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By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Poetry Prize 2024

Colm KeeganWaterford City and County Council Arts Office is pleased to announce that entries are now being accepted for the Waterford Poetry Prize 2024.

The Waterford Poetry Prize is open to all writers currently living on the island of Ireland. This prize has emerged from the influence of the late Waterford writer Seán Dunne whose poetry continues to inspire.

The winners of the Waterford Poetry Prize 2024 will be announced at the closing event of the Waterford Writers Weekend on Sunday, October 27th 2024. The judge is Colm Keegan, an award-winning Dublin based writer and poet, known for his critically acclaimed books “Don’t Go There” and “Randomer”.

The first prize is €400 plus attendance at a writing course under the auspices of the Molly Keane Writers Retreat, Ardmore in 2025. Second prize is €300 plus a writing course and third prize is €200. There is no age limit and no entry fee for the Waterford Poetry Prize 2024.

The closing date for receipt of entries is 4pm Monday, August 12th 2024.

Online entries only will be accepted on the Waterford Submit link https://submit.link/2JY or via the QR code below.

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Judging the Waterford Poetry Prize 2024 is Colm Keegan, writer and poet

By Waterford City & County Council

Ballinacourty Community enjoys Playful Streets on Clonea Beach

Ballinacourty Community Enjoys Playful Streets on Clonea Beach

Over 100 residents of Ballinclamper in Ballinacourty came together for a fun-filled community event that included the popular Playful Streets programme. Local filmmaker John Foley documented the event with some fantastic shots capturing the activities on Clonea Beach.

The event provided an opportunity for residents to meet their local authority community team, the Waterford Sports Partnership, Creative Waterford, and Ready Steady Play. The Playful Streets programme is aimed at promoting active lifestyles and community engagement through play.

By Waterford City & County Council

Funding available to community groups in Waterford for National Heritage Week events

Belle LakeLocal Authority Waters Programme opens grants scheme of €30,000 for Water Heritage Day 2024 

Friday, 28th of June 2024: The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) encourages community groups in County Waterford to apply under the ‘Water Heritage Day Grants Scheme 2024’ to celebrate Water Heritage Day on Sunday the 25th of August.

To make an application see: LAWPRO Small Grants and Events Scheme 2024 | Online Consultation Portal of the Waters and Communities Office

Consult with your local Community Water Officer, Catherine Seale-Duggan   for advice Communities Team – Local Authority Water Programme (lawaters.ie) Deadline for applications is Tuesday, 16th July 2024.

 LAWPRO works in partnership with the Heritage Council, and  you can register your event on www.heritageweek.ie/get-involved/organise-an-event

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Joins international celebrations for Canada Day

Waterford City is going red to celebrate Canada Day, and its unique historical connection with Newfoundland.

Between 1790 and 1830, 35,000 Irish people entered the former colony, with Waterford the primary port of embarkation. Three centuries of shared history with St. John’s means you can travel over 3,500km from Waterford, arrive in St. John’s and still hear familiar accents and colloquialisms from the locals there.

For Canada Day, on Monday July 1st, iconic landmarks and monuments across the island of Ireland are illuminating red in recognition of the shared history, heritage and cultural connections between Ireland and Canada.

Jocelyn Black, Senior Publicity & Communications Executive with Tourism Ireland said: “We are delighted that Waterford is joining in Canada Day celebrations to showcase their deep connections with Canada and to symbolize the friendship between the island of Ireland and Canada. Ireland is renowned for its warm hospitality, and what better occasion to emphasize the bonds between our nations than by celebrating our people, unity, and shared humanity – along with commemorating the historical connections that unite us.”
 
Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Jason Murphy, said he was “thrilled that Waterford is joining in this celebration which highlights the very real connections between Ireland and Canada and in particular the shared history of Waterford and Newfoundland. Watch out for the many iconic buildings, including Reginald’s Tower, Bishop’s Palace, William Vincent Wallace Plaza and City Hall, which will all be lit-up in red for Canada Day. We wish the people of Canada the very best on their National Holiday and invite them to come and explore Waterford City and County and the strong connections between our two countries.”
Waterford City was twinned with St John’s in Newfoundland in 2003 to recognise and celebrate the historical connections between the two cities. Mass emigration from the South East to Newfoundland from the mid-18th century onwards created strong historical links and many people in St. John’s will know their ancestors boarded ships to Canada on what is now called Canada St. or that their home was called St. John’s after St. John’s Parish in Waterford City. Couples from St. John’s in Newfoundland still return to St. John’s church in Waterford City to get married in the place their ancestors would have know.
In Newfoundland, the 1st July is also a day of remembrance for the hundreds of soldiers from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who died on this day in 1916 in Beaumont-Hamel, at the Battle of the Somme, in France during the First World War. It was a very poignant day for the island of Newfoundland, and was firmly marked in Newfoundlanders’ calendars before they became part of Canada in 1949.
Waterford is honoured to participate in Canada Day celebrations, in partnership with Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, to highlight our strong links with Canada and demonstrate a symbol of friendship between the island of Ireland and Canada.

You can keep in touch with events on social media by following the hashtag #IrelandCanadaConnections, @DiscoverIrelandCA on Facebook, @GoToIrelandCA on X and @TourismIreland on Instagram!
 
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Photos: Patrick Browne

By Waterford City & County Council

Plant Sensor Workshop in Central Library

Plant Sensor workshopWe have an exciting workshop coming up in Central library in partnership with Walton Institute (SETU), Europe Direct Waterford and LEAF.  This workshop would suit anyone interested in keeping their potted plants healthy at home by using a monitoring plant sensor and learning how to use free mobile apps.

Get ready for an exciting and interactive workshop where you’ll learn to connect a plant sensor to your phone via Bluetooth! Discover how to monitor your plant’s health by tracking air temperature, sunlight intensity, soil moisture, and fertility—tailored to each plant’s needs. Learn how to add plants for monitoring and explore free mobile apps to also help you identify plants in your home and garden.

Let your plants communicate their needs to you!

  • Take-Home Goodies: Participants will receive a potted herb and plant sensor to take home, courtesy of Literacy & Food Education (LEAF) project, especially prepared for you by GIY.
  • Share Your Progress: We’d love to hear about your journey, so we’ll also reach out to gather your feedback and see how you’re doing.
  • Facilitator: Aileen Drohan, Walton Institute (SETU) https://waltoninstitute.ie
  • Max no. of Participants: 12
  • Workshop date: Friday 12th July 10.30am-12.30pm
  • Venue:  Research Room, Central Library, Lady Lane.
  • Registration: Places are limited: Book your FREE place now by calling Central Library on 051 849975. Leave your name, email and a contact number with a staff member.

This workshop is running in partnership with Europe Direct Waterford.

By Waterford City & County Council

Summer Stars Reading Programme shines again in 2024

Summer Stars Reading Adventure starts Tuesday, June 4th and will run until August 31st, 2024.

This free national programme, held in all Waterford Libraries encourages children to keep reading over the summer months.

Ragnall, Waterford Libraries extremely popular mascot paid a visit to St. Mary’s National School in Ballygunner to encourage children to join the Summer Stars Reading Adventure 2024.

Tracy McEneaney, Executive Librarian with Waterford City and County Council said, “It is important for children to keep reading over the summer if they want to maintain their reading skills or better still improve. Waterford Libraries offers free membership for all, and you are never too young to start reading.”

Each child can register for the adventure at any library and will receive a Summer Stars Reading Card to record and track their progress.

At the end of the adventure, children return their reading card to their local library.  A range of events for children will be held in Waterford Libraries throughout the summer, and during Children’s Book Festival in October Waterford Library staff will visit schools to present the children with their Summer Stars medal and certificate of achievement.

For information on events and Waterford Libraries’ services see www.waterfordlibraries.ie

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Images – Free to use:  Mary Browne

Ragnall, Waterford Libraries mascot meeting the pupils of St. Mary’s National School, Ballygunner.

By Waterford City & County Council

Mayor ‘Reclaims the Waters’

On Friday, May 24th Waterford Metropolitan Mayor Cllr. Jody Power set sail from Dunmore East on the Irish Naval vessel, LÉ William Butler Yeats to ‘reclaim the waters’ in a tradition that dates back centuries.

In 1626, the city of Waterford was granted a new charter by King Charles I.  Known as the Great Governing Charter, it confirmed all previous charters and privileges granted to the city, which had been removed by his father James I, whose accession in 1603 had caused great disaffection.

Under the terms of the Great Governing Charter, the Mayor of Waterford was also conferred with the office of ‘Admiral of the Harbour.’  This empowered the Mayor of Waterford City to hold admiralty courts within the harbour.  As part of this tradition the Mayor fires a ceremonial dart into the estuary where the three rivers meet, claiming the waters for the city of Waterford.

Speaking of the custom Cllr. Power said, “As someone with a strong maritime background and appreciation of the power of the sea, I am proud to take part in this significant ceremony as it is a great honour to continue this tradition in Waterford.

“It’s particularly poignant for me as a marine engineering lecturer at the Maritime College of Ireland, as many of these crew members have graced my lecture theatre over the years, and I’m delighted to reconnect with them today on such an auspicious occasion. I’d like to extend my gratitude to the officers and crew of the LÉ William Butler Yeats, particularly EO Jim Nolan, and also Capt. Darren Doyle of the Port of Waterford for facilitating us today.”

“Conducting this ceremony at the meeting of the Three Sisters Rivers also fills me with a sense of pride as I undertake my Mayoral duties in my home village of Cheekpoint.”

Cllr. Power then ‘reclaimed the waters’ by stating, “At this place where the Three Sisters rivers meet, to drive out King Neptune, I will throw this silver dart into the place where the rivers meet, and I declare, ‘According to the Governing Charter of Waterford City, as granted by King Charles I, on behalf of the Mayor of Waterford and Admiral of the Harbour, I claim these waters.’

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Free to use images: John Power

By Waterford City & County Council

Reminder: LGBTQ+ History Talks tomorrow

LGBTQ+ history talks

Join us for a captivating exploration of LGBTQ+ history with esteemed speakers Dr. Mary McAuliffe and Dr. Anthony Delaney on Tuesday 28th of May in WCQ Barker Place on O’Connell Street. Waterford Libraries are delighted to be collaborating with Pride of the Deise for this event.

Book your free tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/lgbtq-history-talk-at-pride-of-the-deise-2024-registration-904856579387

Dr. McAuliffe, a historian and lecturer at Gender Studies UCD, will delve into “Having no time for men at all”; Histories of Irish suffrage and revolutionary queer women. Drawing from her extensive research and latest publications, Dr. McAuliffe offers insights into the lives of remarkable individuals and their contributions to Ireland’s rich tapestry of gender and sexuality.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Delaney, an actor, author, and historian, will shed light on “The Queer South East in the 18th and 19th centuries.” His discussion will focus on figures like Eleanor Butler, Sarah Ponsonby, and Edward De Lacy Evans, unraveling stories of resilience and identity in historical contexts.

Don’t miss this enlightening journey through Ireland’s queer past.

By Waterford City & County Council

LGBTQ+ History Talks

LGBTQ+ history talks

Join us for a captivating exploration of LGBTQ+ history with esteemed speakers Dr. Mary McAuliffe and Dr. Anthony Delaney on Tuesday 28th of May in WCQ Barker Place on O’Connell Street. Waterford Libraries are delighted to be collaborating with Pride of the Deise for this event.

Book your free tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/lgbtq-history-talk-at-pride-of-the-deise-2024-registration-904856579387

Dr. McAuliffe, a historian and lecturer at Gender Studies UCD, will delve into “Having no time for men at all”; Histories of Irish suffrage and revolutionary queer women. Drawing from her extensive research and latest publications, Dr. McAuliffe offers insights into the lives of remarkable individuals and their contributions to Ireland’s rich tapestry of gender and sexuality.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Delaney, an actor, author, and historian, will shed light on “The Queer South East in the 18th and 19th centuries.” His discussion will focus on figures like Eleanor Butler, Sarah Ponsonby, and Edward De Lacy Evans, unraveling stories of resilience and identity in historical contexts.

Don’t miss this enlightening journey through Ireland’s queer past.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Digital Story Trail shortlisted in two categories of .ie Digital Town Awards

A digital story trail featuring augmented reality which offers tourists an engaging way to discover Waterford’s rich and fascinating history via their smartphone has been shortlisted in the Digital Tourism and Digital Changemaker categories of the .ie Digital Town Awards 2024

The .ie Digital Town Awards recognise and reward projects with a digital element created by town groups, individuals and local communities.

In February of last year, Waterford City and County Council in partnership with Imvizar, and with Fáilte Ireland funding under the Destination Towns Initiative, launched Waterford’s first Digital Story Trail (DST), which explores the history, culture, and heritage of 15 different locations across the city centre, including Reginald’s Tower, Waterford Crystal, the Watchtower and Arundel Square.

Through the use of augmented reality smartphone technology, visitors and locals can experience Waterford’s past by watching digital animations of characters and architecture appear as if they are in the physical world right in front of them. The trail can be accessed for free by scanning one of the numerous QR codes on signs located throughout the city trail or by visiting visitwaterford.com/digitalstorytrail/

This innovative experience seamlessly combines audio, augmented reality, and a simple-to-use web interface which allows visitors to interact with Waterford City’s rich past. Using a mobile device, visitors are transported to 15 key locations where they can listen to tales from historical figures and witness AR recreations of pivotal moments.

In addition to meeting life-like characters from Waterford’s past, scanning the QR code also provides an audio tale from an historical figure, coupled with interesting facts and a timeline of events. Spanning over a thousand years of Waterford’s history, tourists can listen as Reginald, a Viking King and warlord from the 10th century, as he describes his quest to launch raids all over Ireland and watch as Thomas Francis Meagher, Leader of the Young Irelanders in the 1848 Rebellion, raises the first Irish tricolour.

Waterford’s history of master craft making is also recognised.  Rachel Penrose, the wife of one of the founders of Waterford Crystal, William Penrose, appears in a recreation of an 18th century glass-blowing scene. Trail users can also meet Anastasia Fleming, a silversmith from the late 1700s, and see a reimagined façade of her silversmith shop.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Conway commended the initiative saying it truly brings Waterford’s history to life in a fun, engaging and fascinating way.  “With over 1,000 years of history to explore the Digital Story Trail takes the user on an intriguing journey, in which they can meet the characters that shaped Ireland’s Oldest City.”

Orna Holohan, Tourism Officer with Waterford City and County Council said, “The Waterford Digital Story Trail was identified as an ideal way to introduce visitors to the varied stories and characters of Waterford. It provides visitors with free entertainment at any time of the day, taking about one and a half hours to complete.  Users can stop and start at any point, and it purposefully leads people past attractions, shops and café’s to encourage people to dwell longer in the destination.”

The DST has exceeded expectations attracting over 25,000 visitors and boosting the city’s tourism, particularly from international guests. In its first year 75% of users were from Ireland but through promotion international users increased to 43% in 2023 with US, UK, Germany, France and Spain being the top users. Beyond enhancing tourism, the trail has deepened the community’s connection to its heritage, making history more accessible and engaging through innovative technology.

The project’s success has not gone unnoticed. It was featured in the New York Times “52 places to go” list in 2024 and praised on RTE’s Nationwide for its exemplary approach to digital heritage storytelling.

This year’s shortlisted finalists cover the full spectrum of idea development and readiness, with the gala awards ceremony taking place in Athlone on May 24th.

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Image – Free to use Patrick Browne

Anastasia Fleming, an 18th Century silversmith, and Odin Lord of Valhalla with then Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John O’Leary the launch of the Waterford Digital Story Trail in February 2023.

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