I'm actually from Waterford and can tell you that the statue is new it's been there 3 years or so Thomas F Meagher is more famous in Ireland for his exploits at home rather than in the Civil war He is credited with the designing Modern Irish flag and the Young Ireland group.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Francis_Meagher
In the local history Museum you can see his Civil war Uniform and like Lord Nelson he was a small man, but in stature only.
It's the only statue on public display in the town and previously to Mr Meagher the statue was of Luke Wadding an blood relative of mine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_Wadding
So needless to say my family were not too pleased.
I hoped you enjoyed your visit to the Emerald Isle, I'm back there myself at the end of August.
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Hey, thanks for the info there. I didn't realize it was so new.
Enjoy it? God, I want to live there! LOL Wish my ancestors hadn't left sometimes.