New Book Ordering Link for Waterford Women of The Revolution 1914-1923

 If you wish to order a Copy of this book Waterford Women of The Revolution 1914-1923, please do so at this link:

https://waterfordmuseum.ie/revolution/

 

Last Talk in the at 3 Series

A series of free half hour talks exclusively for members and friends, so why not come along and join the museum on the day of the lecture and listen to the talk being presented by Museum Curator William Fraher. The last talk in this series takes place on Wednesday the 15^th March at 3pm, and takes place in the Museum premises, with refreshments after.

 

***This is the last talk in the at 3 series

Wed 15^th March - Through the Camera Lens

Dungarvan in the Early 1900’s

 

For any further information or details please contact the museum on 058 45 960.

 

Stories from Old Newspapers

Tipperary Free Press 17 March 1827

Outrage and Reward – Ballyin House, Lismore

‘Whereas, the Dwelling House of Mr Patrick Foley, of Ballyin, in the county of Waterford was forcibly entered, between the hours of seven and eight o’clock, on the evening of Sunday the 25th of February last, by an armed banditti, consisting of eighteen or twenty persons, who after securing the male servants, forced one of the women servants to show them the way upstairs, for the purpose, as they avowed, of taking Mr Foley’s arms, but finding a door at the top of the staircase closed against them, one of the said party fired a gun at said door , at the same time demanding arms – Mr Foley then discharged a pistol under the bottom of the door, which shot, from the marks of blood and other circumstances, must have severely wounded or killed one of said party, upon which the banditti immediately departed, carrying their wounded comrade with them.

Now we, the undersigned magistrates, etc., being determined to use the most strenuous and effectual means to bring the perpetrators of said outrage to justice, have resolved that a subscription be immediately entered into, for the purpose of offering an adequate reward for information’.

There follows a long list of subscribers including the Duke of Devonshire who offered £100.  P Foley offered 100, Thomas Foley Senr £50, and Thomas Foley junr, sub-Sheriff, £50. The notice stated that if one of the gang gave evidence against the others he would be pardoned by the Lord Lieutenant.

 

 

Mount Congreve Portrait, At Waterford County Museum

Mount Congreve house was designed c. 1760 by noted Waterford architect John Roberts in a Palladian style. The house was commissioned by John Congreve and his wife Mary, daughter of Beverly Ussher of Kilmeadan.

Recently Mount Congreve garden and interpretive centre (now marketed as ‘Ireland’s Global Garden’), was officially opened by ministers Heather Humphreys and Catherine Martin. Sadly, the contents of the house were auctioned by Mealy Auctioneers over two days in 2012. Included in the auction were two portraits of young men, attributed to Joseph Highmore. The paintings can be seen hanging on the first-floor landing in old photographs.

In our section on the Big House in County Waterford we feature one of these attractive portraits from the auction. It depicts a young man wearing a wig, a member of the Congreve family. Its style indicates that it was painted in the mid-18th century. Although unsigned, it has been attributed to the English artist Joseph Highmore (1692-1780). He was a painter of portraits, conversation pieces, and historical subjects, an illustrator and author. In the early 20th century, the painting was ‘restored’ in Waterford, which may have resulted in a loss of the original paint quality in sections of the work.

Why not visit the museum and view this and other paintings of county Waterford interest. Free admission, open Monday to Friday 10-5.

Portrait of member of Congreve Family- painted in mid 18th century

Talks & Walks at 3pm - 2023 Series

A series of free half hour talks exclusively for members, so why not come along and join the museum on the day of the lecture and listen to the talk being presented by Museum Curator William Fraher. 

Talks will take place in the museum at 3pm with refreshments after.

 

NB- The Walks planned for 8^th and 15^th of March 2023; have been rescheduled for sometime in the summer of 2023. On these dates a talk will take place

 

TALKS SCHEDULE:

Wed 8^th   March - Lady Clodagh Anson

People and Places

 

Wed 15^th March - Through the Camera Lens

Dungarvan in the Early 1900’s

 

For any further information or details please contact the museum on 058 45 960

Sympathy

 We extend our sympathy to Museum member Rita Curran on the death of her brother Tony Graves in the USA. Rita and Tony donated their Father’s 1916 medal to Waterford County Museum.

 

Stories from Old Newspapers

In June 1895 the commissioners commissioned a plaque and surround from E.O'Shea of Callan, Co.Kilkenny. In June J.F.Williams, solicitor served notice on the Town Commissioners to attend at the High Court on 2 July 1895 'at the suit of the executors and executrix of the will of the late captain Gibbons, verses the beneficiaries of the will- Mrs Mary Gibbons, Cork; Helena Gibbons, Dungarvan; James Gibbons, Dungarvan, and the Town Commissioners’.

A dispute arose about the names and information which the Commissioners had placed on the plaque. In July 1895 the Rev.Whelan and Mrs Gibbons asked the Commissioners to omit the executor's names. They agreed to this but insisted on retaining their own names explaining that - 'as we believe, in doing so we are only following a custom which as regards historical records are beneficial, advisable and instructive’.

In early September 1895 the Commissioners enquired when the work on the park would be completed. The following month Mrs Mary Gibbons contacted the Commissioners asking them to remove the plaque on the arch into the park or she would take legal action. 'I have been asked to give your Town Commissioners another opportunity of complying with my request regarding that objectionable tablet.' On 14 November the Borough Surveyor reported that he had removed the slab as ordered. Before its removal the plaque had been crossed out in paint and was photographed by Edmond Keohan. He titled the picture ‘The Condemned Slab’. In November the stonemason Mr O'Shea was paid £28-5-1 for the plaque and related work.

A smaller plaque in marble was also erected to commemorate the creation of ‘The Esplanade’ or Lookout in 1896 as it was more commonly called which was also funded by the Gibbons bequest and this was later moved to its present site on the sea wall opposite the park.