Object of the Week - Wooden Cylindrical Butter Churn c. Early 20th Century

This c. early 20th century butter churn from Mount Melleray is marked 'New Style White Cedar Cylinder Churn'.

Milk would be poured in through the opening in the top of the churn, the top would then be closed and the milk beaten by a wooden frame inside by turning the crank handle until the butter was made.

After churning, when the butter was thick and ready for moulding, it was washed, sometimes salted, and then shaped with butter pats.

April 23rd to 26th 2017 Museum Member's Annual Trip

The Museum Member's trip this year is to the 4 star Glenview Hotel in the Glen of the Downs in Co. Wicklow.  The trip includes B & B, 3 evening meals, leisure centre, bus for 4 days, entrance fee to all visits, including Russborough House, Avoca, Glendalough, Wicklow Gaol, and Avondale which includes the home of Charles Stewart Parnell.

Leaving Dungarvan Sunday 23rd April at 3pm (bus collection point to be confirmed), arriving back in Dungarvan early Wednesday evening 26th April.

The price is €290 double/twin per person sharing, €380 single (single supplement of €30 per night).

Object of the Week - Butter Carton from Knockmeal Co-operative Creamery Ltd., Ballinamult

Knockmeal Co-op was originally called Ballinamult Co-op which was established in 1895.  It was the second co-op to open in County Waterford.  In 1850 it was the site of the Finisk Flour Mill run by Denis Keily.  In the 1890's it was used as a corn mill.


On 1st March 1954 electricity was introduced to the area.  The Creamery was the one hundred thousandth customer and the switch-on was performed by Seán Lemass, Minister for Industry and Commerce.  'With the co-operation of Pye (Ireland) Ltd., the complete proceedings were televised, with receivers placed to show the ceremony to overflow crowds both inside and outside'.  The Parish Priest, Father Walsh also spoke at the event. (See www.esbarchives.ie)

Object of the Week - Weighing Scales from the Maternity Ward, St. Joseph's Hospital, Dungarvan

These scales were used to weigh babies in the Maternity Ward at St. Joseph's Hospital in Dungarvan.

Stamped on the scales is: Norman Cook & Sons, Dublin, Made in England, C.W. Brecknell Ltd., "Sensitive", Ombersley Road, Birmingham.

C.W. Brecknell Ltd. was founded in Birmingham in 1913, and these scales were probably used in Dungarvan in the early to mid 20th century.

Object of the Week - Maritime Diorama, 19th Century

This diorama was carved by a Mr. Carroll, a ship's captain from Dungarvan, in the 19th century.

These models were often made by retired sailors, captains or shipwrights.  They are made almost entirely of wood with some additional details such as the sea in plaster.

The three masted schooner depicted in this model is not named.  It carries the Red Ensign which was flown by British merchant ships since 1707.  Another flag on one of the main masts depicts a blue background with a gold star.  This may be the house flag, these were introduced in the late 18th century.  Patrick and William Carroll are listed as Master Mariners in the 1840's.

Seán Tyrrell's Message of Peace Concert

Seán Tyrrell's Message of Peace Concert at the Town Hall Theatre in Dungarvan last night, 23rd February 2017, was a great success.

Our thanks to all of the many people who worked hard to enable this concert to go ahead, and especially to Eddie Cantwell.

Wednesday 15th March 2017, Lecture: 'Roses from the Heart', an Irish/Australian Story, by Dr. Christina Henri

We are excited by this visit by Dr. Christina Henri from Australia, who will be giving a talk entitled 'Roses from the Heart Memorial Remembers Those Banished to the Ends of the Earth' about the 25,566 women who were sentenced to transportation to Australia between 1788 to 1853 from the then British Isles, some from Waterford.

Christina believes that many of these impoverished women were transported simply for being vagrants.  When afforded opportunities in Tasmania or Australia the women's resilience and fortitude saw them flourish and contribute to the growth of the emerging nation.  Since 2007 she has been working on 'Roses from the Heart', the first ever memorial to those women whose stories have remained untold for too long, which consists of cloth bonnets, copied from an original 1860's servant's bonnet, to symbolise their lives.  Christina is interested in 304 women from Waterford who were transported, and she is inviting women from Waterford to take part, and her aim is to have a permanent memorial of bonnets in Waterford.  In 2012 male and female prisoners from two of Dublin's prisons presented Christina with 800 bonnets.  So far 22,000 bonnets have been received.

Dr. Christina Henri is Honorary Artist in Residence at the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.  Christina uses art as a tool to give meaning to history.

This is sure to be a very interesting talk and is not to be missed!  All very welcome.


Venue:          Green Room, Town Hall Theatre, Dungarvan

Date:             Wednesday 15th March 2017

Time:            8pm

Admission:  €5