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Arts / Culture

By Waterford City & County Council

Schools Competition from “The Let Dandelions Bee” campaign

The Let Dandelions Bee campaign wants you to give the mower a rest for just a short few weeks while the dandelions bloom this Spring.

@BioDataCentre says dandelions are our wild bees’ most favourite food! Wild bees do most of our most pollination, but their numbers have been declining. So, let’s give them a hand this Spring by letting dandelions grow in our lawns. Why not enter the schools competitions, photo competition, and more…

Primary Schools Competition – Primary Schools Competition – win a biodiversity workshop & €200 of bee-friendly plants for your school, & a €50 One4all voucher for the winning entrant. We have such a prize for 3 primary schools from anywhere on the island of Ireland. To enter, draw up a poster that shows how important dandelions are for bees in Spring. Entry details and our website coming soon … Ends Friday 3rd April (just before Easter holidays)

Secondary Schools Competition – Secondary Schools Competition – win a biodiversity workshop and €200 of bee-friendly plants for your school, & a €50 One4all voucher for the winning entrant. Prizes for 3 secondary schools from anywhere on the island of Ireland. To enter, draw up a 3-post social media campaign that shows how important dandelions are for bees in Spring. Entry details and our website coming soon … Ends Friday 3rd April.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Libraries receive funding to upgrade sensory facilities in 4 branches

Waterford Libraries receive over €30,000 in funding to upgrade
sensory facilities in Dungarvan, Lismore, Tramore and Central Libraries.

Following their successful application for funding under the national scheme announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring in December 2019, Waterford Libraries will receive an extra €15,680 in grant aid for the installation of new sensory equipment in library branches. This is in addition to the 2019 approved funding for installation of two “Tovertafel” magic tables in Dungarvan and Lismore (€15,680 (2019)).

At the announcement of the funding, Minister Ring said “I am very aware of the struggles some people face living with autism or learning differences. I want these people and their families to see our libraries as a safe and welcoming space for them, somewhere they can have fun in and learn.”

A Tovertafel is a unique piece of equipment where through the projection of light and shapes onto a flat surface, children and adults with additional sensory needs are enabled and encouraged to interact and enjoy the experience.

Waterford Libraries will install a magic table in Dungarvan in April, and this will be followed by the installation of a magic table in Lismore as part of the extension of the My Open Library (8am–10pm opening hours) to the Lismore branch.  This additional funding will also allow tables to be installed in both Central and Tramore Libraries.

Waterford City & County Librarian, Jane Cantwell said “We are delighted to receive this additional funding which will help us open up our libraries to an even broader range of people including carers, people living with dementia, autism and those with other learning issues. We believe that our public libraries should be open to and relevant to everyone.  Any services or equipment that help make this happen are very welcome.”

By Waterford City & County Council

Global Women’s Conference, Garter Lane Arts Centre, Tuesday 10th March

Join local and global speakers, women activists, academics, policy makers and delegates #EachforEqual #IWD2020

Waterford Integration Services, Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre, Waterford Libraries, Waterford Cultural Quarter and Waterford City and County Council are coming together to host a Global Women’s Conference on Tuesday 10 March to coincide with International Women’s Day Events.

Sunday 8th March is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality – #IWD2020 #EachforEqual

Our focus at local level is on empowering women as key actors of Integration and Economic Development as a direct response to our commitment to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Waterford and the South-East.

We collaborate on issues affecting Migrant women and their families by highlighting inequalities and social exclusion, policy development and research, education, income poverty, women and health, politics and decision-making, combating racism and discrimination, women and human rights.

This Conference will attract local and global speakers, women activists, academics, policy makers and community delegates to participate in the important dialogue of Migrant Women and the SDGs.

The Conference will take place at Garter Lane Arts Centre, O’Connell Street, which is located in Waterford’s Cultural Quarter.

Lunch included.

FREE but booking essential at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/global-womens-conference-tickets-93943488503

Programme

  • 9:00am Registration & Mini Cultural Moment
  • 9:30am Welcome Address by Mayor of the Metropolitan District Cllr. Breda Brennan
  • 9:35am Keynote Speaker, Lelini Veerassamy CEO of International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
  • 9:50am Tulowani Akaehomen
  • 10:10am Osas Usideme, Intercultural Health Hub
  • 10:20am Women as Ritual Makers
  • 10:30am Sarah Franklyn, Coalition 2030
  • 11:00am Water Break & Mini Cultural Moment
  • 11:15am Her Excellency Dr. Uzoma Elizabeth Emenike, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • 11:30am Panel Discussion and Questions from the delegates – Chaired by Margaret Ward, Journalist
  • 12:30pm Mini Cultural Moment –Group Energy Work – Nicola Kent
  • 12:50pm Obianuju Eckedoze, Chair Waterford Migrant Forum
  • 1:00pm Networking Light Lunch
  • 2:00pm Mini Cultural performance
  • 2:20pm Carine Mambou, Storyteller
  • 2:30pm Round Table discussion Main challenges faced by women in Waterford
  • 3:30pm Feedback from discussion
  • 3:45pm Final Questions, evaluation form completion and conference closure
  • Closes at 4pm

Side Events

  • Launch of Shakti Programme Intercultural Quilt – Social Enterprise Programme for women.
  • Example of Rangoli (south Indian art form, in which patterns are created on the floor or the ground traditionally using materials such coloured rice or flour etc.) This ritual for luck, health & happiness is performed specifically by women.
  • Red Sand Project – participatory community art to highlight victims of human trafficking that fall through the cracks in our global system.

Information Stands

  • Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre
  • South East Business Innovation Centre
  • Access I.T.
  • Waterford Social Enterprise Network
  • Work Matters – Supports for Business & Employment at your Library

By Waterford City & County Council

Entries now accepted for the 2020 Molly Keane Creative Writing Award

Waterford City & County Council’s Arts Office is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting entries for the Molly Keane Creative Writing Award 2020.

Annually since 1998, to celebrate this rich literary life, the Waterford Arts Office, by kind permission of the Keane family has invited entries for a previously unpublished short story to a maximum of 2000 words.

There is no entry fee, no age limit and no restriction on the subject matter.  A prize of €500 will be awarded to the winner at an event in the Molly Keane Writers Retreat, Ardmore, Co. Waterford  in June 2020.

By Waterford City & County Council

Global Women’s Conference to take place in Waterford on 10th March

Waterford Integration Services, Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre, Waterford Libraries, Waterford Cultural Quarter and Waterford City and County Council are coming together to host a Global Women’s Conference on Tuesday 10 March in Garter Lane Arts Centre from 9am to 4pm to coincide with International Women’s Day Events.

On the day delegates can join local and global speakers, women activists, academics, policy makers and community leaders. The conference will invite all speakers and delegates to participate in the important dialogue of Migrant Women and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Anne Nolan from Waterford Integration Services explains: “Our focus at local level is on empowering women as key actors of Integration and Economic Development as a direct response to our commitment to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals in Waterford and the South-East. We collaborate on issues affecting Migrant women and their families by highlighting inequalities and social exclusion, policy development and research, education, income poverty, women and health, politics and decision-making, combating racism and discrimination as well as women and human rights.”

Speakers will include Lelini Veerassamy CEO of International Organisation for Migration, Osas Usideme, Intercultural Health Hub, Sarah Franklyn, Coalition 2030, Tulowani Akaehomen, Businesswoman and Author, Margaret Ward, journalist, Obianuju Eckedoze, Chair of the Waterford Migrant Forum, Marie Taylor, Limerick Institute of Technology and Her Excellency Dr. Uzoma Elizabeth Emenike, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mayor of the Waterford Metropolitan District Cllr. Breda Brennan will open the conference.

The day will also include mini cultural moments including storytelling by Carine Mambou, Rangoli, a south Indian art form, in which patterns are created for luck, health and happiness, Red Sand Project – participatory community art to highlight victims of human trafficking that fall through the cracks in our global system.

There will also be information stands from Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre, South East Business Innovation Centre, Access I.T., Waterford Social Enterprise Network and Work Matters – Supports for Business & Employment at your Library.

Sunday 8 March is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

The Conference will take place at Garter Lane Arts Centre, O’Connell Street, which is located in Waterford’s Cultural Quarter. Tickets are free but booking is essential via eventbrite – search for ‘Global Women’s Conference’ or contact Central Library on 0761 10 2975 for more information.

ENDS

For more information contact Sinead O’Higgins sohiggins@waterfordcouncil.ie or Anne Nolan anne.nolisu@gmail.com

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/global-womens-conference-tickets-93943488503

By Waterford City & County Council

Global Women’s Conference, Garter Lane Arts Centre, Tuesday 10th March

Join local and global speakers, women activists, academics, policy makers and delegates #EachforEqual #IWD2020

Waterford Integration Services, Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre, Waterford Libraries, Waterford Cultural Quarter and Waterford City and County Council are coming together to host a Global Women’s Conference on Tuesday 10 March to coincide with International Women’s Day Events.

Sunday 8th March is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality – #IWD2020 #EachforEqual

Our focus at local level is on empowering women as key actors of Integration and Economic Development as a direct response to our commitment to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Waterford and the South-East.

We collaborate on issues affecting Migrant women and their families by highlighting inequalities and social exclusion, policy development and research, education, income poverty, women and health, politics and decision-making, combating racism and discrimination, women and human rights.

This Conference will attract local and global speakers, women activists, academics, policy makers and community delegates to participate in the important dialogue of Migrant Women and the SDGs.

The Conference will take place at Garter Lane Arts Centre, O’Connell Street, which is located in Waterford’s Cultural Quarter.

Lunch included.

FREE but booking essential at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/global-womens-conference-tickets-93943488503

Programme

  • 9:00am Registration & Mini Cultural Moment
  • 9:30am Welcome Address by Mayor of the Metropolitan District Cllr. Breda Brennan
  • 9:35am Keynote Speaker, Lelini Veerassamy CEO of International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
  • 9:50am Tulowani Akaehomen
  • 10:10am Osas Usideme, Intercultural Health Hub
  • 10:20am Women as Ritual Makers
  • 10:30am Sarah Franklyn, Coalition 2030
  • 11:00am Water Break & Mini Cultural Moment
  • 11:15am Her Excellency Dr. Uzoma Elizabeth Emenike, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • 11:30am Panel Discussion and Questions from the delegates – Chaired by Margaret Ward, Journalist
  • 12:30pm Mini Cultural Moment –Group Energy Work – Nicola Kent
  • 12:50pm Obianuju Eckedoze, Chair Waterford Migrant Forum
  • 1:00pm Networking Light Lunch
  • 2:00pm Mini Cultural performance
  • 2:20pm Carine Mambou, Storyteller
  • 2:30pm Round Table discussion Main challenges faced by women in Waterford
  • 3:30pm Feedback from discussion
  • 3:45pm Final Questions, evaluation form completion and conference closure
  • Closes at 4pm

Side Events

  • Launch of Shakti Programme Intercultural Quilt – Social Enterprise Programme for women.
  • Example of Rangoli (south Indian art form, in which patterns are created on the floor or the ground traditionally using materials such coloured rice or flour etc.) This ritual for luck, health & happiness is performed specifically by women.
  • Red Sand Project – participatory community art to highlight victims of human trafficking that fall through the cracks in our global system.

Information Stands

  • Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre
  • South East Business Innovation Centre
  • Access I.T.
  • Waterford Social Enterprise Network
  • Work Matters – Supports for Business & Employment at your Library

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford a winner at prestigious All-Ireland Community Awards

Waterford has been announced as a winner at this year’s All-Ireland Community & Council Awards. The ceremony, presented by IPB Insurance and LAMA, took place on Saturday the 15th February 2020 in Croke Park Stadium, Dublin.

The prestigious awards recognise and celebrate community groups and Councils working together across Ireland. They highlight the extraordinary work carried out within communities and reward unsung heroes for the phenomenal contribution they make throughout the year. With over 200 entries received, there were 24 well deserved winners crowned in the various categories.

Now in its 14th year, Waterford Council/Waterford Sports Partnership received awards under the following headings;

Best Education/Training Initiative Gold Award Winners

  • Waterford Sports Partnership and TREO Port Láirge for the “Active Body, Active Mind” programme.

Best Community Health Project – Bronze Award Winners

  • Waterford Sports Partnership and the FAI for the “Soccer for Girls Programme”.

Best Community Sports Club/Team -Bronze Award Winners

  • Paul’s Boxing Club.

This year’s event had the highest level of competition yet, with entries from social enterprises, Councils, organisations, projects and individuals working within communities across Ireland. Entrants were required to provide information on the projects submitted, the people involved and their achievements over the past year.

Commenting on this year’s awards, Youth Sports Development Officer Brian O’Neill said, “Even to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards is an achievement, but to come away with a Gold Award and two Bronze Awards is fantastic.  It’s great for Waterford to be recognized for the work Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Sports Partnership and local club volunteers do, particularly TREO Port Láirge, the FAI and St. Paul’s Boxing Club.”

For more information on the All-Ireland Community & Council Awards, please see https://lamaawards.org/

Pictured above are Peter Jones and Mayor John Pratt of Active Body Active Mind, Waterford City & County Council, winner of Best Education Training Initiative, Cllr. Michael Anglim, Chairperson of LAMA, Brian O’Neill of Waterford City & County Council and Brian Lawlor, South Dublin County Council at the 2020 All Ireland Community and Council Awards presented by IPB Insurance and LAMA at Croke Park Stadium.

Photographer – Paul Sherwood paul@sherwood.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Lecture: ‘The Irish Constitutional Tradition: today’s memory, tomorrow’s dream’

Waterford Treasures Talks 2020 on the occasion of the sitting of the Supreme Court in Waterford and in partnership with the Supreme Court of Ireland presents a lecture ‘The Irish Constitutional Tradition: today’s memory, tomorrow’s dream’, with Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell

Mr Justice O’Donnell has been a judge of the Supreme Court since 2010. He was born in Belfast and educated at St Mary’s CBS, University College Dublin (BCL), The Honorable Society of King’s Inns (BL), and the University of Virginia (LL M). He was called to the Bar of Ireland in 1982, commenced practice in 1983 and was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1989. A Senior Counsel since 1995 he has practised in all the courts of Ireland, in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).  He was a member of the Law Reform Commission from 2005-2012. He has delivered the John Kelly lecture (UCD), the Brian Walsh lecture (ISEL), the Brian Lenihan lecture (TCD) the Dan Binchy lecture (Brehon Law School) and the keynote address at a conference in the University of Limerick  to mark the 80th anniversary of the Constitution.

He has published articles on a variety of legal topics in the Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly, The Irish Jurist, the Dublin University Law Journal, the Judicial Studies Journal, and has contributed to volumes of essays on legal issues. He was a director of Our Lady’s Hospice from 2009-2014 and is the current chairman of the Judges’ Library Committee and a member of the Incorporated Council for Law Reporting and of the Council of the Irish Legal History Society.

In 2009, he became a Bencher of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. His father, Lord Justice Turlough O’Donnell, was a judge of the High Court and Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland and was later a member of the Irish Law Reform Commission. This public talk will be a survey of highlights of the last century and the lessons that might be drawn. 

  • Monday 24th February 2020,  6.30 pm (please note earlier time!)
  • Medieval Museum, Waterford
  • FREE ADMISSION, all welcome

Enquiries 0761 10 2501/ museumreception@waterfordcity.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Creative Ireland Open Call Grants 2020 opens on February 11th

Waterford City and County Council launches its Creative Waterford Open Call Grants 2020 on February 11th. Waterford City and County Council’s Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022 wishes to provide opportunities for access, participation and engagement in culture and creativity for all citizens. This call is open to everyone, from artists & creatives to collectives & communities to apply for funding to assist in developing Waterford’s creativity in all sorts of ways.

Katherine Collins, Creative Waterford Coordinator said:

“This funding has provided great opportunities to communities, groups and individuals to express their creativity in a huge range of disciplines over the past three years. Projects relating to sustainability, climate action, heritage, literature, music, theatre, murals and many more topics have been completed, and we are looking forward to seeing a wide variety of applications again in 2020. This is a competitive Open Call, so we encourage applicants to work through the Creative Waterford Toolkit which gives advice and information on how best to approach devising a project for this or any culture / community application process.”

The Creative Ireland Programme is the Government’s Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016 – a five-year initiative which places creativity at the centre of public policy. It is a culture-based programme designed to promote individual, community and national well being. Its vision is ‘that every person living in Ireland will have the opportunity to fully realise his or her creative potential.’ Creative Waterford delivers the “Creative Communities” pillar of the national programme, which provides funding to community based creativity projects.

The maximum grant to a project is €5,000. The Creative Ireland Open Call application form & information sheet are available in English and Irish at http://bit.ly/CreativeIreland2020  / http://bit.ly/ÉireIldánach2020

Waterford City and County Council’s Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022 and the Creative Waterford Toolkit & exercises are available at http://www.waterfordcouncil.ie/departments/culture-heritage/creativeireland.htm

The deadline for submissions is 4pm on 05/03/2020

For further information contact creativewaterford@waterfordcouncil.ie

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Treasures Talks 2020: ‘The Irish Constitutional Tradition: today’s memory, tomorrow’s dream.’

Waterford Treasures Talks 2020 on the occasion of the sitting of the Supreme Court in Waterford and in partnership with the Supreme Court of Ireland

‘The Irish Constitutional Tradition: today’s memory, tomorrow’s dream’

Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell

Mr Justice O’Donnell has been a judge of the Supreme Court since 2010. He was born in Belfast and educated at St Mary’s CBS, University College Dublin (BCL), The Honorable Society of King’s Inns (BL), and the University of Virginia (LL M). He was called to the Bar of Ireland in 1982, commenced practice in 1983 and was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1989. A Senior Counsel since 1995 he has practised in all the courts of Ireland, in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).  He was a member of the Law Reform Commission from 2005-2012. He has delivered the John Kelly lecture (UCD), the Brian Walsh lecture (ISEL), the Brian Lenihan lecture (TCD) the Dan Binchy lecture (Brehon Law School) and the keynote address at a conference in the University of Limerick  to mark the 80th anniversary of the Constitution.

He has published articles on a variety of legal topics in the Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly, The Irish Jurist, the Dublin University Law Journal, the Judicial Studies Journal, and has contributed to volumes of essays on legal issues. He was a director of Our Lady’s Hospice from 2009-2014 and is the current chairman of the Judges’ Library Committee and a member of the Incorporated Council for Law Reporting and of the Council of the Irish Legal History Society.

In 2009, he became a Bencher of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. His father, Lord Justice Turlough O’Donnell, was a judge of the High Court and Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland and was later a member of the Irish Law Reform Commission. This public talk will be a survey of highlights of the last century and the lessons that might be drawn.

Monday 24th February 2020

6.30 pm (please note earlier time!)

Medieval Museum

FREE ADMISSION, all welcome

Enquiries 0761.102501/ museumreception@waterfordcouncil.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Tionól na nDéise mar chuid de Thionól Niocláis Tóibín

Tionól na nDéise sa Rinn

Sí an file agus an t-údar, Áine Uí Fhoghlú a thabharfaidh léacht Thionól na nDéise de chuid Chomhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge mar chuid de chlár imeachtaí Thionól Niocláis Tóibín, a bheidh ar siúl sa Rinn ón 7-9 Feabhra i mbliana. Labharfaidh Áine faoin dteideal “Amhráin agus amhránaithe an tseana-shaoil” i gColáiste na Rinne, Rinn Ó gCuanach ar an Satharn, 8 Feabhra ag a 2.30i.n. agus beidh fáilte roimh chách freastal ar an gcaint saor in aisce seo.

File agus údar í Áine a rugadh i Londain agus a tógadh sa Rinn agus beidh an chaint a thabharfaidh sí bunaithe ar leabhar álainn dá cuid a d’fhoilsigh sí anuraidh – Scéalta agus Seanachas: Béaloideas agus cuimhní cinn ó Ghaeltacht na nDéise. Díreoidh caint Áine ar amhránaithe sean-nóis ó Ghaeltacht na nDéise – daoine ar nós Polly Ní Cheallaigh, Nioclás Tóibín féin, Eibhlís Tóibín, Bean de Paor agus Máire Bateman, Bean Chúnúin – agus beidh meascán d’fhíseáin agus de chlostéipeanna á úsáid aici sa chur i láthair.

Chomh maith le Scéalta agus Seanachas, tá trí shaothar filíochta foilsithe ag Áine, mar atá: Aistear Aonair, An Liú sa Chuan agus Ar an Imeall. Tá cúig shaothar ficsin léi foilsithe, mar atá: Crúba na Cinniúna agus Uisce faoi Thalamh (dhá úrscéilín don fhoghlaimeoir fásta); Pincí sa Ghaeltacht agus Labhair Amach.com (scéalta do dhéagóirí) agus Éalú (úrscéal do dhaoine fásta). Tá mórán duaiseanna liteartha buaite aici agus staidéar á dhéanamh ar chuid dá saothar anois sna scoileanna.

Sraith chainteanna is ea Tionól na nDéise, a eagraíonn Oifig na Gaeilge de chuid Chomhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge in áiteanna éagsúla ar fud an chontae gach bliain. Tá Tionól na nDéise na Rinne á n-eagrú i gcomhar le lucht eagraithe Thionól Niocláis Tóibín agus tá sé mar chuid de chlár iomlán imeachtaí ceoil, amhránaíochta agus scléipe a bheidh ar siúl sa Rinn thar an deireadh seachtaine ar fad.

Mar sin, beidh fáilte roimh gach aoinne chuig Coláiste na Rinne ar an Satharn, 8 Feabhra ar a 2.30i.n. don ócáid saor in aisce seo, ag a ndéanfar cheiliúradh ar ár dteanga, ár n-oidhreacht agus ár stair dhúchasach.

The first of Waterford City & County Council’s Tionól na nDéise 2020 lecture series will take place in Coláiste na Rinne, An Rinn on Saturday, 8 February at 2.30pm, as part of the weekend-long Tionól Niocláis Tóibín festival. Áine Uí Fhoghlú will give a talk on sean-nós singers and songs from the past and all are welcome to attend this free event.

Áine Uí Fhoghlú is a former secondary school-teacher, who recently retired from teaching to concentrate full-time on her writing. She is a published poet and author and the talk she will give will be based on her most recent book, Scéalta agus Seanachas, a beautifully produced hardback publication on folklore and memories from the Gaeltacht area of An Rinn and An Seanphobal, which was published just last year.  Áine will talk about sean-nós singers from the area such as Polly Ní Cheallaigh, Nioclás Tóibín, Eibhlís Tóibín, Bean de Paor and Máire Bateman, Bean Chúnúin and she will play extracts (both video and audiotapes) from her interviews with these wonderful singers.

In addition to Scéalta agus Seanachas, Áine has published three poetry anthologies, as well as a number of works of fiction, for adult learners of Irish, for teenagers and for Irish speakers.  She has won numerous literary awards and some of her work is now being studied as part of the school curriculum.

Tionól na nDéise is a series of talks organised each year by the Irish Office of Waterford City & County Council. This event is being organised in conjunction with the organisers of Tionól Nioclás Tóibín, and forms part of a busy weekend programme of events, including music and singing workshops, concerts and trad sessions.

Therefore, all are welcome to attend this free event, Tionól na nDéise in Ring College on Saturday, 8 February @ 2.30pm, where we will celebrate our rich Irish language culture and heritage.

-ends-

Further information:

Máire Seosaimhín Breathnach, Irish Officer, Waterford City & County Council
Tel: 0761 10 2884 E-mail: msbreathnach@waterfordcouncil.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Social Enterprise Development Fund 2020 – open for applications

The Social Enterprise Development Fund is a €3.2 million Fund which is being delivered over four years; 2018–2022. An additional commitment of €1.6m in 2020, added to an original commitment of €1.6m in 2018, brings the overall Fund to an investment of €3.2m in total, the most significant private investment in social enterprises to date.

The Fund was created by Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) in partnership with Local Authorities Ireland and is funded by IPB Insurance and the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Department of Rural and Community Development provides match funding for funds raised by Social Innovation Fund Ireland, via the Dormant Accounts Fund.

The objective of the Fund is to find and back social enterprises that add to the social and economic fabric of their community by way of social impact. The Fund will provide critical support to the most innovative and impactful social enterprises across Ireland, helping them to:

» Increase their social impact

» Increase their traded income

» Create more jobs

» Develop long-term, effective and sustainable solutions.

CASH GRANTS
In 2020, the Fund will support up to 16 social enterprises with cash grants of between €10,000 and €50,000 and a place on our accelerator programme.

ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME
All successful applicants will win a place on Ireland’s only National Accelerator Programme specifically designed for social enterprises. The Accelerator Programme will equip social enterprises with the skills they need to scale up and deepen their social impact.

GENESIS PROGRAMME
For the first time in 2020, the Social Enterprise Development Fund has an exciting new offering. The Genesis Programme will provide support to select social enterprises who do not receive a cash grant. The attendees for the programme will be selected across Ireland, ensuring that the Social Enterprise Development Fund offers support to social enterprises in every Local Authority area.

FURTHER INVESTMENT
At the end of the Accelerator Programme, all successful social enterprises will have the opportunity to pitch for a share of an additional €100,000. This further investment will be awarded to the social enterprises that demonstrate the greatest potential for future impact and growth.

For more information and to apply to the fund visit:  http://www.socialinnovation.ie/sedfund2020

The deadline for applications is the 6th of March at 5 pm. 

By Waterford City & County Council

REMINDER: Eco Eye episode featuring Waterford airs, 7:00pm tonight

*REMINDER – AIRS TONIGHT*

Eco Eye episode featuring Waterford airs on Tuesday 28th January at 7:00pm on RTE1.

Advanced notices of Waterford featuring heavily in the Eco Eye programme on RTE1, tomorrow evening, Tuesday 28th January.

The Office of the Planning Regulator and Healthy Ireland have sponsored this episode of Eco Eye under the theme “Sustainable Spatial Planning” and a lot of the programme was filmed in and around Waterford.   Included are interviews with Eamonn McEneaney, Director of the Waterford Treasures Museum,  and Brianna Connaughton, the Healthy Waterford Coordinator.  Some interviews with members of the public from Waterford and Boyle in Co. Roscommon are also featured.

The message of the programme is that all of the County/City Development Plans and Local Area Plans are being/will be reviewed and that people have the opportunity to make submissions and to determine how their counties/cities and local areas are developed into the future.

Tune in on Tuesday for more.

By Waterford City & County Council

Celebrate World Wetlands Day this Sunday, February 2nd

World Wetlands Day occurs annually on February 2nd, marking the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands signed in Ramsar, Iran on February 2  in 1971. It was established to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for  amenity and recreation, wildlife habitats and  treatment of pollution and flood control. Two events are being organised for Sunday February 2nd  by Waterford City& County Council as part of the Irish Ramsar Committee’s celebration of World Wetlands Day.

At 11 am join naturalist and wildlife photographer  Paddy Dwan for  a guided walk along the wonderful  Anne Valley Wetlands.   Meet at the Anne Valley Car Park in Dunhill at 11 a.m.

At 2pm John Power  and the West Waterford Eco Group will lead a guided walk overlooking Dungarvan Harbour which is one of Ireland’s 45 designated Ramsar sites. This is  a perfect time of year to appreciate  visiting wintering birdlife  around our shores – Brent Geese, Golden Plover, Godwits, Curlew, Dunlin and Redshank. John and his colleagues  will be on hand to help you identify these birds  and they  will have spotting scopes and binoculars to help closer identification.  Meet at the Pitch and Putt Car park  below at the Sports Centre at 2pm.

Find out more  about World Wetlands Day on irishwetlands.ie

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