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Arts / Culture

By Waterford City & County Council

Congratulations to Waterford Writers

The Arts Office wish to congratulate the writers from Waterford who have been assigned places from the Munster Literature Centre on their mentoring course commencing in May.  Twenty four mentorships in Fiction, Poetry and Memoir were on offer to all Munster based writers.

The successful Waterford recipients are: Fiona Ennis, Butlerstown, Co. Waterford  with mentor Danny Denton. Ger Duffy, Tramore with Afric McGlinchy. Fergus Hogan/Waterford city with poet Grace Wells. The poet Thomas McCarthy is mentoring Virginia Keane/Ardmore, Molly Twomey/Lismore and Martine O’ Donovan/Tramore.

Thrilled that so many of our writers were selected to avail of this opportunity.

See https://www.munsterlit.ie for more.

By Waterford City & County Council

Minister Humphreys announces €14 Million Fund to support outdoor adventure activities

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces €14 Million Fund to support outdoor adventure activities

  • Fund to develop recreational activities at mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, beaches and bogs 
  • Investment will support Tidal Pools, Floating Boardwalks, Mountain Trails, Forest Walks, Greenways & Blueways
  • Focus on supporting adventure activities such as kayaking, mountaineering, surfing, paragliding and outdoor swimming

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today opened a called for applications for €14 million in funding for outdoor recreation projects and investment that will support the adventure tourism sector in rural communities.

The funding, which is being provided under the Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme, will support the key objectives of Our Rural Future – the Government’s ambitious new policy for Rural Ireland.

The focus of the funding is to develop rural Ireland’s unique natural amenities and support outdoor pursuits and adventure activities such as hiking/mountaineering, cycling, horse-riding, canoeing/kayaking, swimming, surfing, sailing, rock-climbing, fishing, paragliding and hang-gliding.

The fund will provide for significant investment in the development of outdoor trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways, tidal pools, floating boardwalks and bridleways.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider opportunities to develop recreational amenities and increase public access and enjoyment of rural Ireland’s mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, beaches and bogs.

Today’s funding announcement is aimed at supporting outdoor recreation tourism, a growing tourism sector internationally, which has the potential to have major economic spin-off benefits for rural towns and villages as well as improving the health and well-being of rural communities.

Launching the Fund today, Minister Humphreys said:

“As part of Our Rural Future, the Government’s ambitious new policy for rural development, I want to see rural Ireland become a destination of choice domestically and internationally for outdoor pursuits and adventure tourism.

“The €14m Fund I am announcing today is focused on supporting a wide range of activities and projects for persons of all ages and abilities.

“I want to see applications coming forward which seek to develop and improve access to rural Ireland’s unique, natural amenities such as our lakes, rivers and beaches, as well as our forests, mountains and bogs.

“Through this Fund, we will invest in the development of forest and mountain trails, tidal pools, floating boardwalks on our lakes and bogs, greenways, blueways, bridleways and much more.

“COVID-19 has given us all a renewed appreciation for our great outdoors. Through this fund, I want us to develop our fantastic natural amenities so that people can access them and enjoy them.

“Successful projects will also bring significant economic spin off benefits for our rural towns and villages by attracting both domestic and international tourists in the future.”

Projects applications will be accepted from Local Authorities under the following Measures:

  • Measure 1 for small scale projects requiring funding of up to €20,000,
  • Measure 2 for medium scale projects with funding of up to €200,000,
  • Measure 3 for large scale projects seeking funding of up to €500,000, and
  • Project Development Measure funding of up to €50,000 for development costs for strategic large scale projects.

Also welcoming the funding, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, said:

“Over the last 3 years, Fáilte Ireland has invested €11million to the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, with a further €4million committed for 2021.

“Our partnership has helped transform the landscape of Ireland by investing in infrastructure across the country to expand and develop facilities for outdoor recreation activities including walking, cycling, watersports and running.

“With 226 projects funded to date in 2021, we look forward to supporting the Department of Community and Rural Development and Fáilte Ireland in developing the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for 2021. 

“With increasing numbers of people participating in outdoor activities, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, the ORIS scheme supports the development of new routes and paths, provides invaluable funding towards improvements, maintenance and upkeep of some of Ireland’s most popular trails.  

“These outdoor amenities provide access to healthy, sustainable recreation for locals and visitors alike, while also providing economic benefit for local communities nationwide.”

For more information about the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme visit gov.ie.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Ardmore and Tramore approved for Fáilte Ireland Platforms for Growth 2 – Facility Centres for Water Sports Activities Funding Scheme

Waterford City & County Council is delighted to welcome the news that two seaside locations in Waterford have been approved under the Fáilte Ireland Platforms for Growth 2 – Facility Centres for Water Sports Activities funding scheme. The funding was announced earlier today by Minister Catherine Martin at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and will see the delivery of world class Facility Centres for Water Sports in both Ardmore and Tramore. The facilities will provide secure changing facilities, hot showers and orientation space for activity providers will add to the overall tourism appeal of County Waterford.

The national funding scheme, to the value of €19million, will enable the development of a network of 22 Facility Centres for Water Sports across Ireland which will all align with an exemplar design commissioned by Fáilte Ireland. These Facility Centres will assist in highlighting the strength of the coastal and activity offering we have in Waterford, encouraging visitors to stay longer and enjoy water sports activities as part of their stay. The Facility Centres will also be of benefit to many locals who enjoy a variety of water sports and add to the outstanding quality of life offering in Waterford. Local water sport activity providers will benefit from and have access to the facilities in both Ardmore and Tramore and will be consulted with regard to the development of both facilities.

The Mayor of the City and County of Waterford, Councillor Damien Geoghegan, welcomed this funding announcement for Waterford saying “I am delighted that Waterford has attracted funding for two world class facilities in both Tramore and Ardmore locations. To have water sports facilities of such calibre in the East and West of the County will highlight our spectacular coastal offering and encourage visitors to explore the pristine Waterford coastline from new perspectives. It will be a brilliant amenity for locals too and will also provide opportunities for job creation.”

The Covid 19 pandemic has increased interest in holidays with a solid outdoor offering and Fáilte Ireland research has shown that visitors on activity holidays spend more and stay longer. Waterford is well known for its spectacular Waterford Greenway, the rugged Comeragh Mountains and its pristine coastline which includes five Blue Flag beaches and the impressive Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark. Waterford also has a network of almost 40 accredited walking and cycling trails across the county and St. Declan’s Way, a 100km pilgrim path from Ardmore to the Rock of Cashel, will be a unique addition to this list when it opens in the summer.

The new facility centres will make water sports more appealing and accessible for a longer season, combining with the existing outdoor proposition in the County to further increasing the profile of Waterford as an activity tourism destination.

By Waterford City & County Council

Dungarvan Begins its Transformation Journey

In a new initiative being driven by the Council, the local Chamber, Waterford LEO and a number of industry partners, ambitious plans have commenced to create a Digital Transformation Hub for Dungarvan. With a clear purpose – to enable Dungarvan to achieve its potential and become a thriving 21st century town.

The initial focus of the Hub will be on providing safe, remote workspace in the town centre for people currently struggling while working from home due to the Covid pandemic. And for those people who will be in a blended working situation over the next number of years.

Thereafter, the Hub will expand its services to allow all business in the area, large medium and small, embrace the opportunities offered by digital transformation. Through collaboration with mentors and experts at a national level, local businesses can re-imagine their processes, culture and customer experience with tailored solutions. This will allow these organisations to meet the challenging and changing requirements of the 21st century marketplace.

Right now the input of the general public is vital, to ensure the Hub meets the needs of all the people from the Dungarvan area. To this end, the partners are conducting a survey so as to get broad input on future needs and priorities. The survey is anonymous and can be accessed on the web-sites and social media platforms of Waterford City and County Council, Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber of Commerce and Waterford Local Enterprise Office.

#WorkLiveDungarvan is an initiative which will set Dungarvan up for a future in enterprise that will be sustainable, vibrant, collaborative and, most certainly, digital in focus. The Partners are appealing to all people interested in the future of Dungarvan to complete the survey. It is the first part of the process and will contribute to the creation of Dungarvan’s future. Today.

Kieran Kehoe, Director of Services with the Council and designated Dungarvan Town Manager says: ‘The Council has commenced “Dungarvan 2040 – a Strategic Urban Development Framework” and this will be a hugely important piece of work. But this digital transformation initiative will parallel this framework and will ensure investment in Dungarvan’s enterprise infrastructure at the same time as its broader future is being planned. So the big immediate ask is for people to take the survey and help Dungarvan’s future journey begin’.

By Waterford City & County Council

Online ‘Physio-Pilates’ classes

Colette O’Flynn from PhysioNow Ireland will show you how to stay energised, fit and healthy during the pandemic, with this free introduction to Physio-Pilates on Wednesday 21st April at 12.30pm.

To register for free, please click here.

The exercises are ideal for house-bound people of any age or fitness and can be done at any time with little or no equipment. There is no need to change into gym gear. All you need is a mat and some space.

PhysioNow is a network of chartered physiotherapist clinics, operating across Dublin and online. During the lockdown, they developed a series of online ‘Physio-Pilates’ classes, which combined the principals of Physiotherapy and Pilates and has since become very popular with companies and individuals.

This webinar is part of the Waterford Healthy Ireland at your Library initiative. For more information, please go to our website, here.

For more information, please phone 0761 102141 or email library@waterfordcouncil.ie

#KeepWell #BeWell #HealthyIrelandatYourLibrary #HealthyWaterford #HealthyIreland

By Waterford City & County Council

Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2021

Waterford City & County Council now seeks expressions of interest from towns and villages for funding of suitable projects under this initiative.

Expression of Interest forms and details of the Scheme outline can be obtained by emailing townvillagerenewal@waterfordcouncil.ie and completed Expression of Interest forms are to be returned before 5.00pm Friday 23rd April 2021.

By Waterford City & County Council

Let Dandelions Bee!

Let Dandelions Bee!

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! For more information, see www.letdandelionsbee.ie or https://pollinators.ie/resources

The competition is to take a photo of dandelions in bloom and send it to letdandelionsbee@gmail.com, like and share this post. Closing date: 5pm 30th April 2021. Prize: the winner can choose either a €100 Dungarvan Chamber gift voucher or €100 Waterford Chamber gift voucher.

By Waterford City & County Council

Digitising our Local Heritage: Europeana in focus

Europe Direct Waterford and Waterford Libraries in partnership with Waterford Archives, the Digital Repository of Ireland (DRI) and Europeana are delighted to organise a free webinar Digitising our Local Heritage: Europeana in focus on Tuesday 20 April from 10am – 11am.

Europeana works with thousands of European archives, libraries and museums to share cultural heritage for enjoyment, education and research.

The Europeana website gives access to millions of books, music, artworks and more – with sophisticated search and filter tools to help researchers find what they are looking for with many features such as online exhibitions, galleries and blogs to inform and inspire anyone with an interest in history and cultural heritage.

Join our expert panel and find out more about Europeana and how to use it. Learn how Europeana strives to empower the cultural heritage sector in its digital transformation and how you or your organisation can get involved.

Expert Panel:

Adrian Murphy, Collection Engagement, Europeana Collections Manager Europeana Foundation

Killian Downing, Europeana Members Council Member, Archivist Dublin City University

Dr. Kathryn Cassidy, technical team at the Digital Repository of Ireland

Joanne Rothwell, Waterford City and County Archivist (Chair)

This webinar open to the general public, teachers, educators, librarians, archivists, local authorities, cultural and heritage organisations.

Book your free place at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/digitising-our-local-heritage-europeana-in-focus-tickets-148761763439

By Waterford City & County Council

Rediscovering Ireland’s Railway Routes: Iarnród Enda with former Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Rediscovering Ireland’s Railway Routes: Iarnród Enda with former Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Waterford features heavily in the first episode – RTÉ One Monday 5th April at 8.30pm

Programme One: ​Waterford to Dungarvan – The Waterford Greenway in the ‘Sunny South East’ has brought a new lease of life to this beautiful region, yet before the railway line closed it helped encourage a vibrant commercial and farming environment, as well as making a strong contribution at the end of the 19th​ Century to growth and development of the newly formed GAA.

This programme has contributions from historian Donnchadh O’Ceallacháin, Tom Hartery, Garvan Cummins, Mary Crowley, PJ Maher – the last station master before the line closed, and renowned chef Paul Flynn cooks up a barbecue for Enda.

By Waterford City & County Council

Lismore Castle Arts Stable Studio Awards 2021

Lismore Castle Arts welcomes applications from artists for our Stable Studio. The studio is available for free with mentoring and support from Lismore Castle Arts. Each award will also include a stipend of €400.

The studios are available for 1 month periods throughout 2021:

1 – 28 June;

1 – 30 July;

2 – 31 August.

(Note the above dates may be subject to change depending on Government restrictions)

To register your interest please send a letter and supporting documents to LCA by 7 May 2021: gallery@lismorecastlearts.ie

Supporting materials may include a CV, PDF of examples of work, links to video hosting websites etc.  Note the studio does not have access to wifi, but artists can use wifi and office systems in LCA.

By Waterford City & County Council

Community Monuments Scheme 2021

The Community Monuments Scheme is now open for applications. The scheme is available for monuments in private ownership or community groups who want to commission a conservation plan, carry out conservation works or install heritage interpretation at archaeological sites and monuments.

Applications must be sent to Waterford City and County Council by April 12th 2021 to bguest@waterfordcouncil.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Pledge your Garden for Pollinators

So many homeowners are beginning to see their gardens in a new light. They want to make their gardens more wildlife-friendly and contribute small patches of pollinator-friendly habitats to our landscape.

This new guide explains how anyone can make any garden – big or small – more pollinator-friendly. By taking simple steps in your garden, you will help to provide much-needed food and shelter for our pollinating insects, while at the same time creating a beautiful, colourful garden for you and your family to enjoy.

By Waterford City & County Council

Age Action Ireland – An Audience with Tomi Reichental

An Audience with Tomi Reichental

Join us on Wednesday 31st March 2021 at 10.30am to hear Tomi tell his story

Tomi Reichental was born in 1935 in the village of Merašice in rural Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia).

In 1944 he was sent to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp along with his mother, brother and grandmother. He survived the camp and since 1959 he has lived in Ireland.

Tomi is known for his talks about his experience of the Holocaust as a child.

He gives talks in secondary schools, colleges and at various other events across the country and his aim is to educate people about what happened during the Holocaust so that we can remember the people who died in it and so it never happens again.

For more information go to https://hetireland.org/

Enquiries to events@ageaction.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

GIY aim to get half a million people growing food with Grow It Forward

In partnership with Healthy Ireland and Libraries Ireland, GIY today announced the launch of Grow it Forward. Through this initiative, 50,000 free food growing kits will be given away, participants are asked to use the kits to share the experience with ten people, enabling half a million people across Ireland to enjoy the wide range of benefits that come from growing food at home.

Budding GIYers are invited to claim a Grow it Forward pack at giy.ie/growitforward or by contacting their local library, as all 330 branches nationwide are helping to drive the effort. As part of the Government’s Keep Well programme, this campaign is designed to help the nation eat well by inspiring and supporting people to grow some of their own food at home while connecting with friends and family to join them.

Each food growing pack includes seeds for beetroot, carrots, salad leaves, peas and tomatoes; a guide to help grow them and a postcard and gift tags to help share them. Those who sign up will also receive regular e-mails with growing support, video clips and ideas for how to ‘grow it forward’ by passing on seeds, seedlings or produce in accordance with social distancing guidelines.

Speaking at the campaign launch, Michael Kelly, Founder of GIY said:

“The pandemic has seen a record number of people turn to growing their own food and discovering the joy and pride that brings. The process of seeing a seed turn into a seedling and eventually food you can eat is full of magic and no shortage of optimism. Grow it Forward is all about sharing that feeling as far and wide as possible at a time when we need it most. That’s why we’re inviting people to get free seeds and do good deeds.”

Speaking in support of the campaign, Frank Feighan TD, Minister of State for Public Health and Wellbeing said:

“During these challenging times, it is vital that we do everything we can to look after our wellbeing. Right now there is a great need for positive, outdoor activities and creativity in how we stay connected to one another. Evidence suggests that being out in nature, spending time in green space or growing some plants at home can help lift our mood and have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing. I would like to congratulate GIY for this Grow it Forward project as part of Healthy Ireland’s Keep Well campaign – this simple idea can really bring great joy, foster wellbeing and can also help revive community spirit. I encourage everyone to get involved.”

On behalf of local authorities and libraries, Colette Byrne, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council said:

“Local authorities and libraries are delighted to partner with GIY on the GROW It Forward programme. As the days brighten all of us are looking for things to do and what better way than growing your own healthy and nutritious food from seed? When you sign up, you’re not just getting seeds, you’re getting a whole programme

of support and the opportunity to share your new knowledge along with seedlings, plants and produce with friends and family. This could be a lovely intergenerational project where grandparents share seedlings with grandchildren and keep in touch and share photos as their vegetables grow. Library staff will be available to support and guide you through your growing journey so contact your local library today to sign up and get started. You don’t have to be a library member but this is a great chance to join because as well as a free Grow It Forward e-book, you’ll have access to thousands of gardening and cookery books and magazines so you can continue to develop your new hobby.”

Calling on people of all ages to join the campaign, GIY’s Director of Development Karen O’ Donohoe added:

“We encourage everyone to take part regardless of your experience in growing or the space you have to grow. Packs will be given out on a first come, first served basis and we will then teach people how to grow, whether on a windowsill or a large garden. We will also show a wide range of ways to share seeds, small seedlings, plants in pots or the produce at harvest time, to make sure your Grow it Forward experience is as easy as can be.”

Register for a Grow it Forward pack while supplies last by emailing your name and address to tramorelibrary@waterfordcouncil.ie or by calling 0761 102594.

#GrowItFoward

#KeepWell

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