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Arts / Culture

By Waterford City & County Council

Launch of the Quaker Trail and CQ Films in Waterford Cultural Quarter

Launch of Quaker Trail and CQ Films April 28th at Waterford Gallery of Art. Pictured are Roger Johnson, Joan Johnson, Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr Joe Kelly, Katherine Collins, Emma Haran

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Councillor Joe Kelly, launched the Quaker Trail and CQ films on Thursday April 28th in Waterford Gallery of Art, O’Connell Street, Waterford.

Waterford City and County Council, along with local historians and researchers, has developed two historical projects based on the heritage of Waterford Cultural Quarter. Both are available at www.waterfordculturalquarter.ie The Quaker Trail is a printed and digital walking trail, researched by archivist Joan Johnson, which highlights important sites relating to the heritage of the Quaker community in Waterford city. The first Quakers arrived in Waterford in 1655 as refugees as many were fleeing from religious persecution in England. Within 150 years of arriving here most of the families had moved to O’Connell Street and had become highly successful in business.

Families such as Jacobs, famous for biscuit making, and Penrose, instrumental in establishing the celebrated Waterford Crystal glass are two well known Quaker family names. The Waterford Municipal Art Collection was formed by Quaker families and this important collection of art is now exhibited in the Waterford Gallery of Art on O’Connell Street.

The second project launched is CQ Films. Waterford Youth Arts have put an enormous amount of work into researching, filming, editing & producing 16 beautifully made films about the heritage of O’Connell Street. These short films aim to show visitors and locals alike some stories from this area’s past told by people who grew up, worked or played there. Stories and anecdotes about the neighbours on Bridge St, Sinead O’Connor’s debut in T&H Doolans, the naming of O’Connell Street, are all told by the people who know the area intimately. This social history project was carried out by Ollie Breslin, Keith Currams and Tomás Fitzgerald with funding from Waterford Cultural Quarter, Waterford Arts Office and Creative Waterford.

Katherine Collins, Waterford Cultural Quarter Project Manager said “As the Cultural Quarter develops it is vitally important that we recognise and value the heritage of this area of our city. O’Connell Street was the hub of enterprise in the city due to its proximity to the port and we aim to develop this area to again be a place to celebrate all cultures, heritage, creativity and collaboration. The Quaker Trail and CQ Films are available at www.waterfordculturalquarter.ie and we encourage locals and visitors alike to enjoy visiting the area and learning more about our history.”

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Planned Road Closure tomorrow – John Roberts Square and Broad Street

In order to facilitate a “Celebration of Waterford as Ireland’s Best Place to Live”, there will be no access to vehicular traffic to John Roberts Square and Broad Street from 8am to 6pm on Saturday, April 30th.

This free family event in the heart of the city will feature lots of great music, fun, family-friendly activities and workshops for children from 12 noon to 6pm.

This road closure will allow the contractor to erect entertainment stages / facilities in John Roberts Square.

John Roberts Square and Broad Street will remain open to pedestrian traffic.

By Waterford City & County Council

Planned Road Closure this weekend – John Roberts Square and Broad Street

In order to facilitate a “Celebration of Waterford as Ireland’s Best Place to Live”, there will be no access to vehicular traffic to John Roberts Square and Broad Street from 8am to 6pm on Saturday, April 30th.

This free family event in the heart of the city will feature lots of great music, fun, family-friendly activities and workshops for children from 12 noon to 6pm.

This road closure will allow the contractor to erect entertainment stages / facilities in John Roberts Square.

John Roberts Square and Broad Street will remain open to pedestrian traffic.

By Waterford City & County Council

New Exercise Equipment for People’s Park

Waterford’s People’s Park will soon have new adult exercise equipment following a replacement of the existing equipment which was beyond feasible repair.

Working with Waterford Sports Partnership suitable equipment was selected, tendered and Browne Bros Ltd, Cork were awarded the contract.

Installation is expected approx. mid July 2022. The design of the equipment can be seen in the PDF below and will be located east of the Skate Park.

By Waterford City & County Council

Active Travel connectivity scheme at Mount Pleasant

Waterford City & County Council has recently completed an Active Travel connectivity scheme at Mount Pleasant. The works involved a new footpath, improvements to public lighting, footpath upgrades, line marking, fencing and landscaping.

Each permeability scheme is designed based on local needs and how it will improve your area. Many informal pedestrian routes exist and are used daily by people going to work and kids going to school, many of these routes are neither lit or surfaced – we want to address this and need assistance in identifying areas for improvement.

We are committed to ensuring that each local permeability scheme will enhance the area in which it is installed and we would like to hear your thoughts on schemes including any other changes that may benefit your area.

You can contact us direct at ActiveTravel@waterfordcouncil.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Leads the Way in Closing the Digital Divide

During the early part of Covid-19, Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Libraries, Waterford Wexford Education Training Board, Waterford PPN, Waterford Area Partnership and the Waterford Older People’s Council, the HSE and the Disability Federation of Ireland worked together to find a solution to improve digital literacy in the community by training people in using their mobile phones, tablets and technology. Waterford PPN carried out surveys to identify support and training needs.

Two booklets have now been published online. The first produced by Richard Torney of the Older People’s Council is to help anyone who would like to know where the broadband connection points and free wifi points across the City and County area along with sites where training is available, with an accompanying map showing locations.

This live publication “Get Connected: WIFI Hotspots and other Services” is available on Waterford Libraries website and is regularly updated.

Richard Torney, Waterford OPC said, “We know that lots of people, older and younger, need help in using devices and online services. Those of us who have received training know that sometimes just understanding a simple tap of a button can make all the difference. I’d encourage everyone to look at the booklets and look for some help to make it easier to get online”

The second booklet “A Beginners guide to staying digitally connected” was produced by Nicola McCarthy Hanlon of WWETB  as part of the collaborative project. Nicola has been rolling out training across the county and this guide has proven to be invaluable during and after training and is available on Waterford Libraries website at http://waterfordlibraries.ie/get-connected/

Nicola McCarthy Hanlon, WWETB said, “There are so many options here in Waterford for people to get help with accessing technology and we will be working to make sure that everyone who wants to get more information on using phones and devices will have that available to them.”

Jane Cantwell, City & County Librarian added, “The partnership between the different groups has helped us to work together to rollout out training and information to those who would love to know more about technology and who, in our current world need to know more about technology in order to use services and to access information.”

For more information, call into any branch of Waterford Libraries or to sign up for training contact Nicola by email at nicolamcarthyhanlon@wwetb.ie

-ENDS-

For further information:

Jane Cantwell
Waterford City and County Librarian
jcantwell@waterfordcouncil.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Six Heritage projects receive funding under Community Monuments Fund

Earlier this week the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, announced the award of grants for a wide range of archaeological heritage projects under the department’s 2022 Community Monuments Fund.

Building on the impact of last year’s scheme, this year 128 projects are being supported with an overall investment of €6 million, with Waterford City and County Council awarded an allocation of over €220,000 for six projects.heritage_waterford

Waterford City and County Council Heritage Officer Bernadette Guest welcomed the funding, an increase of over 100% on the 2021 allocation, which will support conservation repairs at  Molana Abbey, Stradbally Church, St. Nicholas Church in Ring,  St. Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore, repair of historic stonework at Kilgobnet Graveyard and Geophysical Survey at  Woodstown Viking Site.

“Allocation of funding will enable continuation of conservation works at these six unique heritage sites across County Waterford.  By safeguarding these monuments into the future, local communities can take pride in their history, while visitors will be able to visit these sites and experience the rich heritage of the areas.”

A total of eleven applications were submitted from Waterford and while only six of the projects were successful in the allocation of funding, Waterford City and County Council will work with the other five projects towards a resubmission in 2023.  The funding scheme is very competitive, however all the project proposals demonstrated strong merit reflecting the great diversity of heritage and work of local heritage groups across the city and county.”

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Joe Kelly also welcomed the allocation of funding, citing the importance of the conservation of Waterford’s heritage. “This funding is crucial to allow us to retain and protect our heritage.  Waterford’s history is embedded in its buildings and by preserving these structures we are preserving our history and fortifying our bonds with the past.”

He added, “This funding is essential in enabling stabilisation of our historic sites, along with important research on nationally significant sites such Woodstown Viking Site.”

The Waterford projects to receive funding under the 2022 Community Monuments Fund are:

  • St. Carthages, Lismore €30,000
  • Woodstown Viking Site €18,000
  • Stradbally Church  €39,805
  • St. Nicholas Church, Ring €61,567
  • Molana Abbey €66,656
  • Kilgobnet Graveyard €6,000

The core objective of the Community Monuments Fund is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites. It contains a number of different measures aimed at enabling conservation works to be carried out on archaeological monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support, encouraging access to archaeological monuments and improving their presentation and also building resilience in archaeological monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change.

By Waterford City & County Council

Double celebrations planned for Waterford

The May Bank Holiday weekend will see not one, but two celebrations taking place in Waterford.

On Saturday, April 30th John Roberts Square in Waterford City will be a hive of music, magic, and free family entertainment from 12 noon to 6pm as Waterford City and County Council celebrates Waterford as Ireland’s Best Place to Live.

On Sunday, May 1st, Waterford City and County Council and Waterford Chamber are teaming up to bring an afternoon of community fun to the new plaza in Tramore, with live music and street entertainment for all the family from 12pm to 4pm to mark the official opening of the new urban renewal space.

According to Cllr Joe Kelly, Mayor of Waterford City and County, “It’s shaping up to be a great weekend to showcase the very best of Waterford as Ireland’s Best Place to Live, as John Roberts Square will be a hive of activity with live music from great local groups, there’ll be a touch of magic and free workshops to keep the kids entertained for the afternoon.”

“Waterford is a vibrant, friendly, liveable city with strong community bonds and a wealth of musical and artistic talent.  What better way to showcase Waterford than with a free family-fun day, where are all are welcome to experience the warmth and welcome of Ireland’s Best Place to Live.”

Trevor Darmody of WAMA has put together a jam-packed programme that will entertain and enthral on the day.  “We’ll have a little magic and mayhem with magicians Jack Wise and Quentin Reynolds, great music from Skazoo and the Pearly Whites, along with some highly engaging kids craft workshops, the Big Dig Excavation and CALMAST slime-making taking place throughout the afternoon and it’s all free.”

The celebrations will extend to Tramore’s new plaza on Sunday, May 1st following the completion of the public realm works which were funded by investment of €3.6m by Waterford City and County Council and the Urban Renewal Development Fund, along with close to €1m invested by Irish Water.

Mayor Kelly added, “On Sunday, May 1st, I am looking forward to performing the official opening of the new space, which will add a vibrancy to Main Street, Tramore. It is now a beautiful space which can be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, bring a Mediterranean feel to Ireland’s favourite seaside town.”

John McSweeney, Waterford Chamber President added, “The new plaza will bring a new focus to Main Street, enhancing the space and ultimately footfall. This in turn will benefit all the businesses in the area and of course offer a new space for the whole community to enjoy.”

“We have been working closely with our members and with Waterford City and County Council on this over the past number of years and we are delighted to celebrate the conclusion of the project with a community celebration for all.”

Local businesses will spill out onto the streets to showcase the new space, which adds a new focal point to the centre of Tramore. There will also be a live music stage, street art and WLR will be broadcasting live.

To find out more about the events taking place keep an eye on Waterford City and County Council and Waterford Chamber social media pages. You can also download the programme of events for Waterford’s Best Place to Live Celebration on Saturday, April 30th here.

 

By Waterford City & County Council

ArtLinks Collaboration Award : Call for Applications

The ArtLinks partners in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford local authorities are pleased to announce that they are currently accepting applications for the ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary Award 2022. The aim of this award is to encourage more collaboration between artists across the ArtLinks counties and support artists seeking to expand their practice and networks regionally.

The Collaboration Award is open to application by Professional and Emerging Artists who are members of ArtLinks. For this bursary there will be one award of up to €10,000. The award must involve collaboration between artists from two or more ArtLinks counties in the development of new work, to be showcased in two or more ArtLinks counties.

Closing date: Tuesday 19th of April 2022

ArtLinks is a partnership of the four Local Authority Arts Offices in Wexford , Waterford, Carlow and Kilkenny , and is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. ArtLinks provides professional development opportunities and supports for established and emerging artists who are resident in the four partner local authority areas of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.

Artists must be a current member of ArtLinks to avail of the Collaboration Bursary. You must be registered on or before 11/4/2022 to be eligible to apply for this bursary.

Email artlinks.ie@gmail.com to request a membership application form if you are a new applicant.

This year the application process is online and the closing date for receipt of ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary applications is Tuesday 19th April 2022 at 5pm.

For all ArtLinks enquiries please contact artlinks.ie@gmail.com

Follow ArtLinks on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.

By Waterford City & County Council

New mentoring programme for Waterford’s Visual artists

The Arts Office, Waterford City and County Council is pleased to announce details of the Big Look online mentoring programme for visual artists. This programme helps emerging visual artists with an existing practice in painting and/or drawing to make breakthroughs in their artistic practice by connecting them to artists they can learn from.

The scheme is open to artists who are resident in Waterford city and County Council administrative area and provides successful applicants support through a programme of online mentoring and exhibition opportunities.

You can learn more about this opportunity and apply here – https://www.biglook.art/pages/artist-online-mentoring-scheme

By Waterford City & County Council

ArtLinks 2022 : Bursaries Awarded

The Artlinks partnership of local authorities Arts Offices in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford is pleased to announce that it has awarded over €70,000 to artists in the South East.

These bursaries for emerging and professional artist is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. They provide professional development opportunities and supports for artists who are resident in these four counties.

The recipients of €15,000 in bursaries from the Arts Office, Waterford City and County Council are:

  • Gemma Kearney, Waterford city – Visual Arts
  • Eamonn Dolan, Dungarvan – Theatre.
  • Eilis O’ Toole, Cappoquin – Visual Arts
  • Mary Grehan, Passage East – Literature/Theatre
  • Cora Cummins, Villierstown – Visual Arts
  • Shannon O’ Reilly, Waterford city – Theatre
  • Rayleen Clancy, An Rinn – Visual Arts
  • Fiona Ennis, Butlerstown – Literature
  • Martina Collender, Kilmacthomas – Theatre

The Arts Office, Waterford City & County Council reiterated it’s support for artists and remarked on the high level of entries from all art forms to this scheme. It thanked all who took the time to make applications and reminded artists that they could contact artlinks.ie@gmail.com to register for ArtLinks supports.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Let Dandelions Bee!

Let Dandelions Bee! is a campaign to let dandelions bloom for a short few weeks to help feed bees this Spring. They are our wild bees’ most favourite food. Help halt the bee decline by simply leaving dandelions to grow in your garden this March and April.

The best way to help our bees this year is to do nothing!

If you have grass or lawn at home, give the mower a rest for 2 or 3 weeks while the first flush of dandelions come into bloom, usually in March or early April. For more information, see www.letdandelionsbee.ie or https://pollinators.ie/resources

By Waterford City & County Council

ArtLinks Collaboration Award : Call for Applications

The ArtLinks partners in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford local authorities are pleased to announce that they are currently accepting applications for the ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary Award 2022. The aim of this award is to encourage more collaboration between artists across the ArtLinks counties and support artists seeking to expand their practice and networks regionally.

The Collaboration Award is open to application by Professional and Emerging Artists who are members of ArtLinks. For this bursary there will be one award of up to €10,000. The award must involve collaboration between artists from two or more ArtLinks counties in the development of new work, to be showcased in two or more ArtLinks counties.

Closing date: Tuesday 19th of April 2022

ArtLinks is a partnership of the four Local Authority Arts Offices in Wexford , Waterford, Carlow and Kilkenny , and is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. ArtLinks provides professional development opportunities and supports for established and emerging artists who are resident in the four partner local authority areas of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.

Artists must be a current member of ArtLinks to avail of the Collaboration Bursary. You must be registered on or before 11/4/2022 to be eligible to apply for this bursary.

Email artlinks.ie@gmail.com to request a membership application form if you are a new applicant.

This year the application process is online and the closing date for receipt of ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary applications is Tuesday 19th April 2022 at 5pm.

For all ArtLinks enquiries please contact artlinks.ie@gmail.com

Follow ArtLinks on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.

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