Tides & Tales
Tides and Tales is a community response to the loss of maritime traditions in the Waterford harbour villages, the tidal portions of the Three Sister River network, Barrow, Nore & Suir and the Waterford coastline. We focus on the maritime and fishing heritage that was once an intrinsic part of the maritime community here through research, writing and dissemination. The work is communicated via the blog, social media, books, presentations, workshops, walks and in educational settings.
Voluntary Management Committee
In December 2023 a voluntary committee was formed to seek to secure funds to offset the costs of the work which up to that point had been entirely self-financed through personal means, walks and talks. The work was and is also supported with information and images by many contributors and mentors with a deep interest in the maritime community, local history, traditions and heritage. In September 2024 we became a CLG (#772195) with a three person board.
Our Vision
To see the maritime communities of Waterford harbour and the Three Sister Rivers (Suir, Barrow and Nore) reclaim and preserve their rich historic heritage and become again vibrant places of work and opportunity for all the people.
Our Mission
To foster a deeper understanding, appreciation of the culture and economic potential of the unique location where the Three River Sisters flow to the sea through researching and promoting the stories and traditions of its people, places, trades and river craft.
Our Method:
- To raise awareness of the rich historic and cultural heritage of these communities that may not be forgotten or taken for granted.
- To research, record, document and publish the maritime stories and traditions that are in danger of being lost forever.
- To establish a working group that can support this work and put it on a more permanent basis.
- To finance a co-ordinator who can take a lead role in this work.
- To raise funds by sourcing grants and other income streams that are available and relevant to the project.
About The Management Committee:
The Management Committee is a not-for-profit group.
The aims of the Management Committee are as follows:
- Maintain and support the existing body of work.
- Examine the feasibility of identifying and establishing an appropriate formal framework to support the work.
- To develop a pilot project proposal.
- Explore funding options.
Our Values:
This project has been driven since inception by the principals of community development. It was born out of a desire to strengthen the social capital and community pride of the maritime communities of the estuary and rivers. Some specific values that guide us include:
- Awareness Raising. To raise the consciousness of what we have in terms of location, history, knowledge and skills.
- Empowerment. Seek to encourage an appreciation and respect for the traditions of this maritime community to get people engaged, excited and involved.
- Participation. Seek ways to include people of all ages in the process of researching, communicating and preserving the heritage of our community.
- Respect. Model respect and pride in our maritime traditions and those who practiced them and work to foster a shared appreciation of this in everything we do.
- Social Justice. Strive to put a focus on the issues impacting the maritime villages and communities and ensure that any benefits are directed towards these and not those already doing well.
Our Blog
Tales of the Estuary
Our local drama group in East County Waterford has just completed four sold-out shows of a play that highlighted our fishing traditions and heritage of our locality, Tales of the Estuary. Performed to warm and attentive audiences, the play was a one-hour piece that...
Barrow Railway Bridge Revived
post publication edit: This was the 2025 April 1st post! An annual tradition on the page A new tourism initiative has just been announced. It will see the Barrow Railway Bridge Revived. It will also be seen as a game-changer for the fortunes of the South West Wexford...
Mudboats
Introduction In the late 19th Century, James Otway, harbour engineer, wrote a paper for the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland. His topic was the development of the Port and Harbour of Waterford. The entire paper is a fascinating glimpse into Waterford Port...
St John’s Pill
St John's Pill Waterford's St John's Pill or St John's River is a historic landmark in the development of the city. Initially, it was a major factor in Viking settlers choosing the area for their Longphort. The marshes it drained provided a strategic defence for the...
Pilot Boat Master
Like every port in Ireland and beyond - there are rules. Many of these are standard, but others are unique and specific to a given port, primarily due to its geographic location. Waterford had many such specific rules and one category was for the Pilot Boat Master. ...
I was delighted to come across this podcast from Finn Dwyer - AKA Irish History Podcast. Its a question I am often asked. He covers it comprehensively here - although he doesn't touch on the scotch weir phenomenon. During the Great Hunger of the 1840s, one million...