Waterford Treasures - International Conference 'The Irish Constitution 1937-2017'

Waterford Treasures - Three Museums in the Viking Triangle will be hosting an international conference 'The Irish Constitution 1937-2017' on 30th June and 1st July 2017.

Speakers will include Senator Michael McDowell SC and Mr Justice Gerard Hogan.

Please visit www.waterfordtreasures.com for full details and to book.


Venue:  Waterford City Hall/Medieval Museum

Date:     30th June & 1st July 2017

Time:     Please visit website mentioned above

Cost:      Please visit website mentioned above

Archaeological Dig at Gallows Hill in Dungarvan

This week 4th to 9th June 2017 saw a very important and exciting archaeological dig at Gallows Hill here in Dungarvan.  A lot of hard work went into the arrangements for this dig, and the team worked hard over the week itself despite the weather.  Our thanks to Chrissy Knight-O'Connor, Eddie Cantwell, archaeologist Dave Pollock, Waterford City & County Council, The Heritage Council, Adopt a Monument Ireland, Dwane Tool Hire, Trihy's Saw Mills, Graphic Print & Signs, Cathal Brugha Resident's Group, John Foley Images, artist Anthony Hayes and all the volunteers who took part in the dig, the local community, and all those involved who are too numerous to mention.

The dig has uncovered very valuable indications of the origins of Gallows Hill.  Further information is available on the Gallows Hill Community Archaeology and Waterford County Museum pages on Facebook.  More to follow!

Object of the Week - Cough Medicine Bottle, 'The Mixture', from L. Mongey, Bridge Street, Dungarvan

The historian and Irish patriot Laurence Mongey was born at Knockaderry, Co. Limerick on 13th June 1895. His parents were Thomas and Julia (née Forde).  He attended Blackrock College and later trained and qualified as a pharmacist.  Mongey originally worked in Dublin.  He joined the IRA and was involved in the War of Independence.  He made explosives and was a 'first aid' man, i.e. he disposed arms at pre-arranged caches. He also operated in the South Tipperary/North Cork area under the name of Larry Lacy.  He was excommunicated by Bishop Cohalan but was later re-admitted to the Sacraments by Bishop Russell.

After the Truce, Mongey moved to Dungarvan, and worked at D.J. Nugent's chemists and pharmacy shop at Bridge Street.  He took over the business when Nugent retired.  Mongey was very interested in the ecology and archaeology of Co. Waterford.  He compiled a list of ogham stones in the county. In 1938 Mongey assisted T.G.E. Powell with the excavation of the megalithic tomb at Ballynamona, Old Parish.  Mongey photographed the various stages of the dig.  In 1941 he published 'The Portal Dolmens of South-Eastern Ireland' as Vol. 1 of 'The Journal of the Waterford Spelaeological Society'.

Another Good Review on Trip Advisor!

We have had another good review on Trip Advisor with an 'Excellent' rating, from a visitor from Northern Ireland in May 2017 titled 'Worth a visit if you are in the area' -

'This is a small local museum, well worth a visit if you are in the area.  It is informative on local history and the part played by local people in Irish national events.  I asked the staff a question, to which they gave a full answer.  They were very helpful'.

As of June 2017 out of all of our reviews on Trip Advisor 85% have given an 'Excellent' rating, and we have never received a negative review.  We have visitors from all over Ireland and many different countries.

Waterford County Museum is certainly well worth visiting!

Saturday 15th July 2017 - Next History Day at Dromana House 'Now the Day is Over', The Literature of the Big House

On Saturday 15th July 2017 from 10am to 4pm there will be a history day at Dromana House with the following talks; 'The life and writings of Molly Keane' by Sally Phipps, 'The big house, a view from downstairs' by Tom McCarthy, 'Now the day is over - Elizabeth Bowen, Molly Keane, & the fall of the big house' by Eibhear Walsh and 'Ballantyne's Folly, Claud Cockburn's big house novel, a tale of good deeds and skulduggery' by Andrew Cockburn.

Price per person is €70 or for two people is €125, including morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. Booking is essential.

Email: info@dromanahouse.com

Object of the Week - Tea Bag from Thomas Power's, 18 O'Connell Street, Dungarvan, Early 20th Century

Thomas Power's business was in operation in 1882 when it was advertised in the Dungarvan Journal:

'Mr. Thomas Power, Baker, Family Grocer, Tea Wine and Spirit Merchant, Blackpool.  This is an establishment where bread of a superior quality is sold. Mr. Power uses only flour of tried quality - and that the bread he produces is good in flavour, and is beyond gainsay, for he has passed the ordeal of the country consumers, amongst whom his bread is a great favourite... farmers are much better judges of what constitutes good bread, than are the denizens of the town.  Mr. Power's vans travel over a large and increasing circuit of the country daily'.

Thomas Power also opened a restaurant at the premises at 18 O'Connell Street.  Powers produced jam with fruit grown in their orchard nearby.  Power's Bakery closed its door for the final time on 16th April 1988.

Saturday 3rd June 2017 - The Big Dig, A Fun Day Out for All the Family at Gallowshill in Dungarvan

On Saturday 3rd June 2017 from 11am to 4pm there will be an archaeological dig which children can participate in at Gallowshill in Dungarvan.  Please ring the Museum on 058 45960 or call in to us in Friary Street for more information and to book a time slot.  Looks like being great fun and very interesting!