Open Days for new permanent Maritime Gallery in Waterford commence this weekend

The Port of Waterford and Waterford Treasures will be unveiling a new permanent Maritime Gallery celebrating Waterford’s rich seafaring heritage.

The gallery will explore the city and county’s deep and enduring relationship with the sea, from shipbuilding and global trade to migration, fishing, and life along the river.

It will highlight the people whose lives and livelihoods were shaped by the port over centuries, through artefacts, photographs, documents, and personal stories.

The gallery will celebrate the legacy of shipyards such as Neptune Ironworks, White’s Shipyard and the Penrose Shipyard, and honour the generations of workers who helped shape Waterford into a global port city.

As part of the development of the gallery, members of the public are invited to take part in a series of open days throughout May.

Visitors are encouraged to bring along items of maritime interest and share personal stories.

A special appeal is also being made for the return or loan of a historic diving helmet from the Waterford dredger SS Portláirge, believed to be in private hands, which would form a striking centrepiece for the new gallery.

The first open day takes place this Saturday (May 9), from 11am to 4pm, at the Medieval Museum.

On Sunday May 10, an open day takes place at Fisherman’s Hall, Dunmore East, from 2pm to 6pm.

Entry is free.