My first season of herring fishing 1983

by | Nov 18, 2016 | Ballyhack, Fishing Heritage

I’d imagine that for as long as humans have lived in the harbour of Waterford, men and women have gone to fish.  Perhaps one of the most common and dependable species was the Herring.  My first experience of the fishery was as a boy washing fish boxes and...

Naming the harbour

by | Nov 11, 2016 | Waterford History

Waterford harbour, hasn’t always be known as such. Historically there have been several names, some of them very colourful and descriptive. Of course many others must be lost to us in the pre-history of the nation. Patrick Power in his History of Waterford, City...

Echoes of medieval fishing in Waterford harbour

by | Nov 4, 2016 | Fishing Heritage

As a child growing up in Cheekpoint, there were a number of curious features off the main quay known as Eel boxes.  The Eels which were fished from the village were placed into the boxes to be kept alive, and when the buyers came the eels were removed, weighed...
The Woodstown “Scotch” fishing weir

The Woodstown “Scotch” fishing weir

by | Oct 28, 2016 | Fishing Heritage

In the early decades of the 19th century, traditional fishing methods were turned on its head with the introduction of the Scotch Weir to Ireland.  The origins are confirmed by the name, and the method of fishing is typified by what remains of the Woodstown weir near...