Awards

The Lodges, a social housing development in Ferrybank, delivered in collaboration with Waterford City and County Council and ROJO Studio Architects, has been shortlisted in the Housing Project of the Year (Medium) category at the Building and Architect of the Year Awards 2025.

The awards celebrate the most innovative individuals and companies driving excellence in Ireland’s building and architecture industry. Organised by BusinessRiver, the event connects over 25,000 business professionals across various sectors and highlights outstanding achievements in design and construction.

This recently completed 14-unit social housing development exemplifies high-quality construction and thoughtful design.

The project was carefully planned to provide a mix of one-bed apartments, two-bed duplex units, and one-bed bungalows, catering to a range of housing needs.

Speaking of the nomination, Walter Holden, Senior Architect with Waterford City and County Council said, “It’s a great testament to the design vision of the team at ROJO Studio Architects.

“It was necessary for the development to not only optimise the tight confines of the Fountain Street site, but also be sympathetic to the prominent location and adjacent buildings. Even on a relatively small site, the development provides over-looked communal spaces and private amenity spaces for tenants and all units are finished to the highest A-rated energy efficiency.

“In essence, The Lodges is a practical, sustainable, community-focused housing solution that enhances the local area.”

Agnieszka Rojowska MRIAI, ROJO Studio Architects welcomed the nomination saying, “Working on this project was both exciting and challenging.  Throughout the process we had to be mindful that the overall design integrated contemporary architecture with the historic urban fabric to create a vibrant, community-focused space.

“The Lodges development is visible from multiple vantage points and has established a strong architectural identity in Waterford, and we are delighted that it has been shortlisted for these prestigious awards.”

Just a short walk from the North Quays development and only ten minutes from the city centre, The Lodges is a testament to the successful partnership between Waterford City and County Council, ROJO Studio Architects, Nevin Construction, and Frank Fox & Associates Construction Engineering.

The overall category winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Dublin on April 3^rd, 2025.

Waterford City and County Council has been shortlisted for three All-Ireland Community & Council Awards in 2025.

The awards, presented by the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) and sponsored by IPB Insurance, recognise the collaborative spirit demonstrated by communities and councils across the island.

Now in its nineteenth year the awards offer a valuable platform to showcase the achievements and positive impact of these partnerships within local areas as well as highlighting the unsung heroes in our communities.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy said, “Being shortlisted in three categories of the All Ireland Community & Council awards is testament to the vision and dedication of the Council.  There is a great team working behind the scenes to consistently innovate, build, create, improve and maintain.”

In the Best Town / Village Regeneration category, Waterford City and County Council’s efforts in tackling dereliction and vacancy have been shortlisted. This award recognises interventions or initiatives which seek to regenerate or reactivate existing town or villages, and the needs of the people who live in them.

“Waterford’s efforts in tackling vacancy and dereliction are regularly cited as best practice, with the Council accounting for a substantial number of dwellings brought back into use through the Repair and Lease scheme.”

The Repair and Lease Scheme has been pioneered in Waterford and is a significant driver in providing high quality affordable housing solutions and at the same time has significantly addressed and delivered the return to use of vacant buildings in Waterford.  Almost 800 dwellings have been revitalised through such initiatives, signifying substantial progress in addressing vacancy and dereliction in Waterford.

“In the Dáil last year, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said Waterford City and County Council is the leading local authority in delivering units under RLS, and Waterford was also recently cited as best practice in the draft Programme for Government,” the mayor added.

Waterford City and County Council has also been shortlisted in the Best Tourism Initiative category for the City of Lights project.

The local authority launched the City of Lights project, funded by Fáilte Ireland, to illuminate 19 key locations across the city. This initiative enhances Waterford’s tourism appeal by creating a captivating nighttime experience that showcasing the city’s rich heritage, boosting the local economy, and enhancing safety for visitors.

The light trail connects the four main areas of the city: the historical Viking Triangle, the vibrant Apple Market and City walls beyond, the retail spine, and the Cultural Quarter. This luminous trail unites these diverse districts, inviting all to explore their unique charm under the captivating glow of the night.

St. Joseph’s, Manor Hill has been shortlisted in the Best Housing Regeneration and Urban Planning category. This category acknowledges excellence within social housing projects which have been developed in the last three years enabling stability and sustainability within communities and is sponsored by The Southern Regional Assembly, Northern & Western Assembly and The Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly.

Located on a landmark site on Manor Hill, St. Joseph’s House contains 71 dwellings.  The former convent now consists of 50 units located within the main building, while 21 units are located in the various out-building clusters on the site.  The former chapel on the site has also been repurposed as a community space for multiple uses by tenants.

The 2025 All Ireland Community & Council Awards, sponsored by IPB Insurance take place in Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork on February 22^nd.

The 20th Waterford PPN Community & Voluntary Gala Awards were held on November 21st at The Park Hotel in Dungarvan. This event, organised by Waterford PPN in collaboration with Waterford City & County Council, Waterford Volunteer Centre, Expressway, Waterford Community Safety Partnership, South-East Energy Agency, BHP Insurance, Cairde Credit Union, Waterford Credit Union, and Local Link Waterford.

Among the 200 guests were Cllr. Pat Nugent, Cathaoirleach of Dungarvan/Lismore District, Minister Mary Butler, Senator John Cummins, council officials, sponsors, judges, Waterford PPN Secretariat members, and representatives from the nominees and shortlisted. Waterford PPN is a network of over 700 community, voluntary, social inclusion, and environmental groups across Waterford City and County. The awards highlight the incredible dedication by these groups and volunteers, and it is the only platform that celebrates the amazing work within the community.

Awards were presented across seven group categories, with additional awards going to three individual volunteers and an overall award. The group recipients were Cappoquin Rowing Club, Inner City Residents Association, Top of the City Gardens, Francis Court Age Action, Access I.T., Surprise Surprise Dungarvan & West Waterford, and Tournore Court Residents Association.

The individual awards went to Richie Purcell (Age Friendly Volunteer of the Year), Billy Harty (Board/Committee Member of the Year), and Eilish Norris (Junior Volunteer of the Year).

Tournore Court Residents Association were selected from all the category winners to represent Waterford at the Pride of Place National Awards next year. 

Cathaoirleach of Dungarvan / Lismore District, Cllr. Pat Nugent, congratulated the finalists saying:

“The breath of community work in Waterford is astounding and each and every one of these groups and individuals contribute so much to our communities.  “From residents associations to youth coaching, and age action initiatives to committee volunteers, these community and voluntary networks have a profound, positive effect on the communities they operate within.”

It was a fantastic evening of celebration for the selfless contributions of Waterford’s community and voluntary sector.

See www.waterfordppn for all videos and photos of attendees on the night.

Last night (November 21^st) Waterford City and County Council was successful in the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards with a win in the Urban Revival category.

This award recognises initiatives that promote urbanism through improving and enhancing the lived experience in urban environments, with Waterford City and County Council’s efforts in Reviving Urban Living by reducing Property vacancy and dereliction announced as the category winner.

Over 715 dwellings have been revitalised through various initiatives, signifying substantial progress in addressing vacancy and dereliction in Waterford’s towns and villages. By taking on projects that were previously deemed unviable, Waterford City and County Council has delivered impactful solutions and infused vibrancy and vitality throughout the city and county.

Receiving the award, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy said, “This award is testament to the hard work, foresight, and dedication of Waterford City and County Council, and particularly the Planning Department.”

“Waterford has been long regarded as the exemplar in its efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction, and I am delighted to see that recognised on a national platform.”

Claire Hartley, Acting Director of Housing, Waterford City and County Council added, “Our project ‘Reviving Urban Living by reducing Property vacancy and dereliction’ is one that substantially promotes urbanism through improving and enhancing the lived experience in urban environments, through activating and encouraging reuse of vacant and derelict properties.”

An outstanding example of the efforts to enhance urban living include St. Joesph’s House.  In June last year, the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD cut the ribbon on the age-friendly housing development at the landmark site on Manor Hill, saying, “Waterford City and County Council is leading the way in delivering new social and affordable homes, and in particular in tackling vacancy which to be frank is a scourge in many villages, towns, and cities across the country.”

The former convent has been transformed with 50 dwelling units located within the main building and 21 located in the various out-building clusters on the site, while the former chapel on the site has been repurposed as a community space for multiple uses by tenants.

Over €4.9 million was approved through the Repair and Lease Scheme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.  The funding was provided under Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland.  The Repair and Lease Scheme has been pioneered in Waterford and is a significant driver in providing high quality affordable housing solutions and at the same time has significantly addressed and delivered the return to use of vacant buildings in Waterford.

Waterford City and County Council was also a finalist in the categories of Heritage & Built Environment for the Irish Wake Museum, and in the Municipal District Initiative category for the Connecting Communities Roadshow series.

Now in its 21st year, the Awards, reflect the dedication and innovation taking place at local government level, and showcase best practice in local government and recognise the skills, hard work, innovation and enthusiasm within local government that can often go unrecognised.

With seven group categories and three individual categories, thirty shortlisted groups and individuals are gearing up for the Waterford PPN Awards 2024 taking place in the Park Hotel, Dungarvan on Thursday, November 21^st.

Now in its 20^th year, the awards scheme is the only platform in Waterford to recognise and celebrate the commitment and vibrancy of the community and voluntary sector in Waterford and recognises the value of the voluntary contribution made by community and voluntary groups and volunteers.

Cathaoirleach of Dungarvan / Lismore District Cllr. Pat Nugent congratulated the finalists saying, “The breath of community work in Waterford is astounding and each and every one of these groups and individuals contribute so much to our communities.

“From residents associations to youth coaching, and age action initiatives to committee volunteers, these community and voluntary networks have a profound, positive effect on the communities they operate within.”

Alison de Paor, Waterford PPN added, “The PPN Awards are a wonderful opportunity for community and voluntary groups to get the recognition they so rightly deserve.

“The adjudicating panel had the unenviable task of shortlisting the finalists from 120 to 30.  It goes to show that Waterford is extremely fortunate to have so many voluntary and community groups, who every day go about their business to make their communities even better.”

This year’s awards are in collaboration with BHP Insurance, Cairde Credit Union & Waterford Credit Union, Community Safety Partnership, Expressway, Local Link Waterford, South East Energy Agency, Waterford City & County Council and Waterford Volunteer Centre.

The Awards were adjudicated by Cork City PPN, Cork County PPN, Laois PPN, Leitrim PPN, Roscommon PPN, Cork Volunteer Centre, Tipperary Volunteer Centre and Wexford Volunteer Centre.

Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in The Park Hotel Dungarvan, Thursday, November 21^st.

Waterford PPN Awards categories and shortlisted finalists can be found at https://www.waterfordppn.ie/awards/awards-2024/

Waterford City and County Council has been shortlisted in three categories of the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards 2024.

The awards are held in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and showcase best practice in local government and recognise the skills, vision and innovation within local government.

The Irish Wake Museum has been shortlisted in the Heritage & Built Environment category. This category celebrates best in class by a Local Authority to promote public interest in, and knowledge, appreciation and protection of local heritage sites.

Following extensive conservation of dwellings 3, 4 and 5 Cathedral Square which were originally built as almshouses in 1478, the Irish Wake Museum is now housed in the heart of the Viking Triangle.  The award-winning museum explores the theme of death and the customs and superstitions that surround the traditional Irish wake.

The conservation and exposure of many historical elements of the building such as the 15th century oak frame walls, original open fireplace, 18th century plasterwork with hand painted stencilling decoration and 19th century plasterwork which features soft animal hair in the mortar gives visitors the opportunity to see how this historic building has evolved over time.

In the Urban Revival category Waterford City and County Council’s efforts in Reviving Urban Living by reducing Property vacancy and Dereliction has been shortlisted. This award recognises initiatives that promote urbanism through improving and enhancing the lived experience in urban environments.

Over 715 dwellings have been revitalised through various initiatives, signifying substantial progress in addressing vacancy and dereliction in Waterford’s towns and villages. By taking on projects that were previously deemed unviable, Waterford City and County Council has delivered impactful solutions and infused vibrancy and vitality throughout the city and county.

The Connecting Communities Roadshow is shortlisted in the Municipal District Initiative category. This award recognises the impact of initiatives that maximise the contribution of the municipal district members to local authority effectiveness, particularly in terms of governance, local representation, conduct of council business, community engagement, and economic, social and local development generally.

Waterford City and County Council hosted a series of Connecting Communities Roadshows throughout the city and county, giving local communities the opportunity to engage with the Local Authority and its associated partners. These popular roadshows also provided insight and guidance about setting up community groups, sourcing funding for developing community initiatives and how to build a stronger, inclusive, and vibrant place to live.

The initiative was spearheaded by Waterford City and County Council’s Healthy Waterford branch and Waterford PPN, in collaboration with various departments within Waterford City and County Council and external stakeholder groups.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy commended the shortlisted projects saying, “I am delighted to see that Waterford City and County Council has been shortlisted in three categories of the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards. The shortlisted projects highlight the vision, dedication and commitment of the Council, its staff, external stakeholders and community groups in truly making Waterford the best place to live, work, visit and invest in.”

The 2024 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards, sponsored by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage take place in Dublin on November 21^st.