The Port of Waterford and Waterford Treasures are proud to announce the creation of a brand new permanent Maritime Gallery celebrating Waterford’s deep and enduring maritime heritage. This landmark cultural project comes just as the Port of Waterford celebrated 1,111 years as Ireland’s oldest Port in 2025 and creates a powerful partnership with a commitment to preserving, sharing and celebrating the city and county’s extraordinary relationship with the sea.
The new ‘Maritime Gallery’ will honour Waterford’s rich seafaring story, from shipbuilding and global trade to migration, fishing and life on the river, and above all, the people whose lives and livelihoods were shaped by the port across centuries.
Board Member of Waterford Treasures, Des Whelan, said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Port of Waterford as our partner on this transformative project. This gallery will finally give Waterford’s maritime story the dedicated space and prominence it deserves, and we are deeply grateful to the Port for their vision, their trust and their commitment to celebrating the heritage of Ireland’s oldest city and port.”
David Sinnott, CEO of the Port of Waterford, said, “The Port of Waterford is immensely proud to support this new Maritime Gallery and to partner with Waterford Treasures on a project that truly reflects who we are and where we come from. The port has been at the heart of Waterford’s story for over a thousand years, and this initiative ensures that our maritime legacy is celebrated, understood and passed on to future generations. We very much look forward to the unveiling of this gallery and to seeing the stories, artefacts and memories of Waterford’s maritime past brought to life.”
As the first step in developing the gallery, the Port of Waterford and Waterford Treasures are issuing an open call to the public for objects, artefacts, photographs, documents and personal stories connected to Waterford’s maritime past. From shipyard tools and sailors’ memorabilia to family records and river-related treasures, people across the city and county are invited to help shape the exhibition and ensure it reflects the lived experience of Waterford’s maritime communities.
A series of open days will take place throughout May, offering members of the public the opportunity to bring along items and share their stories. The events begin on 9th May at the Medieval Museum for the City Open Day from 11 am to 4 pm, followed by the Fisherman’s Hall in Dunmore East on 10th May from 2 pm to 6 pm. On 16th May, the Coast Guard Cultural Centre in Tramore will host an open day from 12 pm to 4 pm, and on 17th May, Faithlegg National School in Cheekpoint/Passage will hold its event from 12 pm to 2 pm.
A special request is also being made for the return or loan of a historic diving helmet from the iconic Waterford dredger, the SS Portláirge believed to be in private hands, which would make a striking centrepiece for the new gallery.
In the heart of the Waterford Treasures Museums at Waterford’s Viking Triangle, the Maritime Gallery will celebrate the legacy of shipyards such as Neptune Ironworks, White’s Shipyard and the Penrose Shipyard, and honour the generations of workers who helped shape Waterford into a global port city. This new gallery will stand as a major cultural milestone for Waterford, offering a powerful and joyful celebration of the river, the port and the people whose lives have been shaped by the sea.
For further details on the open call and open days, see www.waterfordtreasures.com
