Object of the Week - Wooden Butter Pats, Early 20th Century

When the butter was removed from the churn the butter had to be 'grained' so that it was thick enough for moulding.

It was then washed several times in cold water and the buttermilk drained off.  Once the butter was clean enough, butter pats were used to mould it into shape.  The pats were dipped in water in between to avoid the butter sticking.

Butter sold in grocery shops came in large slabs.  The grocer cut off a section and shaped it with the butter pats.  Sometimes the butter was stamped with a design from a wooden mould.

New Book - 'Faces in the Window' by Susan M. Green

This is a beautiful new book full of stunning photographs of details of the stained glass windows in Mount Melleray Abbey.

These close up photographs show the stained glass windows made by Harry Clarke Studios circa 1940's, along with quotations from Scripture and St. Patrick's Breastplate to aid meditation on the images, all printed on thick glossy pages.

Available from Mount Melleray Abbey Book Shop.

Object of the Week - Bell from the 'Dunvegan' of Chatham

The Dunvegan was a three masted barque of 819 tons built in New Brunswick.  It was on its way from Barry Dock in Cardiff to New Orleans with coal and general cargo.

In January 1898 the ship went off course in a dense fog and crashed into rocks beneath the cliffs at Ballymacart Lower, Old Parish.  The Nugent family who lived nearby went to assist the stricken crew.             Mr. Nugent climbed down the cliff with a rope and eventually the captain and crew were all rescued. The captain gave the Nugent family the ship's clock as a thank you.

The wreck was purchased by    
Mr. Fuge of Glencorrin House, Ardmore. The bell was donated to the museum by the Miller family originally of Main Street, Dungarvan.

For further details see John Young's 'A Maritime & General History of Dungarvan 1690-1978'.

Object of the Week - Train Ticket Used by Risteard de Hindeburg (1863-1916) on 31st December 1902

Priest, Irish language activist, author, musician.  Richard Henebry was born on 18th September 1863 at Mount Bolton, Portlaw, Co. Waterford.

After his ordination as a priest in 1892 he spent some time in Greifswald and Freiburg where he obtained a Doctorate in Philosophy. In 1898 he was appointed to the post of Chair of Irish Celtic Studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C.

When the National University of Ireland was founded in 1908 he was appointed professor of Irish in University College Cork.  He was also one of the founders of Coláiste na Rinne.

He suffered from tuberculosis and the climate in America suited him.  In December 1902 he travelled to Colorado Springs to stay with the Sisters of Charity at the Glockner Sanatorium.

Wednesday 25th January 2017, Illustrated Talk: The early development of creameries in Co. Waterford 1885-1935, by Dr. Proinnsias Breathnach

Our first talk of 2017 is on a theme which is sure to be of great interest, not only to the rural community in our county, but also to the town of Dungarvan itself where Waterford Co-op was situated.

All that remains of that industrious place is a statue which displays a man rolling a ten gallon churn which is situated where the entrance from Grattan Square to the Co-op was.

Those of you who have previously heard Dr. Proinnsias Breathnach (Senior Lecturer Emeritus in Geography at Maynooth University) will certainly be looking forward to this, his return visit.

People who still remember creameries generally associate them with co-operatives.  However, in their early years most creameries were privately owned, and this remained the case until the 1920's when government action saw all creameries being brought into co-operative ownership. The first creameries in Co. Waterford were established in the mid 1880's, and by 1900 there were some twenty three creameries in all, of which just two were co-operatives.  By 1920 the number of private creameries had fallen to just ten, but there were still only three co-ops.

This presentation gives an illustrated account of the early development of creameries in Co. Waterford, the main figures involved in their establishment, and how the creamery system in the county was transformed in the 1920's and 1930's.  This is a talk not to be missed, delivered in Proinnsias's own inimitable style and erudition.  Please note that this will take place in the theatre proper and not in the green room. 

Venue:          Town Hall Theatre, Dungarvan

Date:             Wednesday, 25th January 2017

Time:             8pm  

Admission:   €5

Sir John Keane and Cappoquin House in time of war and revolution, by Glascott Symes

This is one of the booklets in the Maynooth Studies in Local History series.

This booklet is based on Mr. Symes' thesis for an MA in Historic House Studies at Maynooth University.

It is divided into chapters detailing Sir John Keane's life and war record, his involvement with the Co-op movement, membership of Waterford County Council, the farm worker's strike, the Senate and the Civil War and the burning of Cappoquin House.  The final chapter details the restoration of Cappoquin House after its destruction by fire on 19th February 1923.

Sir John Keane (1873-1956) inherited Cappoquin Estate at the age of 19 just as he entered the army. While he was serving in the Boer War his mother ran the estate.  After his marriage in 1907 to Eleanor Hicks Beach he settled in Cappoquin getting involved in public life.  At the outbreak of the First World War he rejoined the army.  When the Free State was established he accepted his nomination as a Senator and was a regular contributor to debates on many topics such as censorship, agriculture, and compulsory Irish.

Mr. Symes has managed to present a fascinating and detailed account of Senator Keane and his times within 60 pages, and also included a number of interesting photographs.

Museum Christmas Meal 2016

The Museum Christmas Meal which took place yesterday evening 15th December 2016 in the Park Hotel Dungarvan was a great success and was enjoyed by all.

Our thanks to the Park Hotel, and to all who helped to arrange this great event.

Happy Christmas to all, and very best wishes for 2017!