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

 

 

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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.