Visit of Norwegian Ambassador to Museum

We were delighted to welcome the ambassador, Mari Skare and her colleagues to Waterford County Museum. They were accompanied by Bernadette Guest, Waterford City & County Heritage Officer.

The group were welcomed by Museum President Thomas Phelan, the curator William Fraher and by Chrissy Knight O’Connor. Chrissy gave a presentation on the award winning Gallowshill Community Archaeology project and the ongoing investigations into the Viking sites and place names in the Dungarvan area.

The ambassador was given a number of presentations, including local publications and a Viking goblet designed by Eamon Terry of Criostal Na Rinne. She was most impressed by the Gallowshill project and the commitment to carrying it through to excavation and a long-term plan.

The museum hopes to continue the links with Norway and carry out further investigations into our shared Viking Heritage.

Norwegian Ambassador Mari Skare, Museum Curator William Fraher and Museum President Thomas Phelan

Eddie Cantwell, Norwegian Ambassador Mari Skare and Chrissy Knight O’Connor

Stefanie Stude, Norwegian Ambassador Mari Skare, Anthony Healy and Brid Garcia

Visitors to Museum Nov 2021

A group of students from the The National Learning Network Co. Waterford. Who visited the museum on Tuesday 3rd November 2021. 

 

Visits to Waterford County Museum

Jack Sheehan - a recent visitor to the museum

We always welcome visits from school groups to the museum.  Now that schools are reopened we are available from Monday to Friday 10.15 a.m. to 4.45 p.m.  If you would like to arrange for a group to visit the museum contact us on (058) 45960 or by email at: info@waterfordmuseum.ie

Waterford County Museum to reopen on Wednesday 1st July

We are delighted to reopen to visitors on Wednesday 1st July.

We would ask intending visitors to read the notice in the foyer before entering as it will explain new procedures and about some reduced facilities.  Please note there will be a one-way system in operation. Only ten people will be admitted at any one time.

The opening hours will now be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Thomas Power Decedents visit from New Zeeland

Thomas Power Decedents visit from New Zeeland

We Were delighted to host a visit from a group of Maori from Hamilton New Zealand who are descended from Thomas Power who left County Waterford in the 1830^S . Robbie Neha and his Family are Trying to trace their Waterford ancestors . Robbie is a television producer / Director and he is making a documentary on their Power ancestor.  Tom Roa gave a PowerPoint presentation on the families history in New Zealand . Conner Power of Waterford county council brought them then to Dunhill Castle and they also met with the county and city archivist , Joanne Rothwell.

Willie was presented with carvings and paintings as donation to the Waterford County Museum . It was a most unusual and enjoyable evening and we wish them luck in finding more about Thomas Power’s origins.  

‘The Power’s’ - New Zealand film Company to Visit Dungarvan

‘The Power’s’  - New Zealand film Company to Visit Dungarvan

Are you a POWER? If so prepare to meet what might be distant cousins on, Wednesday 15^th of January. Waterford County Museum Dungarvan has been contacted by a branch of the Power family in New Zealand who are keen to meet any Powers on the night. Robbie Neha is the gentleman that has made contact with us. He will outline the history of their particular branch of the family in Hamilton New Zealand.

Robbie gives us the following information; I am a Television Producer/Director and I am currently researching for a historic Documentary on my Great, Great Grandfather Thomas Power who we understand came from County Waterford, Ireland. I will be visiting County Waterford from the 13th to the 17th of January, 2020. We will be bringing a delegation of 6 people which will include my 82 year old Aunty Miria Tauariki and my 64 year old Uncle Thomas Roa [both of whom have been desperate to visit your County - the origin of their mutual Great Grandfather all their lives].

Our group will also include a Camera Crew of three people - Murray Maunder, Corey Wilson and our Researcher Willie-John Newton where we hope to document and record our trip to County Waterford to trace the origins of our Ancestor Thomas Power and film places of interest in regards to the Power family. On arrival in County Waterford, it would be our honour to provide a public presentation on our findings to date on Thomas Power, his storied life in New Zealand, our relationship to him and we will explain our Documentary's intentions and findings thus far.   If you have any people of interest you think I should be in touch with, particularly a Power Family Historian or relation.’ Robbie’s genealogical details are brief and on the night much more will be revealed. Part of his line which he gave us runs like this: Rahapa Te Hauata - Thomas Power - Kahutoi Power [nee Kaukau]   Tanirau Paiaka .

Much more will be revealed on the night; this presentation will take place on Wednesday 15^th January at 7.30 pm. At the Dungarvan Sailing Club. Robbie will make a presentation and outline the history of his Thomas Power. There is no admission charge to this. Families wishing to attend might contact us, as soon as possible 058 45960, or email us history@waterfordmusuem.ie.

Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland visit the Museum

A group of people from Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland visited the museum on Wednesday 25th September.  They were on holiday in Waterford and spent the afternoon in Dungarvan.  The curator William Fraher gave them a tour of the museum and they were particularly interested in the Irish Artist, Sarah Purser and her connection to Dungarvan.

The museum is always delighted to welcome community groups, schools and local history societies.  

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.

Visit from Rehab Care Waterford

Some of the group from Rehab Care Waterford with William Fraher, curator

On Wednesday last we welcomed a group from Rehab Care Waterford who were on a day trip to Dungarvan.  They were given a guided tour of the museum by the curator William Fraher.

If groups/organisations would like to visit the museum you can contact us by phone at 058 45960 or email info@waterfordmuseum.ie to arrange a date.

Busy summer in the Museum

This summer has been extremely busy in the Museum with visitors from all parts of the world.  We have welcomed families from all parts of Ireland and abroad.  We have also been visited by several groups of Spanish students over the last few weeks.  They all enjoyed our exhibits and left lovely comments in our visitor’s book.

          




A Canadian visitor said: “Captivating – Thanks”

A visitor from Cork left the comment: “Fantastic and free!”

Another comment from a Dubliner: “Amazing displays of great artefacts”

Finally, a person from London wrote “very informative, staff very helpful”.

The Museum is open from 10 – 5 each day - Monday to Friday and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors over the coming months.

                                               

McGrath Clan Gathering 2019

On Friday last we were delighted to welcome members of the worldwide McGrath Clan.  After a talk by the museum curator William Fraher in SGC cinema on the history of Abbeyside Castle, the large group visited the museum.  Following this, they went to Dungarvan Castle for the video/tour there.

If groups would like to have a tour of the museum they can contact us in advance in order to arrange a date and time.

Waterford County Museum visitors during March and April

We have had visitors to the museum from many parts of the world including New York, Hong Kong and Brazil, as well as many parts of Ireland and the United Kingdom during the past few months.  Several of the visitors left lovely messages in our visitors book.

A person from Hong Kong said "Fabulous exhibition".

Another from Shrewsbury said "Lovely look back through history".

A visitor from Dublin said "Very well presented and interesting".

Some other comments are:  "A step back in time, a memory of family past" and "wonderful photos and detail".

We look forward to welcoming many more people during the summer months.

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.

New Exhibition Opened at Waterford County Museum

Last Wednesday, Mr. Eddie Cantwell, Vice President of the Museum Society welcomed members and guests to the official opening of ‘The Remarkable Brenans - Photographers, Cyclists, Printers, Artists and Antiquarians’, which tells the story of the Brenan family of Grattan Square for the first time.

Eddie thanked the curator William Fraher who researched and designed the display and the museum staff for their work in relation to the exhibition.  He acknowledged the Creative Ireland funding through Jane Cantwell, Creative Ireland Co-Ordinator with Waterford City & County Council.

He also thanked Bernie Guest, Heritage Officer and Joanne Rothwell, Waterford City and County Archivist.  He thanked especially the donors, Niall Hurley, John Nagle, Jane Casey and John O’Brien for loaning his Penny Farthing bicycle and for making display stands for both bicycles on show.

Pictured left to right: Dave Pollock, Eddie Cantwell and William Fraher.

Cathal Brugha Exhibition

The museum currently has an exhibition on Cathal Brugha which will be on display for the next two weeks.

The exhibition includes a bronze bust of Cathal Brugha that was given to us on loan by Waterford Museum of Treasures.

Catherine & Cathal McSwiney Brugha pictured with Nioclás Ó Gríofáin (middle).

Dungarvan - The Birthplace of Irish Cycling

The Waterford Greenway has been a huge success with walkers and cyclists but how many people know that the first cycle club in Ireland was established in Dungarvan?  If you would like to learn more visit a new exhibition at Waterford County Museum titled: ‘The Remarkable Brenans - Photographers, Cyclists, Printers, Artists and Antiquarians’ which tells the story of the Brenan family of Grattan Square for the first time.

Edward Brenan was an amateur artist and historian who discovered the remains of mammoth, bear, deer, etc, in the Shandon Caves, Dungarvan in 1859.  He drew and sketched in and around Dungarvan in the mid 19^th century and we are delighted to have received a donation of a number of his sketches including a fascinating panorama of Dungarvan with the principal buildings marked.  Also included in the exhibition are his sketches of Irish Elk found locally and a selection of archaeological pamphlets of local interest which belonged to the family.

His son Richard Edward, postmaster and printer founded the first cycle club in Ireland - ‘The Dungarvan Ramblers C. C.’ in 1869.  He and his son David were also amateur photographers who recorded people and places around Dungarvan, Co. Waterford and beyond.  On display is a recently donated album of their work with remarkable images of people, places and events such as the Shanahan Eviction of 1887.  There are four large reproductions of stunning photographs taken by Richard Edward in Co. Waterford showing poor people outside of their humble country homes.

Also in the display are two penny farthing bicycles dating from the 19^th century and the first cup for a cycle challenge race in Ireland dated 1869.

The exhibition is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and admission is free.

Cancellation of Talk on Louisa Marchioness of Waterford

The talk on Louisa Marchioness of Waterford which was due to take place on Wednesday the 21^st of November at the Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club has been cancelled until the New Year due to unforeseen circumstances.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused and we will let you know the new date as soon as we know it.