Blue plaque unveiled in County Waterford to Nanette Malcomson
Pictured were Cllr. Seamus Ryan, Mayor, WC&CC, Minister Mary Butler, TD, Rev. Daniel Fleming and members of Waterford Civic Trust that included Brendan Grogan, Eugene Broderick, Chair, Waterford Civic Trust, Donie Brazil, Anne Cusack and Cian Manning. Photo: John Power
A sun-soaked Dunmore East was the setting for the unveiling of a Waterford Civic Trust Heritage Blue Plaque at the Fisherman’s Hall on Sunday morning, August 24.
The plaque was unveiled by Government Chief Whip and Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD.
The plaque honours Nanette Malcomson (1829-1900), who donated the land and financed the construction of the Hall.
Nanette and her husband, David, built their family home, 'Villa Marina', in Dunmore East in the 19th century. Their nine-bedroomed house is the present day 'Haven Hotel'.
Tragedy struck the Malcomson family when David died at the age of 37, in 1867 leaving Nanette a widow with a young son, Joseph.
Misfortune was to strike again when her only child died at the age of 25. She had the Fisherman’s Hall built as a community centre for local fishermen and their families, in his memory.
Today it serves the people of Dunmore East and surrounding areas as a vibrant and elegant centre of village life.
The Dunmore East Heritage Group applied for the plaque.
It was sponsored by the Waterford Library Service which operates the local library in the building.
In his address, the Chair of Waterford Civic Trust, Eugene Broderick, said that the Trust was delighted to award the plaque in recognition of the generosity of Nanette Malcomson and the importance of the amenity in the life of Dunmore East.
He said it was also a reminder of the very significant role played by the Malcomson family in 19th Century Waterford.
The Mayor of Waterford City and County, Councillor Seamus Ryan, also spoke at the event and he reminded the large audience of locals and visitors that the Malcomsons were one of Waterford’s great business families.
He outlined how they were synonymous with Portlaw and the manufacture of cotton.
The Malcomson name is also linked with ship building.
In the 1840s, the Neptune Iron Works was opened at Park Road. Between 1846 and 1882 nearly 40 steam ships were built, including many large trans-Atlantic liners.
At a time when working conditions were often appalling, the Malcomsons treated their work force very well.
At the unveiling ceremony Maria Walsh, Chair of the Dunmore East Heritage Group, gave a fascinating account of Nanette’s life.
In addition to funding the construction of the building, she arranged a trust to finance the on-going expenses associated with it.
The garden attached to the Hall was envisaged by her as an amenity for the enjoyment of the wives of the fishing community.
The generous vision which inspired Nanette endures today in a building which houses a community hall, creche and library.
Minister Mary Butler highlighted the Malcomsons connection with Portlaw and the fact that the houses they built all those years ago were still in use.
She emphasised the importance of remembering the impact the Malcomsons had on life in city and county nearly two hundred years ago.
The Minister congratulated the Civic Trust and the Dunmore East Heritage Group for their respective contributions to the success of the event.
The beautiful weather allowed those in attendance to linger after the official unveiling and to partake of refreshments in the Hall’s garden.
The event was a joyful celebration of the generous life of Nanette Malcomson.
