operated between May 1901 and August 1902.

He made the collection box as a gift for a Father MacNamara of Madras in September 1901. The box is carved on five sides:

1.   (Top)September 1901-Bellary Camp India

2.   From O’Haughie Boer POW

3.   To Rev MacNamara Madras

4.   Transbhaal Abu – The coat of arms of the South African republic or Transvaal and a portrait of the President Paul Kruger.

5.   Eire Go Brath -Harp, shamrocks with red hand of Ulster above

Prof Donal McCracken has indicated that the O’Haughie referred to is one James O’Haughey of Derrynoose, south Armagh. He suggests that having fought for a brief period with Colonel Blake and Major John MacBride he was captured during the retreat eastwards along the railway line from Pretoria towards Komatipoort. The recipient of the box was Rev T. F. MacNamara who was a Mill Hill missionary priest in St Mary’s College Madras and was probably sent as chaplain to the POW camp. His father Michael was believed to have worked as a butler at Dromana House, the home of the Villiers-Stuart family.

Boer War Box

 

 

 

Focus on Museum Collection

Portrait of Elizabeth Mansfield (née Woulfe)

Family tradition states that this portrait was painted by the Kilkenny artist, John Comerford (1770-1832). Comerford initially painted full-sized portraits but later specialized in miniatures, for which he was renowned. These early full-sized portraits by him are rare. The painting originally hung in the hall at Morristown Lattin, Co Kildare.

The subject of the portrait is (‘Bess’) Elizabeth Woulfe, of Monadiha, Rathgormack Co Waterford. Her hair is strikingly decorated with pearls and flowers. She also wears a piece of jewellery attached to a ribbon and a rose in the centre. She is wearing a blue silk dress trimmed with lace around the neck.

Her father Walter Woulfe succeeded to the family estates through his mother, Mary Power, after the death of his uncles Nicholas and Thomas Power. The Woulfe estates were in Carrick-On-Suir, Co Tipperary, and Rathgormack, Co Waterford. Elizabeth married John Mansfield in 1785. By this time, he had moved the family base from Ballinamultina to Yeomanstown, Co Kildare. John died in 1817 and the estates passed to his younger son Walter Henry Mansfield.

The Mansfield family of Morristown Lattin date from the time of Henry II when Sir Rodolphus Mansfield settled in Ireland from Nottinghamshire. He was granted estates in counties Armagh, Derry, Waterford, Cork, and Limerick. He made his home at Killongford and Ballinamultina, Co Waterford. The estates of his descendant, Walter Mansfield, were confiscated due to his participation in the 1641 Rebellion. After the Restoration he recovered only part of the estate, the lands at Ballinamultina. In order to build up their estates once again the Mansfields (who remained Catholic) married into prominent families such as the Woulfes, Eustaces, and Lattins. Elizabeth’s husband John Mansfield’s great grandfather Richard married Dorothea Hore of Shandon House, Dungarvan. Richard held a commission in Col. Bagnall’s regiment of infantry in the army of James II and was present at the Battle of the Boyne.

Elizabeth Mansfield (nee Woulfe)

Opening of Bad Times Exhibition at Museum

 The museum had a very successful opening of The Bad Times Burning Big Houses in County Waterford 1923 exhibition, which is based on the book “Bad Times” by William Fraher.

The event was well attended with over 70 people turning up at the museum, to see this new exhibition. The opening speech was given by Museum President Thomas Phelan, followed by historian & author Mr. Pat McCarthy who officially opened the exhibition and the launch of the second edition of The Bad Times book. Next to speak was Chairperson of the Waterford City & County Centenary Commemorations Committee Mr. Michael Farrell.   The exhibition curator thanked the decade of Centenaries Committee for grant aiding the display. He commented on the lack of a permanent- temporary exhibition space within the museum.  He acknowledged the assistance of all those who had allowed access to private documents and loaned items for the exhibition.  In conclusion the thanked the museum staff without whom the exhibitions would not be possible.

The evening was a great success, and the museum would like to thank the following people who contributed to the organisation and preparation of the catering and distribution of the food & drinks on the evening. We would like to extend a big thank to, Stephanie, Anthony, Marie, Tony, Mary, Áine, Christine and Mike, and to our chair movers and helpers Alex and Kyle.

The Bad Times Exhibition 2023

 

Bernadette Guest ( City & County Heritage Officer) William Fraher ( Curator of  Waterford County Museum) And Joanne Rothwell ( City & County Archivist)

Group of attendees at the opening of The Bad Times Exhibition.

William Fraher, Christine King , Aine Ui Fhoghlu, Thomas Phelan and Eddie Cantwell

Cumman na mBan Book

The last few copies of this excellent account of the Revolutionary Waterford Women written by Eddie Cantwell and Chrissy Knight O’ Connor can be purchased at the Museum and retails at €25.

Waterford Women of the Revolution 1914-1923

Focus on Museum Collection County Waterford Lace

In the 19^th century lace making was encouraged as a suitable occupation for young girls and women. It allowed them to also earn a living and provided an income for married women giving them some financial independence. In 1868 Miss Keane of Cappoquin, began to teach lace making to the local girls using Italian patterns. For about ten years thirty girls were employed. ‘Miss Keane [Francis Annie Keane 1849-1920, Glenshelane House] and one of the women unraveled some old Venetian rose point, and so learned the method of working. Only Venetian laces and the finest kind of Reticella are made at this school. At the annual Exhibition of Industries at Lismore Castle for the cottagers of the Duke of Devonshire’s estate, specimens of Maltese lace are still shown, the workers being the remnant of a number once employed at the convent, Tallow, Co Waterford.’ (The Woman’s World, 1888).

In the 1880s James Brenan, head of the Cork School of Art visited convents throughout Munster to instruct the nuns in the art of lace making. In 1885 Queen Victoria ordered a fan of Cappoquin lace for Princess Beatrice’s wedding.

Lace Circa 1880

 

Stories from Old Newspapers

 Waterford Standard 1 October 1938

Auction at The Island

‘The auction of household and outdoor effects which Mr John D Palmer, Auctioneer, is conducting next Tuesday is creating wide interest, and a most successful sale is assured at The Island [castle], Waterford. The goods will be on view on Monday next only, from 12 noon to 3p.m…Amongst the lots for sale are many choice antique pieces, including a beautiful Chippendale settee with silk tapestry; Chippendale chest of drawers on fretted brackets; William and Mary chest of drawers; miniature bow front sideboard; French hand-painted side table; mahogany tallboy, and many equally attractive pieces. The lots include Indian carpets in various sizes; Turkish and Persian rugs…excellent Chesterfield and two divan armchairs; plated ware, table linen, bed linen, ‘Beautyrest’ mattresses, bedroom suites, toys, Mecanno outfits, model boats, model railway with engines, hunting kit, nursery furniture, enamelled ‘Frigidaire’ and 12 h.p. Armstrong Siddley Saloon car. A charge of one shilling will be made for admission’.

In 1895 the owner Gerald Purcell Fitzgerald, J.P. & D.L. (1833-1879) commissioned William Henry Romaine Walker (1854-1940) assisted by Albert Murray (1849-1924) to rebuild a plain house containing the remains of a medieval towerhouse. It was one of the last great houses to be built in Ireland on this scale.

 

The Island Castle -Waterford - Circa 1915

 

 

 

 

Master McGrath painting Donated

 We were delighted to receive a donation of an historic oil painting featuring the famous greyhound Master Mcgrath and James Galwey of Colligan Lodge. The painting was donated by Prof. James Mason in memory of his late wife Gertrude Galwey Foley. The painting will be exhibited after restoration and framing.

Prof. James Mason- and  painting of Master Mcgrath. 

Stories from Old Newspapers

 Louis Claude Purser (1854-1932) Classical Scholar from Abbeyside

Louis was born in The Hermitage, Abbeyside on 28 September 1854 to Benjamin and Anne Purser. His sister Sarah was the distinguished artist. He was educated at Middleton College, Co Cork, and Portora Royal School in Enniskillen. A fellow pupil was Oscar Wilde whom he described as ‘more careful in his dress than any other boy’.

In 1871 he attended Trinity College Dublin where he was part of a group of classical scholars that included Robert Tyrrell and J.P. Mahaffy. Because of family financial difficulties Claude had to take on teaching work before finishing his degree. He graduated as senior moderator in classics in 1875, followed by an MA in 1879, and a D.Litt in 1891.In 1882 he worked on ‘The Correspondence of Cicero’ with Robert Tyrrell. ‘His meticulous attention to detail and wide-ranging historical and literary knowledge were most productively deployed in the revision and completion of scholarly texts’. He edited critical texts of Cicero’s letters: Ad Familiares 1902, Ad Atticum 1903, and Apuleius’ The Story of Cupid and Psyche. He taught in TCD from1881 until 1898 when he was appointed as professor of Latin. In 1923 he was elected a fellow of the British Academy, and received honorary degrees from Glasgow University 1914, Oxford 1923, and Durham 1931. He was elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy in 1884 and was secretary from 1902-1914.  He never married and lived at 8 Waterloo Road, Dublin. He did have a close friendship with ‘Lollie’ Yeats. His other interests included ancient law, history of modern literature and cricket. The writer William Murphy described him as ‘miserly, fearful and selfishly conservative’. R B McDowell and D A Webb stated that he was an ‘urbane and courteous host, a generous lender of books and a man who was able to fuse the roles of teacher and student’. His portrait was painted by his sister Sarah and by Leo Whelan and both are in Trinity College. He died on 20 March 1932 and is buried in Mount Jerome next to his sister Sarah and his brother John Mallet.

Louis Claude Purser (1854-1932)

New Irish Wake Museum

Waterford Treasures has just opened a new museum exploring the story of life and death from early Christian times to the 20^th century. The museum is housed in a restored 15^th-century Alms house, at Cathedral Square. We would like to wish former director Eamon McEneaney well on his retirement and congratulate Rosemary Ryan, who will take over the role.

Master McGrath Painting Donated

We were delighted to receive a donation of an historic oil painting featuring the famous greyhound Master Mcgrath and James Galwey of Colligan Lodge. The painting was donated by Prof. James Mason in memory of his late wife Mary Galwey Foley. The painting will be exhibited after restoration and framing.

Mary Crowley and Prof. James Mason, donating the painting of Master McGrath.

Stories from Old Newspapers

Galway Express 12^th February 1916

Arrest of Mr. Claude A. Chevasse

Mr Claude A. Chevasse (1886-1971), of Oxford, well known in Irish language circles, has been arrested by the police in Ballingeary and taken to Macroom. The news of the arrest came as a shock to his numerous friends in Galway. Mr Chevasse has been frequently in this county, and was a regular attendant at St. Nicholas’s Church when visiting this city. His picturesque Irish costume always attracted attention, and he delivered a series of lectures on the Irish language in almost all the National Schools in the county. Mr Claude Chevasse is a cousin of Major Henry Chevasse, Whitfield Court, a gentleman who has served with distinction in the present war and also in South Africa.

It is stated that the cause of the arrest was that he [Claude] declined to speaking English when questioned by the police. Mr Chevasse is an M.A. of Oxford University. At Macroom Petty Sessions…Claud Chevasse…was charged under the Defence of the Realm Act with refusing to answer questions reasonably. The majority of the Bench decided to impose a fine of £4 and £1 costs. Mr Power (for accused) said his client would not pay the fine, and he asked to have an alternative named. The alternative of one moth without hard labour was arranged. The accused was offered a week to pay the fine in case an appeal was not proceeded with.

We are delighted to have a full-length portrait of Claude by the artist Pádraic Woods (1893-1991) wearing his traditional Irish costume. It was presented by the Friends of The National Collections.

Claude Chavasse 1886-1971

Stories from Old Newspapers

 Clonmel Chronicle 6 December 1876

Provident Organisations at Comeragh

During the week there might have been witnessed on the property of John Palliser, Esq., D. C., a scene which is the best illustration of that ‘Charity that vaunteth not itself’, and one, too, that has been enacted year after year for the last quarter of a century, so quietly and obtrusively that few beyond the recipients of the bounty  have heard of its existence; nor would greater prominence be given to it now, but with a hope that others possessing the ‘rights’ of property…may be led to exercise these in the same spirit of generous impulse towards their dependents.

For a great many years there has been a ‘Comeragh Clothing Club’ for poor housekeepers of the labouring class, widows, and others whose position renders them eligible members; who, as an incentive to provident habits, are required to contribute a fixed sum monthly, and at this season they receive double the amount in value – blankets, clothes, etc., for themselves or their children, the other moiety being contributed by the landlord. There are, besides these, the regular ‘pensioners’…who receive a monthly allowance of money. The numbers receiving aid from both sources exceed 100. The management of the club, and the dispensing of the gratuitous relief, have usually been entrusted to the agent’s lady, and the duties have, for a number of years been performed by Mrs Langley, Tay Lodge.

There is to be found here another association, which has conferred no small advantage on those who have availed themselves of its benefits. This is the ‘Cattle Insurance Club’, which was started some years ago, when the foot-and-mouth disease created such serious apprehensions as to call for the most energetic action…It is open to any tenant on the estate to insure his stock at a sum of a few pounds below their real value at a poundage which is every year regulated by varying circumstances…The conception and organisation of this valuable society are due to the late Thomas Hunt, Esq, and bear the impress of his comprehensive mind and business habits…

Captain John Palliser, Comeragh House, entertained during the past week, a distinguished party, including his Grace the Duke of St Albans, Sir George and Lady Leith, the Hon Miss Gough, Mr & Mrs Chichester, Castletown, and other friends…the gentlemen enjoyed good sport in the neighbouring preserves.      

Rear of Comeragh House , Circa 1900