The following were elected at our recent Annual General Meeting:
Trustees
October Museum Talk
‘A
Most Magnificent Place’
The Garden & Demesne at Curraghmore, Portlaw, Co
Waterford.
By William Fraher
This illustrated talk will tell the story of the
evolution of the magnificent garden and estate at Curraghmore, the home of the
Marquis of Waterford. The talk is based on extensive research in the archives
over a number of years. It will include the architecturally important shell
house created by Catherine Power in the 18th century, the Italianate Garden of
the 1840s, walled garden, garden sculptures, and other features in the demesne.
When: Wednesday 26th October
Where: Waterford Co Museum, Friary Street, at 7.30.
Subscription: €5
Please note the talks will now be held on the last
Wednesday of each month.
Clonmel Herald, 7 August 1839
Loss of the Sloop Lady Curraghmore, and Six Lives
On Saturday last the sloop Curraghmore, of 47 tons,
sailed from Dungarvan, with cattle and passengers for Swansea, and a t 10
o’clock the same evening, while off the Smalls, she shipped a sea and was
thrown on her beam ends. The crew, consisting of three men and the master, used
every effort to right her by shifting her ballast, but to no avail; in a very
short time she filled and went down.
Fortunately for the crew and passengers, (14 in
number) they had left her prior to her foundering, in the vessel’s boat, and
after contending some time with the fury of the sea and wind, they were
discovered by the steamship, City of Limerick, bound for Plymouth, when she
hove-to to take them on board. But a more melancholy tale remains to be told.
Immediately on the boat getting alongside the steamer,
two seamen, four passengers, and a child 18 months old, were taken on board
her; but we are pained to add that whilst a seaman was attempting to help the
mother on board, the steamer lurched over, struck the boat with her gangway
ladder, and precipitated the whole into the water. Great and praiseworthy
exertions were made by those on board the steamer to save their lives, but in a
few moments the father, mother, and brother (5 years old) of the little child
saved, with two others sank to rise no more. The master of the foundered
vessel, who was in the boat when she upset, having been in the water 20
minutes, was saved with great difficulty. The surviving child, the master, and
others, on arriving here [Plymouth], were conveyed to the workhouse, where
every possible attention is paid to them. Neither the vessel nor cargo was
insured.
CULTURE NIGHT
- 23 SEPTEMBER 2022
Waterford County
Museum is delighted to present an event to mark Culture Night 2022.
Join us to mark our
40th birthday and see our newly renovated exhibition space.
8p.m. Decade
of Centenaries - The Phil O’Donnell Collection - Official Opening
Recording Cork Republicans
for the Bureau of Military History
8.30 and 9.15
Twenty Objects
Guided tour of
twenty objects currently on display, by Museum Curator, William Fraher
8.30 and
9.15 Twenty Artworks
Guided tour of
Paintings, Prints & Drawings currently on display by staff member and
artist Tony Hayes
Refreshments will
be served.
Admission Free.
Time: 7.30pm to 10.30pm
For further
information Please contact us at info@waterfordmuseum.ie
or phone 058-45960
Waterford County Museum is delighted to present an event to mark Culture Night 2022.
Join us to mark our
40th birthday and see our newly renovated exhibition space.
8.30 and 9.15 Twenty Objects
Guided tour of
twenty objects currently on display, by Museum Curator, William Fraher
8.30 and
9.15 Twenty Artworks
Guided tour of
Paintings, Prints & Drawings currently on display by staff member and
artist Tony Hayes
8p.m. Decade
of Centenaries - The Phil O’Donnell Collection - Official Opening
Recording Cork Republicans
for the Bureau of Military History
Refreshments will
be served.
Admission Free.
Time: 7.30pm to 10.30pm
For further information contact us at info@waterfordmuseum.ie
or phone 058-45960
Dublin Evening Telegraph 24th July 1920
Raids in Dungarvan and
Ballina
Hotel Visitors Searched
The Commercial Hotel and the Devonshire Arms Hotel, Dungarvan, were raided by military on Wednesday night. They first went to the Commercial and searched all the rooms. They then proceeded to the Devonshire Arms, and a priest who was staying there was obliged to get out of bed. A close search was made of all the rooms and all persons in the hotel. The soldiers then went down the Main Street to the Town Hall, where they searched some young men engaged in erecting scenery for an Irish play. They searched all the young men, entered the greenroom, making a close search, went under the stage, got into the old office, and ransacked all the papers, putting their bayonets through the pictures of the Republican leaders. They then went into the clerk’s office and tumbled up all the papers. The military were engaged from about 1 o’ clock till 2.30 a.m. Some challenges were made in the streets but all passed of quietly and there were no arrests.
 |
| Devonshire Arms Hotel Circa 1910 |
 |
| Commercial Hotel 1919 |
This new hardback book created by Michael B. Barry and John O’ Byrne, is an amazing book that is richly illustrated and is an engrossing read that brings a fresh perspective to a defining moment in Irish history. This book is available at all leading book shops and online.
Western terrace was originally called ‘OLD CHAPEL LANE’: This led to the 18th Century Catholic Chapel on the site of the C.B.S. school. The terrace of seven houses have open balconies on the first floor. They were built around 1910.
The launch of the Historic Town Atlas took place on Wednesday 17th of August in Dungarvan Library for Heritage week.
The Historic Towns Atlas for Dungarvan prepared by John Martin for the Royal Irish Academy. This fantastic resource traces the evolution of settlement, society and economy in Dungarvan. Discover the origins of this coastal town, its archaeology, its architecture, industries and trade over the centuries as mapped and narrated in this comprehensive piece of work under the dedication of John Martin.
Copies of the Atlas will be available to purchase at the Museum priced at €35
We
were delighted to receive a recent donation of an impressive hand illuminated
address in Irish which was drawn by Liam Ua MÃodhachain (1874-1960) in a Celtic
Revival style. It was presented to Liam Ó
h’ Iceadha on the occasion of his marriage in 1914. There is intricate Celtic
interlacing and scenes of Abbeyside Castle and the old gable wall at St. Mary’s
Church of Ireland. The address was presented to him by the Dungarvan branch of
Conradh na Gaeilge and is signed by Dan Fraher, Séan Ó Loinsigh, and Miceál Ó
Floinn. The address which is now on display in the museum was presented by to Liam
Ó h’ Iceadha granddaughters, Nóirin Westman, Muireann McGrath and Iosoilde
Dromey.
 |
from left to right are Muireann McGrath, Nóirin Westman, William Fraher ( Curator Waterford County Museum) and Iosoilde Dromey.
Co. Tipperary Independent & Tipperary Free Press,
28 August 1886
St Augustine’s Seminary Dungarvan
‘This establishment was opened 12 years ago [1874], in
compliance with the earnest desire of numerous parents and guardians, to satisfy
a long-felt want in this locality – that is to say: to form a link between the
Primary Schools and the University; hence the Intermediate programme was
adopted from the beginning. That it has been most successful in imparting a
sound knowledge, the fathers have but to refer the many students who passed for
the ecclesiastical and other professions. The fathers have procured the
services of competent and trained masters, and trust, by constant attention,
that the Seminary will retain the high reputation which it has had for so long
deserved. The school re-opens on Monday 16 August’.
The subject taught at the school included: Latin,
Greek, Maths, History, Geography, Modern Languages, Italian, German, Natural
Philosophy, Drawing, Book-Keeping, Mercantile Studies, English Language, etc.
The charges for the year were: English and Maths £4, and the entire course (music excepted) £5.
‘All the students who presented themselves passed the
Science and Art examinations last May’.
‘Signed by Very Rev. J.A. Williams O.S.A., President,
Dungarvan 9 August 1886’.
Before opening the school in Main Street, the first
classes were held in the Theatre in the Old Town Hall, St Augustine Street. The
school closed in 1972 and moved to a new premises which opened at Duckspool in September
1972. The former school premises in Main Street is now Dungarvan Enterprise
Centre, Main Street.
 |
Students
and Teacher Saint Augustine’s Seminary, Dungarvan Circa 1930.
This is a cheque for £99 written by Dan Fraher, Dungarvan to Cathal Brugha and dated 4 January 1920. It is singed on the reverse by Cathal Brugha and Michael Collins (in Irish) and also has the bank manager’s signature. ‘Portlaw ‘is also inscribed on the cheque.
Dan Fraher had been a noted sportsman in his younger
days and his son Maurice was the first pupil at Pádraig Pearse’s school. Dan developed a playing field in
Dungarvan known as The Gaelic Field and it is still in use, renamed Fraher
Field in his honour. As an elderly man Dan was imprisoned at Ballykinlar Camp
in Co Down, an experience from which he never fully recovered. His daughter Cáit married well-known republican Pax Whelan.
The Dáil
Loans were bonds issued between 1919 and 1921 by The Dáil of the self- proclaimed Irish Republic to raise
funds to run the new state in opposition to the British administration based in
Dublin Castle. Michael Collins was appointed Minister for Finance in April
1919. The money raised was retained in bank accounts in Ireland and in the US.
The Dáil approved the
First Dáil Loan on 19 June
1919. £171,177 was raised
in Munster.
 |
| Signatures on Cheque |
If you are taking a stroll along the sea wall walk (in front of Boreenatra towards the Lookout Park, in either direction) you may have noticed the outdoor gallery of hand painted pictures featuring Irish nature scenes, a number are captioned in English and Irish. These are done by a local artist, Sinead Violet and which add to the beautiful panorama of the Seascape. These are sponsored by Dungarvan Tidy Towns & GSK. So next time why not stop and take a look at these amazing murals.
Waterford Standard, 5 September & 3 October 1936
Gossip of the Week by ‘Entre Nous’, Strand Hotel Clonea
5 September
At Clonea…I ran into Mr. Jack Bulfin, who is a cousin
to Dan O’Mahony (1912-1950, born in Co. Cork), the world’s wrestling champion. Mr.
Bulfin…is manager of the Dungarvan branch of the London and Newcastle Tea
Company, and was very interesting on the subject of Dan’s Career. Mr. Bulfin
introduced me to his wife, a charming person, whose amazing efficiency with the
piano accordion has endeared her to all staying at the popular Strand Hotel
(later called Ocean View Hotel). The hotel has now been fitted with the new
Calor Gas System, produced by Messrs McMullen Bros, Dublin…The dance hall has
also been fitted with the new system gas lighting, and looks very attractive.
3 October
Inhaling the sweet ozone of Clonea recently was Mr.
Sean McKeown, who for many years was in the pharmaceutical chemistry business
in Waterford. Mr. McKeown was looking his usual healthy self, but rather missed
his old Waterford friends and the social life of the city. I hear he is at
present in Youghal. While at Clonea, I must write something about the Dungarvan
Golfers’ Dance, which was held in the Strand Hotel this week. A rather hectic
night, and one which the gay couples contrived to make an event worthwhile
remembering. They succeeded! A spirit of gaiety and bonhomie prevailed
throughout the dance, accentuated by the lively strains of Chris Sylvester and
his band…I must say the dance committee certainly organised a memorable dance
and the arrangements were all that they should be.
The launch of the Historic Town Atlas took place on Wednesday 17th of August in Dungarvan Library for Heritage week.
The Historic Towns Atlas for Dungarvan prepared by John Martin for the Royal Irish Academy. This fantastic resource traces the evolution of settlement, society and economy in Dungarvan. Discover the origins of this coastal town, its archaeology, its architecture, industries and trade over the centuries as mapped and narrated in this comprehensive piece of work under the dedication of John Martin.
Copies of the Atlas will be available to purchase at the Museum priced at €35.
The museum has a new lighting system which illuminates the complete internal area of the museum and its many interesting exhibits and antiquities. This lighting system is specifically designed for museums and the requirements they need to ensure proper illumination, while being sensitive to the nature of the artifacts on display.
The new lighting system,
which was funded by the museum through book sales and fund raising.
Additionally we have some
new panels on such topics as: Emigration and The Famine, The Railway, Lace
making, The Moresby, and Waterford Industries to name but a few.
So if you have any free
moments during the week, why not drop in to the museum and see our updated displays.
Waterford News 30 March 1900
The New Waterworks at Lismore
The construction of the new reservoir for these works
is now rapidly approaching completion, and in the near future the inhabitants
of Lismore can enjoy the immense benefit of a copious and high-pressure water
supply. It appears the engineering operations involved in this undertaking have
proved of a most difficult character, but we are glad to learn that the almost
insurmountable obstacles that beset the engineer in the execution of the work
have at length been overcome by the work and perseverance with which the
operations were pushed.
In fact, our representative informs us that all
through the recent severe winter everything was urged ahead with ceaseless
energy. Huge excavations were necessary to cope with the great subterranean
springs discovered in the rocks…which at one time threatened to be fatal to the
entire scheme, while throughout the long winter nights the valley was lit up
with the glare of furnaces, and the stillness of the mountainside was broken by
the unending rattle of powerful steam pumps and other machinery. The site of
the works is at a valley on the lower slopes of the Knockmealdown Mountains,
some two and a half miles from Lismore and the utilization of an ancient road
embankment crossing the valley, for a reservoir dam, was pronounced by high
authorities to be a daring and difficult experiment entailing as it did works
of a peculiarly novel description in order that it might be made watertight and
safe. The daring experiment, however, has fortunately been justified by its
success. Even a brief description of the various works at the reservoir and
throughout the catchment basin would require an intimate knowledge of the
engineering aspect of the case. His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, with great
munificence, has spent thousands of pounds on this work, thereby giving much
needed employment in the locality, and we congratulate the engineer (Mr.
Scully, Waterford), who, so ably designed and successfully carried out this important
and difficult undertaking.
If anybody has any additional knowledge or information
about the location of the reservoir, please contact the museum.
The National Heritage week is running from 13th -21st August 2022. Waterford County Museum’s photographic exhibition of the Irish Revolutionary Period 1921-1923 depicting the role of women, the destruction of railways and property, the Farm labourers’ Strike 1923, The Black and Tans & R.I.C., the Irish Republican Army and the National Army, will be shown in the Dungarvan Library.
Venue: Dungarvan Library, Davitts Quay, Dungarvan, X35 AV29.
Tel: 058 21141
Dates: August 13th, 16th, 17th, 19th, 20th Time 10am-5pm
August 18th Time 1pm-8pm
The Waterford Events Programme is available at the Museum as well as online at www.heritageweek.ie.
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
The National Heritage week is running from 13th -21st August 2022. Waterford County Museum’s photographic exhibition of the Irish Revolutionary Period 1921-1923 depicting the role of women, the destruction of railways and property, the Farm labourers’ Strike 1923, The Black and Tans & R.I.C., the Irish Republican Army and the National Army, will be shown in the Dungarvan Library.
Venue: Dungarvan Library, Davitts
Quay, Dungarvan, X35 AV29.
Tel: 058 21141
Dates: August 13th, 16th,
17th, 19th, 20th Time 10am-5pm
August 18th Time 1pm-8pm
The Waterford Events
Programme is available at the Museum as well as online at www.heritageweek.ie.
 |
 |
 |
 |