Tides & Tales
Tides & 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 Chair is Breda Murphy, Secretary, Damien McLellan and Treasurer is Eoghan Hegarty.
Our Vision
Heritage Preserved, Opportunities Created
Our Mission
To foster understanding, appreciation and care for the unique culture and natural environment of the Three Sister Rivers by researching, documenting and promoting the stories, traditions, trades and river craft of the communities where the rivers meet the sea
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
The ‘Dunmore’ Steamers: SS Creaden and SS Ardnamult
David Carroll guest post Malcomson legacy Waterford’s maritime history remains intrinsically linked with the Malcomson family. Had the Malcomson conglomerate of enterprises, which included ship owning and building, continued to prosper, one can only speculate as to...
Cymric: A brave but unlucky ship
“Tram and Ship Collide” “A tramcar and a schooner came into collision in Dublin yesterday. The tram was crossing Victoria drawbridge on the Ringsend line while a three masted schooner was being berthed in the Grand Canal Company basin, which is spanned by the...
Tempo lost at Hook Head
On a beautiful spring morning, we took a trip out to Hook Head. Rather than visit the lighthouse, however, I was keen to do a short video of the maritime exhibition. It sounded like a good plan during mid-week, but as it was Easter break, the place was hopping. I did...
Row Boat Rambles 2026
The old family fishing punt really opens up the rivers to us. A timber punt - Larch planked on oak frames, the punt was originally a prong, a flat-bottomed keelless craft which could slide along the local mudflats. But it was converted sometime in the 20 th C and so...
Arklow Shipping to Sponsor Tides & Tales
The Board of Tides & Tales Maritime Community Project CLG is proud to announce a funding sponsorship with Ireland's Arklow Shipping. Announcing the 3-year deal, which will provide modest funding and management mentoring expertise to the project, James Alexander...
Lough Fisher – Another Waterford Shipping Disaster
On March 30th 1918, a small steamer was chugging along the southern Irish coast. Of the thirteen souls aboard, eleven crew and two naval gunners, eight were from or living in the port city of Waterford. All would die that night, within sight of their homeland. Another...