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.

Roots Ireland

Roots Ireland has added 18,500 civil marriage registration records for County Waterford to its website.  These date from 1864-1912.  The entries for Templemichael stop at 1877.

See www.rootsireland.ie for further details.

Waterford County Museum Gets More Great Reviews on TripAdvisor

We have recently had two more very positive reviews on the TripAdvisor website.

A visitor from Sydney, Australia wrote: 'Definitely worth a visit in Dungarvan Town.  Very informative regarding historic topics through the ages, such as WWI, maritime history, the famine and other events that had a heavy impact on the history of Waterford County.  The displays are well presented, easy to spend an hour or so taking it all in'.

Another visitor from Dublin wrote: 'This museum houses many local artefacts with its free admission it is well worth a visit to discover the history of Dungarvan and its locality'.

Over the years we have received many excellent reviews both on TripAdvisor and in our visitor book in the Museum.  Waterford County Museum is a very strong visitor attraction for both Dungarvan and the whole of County Waterford.

DVDs For Sale in the Museum: 'Dungarvan's Hospitals - A Walking History' and 'Grattan Square' - Social History of Dungarvan'

‘Dungarvan’s Hospitals - A Walking History’ is a wonderful documentary film made by Eddie Cantwell and Fionn Mac Giolla Chuda, starring Michael Brennan for the Christmas Market.  This was shown to two packed houses at the SGC Cinema in Dungarvan, and for all those people who requested copies a DVD is now on sale for €12 at Waterford County Museum in Friary Street.  Eddie has decided to use the income from the sales to advance further research at Gallows Hill. 

Apart from dealing with St. Joseph’s, the documentary which was produced by Eddie and filmed and edited by Fionn, also deals with St. Vincent’s which was standing at the time of filming.  Michael Brennan, who Eddie says ‘is the real star of this documentary’, was born at the Gate Lodge back in the 1930s, and his memories of growing up there have now been recorded for prosperity.

Eddie continued ‘Michael is clinical, humorous and displays an almost photographic memory about life there.  I hardly had to ask him a question he just took off with me in tow.  Fionn and I spent some four hours filming and I don’t even want to think about the number of hours that I sat and watched Fionn edit it with clinical precision’. 

Also ‘Grattan Square – Social History Documentary of Dungarvan’ is available on DVD for €10 at the Museum.  This is an extremely popular film which was also shown to full houses at the SGC Cinema in Dungarvan.

Along with the DVDs we also have a great selection of books for sale with local connections.

Success for Gallows Hill Community Project at Community/Voluntary Awards 2017

Well done to our Gallows Hill Community Archaeology Project, winners in the Culture & Arts category at Waterford Public Participation Network Community & Voluntary Awards 2017.  The awards were hosted by WLRFM at the Woodlands Hotel on Thursday 23rd November.

There were over two hundred and fifty people in attendance including Cllr. Pat Nugent, Mayor of Waterford City & County Council Senator Paudie Coffey, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, CEO of Waterford City & County Council Michael Walsh, council officials, sponsors, adjudicators, members of Waterford PPN and representatives from all groups nominated for this year's awards.

Our thanks to all the dedicated volunteers and supporters of the project since 2015.  The project is supported by Waterford City & County Council, the Heritage Council and Adopt a Monument Ireland.  Many thanks to Waterford PPN, Waterford City & County Council, Adopt a Monument Ireland, WLRFM and sponsors BHP Insurance for an excellent evening.

Included in Photo are our Christina Knight-O'Connor, Tony Fitzgerald, Eddie Cantwell, William Fraher and John Foley

Niall Byrne Memorial Lecture 2017 by Julian Walton - From Medieval Warlords to Anglicised Loyalists: The Powers of Curraghmore, 1400-1700

The Niall Byrne Memorial Lecture 2017 will take place in the Garden Room at the Medieval Museum in the Viking Triangle in Waterford.  As Niall’s main field of expertise was in medieval and early modern Waterford, Julian Walton has chosen as his subject for the lecture ‘From Medieval Warlords to Anglicised Loyalists: The Powers of Curraghmore, 1400-1700’.  

This looks like being a fascinating and popular lecture so it’s a case of first come, first served and booking is recommended!  Light refreshments will be served.  Call in to the Reception Desk at the Medieval Museum, or email museumreception@waterfordcouncil.ie, or phone 0761 102650.

Venue:         Medieval Museum, Viking Triangle, Waterford

Date:           Thursday 2nd November 2017

Time:           7.30pm

Admission:  Free

Waterford County Museum Receives More Great Reviews on TripAdvisor! September/October 2017

Within the last two weeks in late September and early October 2017 we have received three very positive reviews on the TripAdvisor website.  Two of the reviews were from different visitors from Australia, and one was from a visitor from Dublin.  One of the reviews from an Australian visitor was titled ‘Staff Who Go That Extra Mile...Literally’.  The visitor wrote a lovely review which included the following: ‘Staff made us very welcome in their professionally organised little museum...the highlight was Eddie...Eddie took us out to see the Workhouse...Eddie gave us detailed instructions on how to find the Famine Graveyard outside town, which we would never have found without his help.  This visit was all about the people and the history, which you brought to life.  Thanks so much Eddie and the staff at the museum!’  

Another review by the other Australian visitor included ‘this museum is certainly worth a visit if you are interested in the history of the area.  The displays are informative...the staff were particularly helpful and gave me some pointers on further research’.  

The Irish visitor wrote ‘this museum houses many local artefacts with its free admission it is well worth a visit to discover the history of Dungarvan and its locality’. 

We have received numerous positive reviews on TripAdvisor over the years, and also in our visitor’s book in the museum, from visitors from various parts of Ireland and from all over the world.  Waterford County Museum is a very strong visitor attraction in Dungarvan, both for local people and visitors from much further afield, and is very well worth a visit!

Visitor from Australia Traces the Steps of Her Orphan Girl Ancestor - Late Summer 2017

Helen Wilding with Husband Stephen Shipperlee and Eddie Cantwell

Helen Wilding with Husband Stephen Shipperlee Outside the Hospital

Eddie Cantwell has carried out quite a bit of research on the forty two orphan girls that were shipped out of Dungarvan Workhouse in 1849.  He has also tracked down some of the living families of some of those orphan girls. He was delighted when Helen Wilding contacted him and said that she was going to visit Dungarvan.  

First Helen visited Cobh, where her ancestor, fifteen year old Sarah Gleeson began her journey to Australia.  Her visit to Cobh, St. Joseph’s Dungarvan and the Famine Graveyard was a moving experience for her.  Helen, who is a research librarian in Melbourne, was very taken with Dungarvan.  She said that ‘it would have been fantastic growing up with lots of friends around in a place like this.  I thought the town had a really nice feeling.  I felt really comfortable there as if it was somehow 'just right'.  I was even really sad at the hurling outcome and I am never usually at all interested in sports!’  

Helen paints little pictures in her notebook and adds notes.  This particular one which she kindly gave to Eddie was taken from Meade’s Café.

August 2017 - Visit of Museum Member Jim Shine to Ypres to Commemorate the Death of James O.W. Shine in 1917 in World War One

On a recent visit to Ypres to commemorate the death of Captain James O.W. Shine, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, in the battle of Paschendaele in 1917, one of our members, Jim Shine, took the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Menin Gate Memorial in remembrance of the one thousand and thirty Waterford men and women who died in World War One.

The Menin Gate Memorial has panels on which are inscribed the names of fifty four thousand eight hundred and ninety six allied soldiers who died in the area and have no known grave.  Another thirty five thousand are similarly commemorated at the Tyne Cot cemetery near Paschendaele in which there are twelve thousand graves of those whose bodies could be recovered.

20th September 2017 Illustrated Lecture - Curraghmore: A Hidden Treasure on Our Doorstep by Julian Walton

We are delighted to have Julian Walton kick off our 2017/18 lecture season with an illustrated lecture titled 'Curraghmore: A Hidden Treasure on Our Doorstep'.

For many years one of the most fascinating country houses in Ireland has remained hidden from the national media, and forgotten by many in the Déise.  Curraghmore House is now beginning to receive the attention it deserves.  For at least six hundred years the house and demesne have been the home of the same family, the name changing only once through marriage.  For the last three centuries it has been the seat of the Beresfords, Marquesses of Waterford, who played a leading role in the evolution of Georgian Ireland, and in Victorian times produced some famous churchmen and soldiers.  For three centuries before that it was the principal castle of the Power clan who ruled East Waterford until the coming of Cromwell.  Every generation has left its mark on Curraghmore.

The magnificent demesne of some two and a half thousand acres is open to the public subject to common sense restrictions.  The gardens (leave €5 in the honesty box), in a stunning setting along the River Clodiagh with a medieval bridge, hills, forests, avenues and splendid vistas, are open from Easter to the end of September.  During the same period there are guided tours of the house, with its huge courtyard, fifteenth century entrance hall, décor by Wyatt and others, historic furniture, paintings including family portraits.  The fine eighteenth century Shell House in the grounds is included in the tour.  The former parish church on Clonegam Hill serves as the family mausoleum.

Julian Walton is currently working on the archives at Curraghmore, with the assistance of Marianna Lorenc, and our Museum Curator William Fraher.  Julian's immense treasure of knowledge and his humorous observations on historical events will ensure a very interesting and entertaining lecture which will be well worth attending.

We are also breaking new ground with this talk because it takes place at the Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club on Davitts Quay, which is itself a very historic location which is where the famed 'Linny' used to stand, as they have very kindly allowed us to use their clubhouse for the talk.

There is a lift at the clubhouse to take people to the top floor.  All are very welcome!


Venue:            Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club, Davitts Quay, Dungarvan

Date:               Wednesday 20th September 2017

Time:              8pm

Admission:    €5

Museum Member's Trip to Ardo House, Ardmore, 9th July 2017

On Sunday 9th July 2017 there was a Museum Member's day trip to Ardo House in Ardmore, led by Liam Suipéal.

Ardo House has a very interesting history and Liam gave a wonderful talk which brought the history of the house alive for the group.  The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Our thanks to Liam Suipéal, and to Eddie Cantwell and all involved in organising this memorable trip.

July 2017 Visitors from Canada with Connection to Artefact in Museum

Eoin McGarry, Carla Quattrociocchi, Rosario Sacco

We recently had a visit from Carla Quattrociocchi and her husband Rosario Sacco from Canada. They had heard that well known local diver Eoin McGarry found a propeller from the Italian ship Piemonte that sank while sailing from Naples to New York in 1911. Carla's great grandfather was on board the ship.

Eoin took time out from work to come up to the Museum and talk to them about his findings, and the visit was enjoyed by all.

We have had many visitors from all over the world recently with visitors coming from various European countries and as far away as Malawi and Arizona.

Sunday 16th July – Curraghmore Events

Sunday 16^th July marks the three hundredth wedding anniversary of Katherine de la Poer of Curraghmore and Marcus Beresford.  As part of the Comeraghs Wild Festival, the family is holding a series of talks in the upper hall and using the dining room for morning coffee and afternoon tea between talks.

The first lecture will be at 11am ‘The Powers of Curraghmore’ by Mr Kenneth W. Nicholls, one of the most widely respected Irish historians of the twentieth century, followed by morning coffee in the dining room.  Next will be ‘16^th July 1717 the marriage that changed Irish history’ by Julian Walton.  Julian has delighted radio listeners with historical anecdotes about things that happened in and around Waterford.

The lecture at 2pm will be ‘a most magnificent place, the evolution of the gardens and demesne at Curraghmore’ by William Fraher, Curator of Waterford County Museum, who has a particular interest in the history of Waterford country houses and gardens, followed by afternoon tea in the dining room.  Then there will be a walk through the gardens with the head gardener Michael Murphy and William Fraher.  This will be a great opportunity to ask questions and get an insight into managing the gardens and plans for the future.

For tickets and further details of these events please visit the website www.comeraghswild.com or phone 086 7777515.

Donation of Objects for the Museum

The Museum relies on donations of objects/old photographs from members of the public. We do not have funds to purchase objects, so we would be very grateful for any objects of local historic interest which you may have in your possession which you would be willing to kindly donate to us.

By donating items to us you will be playing your part in helping to preserve local history for future generations.  You can drop items into us in Friary Street here in Dungarvan, or call us on 058 45960 to discuss any items you are thinking of donating.

Your Chance to Support the Museum!

Museum membership is available for an annual fee of €15 if you would like to support the work of the Museum.

The Museum relies heavily on membership fees, donations and fund raising activities, so we would be delighted if you would join us as a member.  As a member you will benefit from knowing that you are supporting the important work of the Museum in County Waterford, plus being informed of various talks, new exhibitions and activities taking place throughout the year. There is also a member's annual trip and Christmas meal.

Please do consider joining us as a member.  You can see the very varied and interesting work of the Museum, including volunteers recently taking part in local archaeological digs in the previous posts here on our website and blog.  Call in to see us in Friary Street here in Dungarvan, or call us on 058 45960 for more information.

Leo Varadkar's Connection With Dungarvan

This photo was taken in 1930 in Moloney's Bakery in Dungarvan. Martin Whelan (known as Leo) can be seen at the right of the photo and his great grandson is Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Another Good Review on Trip Advisor!

We have had another good review on Trip Advisor with an 'Excellent' rating, from a visitor from Northern Ireland in May 2017 titled 'Worth a visit if you are in the area' -

'This is a small local museum, well worth a visit if you are in the area.  It is informative on local history and the part played by local people in Irish national events.  I asked the staff a question, to which they gave a full answer.  They were very helpful'.

As of June 2017 out of all of our reviews on Trip Advisor 85% have given an 'Excellent' rating, and we have never received a negative review.  We have visitors from all over Ireland and many different countries.

Waterford County Museum is certainly well worth visiting!

Trip Advisor Visitor Review - 'Wonderful Museum'

'The Waterford County Museum is a great place to spend time.  It is in a central location in Dungarvan and its exhibits are very well laid out.  The staff are friendly and informative.  When you visit the area, you will have a good experience of our local culture.  It is a must visit when calling to Dungarvan, Co. Waterford'.  Visited October 2016.

Trip Advisor Visitor Review - 'A Must on Your Next Trip to Dungarvan'

'I cannot say enough about the Waterford County Museum!  It is a wholly inclusive account of the history of Dungarvan, with beautiful displays and artefacts filling the entire space.  Every display is beautifully staged with a description providing even more history and context.  And that is just the museum itself.  The people are what really make the museum shine!  The whole team was so helpful and attentive.  They were able to print beautiful photos for us of my great-grandfather (which were in their archive) and even helped us identify a medallion that we had of his.  Eddie Cantwell, the local historian, went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that my family and I had an immersive and enriching experience both at the museum itself and all around Dungarvan.  I cannot recommend a stop at the Waterford County Museum enough on your next trip to Dungarvan!  We will be back for sure!'  Visited July 2016.

Researching Your Family Tree In Co. Waterford

Download:
Beginners Guide To Researching Your Ancestors In Waterford
244 Kbytes .pdf file

As part of the family afternoon in the museum on the 6th of December 2009. The museum ran a workshop on  on tracing your ancestors in County Waterford. We produced a document on 'Researching Your Genealogy In Waterford' that covers topics such as useful contacts in Waterford and Ireland, military ancestors, archives, useful web sites and mailing lists. It is aimed at beginners and hopefully will be of some use to them as they attempt to discover their ancestors. We welcome any comments or suggestions for improving the document from experienced family history researchers so feel free to email any amendments or suggestions to william@deisedesign.com or history@waterfordmuseum.ie