Pictures capture the past

WATERFORD’S rich maritime and river heritage is captured in a joint exhibition of photographs and memorabilia which opened last night, just yards away from where the magnificent tall ships are berthing.

The Waterford Museum of Treasures exhibitions feature the Enchanted Coastline series of works by photographer Terry Murphy. Alongside the striking photographic exhibition are objects which capture the essence of the city’s life as a port and one-time base for no less than six shipyards.

“We’re delighted to host this exhibition to tie in with the Tall Ships Race,” says Eamonn McEneaney, a spokesman for the museum. “There are various themes to the exhibition, such as the river as a playground, a place of work and a place of dying and accidents. We are very thankful to all of the people who have loaned us their treasures for the exhibition. Waterford has had a great ship-building tradition, particularly throughout the 19th Century when White’s were building the finest and largest wooden boats in the country.

“Similarly, the Neptune Ironworks that preceded the Belfast yards, were building the largest iron boats.”

The exhibition is open to the public free of charge over the next three weeks. Among the pieces on display are a 19th century forge. It was hung by the chains of large ships and was used by a blacksmith to makes pieces such as rigging bands on the mast.

Also featured are 19th century tongs and hammer and a sail iron. The Waterford Challenge Cup from 1879 is on loan from the Waterford Boat Club, as is the 1881 Urbs Intacta Challenge Cup.

The Enchanted Coastline collection of colour and black and white photographs is also set to be a huge hit. Terry Murphy has won much acclaim for his Seven Shades of Black collection and captures the beauty and heritage of the area magnificently in his latest exhibition of works.