This year’s Heritage Week event which runs from 17 – 25 August 2024 is titled Connections, Routes and Networks. The theme invites us to explore how we are connected through physical or cultural connections.

Tides and Tales Maritime Community Project will mark this theme with an event titled Cheekpoint – A Community of the Tides.

An image from last years Heritage Week event where we took a moment to discuss the importance of shipping at Moran’s Poles on Ryan’s Shore.

Our event takes place on Sunday 25th August – Water Heritage Day. We will focus on the unique relationship between the Cheekpoint community and the tidal rivers and river communities along its banks.

It includes a guided walk with tea and chat after in the local hall where a photographic exhibition will underline the walk theme. It will also include a short presentation on a new website being developed with the assistance of the Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant 2024.

Walk guest speakers

Ray McGrath – Tides, an overview
Marina Mulligan, Biodiversity Officer, Waterford City & County Council
Pat Moran – Tripping off a punt on the shore
Breda Murphy – Cockle Pickers utilised the tides
William Doherty – Memories of the Castle Weir
Myra Heffernan – Poetic reflection on the village

Cheekpoint is a traditional fishing community at the meeting of the Three Sister rivers; Barrow, Nore & Suir. Below Cheekpoint the rivers spread out into a broad coastal estuary. For generations, the daily flow of the tides governed the way of life of fishermen, sailors, pilots, boatmen and locals alike. It was a vital employer, a means of transport and leisure activities.

The promotional poster is now available on our social media channels.

This event will showcase this connection and offer insight into the tidal rhythm’s importance to the community and how it shaped and created a unique identity, not just in Cheekpoint but throughout the estuary and river-based communities.

The Tides & Tales Maritime Community Project hosts this event, which is open to all. The Reading Room at the Cross Roads, Cheekpoint, will open at 12 noon, the walk will take place at 1 p.m., and some light refreshments will be offered later. The exhibition will be open until 5 p.m.

Schedule of the day

12 noon: The exhibition will open in the Reading Room Cross Roads, Cheekpoint.
1pm: The walk will leave from there about 2 hrs approx
3pm: tea and refreshments served
4pm: Presentation by committee on the new website
5pm: day closes

This project is partly funded by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) under the Community Water Development Fund 2024 and organised as part of Heritage Week 2024

There are lots of fascinating maritime events this year. One I won’t want to miss is with Ralph O’ Callaghan and Brian White who will look at the cultural, natural and built heritage of the Suir Blueway on Saturday 17th August. And of course my good pal Myles Courtney delivers a talk and walk on the River Barrow and New Ross too. At the time of writing there are 21 events in Waterford listed, guessing there will be more closer to the time.

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