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
Tides & Tales Heritage Week 2025 report
Yet again, Heritage Week continues to be one of the busiest times of the year for the project and 2025 was no different. What follows is a brief overview of the Tides & Tales Heritage Week 2025 report One significant challenge was my work schedule with the OPW as...
Shipwrecks Tramore Bay
Ivan Fitzgerald's Tramore of Yore site has some terrific articles on our local maritime past. His latest endevour is a listing of all the Shipwrecks Tramore Bay and its environs, from the 18th C onwards. I can't reblog the page (my lack of technical know how on show...
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...