Waterford Museum of Treasures
The Waterford Museum of Treasures (Irish: Maoin Phort Lairge) is a museum for historical artifacts associated with the city of Waterford. There are three museums in the Viking Triangle collectively known as Waterford Museum of Treasures.
Viking Museum
The Viking Museum is housed in Reginald's Tower. Reginald's Tower is the oldest building in civic use in Ireland and is said to date from 1003 A.D. The Viking Museum contains many interesting artifacts and a video screening on the top floor.[1]
Medieval Museum
The Medieval Museum includes two medieval chambers, the 13th century Choristers’ Hall and the 15th century Mayor’s Wine Vault. It also contains the only surviving piece of clothing worn by Henry VIII, a cap of maintenance. This was awarded to the Mayor of Waterford, along with a bearing sword, in 1536.
Bishop's Palace Museum
The Bishop's Palace Museum is a 250-year-old Georgian structure and contains artifacts dating from 17th century Waterford to the present day. The Anglo-German architect Richard Castles designed the Bishop’s Palace which was constructed in 1741. This architect will also be known for his design of Leinster House in Dublin, the city residence of the Fitzgerald family, Dukes of Leinster. This building now houses Dail Eireann, the Irish parliament.
The Museum originally was the residence of the Church of Ireland Bishop of Waterford and was built with its front facing the city wall which became part of the terraced garden of the Palace. It now faces the Mall in Waterford city and the new site of the Waterford Crystal factory.
The Museum tells the story of Waterford from 1700 to the 1970s and contains the only surviving Bonaparte 'mourning cross', which was one of 12 produced upon Napoleon Bonaparte’s death in 1821.
The oldest surviving piece of Waterford Crystal, a Penrose decanter is also on exhibition which dates back to 1789.
The top floor of the building is dedicated to historic stories specific to Waterford such as Ballybricken’s pig markets, Waterford’s Home Rule story, the First World War in Waterford, the War of Independence in Waterford, childhood and household living in Waterford.[2]
Awards
Waterford Museum of Treasures has received many awards to date as an International Museum of Heritage.[3][4]
External links
References
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