Anthony Kinsella on E.J. Thornton and the A3 submarine

Fergus Dillon, Chairman, introducing the speaker. Hon Editor Donnchadh O Ceallacháin looking after the technical side of things. 

A view of the attendance

E.J. Thornton

As it appeared in the papers

All men were buried in Clayhall Royal Naval Cemetery, in Gosport.

'In Memoriam' card.

The plaque in memory of E.J. Thornton in Christchurch Cathedral, Waterford. 

Fergus Dillon, Anthony Kinsella, Erica Fay.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all!

Upcoming Lecture: by Dr Elizabeth Shee-Twohig and Mr James Eogan

On Friday 24th February  Dr Elizabeth Shee-Twohig and Mr James Eogan will lecture on
The prehistory of the Lower Suir Valley (8000 BC - 400 AD): the archaeology of Waterford City Bypass in perspective



Traces of our prehistoric ancestors are not very evident in the modern landscape of the Lower Suir Valley, though people may be familiar with local standing stones and some of the large megalithic tombs, e.g. Gaulstown and Knockeen, Co Waterford.

Excavations in advance of construction of the N25 Waterford City Bypass led to the discovery of many important sites and has changed our knowledge and perception of prehistoric life in these parts of east county Waterford and south county Kilkenny.

James Eogan and Elizabeth Shee Twohig are editors of the recently published monograph Cois tSiúire – nine thousand years of human activity in the Lower Suir Valley and their lecture will show that the Lower Suir Valley was home to vibrant and dynamic communities from c. 8000 BC onwards.

James Eogan is Senior Archaeologist with the National Roads Authority based in Tramore. He has overseen the archaeological works on all major road schemes in the south-east over the past decade. He has particular research interests in Bronze Age settlement and society.

Elizabeth Shee Twohig has recently retired from lecturing in the Department of Archaeology, University College Cork, and now lives near Tramore. Her principal research has been on the prehistoric megalithic tombs and art.

Time: 8 pm 


Venue: Edmund Rice Heritage and Conference Centre, Barrack Street, Waterford.

Sad news for WAHS

We are very saddened by the passing of two of our members this week, on January 24th.

Mrs Renee Lumley, who was a long time member of the society, and was Hon Treasurer for many years.

Dr Niall Byrne, Knight of Malta, former Chairman of the society.

May They Rest In Peace.

Ar Dheis Dé Go Raibh Siad.

First spring lecture: A Waterford born submariner, Ernest James Vernon Thornton

Our first lecture of 2012 will be delivered by Mr Anthony Kinsella on Friday 3rd February . The topic of the lecture will be

Lt. Ernest James Vernon Thornton RN

                                 1890 – 1912

                  A Waterford born submariner

Ernest James Vernon Thornton was born in the family home, The Grange, 32 John’s Hill, Waterford City on Saint Patrick’s Day, 1890. His father, Ernest Isaac Thornton, was a solicitor with of a large practice in Waterford City.
Ernest Thornton was educated privately by a governess before attending Cheltenham College between January 1901 and December 1904.
He was successful in the Royal Navy cadetship examination which was held in November 1904 and completed his naval cadet course in May 1906.
He then saw service aboard ship in the Mediterranean and in home waters before transferring to the submarine service in August 1911.
On 2 February 1912 submarine A3 was involved in a collision with a submarine tender and sank immediately, all hands were lost. Lieutenant Ernest Thornton was second in command of A3.
He is buried in Clayhall Royal Naval Cemetery, Gosport and there is a plaque in his memory in Christ Church Cathedral Waterford.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2012

EVENTS 2012

Please note all lectures are now held in Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, Mount Sion, Barrack Street, Waterford.

Friday 3rd February Speaker: Mr Anthony Kinsella
Topic: Ernest James Vernon Thornton

Friday 24th February Speakers:  Dr Elizabeth Shee-Twohig and Mr James Eogan.
Topic: The prehistory of the Lower Suir Valley (8000 BC - 400 AD): the archaeology of Waterford City Bypass in perspective

Friday 30th March Speaker: Ms Ursula Hughes
Topic: Rosamund Jacob, a Waterford Woman: Feminist, Political Activist, Author and Historian

Thursday 12th April Annual General Meeting.
Details beforehand

Friday 27th April Speaker: Mr Brendan Delaney, Manager of Heritage
and Archives, ESB
Topic: Ardnacrusha and Waterford

SUMMER OUTINGS

Thursday 7th June Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny with Mr Ben Murtagh
Meet in Kells at 7.15 pm

Sunday 17th June Coach Trip to Kinsale, Co Cork (Details beforehand)
- Guided tour of Charles Fort and Desmond Castle
- Tour of Kinsale including site of Spanish landing and battle site of 1601 with local guide Mr Dermot Ryan

Thursday 28th June Ahenny and environs, Co Tipperary
High crosses, Slate Quarries and passage tomb
With Mr Joe Sullivan

Sunday 15th July Duiske Abbey and Graiguenamanagh
With guide Mr Owen Doyle
Meet in Graiguenamanagh at 2.30 pm

Thursday 26th July Details to be confirmed.

Autumn Lectures will include: Ms Erica Fay on Captain McCleverty, Mr Julian Walton on the Sea Horse victims, and Ms Ann-Marie Ryan on Kilmainham Jail Museum & Waterford Connections.

WAHS Annual Lunch - 2011

The Society's Annual Lunch took place in Dooley's Hotel, over 70 members and friends attended the lunch, which was a great success thanks to the efforts of the management and staff of the Hotel. Guests of honour were Deputy Mayor, Cllr Hilary Quinlan, who was presented with the latest edition of Decies, as well as City Manager Michael Walsh, and, representing the county, County Archivist Joanne Rothwell. The guest speaker was Kristin Jameson, who gave an illustrated talk on Tourin House and Gardens, focusing on the rare and old specimen trees one can see in the gardens, and on their origins.
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