Waterford Treasures is a group of museums in and related to the city of Waterford in Ireland. It consists of four entities branded as museums (the Medieval Museum, Irish Silver Museum, Irish Museum of Time, Irish Wake Museum) and a historic building, the former Bishop's Palace, all located in adjacent, and another historic building, Reginald's Tower, which contains the Waterford Viking Museum. All these are located in the Viking Triangle.[1] The collections includes the 14th Century Waterford Charter Roll. Associated with Waterford Treasures are a cafe, and the Epic Walking Tour and the King of the Vikings Virtual Reality Adventure.
 | |
 Reginald's Tower | |
  Location within Ireland | |
| Established | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Location | The Mall, Waterford, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°15′36″N 7°06′24″W / 52.259996°N 7.106542°W |
| Type | history museum |
| Public transit access | The Mall bus stop (Bus Éireann routes 601, 603, 605) |
| Nearest parking | Bolton Street |
| Website | waterfordtreasures |
Constituent museums and buildings
editMedieval Museum
editThe Medieval Museum includes two medieval chambers, the 13th century Choristers’ Hall and the 15th century Mayor's Wine Vault. It also contains the only surviving piece of clothing worn by Henry VIII, a cap of maintenance. This was awarded to the Mayor of Waterford, along with a bearing sword, in 1536.
Irish Museum of Time
editThe Irish Museum of Time, a museum of clocks, opened on 14 June 2021.[2]
Irish Silver Museum
editThe Irish Silver Museum opened on 24 June 2021.[3]
Irish Wake Museum
editThe Irish Wake Museum, a museum focusing on the death and wake, opened on 15 June 2023.[4]
Bishop's Palace
edit
The Bishop's Palace is a 250-year-old Georgian structure and contains artifacts dating from 17th century Waterford to the present day. The Anglo-German architect Richard Cassels initially designed the Bishop's Palace, which was constructed in 1741.[5] However, construction was completed by the architect John Roberts.[5] The museum was originally the residence of the Church of Ireland Bishop of Waterford.[6]
The museum tells the story of Waterford from 1700 to the 1970s and contains the only surviving Bonaparte 'mourning cross' which was one of 12 produced upon Napoleon Bonaparte's death in 1821.[7]
The oldest surviving piece of Waterford Crystal, a Penrose decanter, is also on exhibition which dates back to 1789.[8]
The top floor of the building is dedicated to stories specific to Waterford's history, such as Ballybricken's pig markets, Waterford's Home Rule story, some exhibits on Waterford during the First World War, the War of Independence in Waterford, childhood and household living in Waterford.[9]
Reginald's Tower (with Viking Museum)
editReginald's Tower is the oldest building in civic use in Ireland and is said to date from 1003 A.D. The Viking Museum contains a volume of artifacts.[10]
Other attractions
editWaterford Treasures runs the King of the Vikings Virtual Reality Adventure at the French Church.[11] It also provides the Epic Walking Tour, a guided walk around the Viking Triangle.[12] There is also a cafe.[citation needed]
Awards
editWaterford Treasures has received several awards,[13] including a nomination in the international category of the 2013 "Museums and Heritage Awards".[14]
References
edit- ^ Lonergan, Lili (12 June 2024). "Waterford Treasures set to celebrate 25 years with a 'Viking Party'". www.waterfordlive.ie. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Museum of Time opens in - Ima". Irish Museums Association. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Irish Silver Museum is officially opened in Waterford". Visit Waterford. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Irish Wake Museum opens in Waterford". Irish Independent. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ a b "The Palace, Cathedral Square, The Mall, Waterford City, Waterford, Waterford". Buildings of Ireland. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "Bishop's Palace | Waterford Treasures". Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Napoleon Mourning Cross". Waterford Treasures. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- ^ "The 1789 Penrose Wine Decanter on display in the Bishop's Palace | Waterford Treasures". 8 November 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Visit The Bishop's Palace Museum with Discover Ireland". Discover Ireland.
- ^ "Reginald's Tower". discoverireland.ie. Discover Ireland. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "King of the Vikings | Waterford Treasures". Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Epic Tour of the Viking Triangle - Guided Walking Tour! | Waterford Treasures". 8 May 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "About - Awards at Waterford Museum of Treasures". waterfordtreasures.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2015.
- ^ "Blog - Waterford Museum of Treasures Nominated for Museums & Heritage Award". zolkc.com. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
External links
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