Waterford Treasures to host major international conference to mark 25th anniversary

Waterford Treasures, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, has announced it will host an international conference - Waterford and the Wider World 1500–1800 - early  next month.

Having first opened its doors in 1999, Waterford Treasures has grown into a collection of five museums plus a Viking Virtual Reality Experience at the Viking House and the EPIC Guided walking tour, all located in Waterford’s historic core, the Viking Triangle.

Des Whelan, chairman of Waterford Treasures Museums, commented: “To mark Waterford Treasures’ 25^th anniversary we have organised a conference to celebrate the diversity of Waterford.”  

READ ALSO: CONGRATULATIONS: Mayor of Waterford City and County hosts reception for Johnny Keegan

The conference will offer an opportunity to hear international experts from Newfoundland, New York, Spain, France, Italy, Scotland and Ireland share their research into Waterford’s international connections with England, Europe and the Americas, East Indies and Asia, and the Caribbean, including the question of involvement in the slave trade.

Head Curator Cliona Purcell commented: “Waterford Treasures’ exhibitions reflect the many Waterford people who made their homes abroad. With this conference we hope to bring their lives to a wider audience.”

A number of panel discussions and presentations will take place featuring guest speakers including Susan Flavin of Trinity College Dublin, David Brown also of Trinity College Dublin, Marian Lyons, Eamon Ó Ciosáin and Sandrine Tromeur all of Maynooth University.

The keynote address will be given by well-known Waterfordian Julian Walton (Dunhill Multi-Education Centre), ‘Spiting the Penal Laws’: Researching Irish Merchants in eighteenth-century Andalucía: A Personal Odyssey.’ 

The conference venue is Waterford’s Medieval Museum and Dr Mary Strangman Large Room at City Hall. The conference has been organised in partnership with Trinity College Dublin (the Grace Lawless Lee fund), the Granville Hotel, University College Dublin, Maynooth University, Creative Waterford, Waterford City & County Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

For further details and to buy tickets see waterfordtreasures.com/