PICTURES: Exploring Waterford City's Late Medieval Defences with Ben Murtagh

Exploring Waterford City's Late Medieval Defences

Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society

Exploring Waterford City’s Late Medieval Defences

Thursday 10th August 2017

Our walk will focus on the archaeology and defences of the medieval city suburb of St. John’s. WAHS has been given access to St Martin's Gate, the principal entry point to the medieval city from the southwest, this site is not normally open to the public. On the walk we will also encounter many other upstanding remains that have survived in this historic City quarter, including the medieval John's Bridge and the remains of John's Gate, the city wall and a number of its impressive towers, the sites of St Stephen’s Church and the Leper House and the Elizabethan Aylward House. Our guide Ben Murtagh will not only explain the significance of the upstanding remains but will also reveal what has been learnt about the development of the medieval city from a number of archaeological excavations that have been carried out in this part of Waterford over the past three decades.

Meeting place: Apple Market, under the new canopy (opposite Babycare)

Time: 7 pm

Cost: Members free, non-members €5.00

The Irish Constitution 1937-2017 - A National Conference on Bunreacht na hÉireann, Waterford City, Ireland – 30th June, 1st July 2017

The Irish Constitution 1937-2017

A National Conference on Bunreacht na hÉireann

Waterford City, Ireland – 30^th June, 1^st July 2017

For the Conference programme and more details, go to http://www.waterfordtreasures.com/news/waterford-treasures-international-conference-on-the-irish-constitution-1937 

Fieldtrip to Lismore

Our first Summer outing of 2017 saw members and guests making the trip to Lismore. We visited the impressive Heritage Centre and then took a walk through the Heritage Town accompanied by Alice, the knowledgeable guide from the Heritage Centre. Among the historic sights we saw were St Carthage’s Cathedral where members were impressed by the well maintained interior which contains among other treasures a 16th century chest tomb of the McGrath family and an exquisite stained glass window by the noted pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones. Other places visited were the gateway to Lismore Castle and the historic ice-houses on the Ballyduff Road. The ice-houses were originally built for the commercial salmon fishery that thrived on the River Blackwater in the 19th century, they have recently been conserved and made accessible to the public by Lismore Tidy Towns Committee in partnership with Waterford City and County Council. Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society members had a very enjoyable afternoon in Lismore and the couple of light showers didn’t dampen our members’ enthusiasm.

 

Lecture Series, September-December 2017

Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society

LECTURES & EVENTS

SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2017

Please note all lectures are held at 8pm in St. Patrick’s Gateway Centre, Patrick Street, Waterford, unless otherwise stated.

Lectures are free for members. Non-members €5.00. Students €2.50.

September 29^th, 2017 - Topic: Waterford district lunatic asylum, 1834-1922

Speaker: Mr Tony Gyves

In the 1820s and 1830s a network of district lunatic asylums was established. These were effectively Ireland’s first mental hospitals. Waterford’s district lunatic asylum was established in 1834. Mr Tony Gyve has researched the history of this significant Waterford medical facility.

October 20^th, 2017 - Topic: Medieval nunneries in Ireland

Speaker: Dr Tracy Collins

Dr Collins’ research focuses on the archaeological evidence for female monasticism in medieval Ireland, with a particular emphasis on the later medieval period. One of the most important late medieval nunneries in Ireland was Kiliculliheen in Ferrybank.

This lecture will be held in the Parnell room, Granville Hotel.

October 28^th, 2017 - Launch of Decies No. 73

In conjunction with the Imagine Arts Festival the latest volume of the Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society’s journal will be launched with two guest speakers accompanied by live music.

November 24^th, 2017 - Topic: The sinkings of the Coningbeg and Formby

Speaker: Dr Edward Bourke

A special lecture marking the centenary of the sinkings of these Waterford ships in December 1917 and the associated tragic loss of life.

November 26^th, 2017 - Annual lunch

Mulled wine reception and lunch, Tapestry Room, Granville Hotel.

Booking details will be circulated closer to the date. 

Summer Outings & Events 2017

Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society

SUMMER OUTINGS & EVENTS 2017

Sunday 11^th June – Sunday fieldtrip: Lismore Heritage Centre

Visit Lismore Heritage Centre and take a guided tour of Lismore heritage town, including the historic St Carthage’s Cathedral and the recently exposed Victorian ice-houses.

Meet at the Lismore Heritage Centre at 14:30.

Thursday 22^nd June – Evening fieldtrip: The Coastguard in Tramore

Visit to the former H.M. Coastguard Station and a guided walk with Mr. James Doherty around locations associated with the Coastguard in Tramore. This trip is a follow up to a talk given to the society by Mr Doherty in April which highlighted some of the key events in the organisation’s history.

Meet at the Coastguard Cultural Centre, Tramore at 7pm.

Sunday 16^th July – Summer outing: The Heart of Medieval Limerick and the Hunt Museums of Treasures

Guided tours of King John’s Castle and the Hunt Museum and other features of historical interest in Limerick’s historic core.

Depart at 08:30am, return at 9pm. Cost 55 euro.

Thursday 10^th August – Evening fieldtrip: Waterford’s medieval walls

A guided tour of some well-known and less well-known sections of Waterford’s late medieval walls.

Meet at the Applemarket at 7pm.

Thursday 24^th August – Evening Event: People Who Made Waterford Famous

The Society’s contribution to Heritage Week 2017. Join members of Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society who will present a miscellany of short talks about people who put Waterford on the map.

The Tapestry Room, Granville Hotel, Meagher’s Quay, Waterford at 7pm. Free event.

SUNDAY AND THURSDAY EVENING FIELDTRIPS ARE FREE TO MEMBERS.

NON-MEMBERS €5.00. 

Prof. Seamus Pender Award 2017

Prof. Seamus Pender Award 2017

At the Mount Sion Project Awards night, 6th class student James Lambert was awarded the inaugural Prof. Seamus Pender Award sponsored by the Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society.

James' project was entitled 'William Lamport is Zoro' and went in to great detail about his family connection to Lamport. A colourful and well-researched project covered the life of Lamport, the tale of Zoro and how it has been retold in film and television.

In addition to the award presented by Waterford Archaeological & Historical Society Chairman Adrian Larkin, James came first place in the overall project awards for the school. Congratulations to James for an excellent project.

Well done to all the students who took part and received prizes last night (Wednesday 26th April) for all their hard work and creativity.