Call goes out for former Portlaw tannery workers
Portlaw Tannery closed in 1985 and a special event will take place in the village on August 23
Portlaw Heritage Centre will be open over the remainder of Heritage Week - which runs until August 24, having begun on August 16. - and is encouraging people who worked in the Portlaw Tannery to get in touch.
The theme of this year's Heritage Week initiative is 'Exporing our Foundations' and Portlaw Heritage Centre is focusing attention on exploring the development of Portlaw - Ireland's most spectacular Model Industrial Village.
One of those involved with the centre commented on the theme to Waterford News & Star and said: "We are lucky with the rich history we share spanning two centuries. For us, those foundations consist of two different industries; a built heritage and the people who worked and lived in the village."
The Centre will be open to visit on the following dates and times: Wednesday, August 20 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm; Friday, August 22, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and Saturday, August 23, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
"While we remember the start of the Cotton Mill in 1825, we also mark the 40th anniversary of the closure of the tannery in 1985," said the Heritage Centre spokesperson.
"We welcome any former workers from the tannery period to call in and share stories and view photographs on Saturday, August 23, as we start to record memories of the different departments and those of us who were lucky enough to spend a part of our working life within its gates," he said.
"We also finish the week with a walk through the village on Sunday, August 24, at 2pm as we explore the foundations of our modern village, taking in the social and industrial landscapes," he added.
The Heritage Centre will be open after the walk.
"Why not take the time to come along and join us, all events are free," said the spokesperson.
