Waterford's Portlaw Heritage Centre launches series of walks
Portlaw's first heritage walk took place on June 8. Photo: Frank Cullinane
Portlaw Heritage Centre started the first of a series of walks exploring the rich social and industrial history of Portlaw village on Sunday, June 8.
The end of April marked the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the business enterprise known as the Cotton Mill, which would eventually see the growth of the village of Portlaw as we know it and become Ireland’s first 'Model Industrial Town'.
The walk began at the Square, taking about one hour to complete.
Ger Crotty of the Portlaw Heritage Centre conducted the walking tour and gave a very in-depth talk on the Malcomson’s industrial impact on the town and surrounding areas.
Ger spoke about the Cotton Mill, which lasted fifty years, closeing in 1876, and the following decade, the Portlaw Tannery, which closed in 1985 after fifty years.
