Waterford Council were delighted to accept our 5 Blue Flag and 7 Green flag designations at a recent ceremony in Wexford where Kilfarrassey was the latest #Waterford beach to achieve Green Flag status.
Pictured above, Ian Diamond, An Taisce; Katia Hunter, Waterford City and County Council; Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD; Shane Dineen of Fáilte Ireland celebrate the award of 5 Blue Flags and 7 Green Coast Awards to beaches in Waterford for the 2022 Bathing Season at the 2022 Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards Ceremony at Curracloe Beach, Co. Wexford on Friday 20th May 2022.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Green Coast Award sites are exceptional places to visit and enjoy our rich coastal heritage and diversity. The Green Coast Awards were presented back in 2003 to four beaches in County Wexford, it was rolled out nationally in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of Clean Coasts groups of which there are currently over 1800 comprised of tens of thousands of volunteers nationwide. These volunteers participate in community clean-ups and in cooperation with Local Authorities help sensitively manage their local beaches throughout the year.
Ballynamona Beach in County Cork has been awarded a Green Coast Award for the first time this year.
Cork is the county with the most Green Coast Award beaches once again in 2022 with 15.
Mornington in Meath and Oysterhaven in Cork both last awarded in 2020 have been awarded for the 2022 season.
Kilfarrassey in Waterford last awarded in 2018 and Balcarrick Beach, Donabate in Fingal, last awarded in 2016 have both been awarded for the upcoming season.
5 Beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag a Green Coast Award for the 2022 season, they are:
Balcarrick Beach, Donabate in Fingal; Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs) in Kerry; Salthill and Silverstrand in Galway City and Trá Inis Oirr in Galway.
In the Republic of Ireland the Green Coast Award is operated by An Tasice’s Environmental Education unit with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Fáilte Ireland. An International Award the Green Coast Award is coordinated Northern Ireland and Wales by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Keep Wales Tidy respectively.
June 1st marked the first day of Pride Month as Waterford City and County Council celebrates LGBTQ+ people, culture and communities.
On June 1st Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Joe Kelly, along with members of the Dungarvan Pride committee raised the Pride flag outside the Dungarvan Civic Offices to officially launch the start of Pride month.
Dungarvan town centre was adorned with Pride banners in Grattan Square, with almost 800 ft of Pride bunting along Main Street, O Connell St, Meagher St and along the Causeway.
As part of Pride Month celebrations Dungarvan’s first ever Pride Festival will take place in Walton Park, Dungarvan on June 18th.
Emilene Stafford, Dungarvan Pride committee co-chair, is looking forward to Dungarvan’s inaugural Pride Festival. “While the day is about celebrating LGBTQ+ people, it is a day to be enjoyed and celebrated by everyone. We would encourage young and old, gay and straight to come along and help us make this Pride festival one of the biggest and brightest in the country.”
The line-up includes an opening ceremony by Lady Fi Fi Fondu, a dance performance by the Kirby School of Performing Arts, circus mayhem from the Wobbly Circus, the ultimate lip sync battle, music by Avi and the Dream Girls Drag Show to round off the entertainment.
In Waterford city, The Pride of the Déise committee has organised a jam-packed weekend celebration of LGBTQ+ people and communities. Running from Friday, June 3rd to Monday, June 6th, the programme includes Bubble Talk; A Consent Workshop with Miss Gay Ireland, Pride March from Cathedral Square to the Cultural Quarter, GAYREA Youth Pride Party, PRIDE Ride Greenway Cycle and Rural Pride celebration.
More information and the full programme of events for Pride of the Déise can be viewed at https://prideofthedeise.ie/
Pride Dungarvan and Pride Waterford are proudly supported by Waterford City and County Council and Creative Waterford.
-ENDS-
Images: David Clynch
Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr Joe Kelly raising the Pride flag in Dungarvan
Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr Joe Kelly with members of Dungarvan Pride Organising Committee
l-r John Gomes-Rea, Ciara McCluskey, JP McCarthy, Seona Byrne, Emilene Stafford and Lady Fi Fi Fondu
Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr Joe Kelly, Cllr Conor D. McGuinness and Cllr Damien Geoghegan with members of Dungarvan Pride Organising Committee
Michael Walsh, CEO, Waterford City & County Council, Anne Graham, CEO, NTA and Sean McKeown, Acting Chief Executive, Kilkenny County Council. Photo: John Power
NTA publishes draft Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy & launches public consultation
Waterford is set to witness a fivefold increase in the number of cycling trips across the city under new proposals contained within the draft Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (WMATS) published today by the National Transport Authority.
WMATS has been developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Waterford City & County Council, Kilkenny County Council, Southern Regional Assembly (SRA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The strategy provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in Waterford over the next two decades.
The projected 541% increase in cycling is set to be enabled by the delivery of a safe cycle network consisting of 100km of cycling track and a 54km greenway network. Among the primary cycling routes to be improved within the Waterford Metropolitan Area include:
Abbey Road;
Ashe Road to New Street through Barrack Street and Newgate Street;
Carrickphierish Road to Morgan Street via Knockhouse Road and Gracedieu Road;
Cleaboy Road to Lower Yellow Road through Upper Yellow Road;
Cork Road to The Mall via Manor Street and Parnell Street;
Kilbarry Road;
Williamstown Road to John’s Hill along Upper Grange Road.
The draft strategy recommends progressing with the development of a new sustainable transport bridge providing pedestrian and cycle connectivity across the River Suir. Through the provision of 43km of new and upgraded footpaths, the number of daily walking trips in Waterford will increase by 55% by 2040.
Another key objective of the draft strategy is the roll out the BusConnects programme in Waterford. This is set to include the provision of 63kms of bus lanes and bus priority measures across the Waterford metropolitan area. 75 new zero-emission buses and a park and ride facility will be required to service an expanded bus network spanning 100km.
The draft strategy also supports the relocation of Plunkett Station to a new site in the North Quays Innovation District to create a more direct access to Waterford City via the new sustainable transport bridge.
Future investment in road transport will be focused on maintaining, renewing and managing existing road infrastructure. This includes supporting the improvement of the existing N24 between Waterford and Cahir and the N25 between Waterford and Glenmore, in line with the provisions of the National Development Plan. The proposed Ferrybank Relief Bank would connect Belmont Roundabout to Newrath and help create an urban village within Ferrybank.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: “With Waterford set to grow by at least 50% by 2040, there is a need to scale up the public transport network and encourage active travel to and from the city. This Strategy published by the NTA today provides the blueprint for making this possible. The proposed expansion of the bus network will help encourage more people onto public transport while the delivery of a safe cycle network will increase the numbers cycling into the city by 541%.
“Through Government support, I’m confident we can deliver an integrated transport network that enables the sustainable growth of the Waterford metropolitan area and creates an attractive, accessible and connected city.”
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA, said: “The draft strategy unveiled today is focused on investing in sustainable transport and meeting the needs of a growing city.
“From BusConnects to new walking and cycling infrastructure, there is a unique opportunity to promote public transport and active travel in communities across Waterford. By rolling out these measures, we can help contribute to a 56% reduction in carbon emissions within the metropolitan area by 2040.
“Public consultation on the draft strategy gets underway today and runs for six weeks. I would encourage everybody to look at our plans and have your say.”
Michael Walsh, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council, said: “Waterford City and County Council is fully committed to the Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy and working with the NTA to realise its potential.
“This new transport strategy will be instrumental in the regeneration and transformation of Waterford as a sustainable city. Providing new bus corridors and cycle tracks on routes into the city will entice more people from their cars and onto more sustainable transport modes.
“Once finalised, we can put in place the transport infrastructure that supports the development of the Waterford metropolitan area as the major growth engine of the South-East.”
A public consultation on the draft WMATS, which gets underway today, will run for six weeks until June 2022. As part of the consultation process, two public information events will be held on Wednesday, 15th June from 2pm to 8pm and on Thursday, 16th June from 10am to 4pm at the Tower Hotel Waterford.
To read the draft Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (WMATS) and take part in the public consultation, visit: www.nationaltransport.ie.
Local authorities must identify official bathing areas in their area every year so that they can be monitored for safety, water quality and their level of use. To help with this process, Waterford City & County Council are asking people who swim at beaches, lakes and rivers to tell them if they think they should maintain existing designated bathing waters designations or give a new official bathing area designation to areas that are commonly used for swimming, but not identified at the moment.
Under European and Irish law, Irish local authorities must identify bathing waters each year so that these areas can be monitored to ensure they meet stringent microbiological water quality standards. In some cases, the official bathing areas are also the areas where local authorities focus their resources providing lifeguards during the summer season. These laws also require that the local authority prepares detailed descriptions or profiles for each of the identified bathing water sites that describe not just the bathing area but also areas in the surface waters catchment area that could be a source of pollution. The profiles include an assessment the risk of pollution and what action would be taken if pollution occurs.
If you are a regular swimmer and want to help your Council decide which bathing areas should be classified as such, it might be helpful to consider the following:
How your swimming area has been used up to now;
How many people use the site;
What facilities exist at the site and how accessible it is;
Any safety issues.
If you wish to propose your favourite beach/river, as a new bathing water site or comment on an existing site please do so ONLINE HERE.
Closing date for submissions is 9th June 2022.
ENDS
Note to editors: Local authorities are required under the Bathing Waters Directive and the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008 (SI No 79 of 2008) to identify bathing waters on an annual basis. The Directive requires that water quality at all designated bathing waters meets stringent microbiological standards in order to protect the health of people who choose to bathe there.
Notice is hereby given that Waterford City and County Council, in exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 75 Roads Act 1993, propose to close the following road to through traffic from 3pm to 6pm each Saturday from 11th June to 27th August, 2022 (Excluding Spraoi weekend 28th to 31st July, 2022) to facilitate Summer in the City Festival.
Road to be closed: • Jenkins’ Lane, Waterford.
Objections or submissions may be made in writing to the Director of Services, Roads, Water and Environment, Waterford City and County Council, City Hall, The Mall, Waterford not later than 4pm on 24th May, 2022.
Boil Water Notice remains in place over the weekend for those supplied by the Ballymacarbry Public Water Supply
Utility working to lift BWN as soon as possible
Friday, 27 May 2022 – Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Irish Water and Waterford City and County Council issued a Boil Water Notice on Friday, May 13 to protect the health of approximately 671 consumers supplied by the Ballymacarbry Public Water Supply scheme.
This Boil Water Notice remains in place over the weekend and will be reviewed next week with works and testing ongoing. The utility is working towards lifting the Boil Water Notice as soon as possible with testing and works ongoing.
Ballymacabry has experienced water shortages over previous summers, and in an effort to supplement the supply a new trail well was drilled. The works on site resulted in increased turbidity in the supply and experts are currently working to bring in the new supply and reduce the increased levels in turbidity.
This Boil Water Notice applies to all consumers supplied by the Ballymacarbry Public Water Supply including the following areas: Ballymacarbry, Castlereagh, Knockalisheen, Nire and Fourmilewater. Customers can also check if they are impacted by this Boil Water Notice by visiting www.water.ie/help/water-quality/ and entering their property’s Eircode in the search bar.
Irish Water’s primary focus is and always will be the protection of public health. Drinking water experts from Irish Water and Waterford City and County Council are working to implement solutions to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible in consultation with the HSE. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil and cool their water before use until further notice.
Irish Water’s Ronan Walsh acknowledged the impact of this notice on the community and regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers, adding: “Public health is Irish Water’s number one priority, and we are working closely with Waterford City and County Council to restore drinking water quality for all impacted customers in Ballymacarbry and to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly as it is safe to do so, and in consultation with the HSE. We regret the impact that this Boil Water Notice will have on the local community and would like to assure them that we are prioritising works to restore a safe water supply with a view of lifting the notice as soon as it is safe to do so.
Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water will receive direct communication on this Boil Water Notice and are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled and cooled. In line with HSE advice on hand washing, Irish Water advises that the water remains suitable for this purpose and boiling the water is not required.
Water must be boiled for:
• Drinking;
• Drinks made with water;
• Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating;
• Brushing of teeth;
• Making of ice – discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water.
What actions should be taken:
• Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads);
• Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling;
• Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink;
• Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water;
• Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre. Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na’ is not greater than 200mg per litre. If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated.
Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.
Updates are available on our Water Supply Updates section on water.ie, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.
Waterford had a strong showing at the 2021 IPB Cooperation Ireland Pride of Place awards, which recently took place in Killarney, Co. Kerry.
Having been postponed last year due to Covid-19, there was strong Waterford representation at the awards in the Kingdom earlier this month, with three Waterford entries in various categories; the Gracedieu Combined Residents Association, The Deise Women’s Shed, and Rathgormack North Waterford Community Development.
Pride of Place is an all-island competition that recognises improvements made by local communities to create civic pride in their area. The competition focus is about people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their area.
The Deise Women’s Shed were runners-up in the Community Wellbeing Initiative Category, having secured a permanent site for the new Women’s Shed in Dungarvan, for providing a great resource for women in the locality and providing a sense of belonging to its members.
In the Cities Section – Urban Neighbourhoods with population of over 3000, The Gracedieu Combined Residents Association was announced as the overall winner. The judges were particularly impressed by a very strong voice of advocacy and a spirit of inclusivity in the Gracedieu Combined Residents Association.
The area of Gracedieu/Carrickphierish is a continually developing area of the North West suburbs of Waterford City. Local residents’ concerns that new housing estates and suburbs often develop ahead of community needs and identity prompted the establishment of the Gracedieu Combined Residents Council.
The group consists of representatives from many of the housing estates in the suburb and this structure enables all estates to have an effective strong voice in advocating for the community needs.
The focal community point is the new library and community rooms, which are used for meetings and community events such as the Get to Know Your Neighbour Festival, with the sports hall facilitating The Come and Try sports and Zumba dancing sessions.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the group continued working on plans to develop a local community market and allotments, with plans well advanced for the establishment of a new juvenile GAA and soccer club. The group also engaged with Waterford City and County Council’s Keep Well Campaign and with the Community Garda.
As Mayor of Waterford City and County, I am saddened to hear of Dervla Murphy’s passing and extend my condolences to her daughter, grandchildren and many friends.
Dervla was Ireland’s most famous travel writer and a native of Lismore, Co Waterford. During her ninety years Dervla travelled across continents, wrote over 25 travel books and famously documented her six-month journey through Europe, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India on a bike in Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle in 1965.
Waterford has lost an icon, a trailblazer, an intrepid adventurer and a woman who was ahead of her time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Kelly
Waterford City and County Council to host day long festival of events to celebrate Africa Day 2022
Waterford City and County Council will host Africa Day 2022, which will include the best of African music, dance, crafts, culture, food and much more to celebrate the occasion.
On Saturday, 28th May from 12pm onwards, Waterford City and County Council will host a festival of events to celebrate Africa’s strong rich and vibrant culture. This festival will allow the public to gain a richer understanding of the cultural significance of what the continent of Africa brings to the rest of the world. Hosted in Waterford Cultural Quarter, the family fun day will be held on Hanover Street, and include drumming, musical performances, a food market and traditional African dance.
Africa Day celebrates the richness of African cultures and the contribution of people of African descent to Irish life. Africa Day celebrations are organised by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs in partnership with African embassies in Ireland and local authorities around the country.
Emma Haran, Waterford Africa Day Coordinator said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have Africa Day back as a full day festival this year, we are inviting everyone to come and celebrate the strong links between Africa and Ireland in Waterford Cultural Quarter on Saturday, May 28th”.
This year will see Ireland’s largest-ever Africa Day programme, with events being held nationwide. Africa Day 2022 will see the return of in-person events for the first time since 2019.
Minister for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy TD, said “Ireland has been enriched in so many ways by the presence of a vibrant African community. Ireland’s arts, culture, business, community development, sport and so much more have been strengthened by people of African origin or descent. Africa Day is about recognising that contribution and celebrating the culture and potential of the continent as a whole.
“After two years of online events, this year will see the welcome return of in-person events nationwide. Irish Aid’s partnership with local authorities will bring the fun of Africa Day to communities around the country. I am delighted that Africa Day 2022 is set to be our biggest-ever Africa Day celebration.”
Modeligo Community comes together in solidarity with Ukraine
The west Waterford community of Modeligo is preparing to welcome two Ukrainian families this month, as renovations on the area’s old parochial house near completion. The works have been driven by the newly formed Modeligo Community Development group, which is busy preparing to meet the new families.
Pat Fitzgerald, chair of the group said, “Our group came together in response to the refugee crisis with a view to seeing what we could do here in Modeligo. Five weeks later, thanks to the help of many people, we have a house ready to accommodate two families.”
Appeals were sent to the wider community on social media and via radio with the response from locals and tradespeople being “very positive” according to Kevin Hickey, project manager of the renovation. Users of Facebook have also been able to keep up with progress on the project with one post thanking the long list of fantastic trades who came and supported the project.
Ivan Grimes, Waterford City and County Council’s Director of Services for Housing commented that “while the humanitarian crisis has proved a challenge, the local authority is now in a position to move some families out of our 4 rest centres, including the two families who will benefit from this excellent community initiative in Modeligo – two women and six children – who were previously accommodated here in Waterford city.”
On Friday last, 13th May, Olena A, Vera, and Olena S along with their children, paid a visit to the parochial house to view the community efforts, and the area, for themselves. The three boys and a girl will start at the local national school, and two older girls will start secondary school at Blackwater Community School. The children were welcomed with open arms by the teachers and pupils and are very much looking forward to starting their new journey.
Sinéad Breathnach of Waterford City and County Council’s Response Team added, “The families are most grateful to the people of Waterford and Modeligo in particular, and are looking forward to their move to long term accommodation and integrating into the Modeligo community.”
A dedicated phone line and email address have been set up by the Council to receive pledges of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees at pledge@waterfordcouncil.ieor by calling 058 22059.
Notice is hereby given that Waterford City and County Council, in exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 75 Roads Act 1993, will close the following public road to through traffic from 4th to 8th July, 2022 to facilitate New Connection for Irish Water.
Road to be closed: • L1511 Mayors Walk, Waterford.
Diversion Route:
• Via Newgate Street and Manor Hill &
• Via Newport Terrace to Ballybricken Green
