Object of The Week - Dungarvan Town Crier's Bell c. 1900

This bell was used by members of the Wyse family of Dungarvan.  Mickie Wyse is a well known name to older Dungarvan residents.

A billhead of 1900 notes 'Michael Wyse & Co. Bill Posters, Advertising Agents, Contractors, Handbill Distributors'.

We recently had a visit from Walter McGuirk, who is a member of the Wyse family and he was the last of the bell ringers in Dungarvan.

Walter McGuirk with Museum Staff Member Kieran Lineen

Object of the Week - Postcard of Dungarvan Coat of Arms, 1907

This card was part of a heraldic series published by Stoddart & Co. of Halifax, Yorkshire, between 1905 and 1917.  They were printed under the trademark Ja-Ja.

The image depicts the ancient Irish warriors flanking a shield containing an image of a ship with a castle on either side representing Dungarvan Castle and Abbeyside Castle.  The motto beneath reads: 'Ní Maraide Go Stiúrtóir' - Not a Mariner 'Till a Steersman.

It was designed by the scholar and antiquarian William Williams (1820-1875) in 1863.

Object of the Week - 'Bedstone' from Ring, Co. Waterford, c.19th Century

Millstones came in pairs, the base or 'bedstone' is stationary, and above this is what is called the turning stone or 'runner stone' which does the grinding of the grain.  The bedstone is slightly convex in shape which allows the flour to be pushed to the edge.

These stones can be difficult to date as the design did not change much over the centuries.

The example shown here is probably 19th century.

Mary Butler

The Museum would like to extend sincere sympathy to the family of Mrs. Mary Butler who died recently.

Mary was a long time member of the Museum Society and enjoyed attending the talks and member's outings.

Along with her husband Maurice, Mary ran the well known Butler's Shop in O'Connell Street.  It had the best ice cream cones in Dungarvan.

Thursday 2nd February 2017 Lecture - 'Blest be the hour which gave my Sarah birth: verses to a young lady', by Julian Walton

The next lecture in the Dunhill History Lecture series will take place on Thursday 2nd February 2017 at 8pm in the Dunhill Education Centre.  The speaker will be Julian Walton and his subject is 'Blest be the hour which gave my Sarah birth: verses to a young lady'.

On either side of the fireplace in the inner hall at Curraghmore House hang two gigantic portraits.  To the right is the celebrated Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, chatelaine of Curraghmore during the Famine.  Much has been written about her.  To the left is her far less well known sister in law Lady Sarah Beresford, Countess of Shrewsbury.  This is her story.

This looks like being a very interesting lecture which is not be be missed!

Object of the Week - Part of the Schooner 'Parton'

This schooner was built at Annan in Wales in 1886 by the shipbuilder Nicholson.  Her official number was 53139.  At this time her owner was William Kiely and the boat was registered at Whitehaven.  The dimensions of the schooner were: 81.9 x 20.5 x 10.6 feet, tonnage 93.

Later the Parton was acquired by Sheehan and Ryan of Main Street, Dungarvan, who used it for transporting coal, timber and oats to and from Cardiff, Newport and Bristol.

The schooner was damaged by a collision with a tugboat in Milford Haven.  It was brought back to Dungarvan where it was eventually abandoned near the Cunnigar where traces of it can still be seen today.

Object of the Week - Part of the High Altar of St. Mary's Parish Church, Dungarvan, by Scannell of Cork, 1861

The Cork Examiner of 11th September 1861 published a report on the new high altar for St. Mary's Parish Church, Dungarvan, which it described as 'one of the finest in Ireland'.  It noted that the altar was the gift of Miss Katherine Kennedy of Dungarvan at a cost of £500.

A large sculpture of the Dead Christ was the centrepiece of the composition, in Carrara marble, carved by John Scannell, Architectural and Ecclesiastical Sculptor, of Union Quay, Cork.

The paper went on to describe the altar surrounds: the tabernacle, which from the slab of the altar will rise to the imposing height of 18 feet and a half.  At its base will be placed the tabernacle itself, to be ornamental of wrought iron, and adorned with marble and enamel.  Above, the figures of two angels will be carved, before a tazza of marble, intended for a monstrance for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Marble shafts rise at either side and support an archway for which an octagonal spire springs, terminating in a winged seraph.  Winged seraphs also crown the two small shafts that rise at the base of the spire.

The report noted that the altar would be completed in two months.