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Left to right:- Jim Murphy, Nicolas O' Griofain,*Colleen
Murphy, Nóirin Ní Ghriobhtháin, John Foley. * In the photo we see Colleen Murphy, the great Grandniece of Séan Graves,
who has a 1916 medal on display at the Museum. The Murphy's are
from Boston, MA USA and are Cousins of Nicolas and
Noirin. |
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| Mr Tony Hayes, explaining about the techniques and materials used in the art works in the Museum. |
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| Selection of people at culture night at the Museum. |
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Paula uÍ Uallacháin ( Museum Treasurer) presenting a speech by Julian Walton all about local and Global events in 1982- the year the Museum was formed. |
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| Refreshments and nibbles on culture night. |
As part of Culture Night we were open from 7.30 to 10.30. It was also a special night as we celebrated our 40th birthday of the founding of the museum in 1982. Museum President, Christina Flynn introduced proceedings and welcomed members and guests. Curator Willie Fraher and guest speaker Julian Walton were unfortunately unable to make it on the night, but a short address was read on Willie’s behalf. Christina recalled details of the first meeting and committee, the eventual move to the old Town Hall in Friary Street and the recent upgrading of the lighting and exhibitions.
One
of the original committee was in attendance, former County Librarian, Donald
Brady. Christina noted that another of the first committee, Gai Morrissey, had
just passed away and she extended her sympathy to the Morrissey family on
behalf of the museum.
On
behalf of the Curator, Christine King read a piece about the Phil O’Donnell
exhibit which was launched on the night. Museum staff member Tony Hayes led a
fascinating tour of the paintings, watercolours, drawings and prints on
show. Paula Uí Uallacháin read Julian Walton’s
piece on Irish and world events that occurred in the year the museum was
founded, in 1982.
Participants
were treated to some lovely nibbles and finger food and a magnificent birthday
cake presented by one of the museum Trustees. A big thank you to all staff
members, Marie, Mike, Stephanie, Tony and Barry, and Trustees Paula, Christine and
Mary for organising such a successful evening.
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| 40th Birthday Celebration Cake for Museum |
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| Left to right in photo: Dennis Barron, Thomas Walsh, Nicolas Graves, Mary Giblin, Tom Broderick, Christine King ( Museum Secretary) and Christina Flynn ( Museum President) |
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| Cutting the Celebration Cake , left to right: Mary Looby (Clonea) and Eileen Moloney (Helvick) |
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| Donald Brady one of the original members of the first Museum Committee of 1982. |
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| Phil O' Donnell Exhibition, in this photo we have Phil O' Donnell's Grandchildren Left to Right: Fergal O'Donnell ( Kilrush), Christina Flynn ( Museum President), Niamh O'Donnell (Naas), Christine King ( Museum Secretary) and Vanessa O'Donnell (Kilrush). |
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| Section of attendees at Culture night at the Museum. |
Tom Crean Talk by Michael Smith.
We
would like to thank most sincerely, the Management and staff at Merry’s award
winning Gastro Pub for facilitating us for Michael Smith’s talk on Tom Crean,
and indeed for being most helpful. The ‘serial biographer ‘updated the large
attendance on how- since his first visit to Dungarvan in 2001- His ‘Unsung hero’ has exploded in the world.
Printed in several languages his No1 best seller continues to gather momentum
over twenty years later. He was particularly excited that his book was now part
of the school curriculum in Ireland and was quite chuffed that Tom Crean was
printed in Irish. There was a healthy exchange during questions and answers
after his talk which certainly extended the duration of the event. This was
carried on in the bar after Michael’s talk and he was
happily kept engaged up until closing time.
Dungarvan’s Crumbling Quays
Before the present stone-fronted quay was created in
the 19th century there were just two small quays, ‘Rodericks Quay’ by the
castle, and ‘George’s Quay’ around the area of the present Anchor Bar. When
Dungarvan was rebuilt by the Dukes of Devonshire from the 1820s onwards, a new
quay was built and supervised by the noted engineer/architect Jesse Hartley
(1780-1860). However, since its completion it has suffered from partial collapse
every couple of decades. The minutes of Dungarvan Town Commissioners record
having to rebuild it in 1855,1864, 1886, and 1901. The following letter written
in 1853 shows how far it had deteriorated. This is all the more surprising as
Hartley is now famous for his Liverpool dock complex, which is a listed example
of the finest engineering technology of its day.
Cork Examiner 1 April 1853
Dungarvan Harbour – To the Editor of the Shipping
& Mercantile Gazette
Sir,
Perhaps this would not be an inappropriate time to
call the attention of the government to one of the most valuable bills
introduced by nearly the same government about twelve months since…the bill for
the management of the small harbours and creeks of the United Kingdom…
This port is, indeed, an exemplification of its
necessity. What was once a very comfortable harbour, with a nice commodious
landing quay, a desolate heap of ruins now meets the eye, alike dangers to the
traffic along the quay – from the countless fissures opened up to the extent of
20 feet and more by the action of the tide, as well as destructive to the
shipping resorting here – by reason of heaps of stones drawn by the tide till
it has now become a serious difficulty for our shipmasters to select a single
berth to lay a vessel where she would not strain. If the necessary repairs had
been last year effected, some hundreds of pounds would be saved, and so the
injury will be increasing faster than compound interest. Surely this state of
things will not be allowed to continue…
I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,
Christopher O’Brien, Merchant & Shipowner,
Dungarvan, March 20, 1853.
(Note: Christopher O’Brien was the older brother of
the noted Fenian, James F X O’Brien)
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| Public works at Davitt's Quay, Dungarvan- Circa 1901 |
It is hard to believe that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the museum. The initiative came from Dungarvan I.C.A. and its then President Mrs Joan Bailey.
A public meeting was organised and took place in
Lawlor’s Hotel in 1982. The large attendance included the new County Manger,
Dan Hurley and the new County Librarian, Donald Brady.
A committee was set up and the intention was to have a
local historical society or friends of the museum. The name decided on was Dungarvan
Museum Society. The hunt was then on for a premises and fortunately R A
Merry’s old store (The Old Market House) in Lower Main Street became available.
Before the building was modernized and restored the Museum Society held an
exhibition (in 1983) upstairs, titled ‘Gallowshill and The Lady Belle’. Enthusiastic
volunteers made temporary cases and visual displays. The first committee was
photographed by Rory Wyley on the night along with Mayor of Dungarvan, Jimmy
Byrne, and consisted of the following:
Mrs Joan Bailey; Kitty Hayes, former Co Librarian;
Donald Brady then Co Librarian, Willie Fraher, Jim Shine, Donal Walsh, Richie
Walsh, Billy Kyne, Gai Morrissey, Mrs Kathleen Dowling, and Tom Nolan.
The building was restored and repurposed to house a
library on the ground floor and a museum on the first floor. The official
opening in 1984 was performed by author
Molly Keane.
In April 1999 the UDC vacated their offices in the old
Town Hall in Friary Street and the museum moved into the ground floor. In 2009
the museum moved back into the newly renovated Town Hall space.
Since 1982 the museum has held numerous exhibitions,
public talks, and published a number of local history books. Our extensive
image archive now contains over 7,400 images for Dungarvan and Co Waterford. We have been the recipient of
numerous awards, including for one of the most ambitious projects, the
investigation and archaeological dig at Gallowshill which has resulted in
rewriting the early history of the town.
The majority of our collection has been donated over
the years and we would like to sincerely thank all the donors who have decided
to entrust us with their cherished items and ensure that they remain within the
county. This year the museum has funded a completely new lighting system, new
text panels, and introduced colour into our exhibition area, all of which
contributes to a better visitor experience.
The remit of the museum is: ‘to record, display and preserve artefacts, documents and images relating to the history of Co Waterford and make them available as a resource for the enjoyment and education of the local community and visitors, irrespective of age, gender, disability or ethnicity’. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 to 5, including lunchtime. Admission is Free and all are welcome.
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
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