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
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
Tom Barton Bovril man
Waterford’s Spraoi International Street Arts Festival transforms Ireland’s Oldest City into a giant stage where artists from around the world perform for free. Returning this weekend the events culminate with the legendary parade. The title for this years event – the...
Veale’s Brigantine Melina
Veale’s Brigantine Melina An email query about the Veale seafarers of Waterford brought me to the Waterford Museum of Time this week in search of a painting of a Waterford vessel, the Melina. In the company of Cliona Purcell and Donnchadh Ó'Ceallacháin of the Museum,...
Tides & Tales Heritage Week 2025
Tides & Tales Heritage Week 2025 will be a busy time for the project. We have had multiple offers to provide inputs at various sites, but due to work commitments, we can only deliver three events this year. Heritage Week is one of our longest-running annual...
Daytripper to East Waterford 1888
Daytripper to East Waterford in 1888 is an extract of a visitors guide to Dunmore East, Woodstown and Passage East, taken from the book: A Trip to the South of Ireland by John Otteran Downey DUNMORE EAST CO WATERFORD {9 miles mail car week days 6 am 4 pm returning to...
From oar to engine – 900 years of the Passage to Ballyhack ferry
Introduction The Passage East Car Ferry is a vital transportation link. Operating at the narrowest point of Waterford estuary, it runs between Passage East in County Waterford and Ballyhack in County Wexford, Ireland. Running since 1982, the current car ferry service...
National Lottery Good Causes Awards
We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a County Finalist in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2025 in the Heritage category. The judging panel will reconvene over the next few weeks to review all County Finalists and shortlist the...