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
Review of Decies 2021 – Celebrating a rich maritime tradition in Waterford
Decies is the Journal of the Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society and is published in November each year. This years edition, #76, is packed with the usual high quality content but for those with a maritime history interest, it’s a particularly rich...
My appearance on RTE Seascapes
On Friday 16th April I appeared on Seascapes, the RTÉ Radio 1 maritime programme with Fergal Keane. Fergal very kindly interviewed me about my book Waterford Harbour Tides and Tales. We covered the background to my blogging and writing, discussed the importance of...
Vaccine rollout welcomed in the Russianside
I'm delighted to be able to announce that all the residents of the Russianside, Cheekpoint, Co Waterford will receive the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 later this morning. Due to diplomatic considerations, a media blackout was insisted upon...
The Minna and the Circassian, Irish blockade runners
This month's blog comes from the pen of my cousin James and gives a fascinating glimpse into an era of history that many will have a general idea of and the Irish involvement. However, what was a surprise to me was the scale of Irish participation in the blockade...
Ardmore’s Fr O’Shea to the Rescue
A guest blog by David Carroll In 2024, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution will be celebrating two hundred years of saving lives of sea. The Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck was founded in London on March 4th, 1824 by Sir...
Waterford’s unique contribution to St Patrick’s Day
It comes as a source of pride that Waterford has made such a unique contribution to the Irish national holiday. Ireland's oldest city staged the first parade in 1903, the first year the day became an official holiday. A citizen of the city, TF Meagher, flew the first...