Tue, 20 Jan, 2026 - 20:05

Step back in Déise time: Kate Bush visits 'home' in Dungarvan and more images from Waterford's past

"I am honoured and delighted for the sixth Christmas to present to you more of Waterford’s amazing history in living colour"
Step back in Déise time: Kate Bush visits 'home' in Dungarvan and more images from Waterford's past

1978, Kate Bush with her Waterford Mammy Legendary musician Kate Bush sits with her mother, Hannah Daly, brothers Paddy and John and family dog in 1978. Bush’s mother hailed from a farm near Dungarvan, Co. Waterford and was part of a deeply musical Irish family, influencing Kate's artistic roots.

with Ian Hannigan

Hello Festive Stars!

I hope you all enjoyed my first book Timeless Colours Waterford from Merrion Press, which was released in the run-up to Christmas last year! There may be something new brewing for next Christmas. I can’t say a lot more yet, but I’ll give you a cryptic wee ‘Och aye, Jimmy’ and leave you all guessing!

1984, John Treacy's Silver Waterford sporting legend celebrates his famous marathon silver medal win at the LA Olympics. There are some sports people who just stand out, not only for their wins but for their courage, talent and total determination not to give up and John Treacy was one.
1984, John Treacy's Silver Waterford sporting legend celebrates his famous marathon silver medal win at the LA Olympics. There are some sports people who just stand out, not only for their wins but for their courage, talent and total determination not to give up and John Treacy was one.

For this year, I am honoured and delighted for the sixth Christmas to present to you more of Waterford’s amazing history in living colour.

c1940, T&H Doolan’s T & H Doolan corner on Great George’s Street stands at the heart of history, with its back wall incorporating remnants of the ancient Anglo-Norman city walls. It was once owned by Liam Clancy of the Clancy Brothers. In the 1980s, thanks to Joe Falvey, the iconic tavern hosted some of the earliest performances of a 16-year-old unknown Sinead O’Connor…and the rest, as they say, is music history!
c1940, T&H Doolan’s T & H Doolan corner on Great George’s Street stands at the heart of history, with its back wall incorporating remnants of the ancient Anglo-Norman city walls. It was once owned by Liam Clancy of the Clancy Brothers. In the 1980s, thanks to Joe Falvey, the iconic tavern hosted some of the earliest performances of a 16-year-old unknown Sinead O’Connor…and the rest, as they say, is music history!

I hope you enjoy the images and I [hope] you all [had] a timeless, white and blue Waterford Christmas with your friends and family, and a bright colourful New Year and 2026!

c1890, Window Shoppers Waterford's busy Barronstrand Street snapped by the legendary Robert French. Window shoppers admire the wares, the Catholic Cathedral, designed by Honest John Roberts, looms large behind, while the Clock Tower quietly marks minutes, now long-since passed. Funny how some things have changed so much, but other things haven’t changed at all.
c1890, Window Shoppers Waterford's busy Barronstrand Street snapped by the legendary Robert French. Window shoppers admire the wares, the Catholic Cathedral, designed by Honest John Roberts, looms large behind, while the Clock Tower quietly marks minutes, now long-since passed. Funny how some things have changed so much, but other things haven’t changed at all.

1939, Irish Women Workers Union Captured by A.H. Poole, the group of eight from the IWW (led by Louie Bennett) taken 17 years after independence shows that women — despite the obstacles — were struggling hard to exert their influence. Taken at number 48 Fleet Street in the centre of Dublin these particular ladies look like they mean business.
1939, Irish Women Workers Union Captured by A.H. Poole, the group of eight from the IWW (led by Louie Bennett) taken 17 years after independence shows that women — despite the obstacles — were struggling hard to exert their influence. Taken at number 48 Fleet Street in the centre of Dublin these particular ladies look like they mean business.

1947, Rebirth of Waterford Glass After almost a century of dormancy, Chief Designer Miroslav Havel, front centre in white coat, who was hired by Kael Bacik, led a young team including engraver Tommy Wall (back right) and Tommy Caulfield (front left) and Danny Byrne (back left). In these early days, the foundations were laid for global acclaim.
1947, Rebirth of Waterford Glass After almost a century of dormancy, Chief Designer Miroslav Havel, front centre in white coat, who was hired by Kael Bacik, led a young team including engraver Tommy Wall (back right) and Tommy Caulfield (front left) and Danny Byrne (back left). In these early days, the foundations were laid for global acclaim.

1915, Up in Smoke Friday, April 2, 1915, a devastating fire tore through Hearne & Co.’s department store and the Granville Hotel on Meagher’s Quay, Waterford. The buildings were gutted, but luckily all occupants escaped safely with help from the Fire Brigade. Rebuilt by the Hearne’s, the hotel later closed in 1973 before being restored and reopened in 1980 by Liam and Ann Cusack.
1915, Up in Smoke Friday, April 2, 1915, a devastating fire tore through Hearne & Co.’s department store and the Granville Hotel on Meagher’s Quay, Waterford. The buildings were gutted, but luckily all occupants escaped safely with help from the Fire Brigade. Rebuilt by the Hearne’s, the hotel later closed in 1973 before being restored and reopened in 1980 by Liam and Ann Cusack.

1959, Home with Liam Christy & Nancy Walsh, with children Margaret, Maria and David, with Frankie Walsh, Captain of Waterford's 1959 All Ireland Hurling Winning Team, posing proudly with the Liam MacCarthy Cup – local pride and national glory, looking especially good all dressed in Waterford's white & blue. Photo: Annie Brophy
1959, Home with Liam Christy & Nancy Walsh, with children Margaret, Maria and David, with Frankie Walsh, Captain of Waterford's 1959 All Ireland Hurling Winning Team, posing proudly with the Liam MacCarthy Cup – local pride and national glory, looking especially good all dressed in Waterford's white & blue. Photo: Annie Brophy

1959, Pat Fanning raises the arm of captain Frankie Walsh Pat Fanning raises the hand of a youthful captain Frankie Walsh and his even younger clubmate, county colleague and great friend, Larry Guinan, sharing the moment of their reaching the promised land... a wonderful sporting odyssey, which has its zenith beneath the Hogan Stand on an October Sunday in '59!
1959, Pat Fanning raises the arm of captain Frankie Walsh Pat Fanning raises the hand of a youthful captain Frankie Walsh and his even younger clubmate, county colleague and great friend, Larry Guinan, sharing the moment of their reaching the promised land... a wonderful sporting odyssey, which has its zenith beneath the Hogan Stand on an October Sunday in '59!

1960s, Barrack Street under Snow A serene winter scene on Barrack Street in Waterford City, before the traffic lights were installed. I love the old telephone box standing there, a relic of simpler times, when the late Skinny Fanning sold fresh mackerel on Saturday mornings.
1960s, Barrack Street under Snow A serene winter scene on Barrack Street in Waterford City, before the traffic lights were installed. I love the old telephone box standing there, a relic of simpler times, when the late Skinny Fanning sold fresh mackerel on Saturday mornings.

1978, Kate Bush with her Waterford Mammy Legendary musician Kate Bush sits with her mother, Hannah Daly, brothers Paddy and John and family dog in 1978. Bush’s mother hailed from a farm near Dungarvan, Co. Waterford and was part of a deeply musical Irish family, influencing Kate's artistic roots.
1978, Kate Bush with her Waterford Mammy Legendary musician Kate Bush sits with her mother, Hannah Daly, brothers Paddy and John and family dog in 1978. Bush’s mother hailed from a farm near Dungarvan, Co. Waterford and was part of a deeply musical Irish family, influencing Kate's artistic roots.

1967, Christmas on Ballybricken Freddie Kervick stands proudly with his delivery of Christmas trees on Ballybricken, Waterford, surrounded by families eager to bring home their festive centrepiece. A great sense of community spirit in 1960s Waterford, with the Denny's chimney visible in the background, birthplace of the humble yet all-powerful rasher.
1967, Christmas on Ballybricken Freddie Kervick stands proudly with his delivery of Christmas trees on Ballybricken, Waterford, surrounded by families eager to bring home their festive centrepiece. A great sense of community spirit in 1960s Waterford, with the Denny's chimney visible in the background, birthplace of the humble yet all-powerful rasher.

1980s, Philly over the Bar Waterford hurling legend Philly Grimes pictured at his own bar in 1980’s Waterford. A celebrated local establishment, the bar became synonymous with his name and warm hospitality, blending sport and community. Grimes, who was a regular member of the starting 15, won two All-Ireland medals, three Munster medals and one National Hurling League medal on the field of play. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.
1980s, Philly over the Bar Waterford hurling legend Philly Grimes pictured at his own bar in 1980’s Waterford. A celebrated local establishment, the bar became synonymous with his name and warm hospitality, blending sport and community. Grimes, who was a regular member of the starting 15, won two All-Ireland medals, three Munster medals and one National Hurling League medal on the field of play. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.

2002, Anna as Nanna Anna Manahan (1924–2009) is pictured as Nanna in Druid Theatre's production of John B. Keane's "Sive". The Waterford-born acting legend, earned a Tony Award and acclaim on stage and screen over her 60-year career. She brought Irish stories to life, interpreting greats like John B. Keane, Martin McDonagh, and Brian Friel.
2002, Anna as Nanna Anna Manahan (1924–2009) is pictured as Nanna in Druid Theatre's production of John B. Keane's "Sive". The Waterford-born acting legend, earned a Tony Award and acclaim on stage and screen over her 60-year career. She brought Irish stories to life, interpreting greats like John B. Keane, Martin McDonagh, and Brian Friel.

1921, Runaway Girl Mr. Murray's theatrical group all dressed up in colourful costumes for the play ‘The Runaway Girl’, pictured at the rear of City Hall’s Theatre Royal on The Mall in Waterford on December 11, 1921.
1921, Runaway Girl Mr. Murray's theatrical group all dressed up in colourful costumes for the play ‘The Runaway Girl’, pictured at the rear of City Hall’s Theatre Royal on The Mall in Waterford on December 11, 1921.

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<p> Pictured at the CTI Parnell Street, for the 2000 Student of the Year Awards, are Beauty Therapy students, Vanessa Casey, Louise O'Keeffe and Annette O'Neill.</p>

In Photos: Looking back on Waterford in the year 2000

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