Dr Pat McCarthy returns on October 28th with another military-themed topic, Gun Running in Waterford. Pat is well known to our members, being a regular contributor to Decies on such diverse topics as T.F.Meagher, the rise of Sinn Féin or Captain Clooney's career in the Papal army. He has also led some of our summer outings, the latest being to the site of the Battle of the Boyne last June. Pat is Correspondence Secretary of the Military Society of Ireland.
Venue: Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, Barrack Street.
Time: 8 pm
Price: Members: free
Non-members: €5.00
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
September Lecture: Recent Excavations in the Viking Triangle, by Órla Scully
Our first lecture in the Edmund Rice Conference Centre attracted interest, and those present on the night were the first to see the finds of the Viking Triangle. Órla recounted for us the work done by the archaeologists and explained the process involved in monitoring the digs, the survey, during, before, and after. Hard work, dangerous situations, puzzles solved, questions raised, and 'Indiana Jones moments'...
Starting on the surface, the great concentration of pottery and 18th / 19th century paraphernalia discovered showed the importance of the area in those days.
A well was found, which will remain as a feature at the back of City Hall. There were pits, showing evidence of metalworking, the dating of some of the layers - 898 to 920 AD - possibly linking the activity on this site to the Woodstown site. High quality medieval pottery, highly decorated rims of jugs, 10th century ring pins, all the findings implying this was a high status area. Many little walls -like little units, squared up, ran at the back of the Theatre.
While working inside the Bishop's Palace, a digger dislodged a stone, revealing an opening in the ground. A camera lowered into the hole brought back pictures of a medieval undercroft, used as a wine cellar for the Palace, and some bottles.... empty and/or broken!
A section of the medieval cathedral, beneath Christchurch Cathedral, was also uncovered.
We were made aware of some of the steps involved in the conservation process, and problems encountered when trying to reconstruct parts of a building, in this case windows.
With the excavations over, the building work for the new medieval museum is now well under way, and we are looking forward to its opening in 2012.
Starting on the surface, the great concentration of pottery and 18th / 19th century paraphernalia discovered showed the importance of the area in those days.
A well was found, which will remain as a feature at the back of City Hall. There were pits, showing evidence of metalworking, the dating of some of the layers - 898 to 920 AD - possibly linking the activity on this site to the Woodstown site. High quality medieval pottery, highly decorated rims of jugs, 10th century ring pins, all the findings implying this was a high status area. Many little walls -like little units, squared up, ran at the back of the Theatre.
While working inside the Bishop's Palace, a digger dislodged a stone, revealing an opening in the ground. A camera lowered into the hole brought back pictures of a medieval undercroft, used as a wine cellar for the Palace, and some bottles.... empty and/or broken!
A section of the medieval cathedral, beneath Christchurch Cathedral, was also uncovered.
We were made aware of some of the steps involved in the conservation process, and problems encountered when trying to reconstruct parts of a building, in this case windows.
With the excavations over, the building work for the new medieval museum is now well under way, and we are looking forward to its opening in 2012.
Monday, September 26, 2011
From our neighbour: South Kilkenny Historical Society
South Kilkenny Historical Society
Lecture
Lecture
Date: Thursday, September 29th
Topic: The Ormonde Slate Quarries - 1820 to 1838
Speaker: Mr Richard Hyland
Venue: Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite church)
Time: 8pm
Admission: €5 (society members free).
Sunday, September 18, 2011
September Lecture: Recent Excavations in the Viking Triangle
The first of our Autumn/Winter season's lectures will be delivered by Ms Orla Scully MA on Friday 23 September 2011 at the usual time of 8.00 pm on the recent excavations in the Viking Triangle in Waterford City.
PLease note that our lectures have moved to Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, Barrack Street.
PLease note that our lectures have moved to Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, Barrack Street.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
New Venue for Winter/Spring Lectures
With Waterford Treasures having moved out of the Granary, we had to find alternative accommodation for our lectures. We are delighted to announce that all winter/spring lectures will be held in Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre in Barrack Street, Waterford City.
There is ample parking in the centre's carpark, entrance via Convent Hill. The state-of-the-art comfortable lecture rooms offer all modern technology.
We are looking forward to the new season, starting on Friday 23 September, with Ms Orla Scully, MA, who will lecture on the recent excavations within the Viking Triangle in the city centre.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Heritage Week Activities at the Bishop's Palace
Illustrated free talks @ the
Bishop’s Palace
(to book in: 051 - 849650)
Monday 22, 1.15-1.45pm (then going on to 2.15)
‘Irish 18th century furniture’ - George Williams
Tuesday 23, 1.15-1.45pm
‘John Redmond’ - Donnchadh Ó Ceallacháin
Wednesday 24, 4-5pm
Being a child in 18th century Waterford
(workshop, 8years+, booking essential) - Rosemary Ryan
Wednesday 24, 8-9.15pm
‘Superb 18th century fireplaces: the genius of the Irish craftsman’ - Patrick Pilkington
Thursday 25, 1.15-1.45pm
‘Waterford and World War I’ - Gordon Power
Friday 26, 1.15-1.45pm
‘I found bricks, I left marble, Thomas Milles, bishop of Waterford 1708-1740’ – Julian Walton
Sunday 28 All Day – FREE ADMISSION
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Last Outing of 2011: Dunhill Castle & Graveyard
We did make it to the top however, and tried to imagine the castle in its heydays, when the Anne river was fully navigable, and later in less favorable times, when it was besieged by Cromwellian soldiers.
We discovered a small medieval graveyard and parish church, the whole staircase of the church having collapsed spectacularly in one block.
For more pictures, visit our Facebook page
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