Waterford's connections with the family of Napoleon Bonaparte are highlighted in a new permanent exhibition to be opened in the city tomorrow night.
The exhibition of paintings and heirlooms, including a jet cross set in gold which belonged to the French emperor's mother, will form part of the collection at the award-winning Waterford Treasures museum.
It is to be officially opened by the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, Mr Martin Cullen, at a function to be attended by the first counsellor at the French embassy, M Thierry Terrier.
The Bonaparte Wyse collection, which also includes a lock of hair of the emperor, has been donated by a family with a colourful history and a deep-rooted association with Waterford.
Sir Thomas Wyse, the scion of a wealthy Catholic gentry family prominent in Waterford since Norman times, married a niece of Napoleon, Letitia, in 1821. They had two children before she abandoned him - and Waterford - to return to the sunnier climes of continental Europe.
According to the people at Waterford Treasures, she went on to have children by three different men, but claimed Sir Thomas as the father of them all and continued to send him the bills to maintain her expensive lifestyle.
He, meanwhile, served as MP for Waterford from 1835 to 1847, after becoming the first pro-Emancipation candidate to be elected to the British parliament. He was later appointed the first British ambassador to Greece.
Letitia's daughter, Studholmina, was an even more colourful character than her mother, apparently. She was the mistress of many of the important figures of 19th century Europe, including King Victor Emmanuele of Sardinia, and had three or four husbands. She also had two daughters while in her 50s.
Several members of the family will be at tomorrow night's opening, including Mr Henry Bonaparte Wyse, his sister, Frances, and Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte Wyse, who is travelling from his home in Brussels. Ms Olga Bonaparte Wyse, who has written a book about her colourful ancestors, is expected to say a few words.
As well as the jet cross and lock of Napoleon's hair, a number of family portraits and two paintings on copper form part of the collection.