Waterford County Museum
Volunteer-run local history museum in the old Town Hall of Dungarvan with free entry and collections on County Waterford’s people, industries and revolutionary years.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Waterford County Museum grew out of an idea of the Dungarvan branch of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, and the first museum committee was formed in 1982. The collection was first shown in a former market house and wine store on Main Street, which also held the library and tourist office. In 1999 it moved to the Town Hall on St Augustine Street, a former grain store and public building, and it reopened there in 2009 after renovation with larger displays.
The museum is run by the Waterford County Museum Society, a voluntary registered charity, with staff supplied through a community employment scheme and a part-time curator. The exhibition space is leased from Waterford City and County Council. The society collects, catalogues and displays objects that reflect the history of County Waterford, organises a programme of winter and spring talks, and publishes articles and a large image archive on its website.
The displays cover the revolutionary years from 1916 to the Civil War, industries such as the Portlaw cotton factory, woollen mills and Waterford Crystal, the great estates of the county, early photography, painting, sport and the First World War. Replica objects and short films are used for school and group visits.
Highlights
- Objects from 1916, the War of Independence and the Civil War, including medals and personal items
- Business and industry: Portlaw cotton, woollen mills, Waterford Crystal and local breweries
- The Big House: paintings, maps and photographs of Lismore Castle, Curraghmore and other estates
- Early photographs of Dungarvan and the story of Waterford’s first art society
- Free entry in a historic Town Hall building
Permanent exhibition
- County Waterford collections – Displays on the revolutionary years 1916 to 1923, business and industry, the big houses of the county, photography, painting, sport and the First World War.
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Waterford County Museum Society
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | free per personGuided tours for schools and groups are free but must be booked in advance. |
|---|
Admission is free. The museum relies on voluntary effort and donations from the public. Annual membership of the society costs €15.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
- Hands-on stations
Replica objects can be handled during school and group visits.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the Old Town Hall on St Augustine Street in the centre of Dungarvan.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 40 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for schools and groups must be booked through the form on the website, last about 40 minutes and can be tailored to a theme; about 20 people is recommended as a maximum. Replica items can be handled and short films explain how some objects worked. |
