Waterford's transported convict women honoured by Australian Ambassador
The Waterford group was delighted to be invited to the Australian Ambassadors residence.
Two representatives from Waterford were deeply honoured recently to represent Waterford’s Convict Transported Women at a special special reception held at the Australian Ambassador’s private residence, Abbey Lea, in Dublin.
A spokesperson for the local group commented: "We sincerely thank Ambassador Chanelle Taylor for inviting us to share in and celebrate the enduring friendship and special connection between Australia and Ireland."
"It was a privilege to witness the official opening address of the Garden of Irish Roses (Gairdin Rosanna na hEireann), by Her Excellency the Honorable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia," said the spokesperson.
Bonnets displayed at the event formed part of the worldwide 'Roses from the Heart' memorial project, founded by Dr. Christina Henri in Tasmania.
Each bonnet represents a woman sentenced to transportation from Ireland to the Australian colonies, creating a powerful symbol of remembrance for women whose stories were often lost to history.
Established in 2023, Waterford’s Transported Convict Women, A Herstory has taken this memorial work a step further by researching and documenting the lives of women born in, or sentenced in, Waterford City and County who were transported to Ven Diemen’s Land and New South Wales.
Through detailed historical research, the group is working to ensure these women’s experiences are shared with future generations.
A significant partnership with South East Technological University (SETU) Library, led by the group’s Chair, Kieran Cronin, Head of Special Collections, Heritage and Outreach, together with the Digital Repository of Ireland and Dr. Christina Henri’s Roses from the Heart project, has enabled the bonnets and the stories to be digitally preserved and made accessible to a worldwide audience for the first time.
"Each bonnet brings together original historical records with family histories and generously shared by descendants in Australia," said the spokesperson.
"Together, these sources restore the voices and dignity of women whose lives and contributions have too often been overlooked," she added.
It's estimated that around 23% of Australians can trace part of their ancestry to Irish convict heritage.
"Their legacy continues not only through their descendants but also through the cultural ties that connect Ireland and Australia," said the spokesperso.
In 1949 alone, 27 women from Waterford were transported to the Australian colonies, with 10 travelling together aboard the convict ship, Australasia.
"Their journeys form part of a wider story of resilience, hardship, survival and the enduring bonds between two nations," said the spokesperson.
