In our first talk of the winter season Maura Barret gave a fascinating talk on the Nire Valley. She went through the history, folklore, archaeology and landscape of the area. Her talk was illustrated with impressive images of the landscape in all seasons.
It was a very enjoyable night, and a lively question and answer session followed.
Object of the Week - Four Miles Bicycle Race Cup
The Object of the Week is the Four Miles Bicycle Race Cup. On the front the cup says 'Four Miles Bicycle Race at Dungarvan, September 1869, Winner, Richard Edward Brenan'. On the back it says 'Richard Edward Brenan, Winner at The Four Mile Bicycle Races at Dungarvan, on September 1870 and September 1871.'
The cup was rediscovered in 1984 by Father Columba O'Donnell O.S.A. at the Augustinian House in Main Street, Dungarvan and presented to the Museum.
The first cycling club to open in Ireland was established in Dungarvan in 1869. Its founder was Richard Edward Brenan (1846-1917), postmaster, bookseller, photographer and printer of Grattan Square, Dungarvan. The Headquarters of the club was at Brenan's house on the Square. In 1880 there were 28 members, but by the 1920's the club was disbanded.
Brenan first became interested in cycling when as a boy he saw an advert for a bicycle in a French Newspaper and he was determined to buy it. His father contributed £5 towards the cost.
His next bicycle was an 'improved bone shaker' ordered from Robinsons of Dublin. Later he purchased an Irish manufactured bike form Neals of Dublin - 'We Young Irelanders of that period took great pride in our home manufactured mounts.'
In 1868 Brenan set off on what we think is the first documented cycling holiday in Ireland travelling from Dungarvan, through Youghal, Midleton, Queenstown, Blarney and onwards.
The first organised bicycle race in Dungarvan was held in September 1869. The four mile race was won by Brenan. The following year they held a four mile race to Barnawee Bridge. 'Thousands of spectators turned up to watch the novel spectacle and the race day was treated as a public holiday; the R.I.C. offered their services in keeping the roads free of traffic, which was partly accomplished by Sub Inspector Edmond McDermott and several magistrates (including Henry Edward Redmond) riding before and behind the cyclists on their horses. Some of the magistrates almost ran down the competitors in their zeal, and the sub-inspector twice nearly ran over R.E. Brenan, County Inspector John Loch wagered £10 that Brenan could defeat a local favourite, a land agent named Shaw; the policeman won his bet, but it was a close affair, as the powerfully built Shaw put his machine across his back after he had been passed by Brenan and took a short cut across some fields to establish a lead, but Brenan still managed to overtake him. Some of the soldiers of the 67th Regiment who took their tunics off were able to keep pace with the racers for most of the route.
The photographer Edmund Keohan was a member of the cycling club.
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| Four Miles Bicycle Race Cup |
The first cycling club to open in Ireland was established in Dungarvan in 1869. Its founder was Richard Edward Brenan (1846-1917), postmaster, bookseller, photographer and printer of Grattan Square, Dungarvan. The Headquarters of the club was at Brenan's house on the Square. In 1880 there were 28 members, but by the 1920's the club was disbanded.
Brenan first became interested in cycling when as a boy he saw an advert for a bicycle in a French Newspaper and he was determined to buy it. His father contributed £5 towards the cost.
His next bicycle was an 'improved bone shaker' ordered from Robinsons of Dublin. Later he purchased an Irish manufactured bike form Neals of Dublin - 'We Young Irelanders of that period took great pride in our home manufactured mounts.'
In 1868 Brenan set off on what we think is the first documented cycling holiday in Ireland travelling from Dungarvan, through Youghal, Midleton, Queenstown, Blarney and onwards.
The first organised bicycle race in Dungarvan was held in September 1869. The four mile race was won by Brenan. The following year they held a four mile race to Barnawee Bridge. 'Thousands of spectators turned up to watch the novel spectacle and the race day was treated as a public holiday; the R.I.C. offered their services in keeping the roads free of traffic, which was partly accomplished by Sub Inspector Edmond McDermott and several magistrates (including Henry Edward Redmond) riding before and behind the cyclists on their horses. Some of the magistrates almost ran down the competitors in their zeal, and the sub-inspector twice nearly ran over R.E. Brenan, County Inspector John Loch wagered £10 that Brenan could defeat a local favourite, a land agent named Shaw; the policeman won his bet, but it was a close affair, as the powerfully built Shaw put his machine across his back after he had been passed by Brenan and took a short cut across some fields to establish a lead, but Brenan still managed to overtake him. Some of the soldiers of the 67th Regiment who took their tunics off were able to keep pace with the racers for most of the route.
The photographer Edmund Keohan was a member of the cycling club.
Talk - 'Thomas Francis Meagher and the Meaghers of Ballycanvan'
There will be a talk presented by James Andrew Doherty on the subject of Thomas Francis Meagher and the Meaghers of Ballycanvan at Jack Meades, Halfway House on Wednesday 21st September at 8pm. James is a local historian and is an active member of the Thomas Francis Meagher Flag Committee.
All very welcome.
Venue: Jack Meades, Halfway House
Date: 21st September 2016
Time: 8pm
Cost: €5
All very welcome.
Venue: Jack Meades, Halfway House
Date: 21st September 2016
Time: 8pm
Cost: €5
History Event at Dromana - 'From the Blackwater to the Nile: Aventurers, Scholars and Travel Writers.'
On Sunday 16th October 2016 there will be a history event at Dromana 'From the Blackwater to the Nile: Adventurers, Scholars and Travel Writers.'
There will be lunch at 12.30pm, opening by Her Excellency Soha Gendi the Egyptian Ambassador to Ireland at 2pm, harp recital by Una Whyte at 2.15pm, lectures by Dr. Rachel Finnegan and Willie Fraher at 2.30pm, closing at 4pm.
The cost is €40 per person or €70 for two.
This illustrated presentation tells of the Egyptian travels, writings and 'curious' collections of the pioneering Egyptologist, Dr. Richard Pococke (1704-1765).
On his return from the East, which included two lengthy sojourns in Egypt, Pococke settled briefly in London, where he worked on his famous book 'A Description of the East' (1743), a scholarly and very visual account of the history, culture and geography of Egypt. After his publication of a second volume (1745), which covered the rest of his Eastern travels, he was appointed Archdeacon of Dublin and took up residence in Ireland. Over the next few years, he undertook several tours of the country, which he recorded in his travel diary. This included a tour of County Waterford, in 1752, when he visited the grounds of Dromana House.
In 1756 he was translated as Bishop of Ossory, and both in his Dublin residence and the Bishop's Palace in Kilkenny, he entertained his visitors with lectures on Egyptology and viewings of his unusual collection of Egyptian antiquities and natural curiosities.
There will be lunch at 12.30pm, opening by Her Excellency Soha Gendi the Egyptian Ambassador to Ireland at 2pm, harp recital by Una Whyte at 2.15pm, lectures by Dr. Rachel Finnegan and Willie Fraher at 2.30pm, closing at 4pm.
The cost is €40 per person or €70 for two.
Dr. Rachel Finnegan:
Richard Pococke
This illustrated presentation tells of the Egyptian travels, writings and 'curious' collections of the pioneering Egyptologist, Dr. Richard Pococke (1704-1765).
On his return from the East, which included two lengthy sojourns in Egypt, Pococke settled briefly in London, where he worked on his famous book 'A Description of the East' (1743), a scholarly and very visual account of the history, culture and geography of Egypt. After his publication of a second volume (1745), which covered the rest of his Eastern travels, he was appointed Archdeacon of Dublin and took up residence in Ireland. Over the next few years, he undertook several tours of the country, which he recorded in his travel diary. This included a tour of County Waterford, in 1752, when he visited the grounds of Dromana House.
In 1756 he was translated as Bishop of Ossory, and both in his Dublin residence and the Bishop's Palace in Kilkenny, he entertained his visitors with lectures on Egyptology and viewings of his unusual collection of Egyptian antiquities and natural curiosities.
William Fraher:
Henry Windsor Villiers-Stuart & Egypt
This presentation focuses on Henry Windsor Villiers-Stuart, and will explore Henry's visits to Egypt, his exploration of its monuments and the collection of artefacts he amassed.
Henry Windsor Villiers-Stuart was born on 13th September 1827, the son of Henry Villiers-Stuart (1803-1874) of Dromana House, 1st Baron Stuart de Decies and Theresia Pauline Ott of Vienna. In 1850 he was ordained a minister and was appointed vicar of Bulkington, Warwickshire in 1852. He paid his first visit to Egypt in 1849 and again in 1858/59 with the intention of visiting sites mentioned in the Bible.
Villiers-Stuart visited Egypt with his wife Mary from the autumn of 1878 to March 1879 and published the result of his investigations in 'Nile Gleanings, concerning the Ethnology, History and Art of Ancient Egypt.' The book was illustrated with his own drawings.
After the battle of Tel-el-Kebir the British government appointed Henry Windsor Villiers-Stuart to accompany Lord Dufferin's delegation to visit Egypt and report on the condition of the people. His reports were published in a series of blue books. In 1883 he published an illustrated overview of his observations, interspersed with accounts of Egyptian antiquities in 'Egypt After the War' (1883). In his introduction he states that he hoped it would help to 'emancipate the oppressed classes in Egypt... My sympathies are with the mass of the people of Egypt. I have faith in their capabilities, if only a fair chance be given to them; they are industrious and intelligent.'
Henry was vociferous in campaigning for the preservation of Egyptian monuments which were being damaged by man and nature. Like many others he did collect Egyptian artefacts and brought them back to his home in Dromana.
Venue: Dromana House, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford.
Date: Sunday 16th October 2016.
Time: 12.30pm.
Cost: €40 per person or €70 for two.
Henry was vociferous in campaigning for the preservation of Egyptian monuments which were being damaged by man and nature. Like many others he did collect Egyptian artefacts and brought them back to his home in Dromana.
Venue: Dromana House, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford.
Date: Sunday 16th October 2016.
Time: 12.30pm.
Cost: €40 per person or €70 for two.
Wednesday 21st September 2016 - Illustrated Lecture 'The Nire Valley - All Walls and No Ditches
The first lecture of the winter season 'The Nire Valley - All Walls and No Ditches', an illustrated lecture by Maura Barret, will take place in the Green Room at the Town Hall Theatre in Dungarvan. Admission €5.
Venue: Town Hall Theatre Green Room.
Date: 21st September 2016
Time: 8pm
Venue: Town Hall Theatre Green Room.
Date: 21st September 2016
Time: 8pm
Object of the Week - Penal Cross, Co. Waterford
Penal crosses were devotional artefacts mainly made of wood. Their name derives from the fact that they were contemporaneous with the Penal Laws period. The cross was an important symbol for Catholics whose religion was under threat. They date from the early 18th and the mid 19th centuries.
These penal crosses have been associated with pilgrims visiting Lough Derg where a group of local carvers produced the crosses as souvenirs.
These crosses were carved in a simple naive style with a crude carved figure of Christ. They are often dated on the reverse.
The example illustrated here from the Museum collection depicts the figure of Christ with a halo and above this the letters INRI - Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum - Jesus the Nazerene, the King of the Jew.
On the reverse is the date 1818 and the letters IHS - Iesus Huios Sother - Jesus, Son, Saviour. It has a loop on top allowing it to be worn around the neck.
These penal crosses have been associated with pilgrims visiting Lough Derg where a group of local carvers produced the crosses as souvenirs.These crosses were carved in a simple naive style with a crude carved figure of Christ. They are often dated on the reverse.
The example illustrated here from the Museum collection depicts the figure of Christ with a halo and above this the letters INRI - Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum - Jesus the Nazerene, the King of the Jew.
On the reverse is the date 1818 and the letters IHS - Iesus Huios Sother - Jesus, Son, Saviour. It has a loop on top allowing it to be worn around the neck.
'The Way it Was' Exhibition Opening at the Copper Coast Geopark
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| Julian Walton, John Joe Cleary, Bridge O'Sullivan |
This is an exhibition of photographs taken by John Joe Cleary from Bunmahon and his family, and from Waterford County Museum's archive selected by staff member Bridge O'Sullivan. The exhibition is open for the month of September.
See www.coppercoastgeopark.com
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| Julian Walton, Catherine Kavanagh, Bridge O'Sullivan. |
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| John Galloway, Julian Walton, Eddie Cantwell |
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