Waterford Templar Historical Day
Saturday, 11 October 2025
Waterford: founded by Vikings, shaped by Normans and Knights Templar
Both Waterford and Wexford, key Anglo-Norman landing points, along with the broader southeast of Ireland (Co. Kilkenny, Co. Carlow, and parts of Tipperary), held particular significance for the Knights Templar in the wake of the Anglo-Norman invasion. While the Templars did not enter Ireland as a unified military force, many of the Anglo-Norman knights who crossed the seas were themselves members of the Order, leaving a distinct spiritual and cultural imprint.
Co. Waterford, and especially the city of Waterford, with its strategic position as a vital port, became a stronghold of this presence, marked by Templar preceptories, castles, and houses that anchored their role in this region. Here, amid the blending of Norse, Irish, and Anglo-Norman traditions, the Templar legacy took deep root and became an enduring thread in Waterford’s medieval identity.
Waterford Templar Historical Day
When choosing my dissertation topic for the MA in Public History and Cultural Heritage on the Knights Templar, I was drawn to the south-east of Ireland; the region where their story in this country truly began, in the aftermath of the Anglo-Norman invasion and the capture of Waterford by Strongbow, followed soon after by the entry of Henry II, the Angevin king of England and husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine, both staunch supporters of the Templars. It seemed the natural place to begin uncovering the layers of memory and meaning in Ireland’s Templar legacy.
I conceived the idea for Templar Historical Days Ireland not only due to an academic exploration of these sites, but also as my public history initiative to make Templar history more accessible to publics in the Emerald Isle.
Building on my contribution to a UNESCO intangible heritage campaign in 2009 where my work played a pivotal role and inspired by the 2011 UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape Recommendation, I originally developed the idea of establishing an annual public event. I selected Waterford as the inaugural location, recognising its central importance in the Anglo-Norman settlement of Ireland and its rich medieval heritage.
For the first event, I chose Kilbarry Knights Templar Graveyard as the focal site, part of the former Templar Preceptory of Kilbarry. The aim was to honour its medieval significance and cultural diversity, and to pay tribute to the Knights Templar who served there. This was marked by an interfaith service dedicated to their memory, reflecting the shared heritage and historical depth of the site. I also chose Kilbarry for the day’s first event in gratitude to the volunteers of the Knights Templar Project, initiated by Paddy Houlihan and his granddaughter Katie. Their dedicated work in restoring the gardens of one of Ireland’s principal Templar preceptories embodies the same values of remembrance, care, and stewardship that my broader initiative seeks to uphold.
This project, which also formed part of my public history proposals for my MA dissertation in Public History and Cultural Heritage (awarded with honours by the University of Limerick in early 2026), has since evolved into the annual Templar Historical Day and is framed not only within the above UNESCO Recommendation but also in alignment with the European 2030 Tourism Agenda and the European Year of the Normans 2027 recently approved by Irish cabinet; a transnational cultural initiative celebrating the shared history and impact of the Norman people across Europe, from northern France to England, Ireland, and the Mediterranean.
Templar Historical Days Ireland originated with Waterford Templar Historical Day, conceived by historian Helena Scott as part of her dissertation research for her MA in Public History and Cultural Heritage at the University of Limerick (awarded with honours in 2026) and subsequently co-founded and delivered in partnership with Brendan M. Rohan and OSMTH Ireland.
Waterford was chosen for the inaugural event due to its importance in the Anglo-Norman settlement of Ireland and its wider medieval heritage. The initiative seeks to promote research-led public engagement with Ireland's Templar and medieval heritage through annual events hosted in historically significant locations throughout the country.
Image above: Historian and Cultural Heritage Specialist Helena B. Scott and Brendan M. Rohan at Kilbarry Knights Templar Graveyard during the inaugural day of Waterford Templar Historical Day, following the Interfaith service and historical re-enactment of the wedding of Templar William Marshal. Photographed by Philip Devereux for Helena.
Helena, together with Knight Commander Brendan M. Rohan, from the Irish branch of OSMTH, (an international chivalric Order emulating the core humanitarian principles of the historic Knights Templar Order with charitable status and having an NGO seat at the United Nations, advising on humanitarian issues worldwide), launched the inaugural event as Waterford Historical Templar Day on 11 October 2025 (close to the date of the 1307 arrests in France).
Waterford Templar Historical Day took place as the inaugural event on Saturday, 11 October, with the following programme offered FREE OF CHARGE to citizens of Waterford and all attendees:
At Kilbarry Knights Templar Graveyard:
Remembrance Service - Kilbarry Cemetery, 12 noon:
Interfaith memorial service at Kilbarry Cemetery
Wedding reenactment of Isabel de Clare and William Marshal
Public acknowledgement and awarding of certificates of recognition by OSMTH to Kilbarry Knights Templar Graveyard Project and to historian Helena B. Scott.
In Waterford city, after lunch:
Templar Medieval Parade- The Mall, 3:30-4 pm: With historical re-enactors led by Conchobhar Ó Súilleabháin and mounted real Knights Templar on horse-back.
Afternoon Conference Session - Tower Hotel, 5 pm:
1) History of Kilbarry Templar Preceptory, past & present – by Helena B. Scott
Discover Kilbarry’s history as a Templar preceptory and church, its present role as a cemetery and “outdoor participatory museum”, as well as previously unrecorded archaeological findings identified by Helena. Her talk is based on her dissertation for her MA in Public History and Cultural Heritage, completed at the University of Limerick. Includes QA session.
2) Modern Knight Templar orders and a brief overview of OSMTH by its Irish branch
Inspired by Portugal’s “Templar Days” festivals, Templar Historical Days Ireland remembers the arrest of the Knights Templar on 13 October 1307 and celebrates Ireland’s own forgotten Templar heritage.
With a branded format that moves between locations while retaining a common identity and designed as an annual series of events to restore Ireland’s forgotten Templar legacy, Templar Historical Days Ireland will engage communities while promoting sustainable, off-peak tourism through the island’s rich Templar history and sites.
Deeply grateful to my friend and professional photographer, Philip Devereux, for his friendship, support, and outstanding photography on this memorable day. Thanks to Philip’s talent behind the lens, the occasion was beautifully documented and preserved for future generations. This particular photograph, however, was taken by my dear friend Jennifer, who travelled all the way from Canada to attend the event. Her presence made the day even more meaningful, and I greatly value her friendship and support. It was especially moving to witness the Templar Beauseant flying in Waterford once again after nearly 900 years and my teen son taking part in this event to honour the Knights Templar and restore their forgotten legacy in Ireland.
I am also sincerely thankful to Knight Commander Brendan M. Rohan of OSMTH Ireland, co-founder of Waterford Templar Historical Day and whom I affectionately refer to as my “Templar Godfather.” His encouragement, assistance and unwavering support were instrumental in bringing this event to life. Without his help, and also the participation of his friends Dara Molloy and Conchobhar Ó Súilleabháin with his celebrated group of living history and talented professional re-enactors Eóganachta, this celebration of Waterford’s Templar heritage would not have been possible. I am equally grateful to all members of OSMTH who attended the event, including Alan and Guy, whose presence added greatly to the occasion. Special thanks are also due to Prof. Paul Miller and Prior Dan Butler of OSMTH Ireland for their valued support and encouragement, which helped make the day such a success.
Finally, thank you to Waterford Councillor John Hearn, Waterford City Council, Waterford Gardaí, Waterford Tower Hotel, the iCAN Project of the National Museum of Ireland for their support and to the Irish Independent, the Munster Express and WLR for covering the event. Special thanks to Paddy Houlihan and his granddaughter Katie, who began restoring the gardens of Kilbarry Knights Templar Graveyard over a decade ago, and to all those who later joined and supported the project. Most importantly, thank you to the members of the public, our friends, and everyone who attended the event. Your support and enthusiasm helped make the day a great success.
Wateford Templar Historical Day
PROGRAMME
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Wedding re-enactment: Templar William Marshal & Isabel de Clare
At Kilbarry Knights Templar Graveyard, 12:05 PM
Historical re-enactment of the wedding of medieval power couple Templar William Marshal (the greatest knight that ever lived) and Isabel de Clare, daughter of Strongbow and Aoife; a marriage that shaped not only the fortunes of England, but also the future of Ireland It was a union that brought peace to Leinster, strengthened ties between peoples, and laid the foundations of prosperity in Ireland’s south-east
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Interfaith Templar Remembrance Service
At Kilbarry Knights Templar Graveyard, 12:30 PM
The Templar remembrance service at Kilbarry is held to honour the memory of the Knights Templar arrested in France on Friday 13 October 1307, as well as all fallen Templars across the various faiths of the Order, past and present, which has been incorrectly perceived as a Catholic order, but was actually interfaith with Christians (Gnostics and Catholics) but also Muslims and Jews as part of the citizen class, as evidenced by the Templar Rule and records but also recent scholarship and my own MA dissertation research.
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Costumed Templar Parade
Reginald’s Tower 3:30-4 PM
Featuring historical re-enactors led by Conchobhar Ó Súilleabháin and Knights Templar on horseback. The parade will assemble at 15:30 on The Mall in front of the Tower Hotel and begin around or just before 4 pm, proceeding along Parade Quay and Meagher’s Quay with a short detour into John Roberts Square, circling the Shaws roundabout, and returning along the quay and The Mall to conclude at the Tower Hotel where a conference session will take place.
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History Conference Session
Tower Hotel, Dunmore Room, 5 PM
Helena B. Scott will present the history of Kilbarry as a Templar preceptory and church, its current role as a cemetery and participatory outdoor museum, and her recent identification of previously unrecorded site archaeology from her MA dissertation. Includes Q&A session and is followed by a brief overview of modern Templar orders and OSMTH by its Irish branch.
MY VOW TO THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
Organising Team
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Helena B. Scott
FOUNDER: historian, Linguist & published author, Master of Arts (MA) in Public History & Cultural Heritage
Helena B. Scott’s early public history work was pivotal in a UNESCO campaign to declare Falconry as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. Specialising in historical revisionism with a focus on medieval history (especially the Knights Templar), her unique approach blends archaeology, esoteric tradition, oral history, linguistics, mythopoetics/archetypal psychology, symbolism, and psychospiritual insight—bridging scholarship with mystery and restoring forgotten stories to life.
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Brendan M. Rohan
CO-FOUNDER: Commandant (retd), Knight Commander of the Temple of Jerusalem (KCTJ), OSMTH Ireland
His military career began in the FCA and progressed rapidly in the Irish Defence Forces, where he excelled as a marksman, instructor, and innovator—designing the Defence Forces Parachute Wings at just 19 and developing survival and military pentathlon programs. Brendan has extensive experience in initiating and leading major historical projects, from creating monuments and publications to inspiring international commemorations and festivals that attract global recognition.
With the participation and support of professional heritage re-enactor Conchobhar Ó Súilleabháin and his celebrated re-enactment group:
Eóganachta:
Our Living History group is dedicated to bringing the past to life through authentic demonstrations, historical interpretation, and hands-on experiences. Each of our members research and recreate the everyday lives, skills, and stories of people from Medieval Ireland, helping the public connect with history in an engaging and memorable way.
Whether at schools, museums, or public events, we make history something you can see, touch, and experience.
“Trí stair a mhíniú, tuigimid ár bhféiniúlacht”
(Through explaining history, we understand our identity)
Kilbarry stands as one of Ireland’s earliest and most important Templar preceptories, granted by Henry II in 1180 on land already long marked as sacred. As an administrative, economic, and spiritual hub, it bound Waterford’s frontier into the wider networks of crusade and Christendom, while continuing older traditions of veneration rooted in the landscape. Even after the Templars’ suppression, Kilbarry endured under the Hospitallers, leaving behind a layered legacy that speaks of faith, power, and continuity across centuries.
—Helena B. Scott, dissertation excerpt, Master of Arts (MA) in Public History and Cultural Heritage
© 2025 Helena B. Scott. All rights reserved.
