From Our Neighbour: South Kilkenny Historical Society : The GAA Oral History Project

South Kilkenny Historical Society lecture

Title:The GAA Oral History Project

Speaker: Ms Regina Fitzpatrick

Date: Thursday, January 31st 2013

Venue: Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite church)

Time: 8pm

Admission: €5 (members free)

The GAA History Project is a record of interviews with hundreds of people, including GAA members and supporters, current and former players, managers, officials and administrators. The interviews, which formed part of the GAA's 125th anniversary celebrations, record personal experiences of the GAA, e.g. earliest memories, playing matches, travelling to matches, watching matches, supporting teams (club and county), club life, changes in the game, involvement at club and county level, the GAA abroad, Scór, the Irish language, politics, religion etc.

Regina Fitzpatrick is a native of Galmoy, Co. Kilkenny and a consultant oral historian. She worked as a full-time oral historian on the GAA Oral History Project (2008-2012) and has carried out oral history interviewing, consultancy and training for both local authorities and heritage organisations including the Maze Long Kesh ‘Unlocking Heritage’ Project and St Michael’s Regeneration Board, Dublin.
Regina holds a BA in History and Irish from UCD and an MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Management, also from UCD and is currently undertaking doctoral studies at De Montfort University, Leicester.
With Dónal McAnallan and Paul Rouse, Regina co-edited 'The first fifty years of camogie', which was published in 2009 and is currently a director and chairperson of The Oral History Network of Ireland

WAHS - Our Night at the Medieval Museum

On Friday 25th January, despite the blustery and very wet conditions, members made their way to the Medieval Museum for the first event of the year. We were met by Donnchadh Ó Ceallacháin and Annie Birney who guided us through the stairs and corridors... and through time. 

Members meet in the reception hall of the museum.

Donnchadh explained how the museum came to be, and what the construction involved, from the archaeological testing to the final project. We then started down the stairs to the undercroft - The Choristers' Hall and the Mayor's Wine Vault.

Between the Chorister's Hall and the Wine Vault... a narrow passage.

Then to the top floor, where the political and commercial life of the city were explained, as well as everyday life in medieval Waterford, what the city looked like, thanks to models, what people wore, what objects they used, and some aspects of crime and punishment. 

 Also on display is Henry  VIII's hat, or Cap of Maintenance.

         

Annie Birney explained the origins of the pottery on display  and  told us about the fashion of the time. 

All this knowledge is based on artifacts, but also on the entries in the Great Parchment Book. The room where the book is displayed is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Niall Byrne,who transcribed the Great Parchment Book, and was a  former Chairman of WAHS.

Donnchadh Ó Ceallacháin explaining the importance of the book.

After that, we were brought to the first floor, dedicated to the religious aspect of medieval life. Many statues discovered in the city are displayed, as well as other objects linked to religious life.  The highlight of course were the gold cloth vestments, and the story of their (re)discovery.

For more pictures: Photo album of our visit to the museum(click link to view)

Other Events to Look Forward to this Year

We have just received this communication from the 1848 Tricolour Celebration Office.

 1848 Tricolour Celebration 

 Waterford City

Date: 8th, 9th and 10th of March 2013

The 1848 Tricolour Celebration is a cultural and historical event, which commemorates the creation and unveiling of the Irish Tricolour flag by Thomas Francis Meagher, on the 7th of March 1848.

Visiting naval ships will be open to the public over the course of the weekend, with the highlight of the event being a military flag raising ceremony, held on Sunday the 10th of March.

In fitting with the Gathering 2013, the event has many international connections. Delegations from America, Canada and France attend, as Thomas Francis Meagher established links with all of these countries.
At the heart of the event is the wish to mark the creation of Ireland’s national flag; An Bhratach Náisiúnta, and to promote the peaceful symbolism of the flag.

Information: http://1848tricolourcelebration.com 

Calendar of Events 2013

We would like to wish all our members and friends a very Happy New Year for 2013 and we are looking forward to meeting you again at our events this year.

Events 2013

WATERFORD ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY

EVENTS PROGRAMME 

2013

Please note all lectures are held at 8 pm in Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, Mount Sion, Barrack Street, Waterford, unless otherwise stated.

Friday 25th January 7 pm Guided Tour of the Medieval Museum, Cathedral Square, 

Waterford.

Friday 22nd February Speaker: Mgr Michael Olden

Topic: Outstanding Waterford Churchmen of the 19th Century

Friday 5th April Speaker: Mr David Toms 

Topic: Urbs Intacta Manet? The Development of Rugby and Soccer in Waterford 1877-1937

This lecture will outline the development of both rugby and soccer in Waterford from 1877 until just before the Second World War, asking the question whether Waterford was taken by a love of these sports, or whether as the city's motto goes it remained the unconquered city.

Thursday 11th April Annual General Meeting Details beforehand

Friday 26th April Speaker: Mr Michael Desmond

Topic: The Battle of Le Pilly

Between the 19th & 20th October 1914, 300 men from the south east of Ireland lost their lives, at least 36 of them came from Waterford City and County. 

We are very honoured that Waterford was chosen as the venue for the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Local History Societies, which will take place on May 24th, 25th & 26th 2013. 

SUMMER OUTINGS

Thursday 6th June Guided Tour of Granny Castle, with guide Mr Ben Murtagh

Sunday    9th June Coach Trip To Wexford including tour of Johnstown Castle Museum and grounds and guided tour of Historic Wexford Town.

Thursday 27th June Jerpoint Park, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny

Sunday 21st July Guided tour of Inistioge and Woodstock Estate, Co Kilkenny.

Thursday 22nd August Visit to the Quaker Burial Grounds, Newtown, Waterford City with guideMrs Joan Johnston.

Autumn Lectures will include: Mr Jimmy McCrohan on Waterford-born merchant John Aylward (c.1650 –1705), Dr Pat McCarthy on Capital Crime in Waterford in the 19th century, and Mr Julian Walton (to be confirmed).  

Sad news for WAHS

We are very saddened at the news of the death of one of the long time members of the Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society, Mr Paddy Kenneally. Paddy was a dedicated member of the society and for many years served on the committee in various capacities.

Funeral arrangements as follows:

Removal From Thompsons Funeral Home
This Evening (Tuesday) At 5:15pm To St John’s Church
Requiem Mass Tomorrow (Wednesday) At 12 Noon
Funeral Afterwards To St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ballygunner

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.