Spring Programme of Events

Museum curator William Fraher has organised  a series of free walks and talks which will take place at 3 o'clock in the museum every Wednesday for the next seven weeks.

The first event is on Wednesday the 13^th of March and tells the story of the destruction of Ballycoe House (home of the Dunlea family) near Dungarvan in 1921.  It was wrecked by The Black & Tans as a reprisal for the Burgery Ambush in which an RIC man and auxiliary policeman were killed.  What is not generally known is that the event featured in a novel published in 1921.

Why not come along and hear the full story and enjoy some refreshments after.

The Tragic Voyage of Paul and Aga Mueller - An Illustrated Talk by Brian Mulvihill

Brian’s talk deals with Aga Mueller and her father Paul and their failed voyage from Germany to Argentina in a sixteen foot boat named Berlin.  The journey that they chose to undertake was indeed an epic one and Brian will trace their journey to its end and all that happened in between.

The story is a fantastic one with twists and turns that people will not believe, it’s worthy of an Agatha Christie novel, with a cliff hanger ending.  The story does not end with the ending of the voyage and goes right up to the modern day!  Brian has spent many years researching this particular project, and it most certainly is going to be a very interesting talk.

Brian worked for many years in Dungarvan Crystal prior to the factory closure.  He then returned to college and retrained as a teacher.  This retraining included a yearlong work placement at a camp in America.  Upon qualification, Brian secured work with the Waterford Wexford ETB and he currently works as a tutor with Dungarvan Youthreach.

This talk takes place in the Town Hall Theatre, Dungarvan on Wednesday the 20^th of February at 8pm.  There is an admittance fee of €5, and as always, all are welcome.

Talk by Des Power

There was a large attendance at the museum last Wednesday to hear Des Power’s talk about the Power family of St Brigid's Well Brewery.  Des thanked Eddie Cantwell for his assistance with the research and said he was delighted to give the talk in the museum which was such a great setting and an asset to Dungarvan.

Des traced the story of individual family members and how many of the family set up their own businesses.  He explained the history of the brewery, developed by Thomas Power who also established a successful cider industry.

The museum is delighted to say that Des has kindly donated a collection of papers relating to the brewery which will be added to our existing Power archive.

The Powers of St. Brigid’s Well Brewery - An Illustrated Lecture by Des Power

This promises to be a most interesting talk as Des Power will speak about his family, the Powers of St. Brigid's Well Brewery.

The talk will take place at Waterford County Museum, Friary Street on Wednesday the 16^th of January at 8pm and all are welcome to attend.  There will be a €5 entrance fee.

Georgian Country House Interiors: Sunday 9th September 2018 10am-4pm at Dromana House

Programme:

Dr. Peter Murray: 'The influence of Italy on taste in Irish country houses in the eighteenth century'.

Julian Walton: 'The libraries of the Big Houses in County Waterford'.

Dr. Patricia McCarthy: 'A fit setting for ‘Persons of Noble Birth and Rank -  Dromana’s sumptuous apartments'.

Dr. Conor Lucey: 'The stuccoed interior in Georgian Ireland'.

Booking essential

info@dromanahouse.com

Tel: 086 8186305

€70 pp or 2 for €125: Morning coffee, lunch, and afternoon tea included.

www.dromanahouse.com

Liam Suipéil Talk

There was a capacity audience at the Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club for Liam Suipéil’s talk on the coastal place names from Ring to Ardmore.

We were given a fascinating insight into the background of these names and it is hoped that when the research is completed that this important work will be published and made available to all.

Nioclás Ó'Griofáin, Noirin Ní Chonaola, Liam Suipéil and Eddie Cantwell.

January 2018 - Recent Publications

The Museum supplied photographs to two recently launched publications.

‘A History of the Dungarvan GAA Club from 1885-2017’ by Tony Ryan, and ‘Dunmore East – A Living History’ by Maria Walsh.

Both books come highly recommended and are available in local outlets.

Copper Coast Geopark Visit

Photo: left to right: Donnchadh Ó Ceallacháin (Waterford Treasures), Chrissy Knight-O’Connor (Waterford County Museum), Eddie Cantwell​ (Waterford County Museum) and Cian Manning (Editor Decies).

On Saturday 4^th November Chrissy Knight-O’Connor and Eddie Cantwell, who are very involved in Waterford County Museum, were invited to Copper Coast Geopark in Bunmahon, County Waterford to talk about our Middlequarter Community research for the launch of Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society’s Decies Journal 2017.  

Chrissy gave an excellent presentation on Community Archaeology in Dungarvan starting with Gallows Hill and ending with Middlequarter investigations, a paper on the latter written by Chrissy Knight-O’Connor and Eddie Cantwell being included in the latest (73^rd) edition of Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society’s Decies Journal 2017.  Many congratulations to the both of them.  

Thank you to Cian Manning (Editor Decies), Donnchadh Ó Ceallacháin (Waterford Treasures), Knotted Cords and all at Copper Coast Geopark.

Waterford's First Arts Centre? The Story of Dungarvan's original Town Hall. A Lecture by William Fraher.

The Old Provincial Bank in Bridge Street was prominently sited and was built in an imposing design of cut stone. However, it didn't start off as a bank.  William Fraher has uncovered its fascinating history and why it was originally built, who designed it and those responsible for its creation. 

William Fraher is Dungarvan’s foremost historian.  He is the Curator of Waterford County Museum Dungarvan.  William has devoted his life to the History of Dungarvan and he is always the first man to see if you are seeking information about any aspect of history of Dungarvan.  The drawing here is also an illustration by William.

William’s talk takes place at the Dungarvan Sailing Club on Davitts Quay on Wednesday 15^th November at 8pm.  All are welcome.  Entrance fee €5.

As always this is a talk not to be missed.

Ireland's Antarctic Explorers Talk by Michael Smith at SGC Dungarvan a Great Success!

The talk by the author of the number one bestselling book 'Tom Crean', Michael Smith, at the SGC cinema in Dungarvan on 18th October was a huge success and extremely well attended.  One of those in attendance was the brilliant actor Moe Dunford, with his father Michael who is a big fan of Tom Crean and was delighted to meet Michael Smith.

Extra chairs had to be brought down to the cinema from the museum as the demand for tickets was so great!  The talk was very interesting and was thoroughly enjoyed by all those present.  Our thanks to Michael Smith who very kindly donated the proceeds from the event to the Museum Society, and to Eddie Cantwell, Willie Fraher and all those involved in organising this event.

Eddie Cantwell, Michael Dunford, John Walsh, Michael Smith, Moe Dunford, Nioclás Ó Griofáin, Willie Fraher

Michael Dunford, Michael Smith, Moe Dunford, Eddie Cantwell

Michael Smith Giving His Talk

Willie Fraher Talking

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!

First Lecture of 2017/2018 Winter Season Given by Julian Walton Held at Dungarvan Sailing Club Was a Great Success!

Our first talk of the 2017/2018 winter season was given by historian and broadcaster Julian Walton on the fascinating history of Curraghmore House, and those associated with it over the centuries.

Julian held the audience enthralled for over an hour with his stories.  It is the first time we have had a talk at the Sailing Club premises, and it was a great success.

Our thanks to Dungarvan Sailing Club for accommodating us.

Nicola Minihan, Julian Walton, Marianna Lorenc, Eddie Cantwell

Dungarvan in the Twenty Most Charming Towns in Ireland on TravelMag.com

TravelMag.com recently asked three hundred writers, photographers and selected travel professionals to name the three towns in Ireland they consider to be the most charming, and Dungarvan is in the top twenty.  

The article has a lovely photo looking from the Quay towards Abbeyside, along with a brief description of the town, including a mention of Waterford County Museum.

12th June 2017 - Civic Reception in Honour of William Fraher

William Fraher, Cllr. Damien Geoghegan, with Museum Staff Past & Present

A Civic Reception was held in the Civic Offices in Dungarvan on 12th June in honour of the Chairman of Waterford County Museum William Fraher in recognition of his enormous contribution in researching and preserving the history of County Waterford.

Cathaoirleach Dungarvan Lismore Municipal Council Damien Geoghegan presented William Fraher with two scrolls, and a gift of a Waterford Crystal bowl.

The event was very well attended and was enjoyed by all.

Martin Fraher, Olga Fraher, Jimmy Fraher, William Fraher, Cllr. Damien Geoghegan

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.

Thanks For All Your Help

We enjoyed a fantastic night in the Town Hall Theatre on Wednesday  8th September. Well over two hundred people turned up for the museum's fund-raising variety night. A great night was had by all and we raised well over 2000 Euro that will go towards preserving Waterford history. You can view photos of the show on Eddie Cantwell's Facebook page.

As most of you are aware the museum is a voluntary body, without support form the public it would not be possible for us to do our work. It was really gratifying the support we got from so many locals, local organisations and companies. So thanks is due to all of the following:

• Comeraghs Comhaltas Cúil Cheoil
• Kevin Evans
• Julian Walton
• Seán Ó Donnell
• Declan Terry
• Joe Power
• Liam Lynch
• Dan Shanahan
• Sean Fitzgerald And Company
• Bachelors In Trouble

We got prize donations from The Cliff House Hotel, The Round Tower Hotel, The White Horses Restaurant, Willie Fraher and Tony Hayes. All prizes were organised by Roberta Whelan.

Behind the scenes we had support for Seán Organ, Ian Noctor, Value Centre, Dirk Baumann of DBL Lighting, Dungarvan Brewing Company (great people, great beer :) ), Dungarvan Town Council and Joe Flaherty.

Thanks to all the committee members who gave up their time particularly our canteen workers Helen Moynihan, Emma, Niamh and Mary Giblin (for her excellent apple tart and cake).

Lastly, and most importantly, congratulations to the man who organised the event Eddie Cantwell, it is a mark of the man that when I forgot to thank him publicly at the end of the night he only laughed at it.

Why The Horrible Histories DVD Is So Important

One Of The Stars Of Horrible Histories

One of the greatest challenges faced by any local history organisation is regenerating itself with 'new members'.

At Waterford County Museum we have chosen to expend quite a bit of our members time and scarce museum resources on children's events. At some point it is hoped that these kids will be the museum members and community activists of the future. If we can give a few of them an interest or enthusiasm for Waterford history they will become the standard bearers for their community's heritage.

My opinion is that a passion for history is something that one normally picks up early in life. Even if you drift from your early enthusiasm as 'life gets in the way' you can always rekindle the love affair in later life. My own interest in history came about when a friend of my father gave me an encyclopedia about World War 2 and was further enhanced by reading large quantities of Commando, Warlord and Battle comics as a child.

Anything that can get kids interested in history has got to be a good thing. My 5 year old daughter has recently developed a passion for the Horrible Histories™ TV series. All 13 episodes of the first series are now available on DVD at a low price from Amazon.co.uk and from Amazon.com

The series is described as 'History with the nasty bits left in! Based on the best-selling series of books for kids (and for adults, but they just won’t admit it), Horrible Histories is an anarchic, surprising and unconventional take on history’s most gruesome and funny moments.'

This DVD is produced by the BBC and is not to be confused with the cartoon series also based on the Horrible Histories™. These DVDs are not on a par with the BBC production.

Some of the humour is ribald and fake gore abounds but as a primer to spark an interest in history I don't think you could do better. The only caveat I would place on the purchase is that it is very Anglocentric, for an Irish audience this won't be so much of a problem but for other countries some of the history may be unfamiliar.

Link: Horrible Histories YouTube Channel

Photos Of Blueshirt Meetings In Carrick And Tramore

'Blueshirts' Giving The 'Nazi' Salute In Carrick-on-Suir

We were delighted to get a recent donation of five photos of 'Blueshirt' rallies held in Carrick-on-Suir and Tramore.

I suppose as historians we should always try and keep an objective point of view. Normally this is not too difficult, particularly if we are dealing with events in the distant past. Sometimes we have to deal with people and events that even the most dispassionate will have an opinion on. Such a group is 'The Blueshirts'.

The Army Comrades Association (ACA), later named the National Guard and better known by the nickname 'The Blueshirts', was a right wing political organisation active in the 1930s. Some historians have described them as 'Quasi Fascist' in that many of the rank and file members did not possess a fascist ideology. Personally I feel that the sight of so many people gathered in small Irish towns giving the 'Roman' (or Nazi) salute is a frightening reminder of where the country could have ended up. It is very important that we remind ourselves of the 'difficult' or less savoury aspects of our history as a warning to future generations. Thanks very much to the donor of the images. The 'Blueshirt photos' can be viewed on our image archive.