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
Salt Water Tidal Mill at Halfway House
Introduction While last week we explored the origins of the placename, geographic location and the pub at Halfway House, this week I wanted to highlight two water mills that are on the site; the later Brook Lodge Mill, visable from the road, and a much earlier salt...
Submission to the Marine Protected Areas Network consultation
In an effort to have my say into the recent consultation on the expansion of Marine Protected Areas I drew on my own bitter experience of how the political system can treat those communities that lack political power. My fear about the expansion (although I welcome...
Halfway House and Jack Meades Pub
Halfway House For this year's Heritage Week event, and specifically Water Heritage Day I wanted to showcase a unique water-related site at the popular bar and restaurant known now as Jack Meades, but previously it was more commonly called Halfway House. Over the next...
An American millionaire sails into Waterford Harbour
Although in this day and age, multi millionaires look to the sky for their thrills, there was a time when they looked to the sea. One such example was an American millionaire named Howard Gould, who dropped anchor aboard his magnificent yacht Niagra at Passage East in...
The Italian Salvage Job – Dunmore East 1935-37
A recent email from Donie Brazil with an image from Dunmore of a steamship caused a fair amount of research on my part. Donie had an image from his aunt's collection of a ship tied up at the East Pier in Dunmore, which could have easily been dismissed as a large...
Mail Packet Milepost at Cheekpoint
Anyone walking or driving in Cheekpoint village, or indeed anyone entering the village park via the main gates will pass a very plain and unassuming piece of limestone. Plain as it is, it is a remarkable piece of Irish maritime history, for it is one of the last...