Pictured at Waterford Museum of Treasures for the opening of ‘Blaze of Glory – Celebrating Waterford Sporting Achievements’, were John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council, with Rosemary Ryan, and Donnchadh Ó Ceallacháin, curators, Waterford Museum of Treasures.
Running for the next three months, ‘Blaze of Glory – Celebrating Waterford Sporting Achievements’, is a splendid homage to Waterford’s many stellar sportsmen and women. The wide range of memorabilia on display includes All-Ireland Hurling medals from 1948 and ’59, John Treacy’s Olympic Marathon Silver, a yellow jersey worn by Sean Kelly in the Tour de France, and countless other items of interest – all explained by information panels, storyboards and embellished with rare archival footage.
Collated by Museum curators Donnchadh Ó Ceallacháin and Rosemary Ryan, thanks to generous donations from sportspeople and ordinary members of the public, the vast first-floor display has something for everyone.
Frank O’Regan, chairman, said the award-winning Museum was proud to host such a fascinating exhibition to mark its 10th anniversary. He praised Museum Director Eamon McEneany and his staff on their vision and commitment to observing the social history of the oldest city in Ireland.
Minister Cullen described the retrospective as a ‘hall of fame’ honouring inspirational sporting figures from Waterford’s past and present – legends like Treacy, Kelly, Frankie Walsh and Alfie Hale to name but a small few who’ve put the Déise on the sporting map.
Portláirge, he said, had always punched well above its weight in the international sporting sphere, and it was only fitting that our local heroes were celebrated in such fashion.
The exhibition combines memories of former glories with contemporary achievements: from old soccer and hurling jerseys, caps and whistles, to trophies and souvenirs such as a Premier League medal won by Manchester United’s John O’Shea, and rare titbits of sporting memorabilia.
Among the large attendance at the launch were Christine Cronin and Colette Ware, daughters of the late Jim Ware, captain of the Waterford All-Ireland-winning hurling team of 1948, whose generous donations to the exhibit were recognised by special floral presentations made by Minister Cullen and John Treacy.
