Forgotten story of Waterford convict women and girls exhibition launched on the 13th April 2021 Waterford Women’s Centre Women’s History Festival. Research by Ann Fitzgerald, Eleanor Murphy and Laura Scanlon. Graphics by Claire O’Donovan Designs

Panel 1 provides an international perspective and connects to the Roses from the Heart Project
Panel 2: Women’s Centre Bonnet Project over the past 5 years. Supported by the WWETB and facilitated by Liz Heffernan
Panels 3 and 4: Place the stories of the women and girls into the broader context of Ireland at that time

International Women’s Day 2021 Celebrates Waterford women in history

Some of the bonnets on display

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2021, the Women’s Centre celebrates Waterford Women in history.  We are delighted to have Dr. Christina Henri, Roses from the Heart Project, launch another memorial plaque, our fifth, to women and especially pleased to see it placed on the Women’s Centre building at 74-76 Manor Street, Waterford.  This plaque commemorates 300 forgotten women transported from Waterford to Van Diemen’s Land for petty crimes amid a backdrop of abject poverty and the famine in Ireland.  Many left families here and never returned.  The Bonnet Project exhibition is in the windows of the Women’s Centre and celebrates and names some of these individual women through this beautiful community art project and individual bonnets hand made by our groups. Thanks to WWETB and Creative Ireland for supporting this project. 

Another blue plaque for Waterford Women

Delighted that these wonderful Waterford Women will not be forgotten
To Mark International Women’s Day 2020 The Women’s Centre Waterford in association with Waterford Civic Trust Unveiled a Heritage Blue Plaque in Arundel Lane to The Daly Sisters Pictured are Mayor of Waterford City & County Cllr.John Pratt, Breda Freyne and Des Griffen, Chair, Waterford Civic Trust unveiling the plaque. Photo:John Power
To Mark International Women’s Day 2020 The Women’s Centre Waterford in association with Waterford Civic Trust Unveiled a Heritage Blue Plaque in Arundel Lane to The Daly Sisters Pictured are Mayor of Waterford City & County Cllr.John Pratt and Des Griffen, Chair, Waterford Civic Trust with members of the Daly Family.Photo:John Power
To Mark International Women’s Day 2020 The Women’s Centre Waterford in association with Waterford Civic Trust Unveiled a Heritage Blue Plaque in Arundel Lane to The Daly Sisters. Pictured Eleanor Murphy, Women’s Centre History Group addressing the large crowd that gathered for the event.Photo:John Power
To Mark International Women’s Day 2020 The Women’s Centre Waterford in association with Waterford Civic Trust Unveiled a Heritage Blue Plaque in Arundel Lane to The Daly Sisters Pictured is Robert Lanigan, nephew of the Daly Sisters addressing the gathering.Photo:John Power
To Mark International Women’s Day 2020 The Women’s Centre Waterford in association with Waterford Civic Trust Unveiled a Heritage Blue Plaque in Arundel Lane to The Daly Sisters Attending were Jim Casey and Paddy Ryan who performed at the unveiling.Photo:John Power
To Mark International Women’s Day 2020 The Women’s Centre Waterford in association with Waterford Civic Trust Unveiled a Heritage Blue Plaque in Arundel Lane to The Daly Sisters Attending were Anne Fitzgerald, Women’s Centre, Michael Freyne, Breda Freyne, Niece of the Daly Sisters and Eleanor Murphy who spoke at the event.Photo:John Power
To Mark International Women’s Day 2020 The Women’s Centre Waterford in association with Waterford Civic Trust Unveiled a Heritage Blue Plaque in Arundel Lane to The Daly Sisters Pictured are Billy McCarthy, Davy Walsh, Jonny Cloono and Jim Power Photo:John Power