Visit of Anne Farrelly, Secretary of the Friends of the National Collections

The secretary of the Friends of the National Collections, Anne Farrelly, along with Adrian Farrelly visited the Museum on 29th August 2016.

They viewed the portrait of Claude Chavasse which has been given on long term loan by the Friends of the National Collections, for which we are grateful.

This is the second painting given by the Friends, the other being the landscape by Sarah Purser.

William Fraher, Waterford County Museum, with Anne and Adrian Farrelly.

'The Way it Was' An Exhibition of Old Photographs of the Copper Coast September 2016

A unique exhibition of old photographs of the Copper Coast from John Joe Cleary and Waterford County Museum 'The Way it Was', will take place in the Copper Coast Geopark Visitor Centre during the month of September.

This visual record has been drawn together from a collection of photographs taken by John Joe Cleary, Bunmahon, and his family.  Bridge O'Sullivan, staff member at Waterford County Museum, selected a group of images from the Museum's archive and these are on show with images supplied by John Joe Cleary.

The images provide a fascinating record of the daily lives of the people of the Copper Coast, and rural life in Ireland from the 1890's onwards.

Julian Walton will officially open the exhibition in the Copper Coast Geopark Visitor Centre at 3pm on Saturday 3rd September.  Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.

Death of Museum Society Member Mr. Harry Courcha August 2016

We were saddened to hear of the death of Museum Society Member Mr. Harry Courcha.

Harry was a native of England and settled in Old Parish.  He had a great interest in history and in particular Dungarvan and West Waterford.

Object of the Week - Purple Heart

John F. Mansfield (1906-1965) was born at Ballinroad, Old Parish, Co. Waterford on 6th February 1906 to James and Bridget Mansfield (nee Power).

John emigrated to America in 1924. Just before the Second World War he enlisted in the American army and served with the 4th Armoured Division - Third Army, from its founding in April 1942 until he ended up in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia in May 1945.

This Division was the spearhead attack from Normandy right into Germany and was known as ‘Paton’s Pride & Joy’, having had the most days in combat of any unit of the Third Army. John was wounded twice and decorated on several occasions.

He received an honourable discharge on 19th October 1945 and he settled in New York where he died on 1st July 1965.

Awards Received:

Purple Heart with cluster after being wounded at Normandy and Metz.

Bronze Star for valour at the Battle of the Bulge.

European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon.

Occupation of Germany Medal.

American Defence Medal.

Good Conduct Medal.

Ogham Workshop for Heritage Week Took Place 25th August 2016

The Ogham Workshop given by Dr. Nora White in the museum last week was a great success.

Many children and adults attended the event.

Nora gave a short powerpoint presentation about ogham stones in Co. Waterford which can be found at Knockboy, Dromlohan and Ardmore.

After the talk the children participated in the workshop, colouring and inscribing their name in Ogham.

At the conclusion all the children were given goody bags to take away.

(Photos to follow)

New Book with Cappagh Links

Hetty Staples (neé Ussher) has just published a booklet of her short stories and about her early life at Cappagh House where she grew up.  She turned 90 this year.

Hetty, or Henrietta, is the daughter of the noted writer and philosopher Arland Ussher (1899-1980).

Arland learned Irish in Ring and published two volumes of stories in Irish collected from Pat Murray, the ploughman at Cappagh: Caint an tSean-Shaoghail (1942) and Cursaí an tSean-Shaoghail (1948).

Ms. Staples has forwarded a copy of her book for the museum archive.

Talk, "A Tale of Two Towns", 25th August 2016.

John Martin will explore the historic development of Dungarvan and Youghal in "A Tale of Two Towns" in Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre, on Thursday 25th August 2016 at 7.30pm.

In what promises to be a very interesting talk, John will discuss the towns' Viking and Norman origins, both were (and are) ports, and both were Devonshire Estate towns.

John is currently researching the Dungarvan Historic Town Atlas for the Royal Irish Academy, due for publication by 2018.

Venue: Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre

Date:    Thursday 25th August 2016

Time:   7.30pm