Comhairle Cathrach Phort Lairge Waterford City Council
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COMHAIRLE CATHRACH PHORT LAIRGE WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL The Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society and the editor of DECIES gratefully acknowledge the generous sponsorship of Waterford City Council towards the publication costs of this journal. COMHAIRLE CONTAE PHORT LAIRGE WATERFORD COUNTY COUNCIL The Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society and the editor of DECIES gratefully acknowledge the generous sponsorship of Waterford County Council towards the publica- tion costs of this journal. Cover Illustrations Frorzt Cover: Signed lithograph of Thomas Francis Meagher by Edwin Hayes, one of a series that Meagher signed and presented to his friends while in prison following the 1848 Rebellion. Courtesy, Waterford Museum of Treasures. Back Cover: Viking sword and decorated weight found at Woodstown during archaeological excavations in advance of construction of the N25 Waterford Bypass. Courtesy, Waterford Museum of Treasures. ISSN 1393-3116 Published by The Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society Printed by Naas Printing Ltd., Naas, Co. Kildare (045-872092). Decies 65 PAGE Editorial ........................................................................................................................ vii List of Contributors ....................................................................................................... ix The Dungarvan Valley Caves Project: Second Interim Report Cdilin 0 ~risceoil,Richard Jennings ........................................................................... 1 Copper Coin of the Roman Emperor Gallienus (253-268 AD), Found at Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford Michael Kerzny ............................................................................................................. 25 The Irish Order of St. Thomas the Martyr of Acre Niall Byrne .................................................................................................................... 27 Samuel Barker's Waterford City Garden: Lord Chief Baron Willies Description of 1760 William Fruher ............................................................................................................. 55 Meagher to Leonard July, 1849. Thomas Francis Meagher's Last Letter Written in Ireland and Some New Information Pertaining to the Origins of the Irish Tricolour John M. Hearne ............................................................................................................ 59 Cemetery of St. Patrick's Hospital Belmont Park, Gravestone Inscriptions Janzes Walsh, Martin Gulzarz ......................................................................................... 67 William M. Glynn (Liam Mac Fhloinn): Quaker, Liberal and Gaeilgeoir Leslie Matson ................................................................................................................ 75 When Waterford Declared St. Patrick's Day a 'National Holiday' .............................. 107 The Boycott at Fethard-on-Sea, County Wexford, 1957 Eugene Broderick .......................................................................................................... 1 1 1 Book Reviews ................................................................................................................ 161 Constitution of the Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society ......................... 165 Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society Membership 2009 .......................... 169 OFFICERS Chairman: Dr. Niall Byrne, 'Auburn', John's Hill, Waterford Vice-chairman: Ben Murtagh, Primrose Hill, Threecastles, Co. Kilkenny. Hon. Secretary: BCatrice Payet, 5 Doyle Street, Waterford. Hon. Treasurer: Tony Gunning, 7 Ballinakill Vale, Waterford. Hon. Editor: Donnchadh 0 Ceallachiiin, 5 Doyle Street, Waterford. P.R.O.: Partick Grogan, 41 Summerville Avenue, Waterford. COMMITTEE Dr. Eugene Broderick ex officio William Condon Fergus Dillon George Kavanagh Michael Maher Eileen O'Connor Seamus Reale Eddie Synnott James Walsh All original contributions are the copyright of the contributors. The views expressed by each contrib- utor are not necessarily those of the Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society, the Editor, or of the Editorial Committee. Hon. Editor: Donnchadh 0 Ceallachgin Editorial Committee: Niall Byrne (ex-officio),Ben Murtagh, BCatrice Payet, Eddie Synnott. Decies 65 As the world recession bites deeper into the Irish economy, our tourist industry achieves ever greater importance. Two things that Ireland has to sell in abundance are scenery and history, and the southeast has plenty of both.. (Decies 46 Autumn 1992) In light of the economic downturn in Ireland over the past twelve months it is worth quoting the opening words of the editorial written by Julian Walton seven- teen years ago when this country was in the throes of an earlier recession. However, it is heartening to remember that it was during these long years of eco- nomic stagnation from the 1970s to the early 1990s that a number of significant projects capitalizing on our rich history and heritage were completed, albeit with some opposition from certain quarters complaining at a perceived waste of money in difficult times. Among these we can include the establishment of the Waterford Heritage Genealogy Centre, Jenkin's Lane in the city, the opening of Waterford Museum of Treasures in 1999, the establishment of Waterford County Museum in Dungarvan and the development of the Copper Coast Geo Park. The historic city walls and towers were conserved, including Reginald's Tower and the Beach Tower (financed by Waterford Civic Trust). Professional archivists were appointed by Waterford City and County Councils and significant advances were made by both local authorities in developing local studies centres as part of the library service. It was also during the 1980s and 1990s that major archaeological excavations were carried out in Waterford city centre resulting in the publication by Waterford City Council of Late Viking Age and Medieval Waterford: Excavations 1986-1992 edit- ed by Orla Scully and Maurice Hurley, recognised as one of the most important scholarly works on urban archaeology in the country. Now as the storm clouds of economic depression gather once more nobody would deny the importance of tourism as one of the main drivers of economic regeneration in the country and it is recognised that heritage tourism is a major part of this industry. Over the coming years the heritage tourist sector especially will play a major role in the continuing economic development of the region and a number of innovative iconic heritage projects have either been completed or are in the advanced planning stage. In March 2009 the recently renovated Waterford County Museum, dedicated to preserving the history of Dungarvan and West Waterford was opened by the Director of the National Museum of Ireland Dr Pat Wallace who in the course of his address paid tribute to the various agencies involved in providing funding for the museum including Waterford County Council. The announcement in October by Waterford City Council that the first phase of the Viking Triangle Project, involving the renovation of the Bishop's Palace on the Mall as a museum is to begin shortly is also to be welcomed. The initial pro- gramme of works, incorporating the newly-renovated Theatre Royal, the eigh- teenth-century Christ Church Cathedral and the medieval Franciscan Friary will vii Decies 65 also see the medieval undercrofts at the top of Bailey's New Street opened to the general public for the first time. As well as that there are plans to relocate the Waterford Crystal factory to the city centre in conjunction with the development of the Viking Triangle. The crystal complex will be located in the old bonded warehouses in Bolton Street, one of hid- den architectural gems of Waterford and which until recently were used as city council stores, together with a nearby retail emporium and visitor centre on the Mall thus ensuring the survival of the manufacturing of the product which has made Waterford world famous. This iconic craft industry has been of enormous importance in attracting visitors to the region in the past and recent developments have ensured that Waterford city and county and the whole of the southeast will continue to benefit from the iconic brand name of Waterford. While there is still much to be done from a heritage point of view, recent devel- opments must be a source of hope and Waterford City Council is to be commended for these bold initiatives. No longer is heritage a dirty work. Not only is it part of a past we can be proud of it is also the key to our future. To quote again the words of Julian Walton in 1992, Two things that Ireland has to sell in abundance are scenery and histo- ry, and the southeast has plenty of both.. Ba bhrea liom rno bhuiochas a ghabhjil le gach Cinne a chabhraigh lion1 iris na bliana soe a fhoilsi6 - coiste an chumainn, an coiste eagarthbireachta agus go hairithe 6dair na n-alt. Eddie Synnott who typeset the journal and scanned the images once again deserves the gratitude of the society. I would like to point out to intending contributors that the final deadline for the submission of articles for Decies 66 (2010) is 1 May 2010. Articles received after that date will be held over for publication in the following year's journal. Decies 65 List of Contributors Eugene Broderick has MA and PhD degrees from University College, Cork. He is Principal of Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Waterford. Niall Byrne was reared in Tramore, Co. Waterford and was educated