The Big House for TV3 - by Big Mountain Production

In 1881 Ireland, 48% of women in Ireland were employed in the domestic class. In the 1911 census 230,802 people registered their occupation as servants working in houses in Ireland. Are you related to one of them?

We want to hear your stories or the stories of your ancestors who worked in the big houses.

Please get in touch with your stories if you or someone you know worked in one of the big houses.We would like to hear stories or anecdotes from all members of staff - cooks, maids, butlers, footmen, drivers or people who worked in the houses on a causal basis. We are also looking for relatives of former servants to take part in a living history experiment so please get in touch if you have a story. 

We are particularly keen to hear from people who have a connection to Strokestown House in Roscommon as well as other estates in Ireland.

Contact:Big Mountain Productions

Michelle O’Dowd michelle@bigmountainproductions.com 0852356977

For further information, please visit www.bigmountainproductions.com

Julian Walton's Lecture: the Victims of the Seahorse and the War Against Napoleon

The lecture dealt with the circumstances which led to the return of the  Seahorse to Ireland

Vice-Chairman, Eddie Synnott, introduces the speaker.

Captions helped to keep the audience up-to-speed with the movement of troops. 

A view of the audience

Julian Walton and Michael Maher deep in discussion. 

From Our Neighbour: South Kilkenny Historical Society

South Kilkenny Historical Society lecture

Title: New research into the mountain and island pilgrimages of Croagh Patrick and Skellig Michael
Speaker: Michael Gibbons
Date: Thursday, October 25th, 2012
Time: 8pm
Venue: Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite church)

Admission: €5 (members free)

Upcoming Lecture: Julian Walton on The Seahorse Disaster

Our next lecture will take place on Friday 26th October 
 

Speaker:Mr Julian Walton:   

Topic: The victims of the Seahorse and the war against Napoleon

Time: 8 pm

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

Entry fee: non-members € 5.00

William McCleverty, an 18th Century Explorer's Links with Waterford

A view of the attendance

Kevin P Hall, Erica Fay, Sonny Condon

Life at sea in the 18th century was far from glamorous, especially before the link was made between scurvy and the lack of vitamin C. Those who attended the lecture on William McCleverty on Friday 28th September were left in no doubt as to what it meant to travel on the high seas, face enemies, visit hostile countries and survive the journey home. Captain McCleverty was one of those survivors, and despite it all,  remained in the Royal Navy. Erica Fay delivered a very colourful, evocative description of his life and time. If you missed the lecture, you will be able to read all about it in the next edition of Decies.

From Our Neighbour: South Kilkenny Historical Society

South Kilkenny Historical Society lecture, Thursday, September 27th, 8pm

Title: From Morse Code to Twitter
Speaker: Mr Padraig Laffan
Venue: Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite church)
Admission: €5 (members free)

This lecture traces the development of communications during Padraig 's working career - first as a ship's Radio Officer, followed by 40 years with RTE's  outside broadcasting unit.

2012 Autumn Lectures

Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society's lectures will resume on Friday 28th September, with Ms Erica Fay,   Topic:  Captain William McCleverty, An 18th century explorer’s links with Waterford  

The next events will be  as follows:

Friday 26th October

 

Mr Julian Walton:   

The victims of the Seahorse and the war against Napoleon

Friday 23rd November

 Ms Ann Marie Ryan, Assistant Curator, Kilmainham Jail Museum: 

Kilmainham Jail Museum and Waterford Connections. 

Sunday 2nd  December

Annual Lunch [details beforehand]