Laochra Spóirt Phort Láirge/Waterford Sporting Heroes, Waterford's brand new exhibition, officially opened last week at The Bishop’s Palace Museum.
The exhibition was opened by Christine Cronin née Ware, daughter of Jim Ware who captained Waterford’s 1948 team to All-Ireland glory and celebrates Waterford's historical sporting heroes.
Christine and her family have donated Jim’s and his brother Charlie’s cups and medals to the museum.
Trophies and other memorabilia from legends including soccer star Alfie Hale, hurlers Jim Ware and Frank Walsh, and the Waterford Boat Club are on display.
Soccer and hurling are well represented within the exhibition with memorabilia of both Jim Ware and Frank Walsh, captains of the winning 1948 and 1959 Waterford hurling teams. Many may also recall the Waterford versus Manchester United match in 1968.
Fiona Laffan Crotty’s jersey recalls the five All-Ireland wins in the 1990s by Waterford Senior Ladies Gaelic Football.
Trophies dating back to the early 1900s are on display. They belonged to greyhound trainer and co-founder of Clover Meats, Denis Gorey TD, and demonstrate how sport helped to normalise relations with Britain after the War of Independence.
Modern heroes including soccer star Ciara Grant and Ladies Gaelic Football All-Ireland winner Fiona Laffan Crotty are represented in the exhibition too.
The new exhibition is open 7 days per week year-round and is part of Waterford’s five museums at Waterford Treasures Museums in the Viking Triangle.
To read more about the Waterford Sporting Heroes exhibition, click here.
