Awards

29 The Glen, a formerly derelict property which was refurbished as part of Waterford City and County Council’s ongoing response to dereliction and vacancy within the city, has been shortlisted in the Retrofitting / Renovation Project of the Year category at the Irish Building & Design Awards 2026.

This category celebrates an outstanding retrofitting or renovation project that transforms existing structures through innovation, sustainability, and quality craftsmanship. It recognises projects that enhance building performance, extend lifespan, and breathe new life into older properties.

29 The Glen was identified as a unique opportunity to refurbish an existing vacant and derelict property within Waterford City Centre and to provide new sustainable social housing units within an existing residential area.

Works to provide four quality one-bedroom apartments commenced on site in January 2024 and were completed later that year in October 2024. The building was first allocated to tenants in January 2025 and is currently fully occupied, with all units allocated to tenants from Waterford City and County Council’s social housing list, ensuring the continued support of residential amenity in the local area.

This development provides accessible and safe housing appropriate to the tenants needs as well as enhancing connections to the wider community. There is significant evidence that the rejuvenation of vacant city centre properties not only provides sustainable living accommodation but alleviates social isolation and loneliness and improves overall health and wellbeing of its inhabitants.

Commenting on the nomination, Seamus De Faoite, Director of Services with Waterford City and County Council said, “I would like to commend the team on their nomination for the thoughtful refurbishment of 29 The Glen. Not only has a former derelict building been brought back into use, but the units are also fully occupied and the sense of community is evident in the area.

“This project was also crucial in securing the preservation of a historically significant building, encouraging the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helping to secure the preservation of these protected structures and culturally significant buildings within the city centre.”

The overall IBDA 2026 category winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Dublin on March 13^th, 2026.

On Monday, December 15^th, fourteen Waterford secondary schools were represented at a reception in City Hall in recognition of their dedication to keeping their local areas litter-free.

The Schools Litter challenge, now in its fifth year is sponsored by Tom Murphy Car Sales Toyota, in association with Waterford City and County Council and Waterford Chamber, saw secondary schools from across the city and county take part in the challenge.

Abbey Community College Ferrybank emerged as the overall winner of the Schools Litter Challenge, and received €1,500 prize money, sponsored by Tom Murphy Car Sales Toyota. The competition, which was launched in October, encourages secondary schools to keep a designated local area litter free.

Over the course of six weeks secondary school students from across the city and county identified litter black spots in their communities and carried out regular litter picking of the areas. The initiative not only helped to keep streets and parks litter free, but it also highlighted the detrimental effect litter, particularly single-use plastics, has on the environment.

Awarding the certificates to the participating schools and the prize to the overall winner Abbey Community College, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan said, “The Schools Litter Challenge not only brings far-reaching benefits to our communities, but it also shines a spotlight on the enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work of the participating schools.

“I would like to commend the students and their teachers for making a real difference. Come rain, hail, or shine, these students carried out their litter-picking tasks with unwavering diligence, keeping their local areas litter-free, protecting the environment, and contributing meaningfully to their communities.

“It is both refreshing and reassuring to see a generation of young people so dedicated and passionate about enhancing their surroundings, safeguarding local biodiversity, and taking proactive steps to reduce the environmental harm caused by litter, particularly single-use plastics. They are all champions for a cleaner tomorrow!”

The mayor highlighted the support of Tom Murphy, a staunch advocate for Waterford for over fifty years, saying, “I’d like to thank Tom and the team at Tom Murphy Car Sales Toyota for their unwavering support and for generously sponsoring this event. Tom is renowned for his contributions to communities and clubs in Waterford and we are delighted to partner with him and Toyota once again for this great initiative, which aligns with Toyota’s brand promise to make a positive and meaningful contribution to Irish society.”

The mayor also welcomed Tom Murphy Car Sales Ambassador and Waterford Camogie All-Star, Niamh Rockett.

Waterford City and County Council provided bags, gloves, litter pickers and high visibility vests to all schools and Tom Murphy Car Sales Toyota sponsored the €1,500 prize for the winning school. 

Tom Murphy said, “It’s inspiring to witness the students across the county actively participating in the litter challenge, demonstrating genuine commitment to environmental stewardship. Their efforts are a testament to the growing pride in our city & county and the positive changes we can achieve together.

“By prioritising environmental stewardship and celebrating civic responsibility, we have all taken a significant step forward in building a cleaner, more sustainable future. The visible improvements resulting from the litter challenge have had a profound effect on the collective spirit of the city and county. Cleaner streets, parks, and public spaces are now a source of pride for residents, reflecting the positive influence of collaborative community action.”

Mr. Murphy concluded, “We sincerely appreciate the valuable support of Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Chamber of Commerce and Toyota Ireland, who helped make this initiative possible.”

Ella Ryan, Environmental Awareness Officer with Waterford City and County Council commented, “Well done to all the students and their teachers for once again embracing this initiative with such remarkable energy, passion, and commitment. Your efforts in creating cleaner, greener localities and communities have far-reaching benefits, helping to inspire others, strengthen community pride, and encourage each of us to make small but meaningful changes that collectively create a powerful, positive impact.”

Last night (November 27th) Waterford City and County Council was successful in the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards with a win in the Health and Wellbeing category for Good Grief, a community-focused, cross-sectoral approach to bereavement support.

The 22nd annual Awards ceremony was held in association with the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, sponsored by Ørsted, showcasing and celebrating the best of Local Government in Ireland, and the Health and Wellbeing award recognises initiatives by a Local Authority promoting the health and wellbeing of its community.

Good Grief, a collaborative initiative between Waterford City and County Council and Wexford County Council and funded by Creative Ireland, highlights the importance of creative expression as a tool for wellbeing and recovery in the later stages of grief.

Its primary focus was to explore the role of creativity in supporting self-soothing for adults over 18 years old in their second-year post-bereavement. By partnering with academic institutions and health organisations, Good Grief sought to understand how artistic engagement can aid emotional healing and resilience during the complex grieving process.

The initiative has brought meaningful benefits to both individuals and the wider community by addressing a deeply human experience that is often left unspoken… the ongoing nature of grief after the first year of loss.

For participants, the project offered connection, creativity, and purpose at a time when many feel isolated or emotionally adrift. Through the creative retreats, they were able to find comfort in shared experience and community, discover creative practices that became personal, soothing rituals and develop confidence in using creativity as a tool for emotional regulation and reflection.

Receiving the award, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan said, “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of Waterford City and County Council’s Creative Waterford and Community teams.  Good Grief is a worthy winner of the Health and Wellbeing Category as the programme not only sparked a conversation around grief, reducing stigma and embracing compassion, it also focused on the widely overlooked second year of grief.”

Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council also commended the Council’s Culture and Creativity team saying, “This award is a true reflection of our commitment and dedication in making our towns and cities better places to live.

“The Good Grief programme is an exemplar of an innovative, research-led, cross-sectoral project to understand more how creativity, empathy and understanding can enrich mental health and wellbeing.”

Europe Direct Waterford is delighted to announce the winners of the regional Soapbox Final, held on Thursday, October 9^th in the historic venue of the Dr. Mary Strangman Large Room at City Hall, Waterford.

Sixty participants delivered passionate and insightful three-minute speeches on the title Likes, Lies and Legal Limits: “Is it time the EU banned social media for under-16s?”.

Contestants showcased their public speaking skills and their proficient ability to engage with key European issues.  With over 180 people in attendance, this was the biggest ever South-Eastern Regional Soapbox final.

After a lively and inspiring competition, the winners were announced as Amelia Heslin of St. Leo’s College, Carlow (16 & Under category) and Hasib Zia of Wexford CBS (17 & Over category).

Runners up and Highly Commended Prizes in the 16 & Under Category went to Leon Mullins of Waterpark College, Waterford (runner up) and Luke Power of Ramsgrange Community School (highly commended). In the 17 & Over Category Giovanna Vieira from St. Leo’s College, Carlow was runner up with Rory O’Reilly of CBS Kilkenny highly commended.

The first-place winners in both categories will be invited to represent Europe Direct Waterford in the National Soapbox Final in Dublin on Monday, December 1^st at the Royal College of Physicians in Kildare Street, Dublin. Regional champions representing the eight Europe Direct Centres in Ireland will compete for the top title.

The judging panel for the regional final included Mr Gerard Arthurs, Lecturer in International Relations & Politics & member of Team Europe in Ireland, Professor Felicity Kelliher, Professor of Management Practice at SETU, and board member of Waterford Integration Services and Jim Linane of Waterford City and County Council

The judges praised all participants for their enthusiasm, originality and passionate debates on the title.  Head Judge Gerard Arthurs said, “The 2025 regional final of the Europe Direct Soapbox competition was the most hotly contested that I have had the pleasure to judge so far. The huge number of entries is a testament to the engagement and curiosity of the students who took part. We can be confident that they will take the mantle forward to guard against social media excess and exploitation.

“Young people must be encouraged to seek out fact-based information and be aware of potential manipulation online. A healthy democracy and a healthy society, depends upon an informed, media-literate citizenry that can separate fact from fiction. The Soapbox participants gave us great confidence in a tech-savvy, curious generation. It was a great morning of inspiration.”

Following his win in the 17 & Over category, Hasib Zia said, “It was an engaging event that brought together diverse voices and perspectives, encouraging open-minded discussion”.

The event was hosted by Europe Direct Waterford, part of the Europe Direct Network, which provides free information and advice about the European Union, its policies, and opportunities for citizens to get involved.

For more information about Europe Direct Waterford and upcoming events, visit https://waterfordlibraries.ie/europe-direct/ or keep an eye on Europe Direct, Waterford social media.

Last week, the Sail Training Ireland Waterford Bursary awards ceremony was held in the Mayor’s Parlour.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan, presented the certificates to the participants of the 2025 Waterford Sail Training Ireland voyages.

The scheme, established by Sail Training Ireland in 2016 in partnership with @Port of Waterford and Waterford City and County Council, provides access to the life changing experience of a Sail Training voyage for young people from the Waterford region.