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Economic Development

By Waterford City & County Council

LEO announces 2025 Glas Award winners!

The 3rd Glas awards, in association with Waterford City and County Council recognise and celebrate the micro businesses in County Waterford who have made significant advances in bringing green principles into their business models. None more so than this year’s winners, Blossom and Berry, and The Hat Maker.

The Green Micro Enterprise of the Year, open to all with employees of 10 or less was won by Blossom and Berry who impressed the judges with its, “Commitment to mitigating climate change by integrating green principles in every aspect of its operations.” Nestled in the picturesque town of Lismore, County Waterford, Blossom & Berry is a sustainable florist.

The Green SME of the Year, open to those between 11 and 50 employees was won by The Hat Maker. This new hotel in Dungarvan is a refurbishment of an existing protected structure. It achieved an A2 rating, ensuring sustainable reuse of this historic building in the town centre.

Speaking at the prize giving Waterford City and County Mayor, Councillor Seamus Ryan said, “These awards are another opportunity to reward businesses for their climate actions. Today we recognise two leaders in the field in our county. I’d like to congratulate both businesses in what is a thoroughly deserved accolade.

“The Glas awards and the actions of the winners mark another step towards Waterford’s green targets. The link between the Council and business in Waterford has never been more important.”

Blossom & Berry is actively working to reduce its carbon intensity and move closer to carbon neutrality. The sustainability efforts include reducing its carbon footprint through energy conservation via LED alternatives, water conservation and solar power. As owner Claudia O’Neill says, “The sustainability initiatives we’ve implemented have created profoundly positive impacts on both our business operations and brand identity.”

David Burke and his team at The Hat Maker brought a dilapidated building back in to use in Dungarvan town centre. The 16 elegantly appointed rooms offer an intimate and exclusive experience. Repurposing, repairing and refurbishing, every element of the creation and running of the hotel has a sustainable ethos. As Davis says, “As well as being the right thing to do, it reduces costs significantly when fully committed to and done properly. It also acts as a marketing tool for our business as it is important to the consumer segment we target.”

Each winner received a cash prize of €2,500 and a Glas trophy, designed and created by Brendan O’Donnell. The awards have been solely made from reclaimed and recycled materials. Solid oak is from cabinet drawers, while the plastic is a mix of milk bottles, lids from drinks containers from a cafe and hygiene product drums from a dairy farm.

Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office Waterford, Gareth Evans was delighted with the quality of entries for the awards, “The LEO wants to show other businesses that investment in this area is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing too. Every entry to these awards will tell you that they have reaped the benefits of their investment.

“LEO Waterford has numerous supports available to help businesses with their sustainable journey. The Green for Business Programme is a two day consultancy programme that provides a Green Consultant to work with a business, helping to identify the steps they can take in being more sustainable. The business will then be issued with a Green for Business report and most importantly, all costs are covered by the Local Enterprise Office.

“Following this, if the business is considering making changes they may avail of our Energy Efficiency Grant which offers 75% of eligible costs to a maximum of €10,000 towards the upgrades.”

For further information on the Glas and other Local Enterprise Office Awards, follow this link www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford, contact LEO Waterford at 051 849905 or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie 

By Waterford City & County Council

Businesses invited to “Take the Pledge” for a Cleaner, Greener Waterford

Waterford’s Commercial Rates Energy Discount Scheme – Business Pledge for a Cleaner, Greener Waterford 2025 – opens for applications from August 5th until 5th of October 11:59 pm

Take the Climate Action PledgeLocal businesses are invited to take the Business Pledge to strive towards a cleaner, greener Waterford, and commit to completing at least two actions in the next 12 months that would reduce the carbon footprint of their business. Through this initiative, SME’s and hospitality businesses could be eligible for a 9% discount on their rates bill as a reward for taking action to reduce their carbon footprint.

This is the fourth year of this scheme that is unique to Waterford. Businesses have already completed training and carried out energy audits to help them avail of grant funding. Last year over 1,000 Waterford businesses pledged to take two actions to make their business “greener and greener”, through actions that save energy, reduce waste and save money.

From August 5th, those businesses will be able to upload the evidence of some of the actions they are undertaking on Waterford City and County Council’s Submit platform to receive the discount for this year. If your business missed out last year, there is still opportunity to apply for the discount.  All you need to do is pledge to complete two “greener” actions in the next year. Watch out for correspondance from the Rates Office that will assist you in the process.

Also, if businesses are worried about applying or are unsure of the process Waterford City and County Council’s Climate Action Team can help.  A series of workshops, both online and in person, will be held in the coming weeks.  These workshops will provide information and guidelines to help businesss choose the format that best suits their schedule. The Climate Action Team is also available throughout the year, as is Waterford Local Enterprise Office to help businesses achieve their pledge for a cleaner, greener Waterford.

The scheme is open to businesses whose annual rate bill is less than €10,000 or who operate in the hospitality and leisure industries. These businesses will be eligible to receive a rates energy discount of 9% once they have provided details of the actions they will take to become more sustainable in the coming year.

For more information about the scheme please see the Business Pledge Guidelines 2025 here: https://submit.link/43e

Applications can be submitted from Tuesday, August 5th at https://submit.link/3V7

For further information and details and links to the online and in person workshops get in touch with the Climate Action Team at climateaction@waterfordcouncil.ie

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By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford welcomes Purple Flag assessors for 2025 Evaluation

Waterford City proudly welcomed Kevin O’Sullivan and Damon Blake from the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM) on Friday, July 18th, as part of the city’s 2025 Purple Flag assessment.

The visit marks a significant milestone in Waterford’s continued commitment to delivering a vibrant, inclusive, and safe evening and night-time economy (ENTE). Having held Purple Flag accreditation since 2015, Waterford remains a national leader in showcasing a dynamic and welcoming city centre from 5pm to 5am — encompassing family-friendly entertainment, arts and culture, late-night shopping, award-winning dining, pubs, and nightclubs.

The assessment began with a welcome reception in the historic Mayor’s Parlour at City Hall. Jim “Flash” Gordon served as Master of Ceremonies, followed by a warm welcome from Mayor Seamus Ryan, who spoke of the city’s pride in its Purple Flag status. Key contributions from Claire Hartley Senior Executive Officer, Economic Development, Jim Gordon Chair of the Purple Flag Working Group, and Eddie Mulligan (Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership) further emphasised the strength of local collaboration.

A standout feature of the day was the outstanding guided tour, where Waterford’s incredible Purple Flag Zone was brought to life. The assessors were met with the warmest of welcomes from local businesses, community organisations, and stakeholders. From the breathtaking craftsmanship at Waterford Crystal to the immersive stories at Waterford Treasures and the inspiring work of Waterford Marine Search and Rescue, each stop highlighted the rich depth of the city’s night-time offering.

Hospitality shone brightly throughout the tour. The Granville Hotel, Tully’s, O’Sullivan’s, Union, The Lounge and Woodman, Revolution, and The Reg all opened their doors to the assessors, offering a true taste of Waterford’s vibrant and diverse nightlife. These venues showcased the city’s unique character, atmosphere, and unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and community spirit.

The presence and ongoing support of An Garda Síochána further underscored the collaborative approach Waterford takes to creating a safe and welcoming city after dark.

“I want to sincerely thank all those who continuously give their time, energy, and commitment to upholding the Purple Flag ethos in Waterford. From local businesses and volunteers to our dedicated partners in An Garda Síochána, WLCSP, the PPN, and beyond – your support is the reason our city continues to shine after dark.

A special thank you to everyone who attended the welcome reception and helped set a positive tone for the visit. Waterford City & County Council remains fully committed to supporting and growing the night-time economy here in our Purple Flag zone. Together, we’re creating a city centre that reflects the pride, energy, and community spirit of Waterford.” – Julie Walsh, Purple Flag Project Lead, Waterford City & County Council.

“We were thrilled to welcome Kevin and Damon to Waterford and showcase everything our city has to offer when the sun goes down,” said Mayor Seamus Ryan. “The Purple Flag is more than just an accreditation – it reflects the strength of our community partnerships, the quality of our venues, and our shared commitment to ensuring a better night out for everyone.”

“The Purple Flag is a great example of how Waterford works in partnership to create something greater than the sum of its parts,” added Claire Hartley, Senior Executive Officer with the Economic

Development team. “It highlights not only the strength of our local businesses and venues, but also our shared vision for a thriving night-time economy that’s safe, diverse, and inclusive.”

To learn more about Waterford’s Purple Flag Zone, visit www.purpleflagwaterford.com

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Major flood prevention works to protect Waterford rail line

via Irish Rail

A significant flood defence scheme is set to commence from late August 2025 and run through to March 2026, targeting a 1.1 km stretch along the River Suir adjacent to the approach to Waterford via Plunkett Station.

The project is part of the wider North Quays development and includes sheet‑piled walls up to 25 m deep, impermeable trenches, drainage networks, and pumping stations. These works will span from Sallypark in the west, across to east of the new Plunkett Station and new Transport Hub.

These upgrades aim to prevent recurring flooding, an issue that previously caused repeated service cancellations, and pave the way for a modern electrical signalling system, boosting resilience and capacity from 2027 onward.

By Waterford City & County Council

IDA Ireland welcomes expansion of IBM’s software developer presence in Waterford

Up to 75 high-quality software engineer jobs to be created to support IBM’s European and global mainframe business

The Irish Government and IDA Ireland today welcomed IBM’s announcement to create additional high-value jobs in the south-east of the country. The leading global technology company will, over the next three years, hire up to 75 software engineers, dedicated to research and development (R&D), based in Waterford.

The roles will focus on cutting-edge innovation for IBM Z, the infrastructure powering 70% of global transactions by value. The Waterford software engineers will closely collaborate with IBM’s R&D teams around the world, from designing processors and firmware to software development and advancing the Linux operating system.

Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise Tourism & Employment, said: “IBM’s decision to expand its operations in Waterford with the creation of up to 75 highly-skilled software engineering roles is very welcome news. This investment is a strong endorsement of the South-East region’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and advanced technology. It also reflects the government’s commitment to supporting regional development and fostering strong partnerships between industry and academia. I commend IBM for its continued confidence in Ireland and for its collaboration with the South-East Technological University to build a future-ready workforce.”

Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, said: “I welcome this very positive development which underscores Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for businesses to invest in and to expand R&D operations. This strengthens IBM’s long-standing presence in Ireland where it employs thousands of people today. IBM has cited Ireland’s strong talent pool as a key factor in allowing the company to grow here, which reflects the significant increased investment by the Government in education, and particularly our third-level sector, over recent years. We are committed to supporting research and development in our tech sector, including in the South-East of our country, to drive balanced, regional development and economic growth.”

In addition to the expansion of R&D functions in Waterford, IDA Ireland also welcomes IBM’s decision to deepen its collaboration with the South East Technological University, to develop a technical skills ecosystem with a focus on mainframes and Linux.

Nathan Cullen, country general manager, IBM Ireland, said:

“I am delighted to see our footprint in Ireland evolve further. This is testimony to the deep talent pools available across the country, upon which we have steadily built our business, including mainframes which are a cornerstone of global transactions. IBM has now operated in Ireland for nearly 70 years and this milestone investment for the region also speaks volumes about the ecosystem that has built up around the South Eastern Technical University.”

IBM last year announced the recruitment of another 800 high-tech jobs in Ireland by 2027, cementing the country’s position as a globally strategic location for the company. These new roles, spanning R&D, digital sales and Consulting operations, will be spread across Dublin, Cork and Waterford.

Michael Lohan, IDA Ireland CEO, said: “This R&D investment announced by IBM is fantastic news for Waterford and indeed the South East Region. This investment is also closely aligned to Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation, 2025-29, where IDA has committed to positioning Ireland at the centre of cutting-edge global technological innovation in the next five years. I warmly welcome this decision by IBM and assure them of IDA’s continued partnership.”

ENDS

 

D7A3713-AM Pictured L-R at the announcement by IBM that it’s expanding its software development process in Waterford, creating up to 75 jobs are: Nathan Cullen, Country General Manager, IBM Ireland, Mary Buckley, Executive Director, IDA Ireland, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins TD, Ross Mauri, GM, IBM Mainframe, Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach Mary Butler TD, Anne-Marie Tierney le- Roux, Department Manager, Technology, IDA Ireland and Brian McGee Regional Manager South East, IDA Ireland. Photo credit: Julien Behal

By Waterford City & County Council

Cappoquin Refurbishment contract awarded

Waterford City and County Council has awarded the contract for the refurbishment of two vacant properties at strategic locations in the heart of Cappoquin to Marlhill Construction Services Limited from Ardfinnan.

The properties, the former Fennell’s Pub and the former Unaicke’s Shop, were originally constructed in the mid-19th century. Both will be refurbished for new commercial uses to boost the town’s commercial viability and bolster the traditional industry on Cappoquin’s main street.

These newly refurbished sites will contribute to the vibrancy of the town centre, with the construction contract transforming the 185-year-old buildings into a 3-bed residential upper floor accommodation unit, and a 2-bed residential upper floor accommodation unit over two number ground floor commercial premises.

Speaking at the contract signing in Blackwater House in Cappoquin, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy said, “This refurbishment project of the former Fennell’s Pub and Uniacke’s shop is a significant step in Cappoquin’s regeneration. Cappoquin is steeped in character and charm and is a jewel in Waterford’s crown.

“The Rural Regeneration & Development Fund (RRDF) investment and additional funding from Waterford City and County Council will not only help rejuvenate the town by supporting economic development, but it will also deliver new, energy-efficient homes for young people and their families to locate to, settle in and thrive in.”

Dr. Ben Murphy, Chairperson and Director of Cappoquin Regeneration Company CLG, said that he and his fellow directors and members of Cappoquin Regeneration Company are delighted to see works progressing on the town.

“This is yet another milestone in Cappoquin’s regeneration and I would like to thank the people of Cappoquin for their vision and dedication, and also Waterford City and County Council and the Tomar Trust for the realisation of the Cappoquin Regeneration Project.”

The Department of Rural and Community Development is investing over €6m in the overall Cappoquin Regeneration Project through its Rural Regeneration & Development Fund (RRDF). This investment is augmented by additional funding from Waterford City and County Council, the Cappoquin Regeneration Company and the Tomar Trust. The Regeneration Project aims to address vacancy and dereliction in the town centre and invest in the town centre’s public domain.

Extensive reconstruction, refurbishment and conservation works will be completed over the coming 12 months with the new properties ready for occupation by the later part of 2026. Further projects currently in design development under the RRDF Regeneration Project include proposed public realm works at Market Square.

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By Waterford City & County Council

Refurbishment/Building Works – Waterford City – Have Your Say!

We are currently inviting feedback on a number of important public consultations in Waterford. Each project involves new building works or the refurbishment of existing sites across the city.
Locations include Great George’s Street, O’Connell Street, Waterside, and The Glen/Anne Street area of Waterford city.

Public Consultations
These developments aim to enhance housing, heritage, and community infrastructure.  Your views matter – help shape the future of our city by having your say today.

Make A Submission

By Waterford City & County Council

Contract signing for remediation works and upgrade of Rice Bridge

On Friday, June 13th, Waterford City and County Council and Fluidpower Group Services UK Ltd, t/a FlowTech, entered into a contract for remediation works and upgrade of mechanical and electrical systems of Rice Bridge.

The contracts were signed in the Mayor’s Parlour in City Hall in the presence of Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy, Mary Butler TD, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for Mental Health, and John Cummins TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning.

The Edmund Rice Bridge in Waterford City, commonly known as Rice Bridge, was opened in 1984. A vital piece of infrastructure and a symbolic landmark in Waterford, Rice Bridge not only supports modern transportation but also pays tribute to one of Waterford’s most influential historical figures: Edmund Ignatius Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers and a pioneer in Catholic education.

Carrying thousands of vehicles daily, Rice Bridge is a key component of the city’s transport network. Its strategic location near the city centre makes it essential for local commerce, emergency services, and public transport.

Over the past four decades, significant technological advancements have rendered many of the electrical components required to operate the opening span obsolete. In 2018, Waterford City and County Council engaged the consultancy firm Mott MacDonald to conduct a full assessment of Rice Bridge under the Regional Roads Rehabilitation Programme.

The report concluded that the mechanical and electrical systems were outdated, with many components no longer available for direct replacement. It identified the need to upgrade most of the electrical systems and some mechanical elements.

In 2021, Waterford City and County Council applied to the Department of Transport for multi-annual funding under the Specific Improvement Grant scheme to support the necessary upgrades.

Roughan & O’Donovan (ROD) with a head office in Dublin and extensive experience in bridge design, were appointed as the engineering consultants to design the upgrade works.  Sub consultant Hardesty & Hanover, an American based company with extensive experience in movable bridges, worked with ROD to prepare the optimum design for the bridge.

Speaking at the contract signing, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy said, “This is a hugely positive step in the upgrade of Rice Bridge, which has served Waterford well for over 40 years as the main thoroughfare from the city to Ferrybank and beyond.

“Investment in Rice Bridge will only serve to further improve logistical and structural integrity and allow Rice Bridge to operate as efficiently as possible into the future.”

The proposed scheme includes upgrades to the bridge’s MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control, and Automation) systems, specifically:

  • Remediation and/or replacement of the mechanical, electrical, and control equipment associated with the opening span.
  • Works on utilities and services running through the bridge’s plant rooms.
  • Installation of a new access hatch to the plant room.

The contract was tendered in late 2024 and the successful contractor was Flowtech, a UK based specialist in bridge engineering, with sub offices in Ireland.  The overall value of the contract is €4,467,750 ex VAT. The works contact is for 15 months with a further 1-year period for completion of snags.

The work is being funded on a multi-annual basis – with an allocation of €1,500,000 in 2025 – under the Strategic Grant category for local and regional roads with the specific objective of funding fund a variety of projects, including bridge repairs, junction reconfigurations and initiatives to reduce traffic congestion in towns.

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By Waterford City & County Council

Dungarvan Enterprise Centre – New Facility and New Beginnings

After fourteen successful years working with entrepreneurs, microenterprises and SMEs in Glanbia’s campus Old Friary building, Dungarvan Enterprise Centre (DEC), with support from Waterford City & County Council, opened its facility at Fairlane, Dungarvan. Currently, the Centre is home to seven organisations; a mixture of high-tech, high-value-add and social enterprises, and eight co-workers from multinational and local enterprises spanning the South East region. The new facility also contains state-of-the-art boardroom and training room facilities that are available for hire by entrepreneurs, businesses, trainers and educators.

On the 11th June, with more than 50 people attending, the official opening of the new facility was performed by the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy. During his presentation, Mayor Murphy thanked Waterford City and County Council and the DEC Board of Directors for collaborating to sustain the continued development of this enterprise hub in Dungarvan. Mayor Murphy said, “the future of this enterprise hub is both exciting and ambitious, because based on DEC’s plans, this will be a very important resource for enhancing the growth of entrepreneurial activity in Dungarvan and West Waterford”.

During his presentation, Professor Bill O’Gorman, chairperson of DEC, also thanked Waterford City and County Council for their support in creating this magnificent new facility for entrepreneurs, microenterprises and the business community in general based in Dungarvan and its environs. Prof. O’Gorman also outlined some of DEC’s immediate and long term plans stating that DEC, as a partner in an EU funded project and in conjunction with SETU, it will be collaborating with international partners from The Netherlands, Switzerland, Portugal and Albania to position Dungarvan and West Waterford as a centre for enhancing the development of rural enterprise networks and communities. He said, “moving to this new facility enables the Board of Directors to renew its focus on realising a digitally capable, adaptive and sustainable business community and society in Dungarvan and West Waterford, through the provision of an unrivalled enterprise hub facility with associated remote working, training, incubation, and innovation programmes and services”.

By Waterford City & County Council

Former Waterford Crystal site in €130m transformation

Former Waterford Crystal site in €130m transformationThe former Waterford Crystal manufacturing site is to be transformed to form part of the country’s first co-located university enterprise quarter in a €130 million initiative.

The 37-acre ‘Glassworks’ site will feature world-class offices strategically located beside the South East Technological University’s (SETU) academic and research facilities.  By locating cutting-edge enterprises beside SETU, Glassworks, on Waterford’s Cork Road, will act as an engine for high-quality employment, economic growth, research and education in Waterford and the wider south east region.

A media briefing at the site on Tuesday (June 10) was told it is expected to eventually have capacity for up to 6,000 employees. Planning permission has also been granted for a 582-student bed development on adjacent lands. It is 16 years since crystal manufacturing ended at the Kilbarry site and the new development aims to take inspiration from successful international university enterprise quarters such as the University of Nottingham’s Innovation Park and the Cortex innovation district in St Louis, Missouri.

The site’s revamp will enable businesses and academics to collaborate and innovate in ways not previously possible, and SETU President Professor Veronica Campbell says that Glassworks’ launch is a defining moment for the region and Ireland as a whole.

“Glassworks will play a pivotal role in Ireland’s knowledge economy where students, startups and researchers can collaborate, test ideas and create the next generation of ground-breaking products, technologies and businesses,” she said.

SETU provided the largest number of collaborative research agreements, and consultancy agreements of any Irish university, college or State research organisations, according to the 2022 Knowledge Transfer Ireland report.  The first commercial building is being developed with a €43m investment by a joint venture formed between the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and Frisby, the Waterford-based developers.

“The crystal factory brought Waterford to the world and now Glassworks will bring the world to Waterford,” said Frisby director, Noel Frisby Jnr.

“This is a place where research, creativity, and business ambition can thrive, and where our regional economy will continue to grow.”

‘Building One’, the initial 80,000 sq ft flagship office building, is expected to open by the end of the year. It will have capacity for 800 employees and will be Waterford’s first purpose-built, BER A3 rated office building that meets LEED Gold and WiredScore Gold standards.

“Glassworks will create unique opportunities for both local and international businesses and act as a cornerstone for the south east’s future development,” said Director of ISIF, Nick Ashmore.

“ISIF’s commitment to Building One is an example of its double bottom line mandate at work, investing on a commercial basis in a manner designed to support economic activity and employment in the State.

“This joint venture, as part of ISIF’s city-specific investment programme, will support investment in Waterford as well as Cork, Galway, Limerick and Kilkenny, in the form of new places to work, to live and enabling investments to support these regions.”

Over the coming years, there is potential for the development of further purpose-built buildings to accommodate businesses, researchers and students, all meeting the same stringent sustainability standards as Building One.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

2025 Waterford Digital Awards Overall Winner

Antiques Ireland 2025 Waterford Digital Awards Overall WinnerWaterford Local Enterprise Office, together with Waterford City and County Council, are pleased to announce Antiques Ireland as their 2025 Waterford Digital Awards Overall Winner.

The awards recognise and reward SMEs based in Waterford who have developed their ecommerce and digital platforms as part of their product offering. The Awards were open to all businesses with less than 50 full time employees.

Presenting the awards, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy was impressed with the development of Waterford’s digital footprint, “Digital marketing has empowered local businesses here in Waterford. From artisan food producers reaching new markets via Instagram, to tourism campaigns using immersive video to draw global eyes to our beautiful coastlines and historic streets. Digital tools have allowed our community to connect with the world in a faster and smarter way, and more authentically than ever before.”

Antiques Ireland was first established in Kilmacthomas, County Waterford in 1949 by the late Patrick Keighery as RJK Antiques. Rody Keighery, his son, took over the business in the 1980s and created this renowned antiques shop and auction room with his wife Anne. The business has built a solid reputation, both locally and nationally, based on expertise, experience and integrity.  In recent years Rody’s son, Thomas, has joined the business and added digital platforms to the promotion and execution of browsing and buying the Antiques Ireland collections.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Progress update on North Quays Public Infrastructure Project & Strategic Development Zone (SDZ)

At May’s Plenary Council meeting, elected representatives were updated of the progress of the North Quays project.

Michael Quinn, Director of Economic Development, Waterford City and County Council outlined that works are continuing in Ferrybank with the realigned Abbey Road and Dock Road due to be complete in July and October 2025 respectively.

The transport hub is progressing well, with mechanical and electrical installation, platforms and landscaping ongoing.  Works to the platforms and rail track are continuing and the internal building fit out and external public entrance plaza at Dock Road will commence in the coming months. The transport hub is expected to be fully complete by Q2 2026 with final commissioning and opening by Irish Rail in early 2027.

The steel deck superstructure for the sustainable transport bridge, fabricated and fitted out at Victor Buyck Steel Construction’s production plant in Ghent, Belgium is due to be delivered by the end of May. The 207m bridge will be transported in four sections by sea-going barges from Ghent, via the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal, English Channel and Irish Sea to Belview Port and ultimately to the Waterford North Quays site. The delivery schedule is subject to final inspections as well as weather and sea conditions.

Once transported to Waterford, the rigging, lifting and installation procedures for the bridge will take around a week to complete.  The bascule leaves for the opening central span will be tested and put into operation and finishing works, which include lighting, street furniture, and parapets, will commence once the bridge is installed and checked.  The fast-tracking of integration works as part of construction of the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) will facilitate the opening of the bridge to the public in Q4 2026.  Details of a bridge naming public consultation will be announced shortly.

The public infrastructure project is being developed ahead of the private SDZ development and the built interface between the two developments must be fully integrated and compatible. The planning, design and construction of the public infrastructure project has therefore needed to be responsive to evolving progress and proposals for the private development in order to ensure proper management of the overall North Quays project and to de-risk the overall project in terms of cost and programme.

In April, Waterford City and County Council granted planning permission to Harcourt Developments (t/a Hopcast Limited) for the development of the first phase of the North Quays SDZ.

The mixed-use development will include significant residential accommodation, as well as office and hotel accommodation, retail offerings and high-quality public realm spaces consisting of:

  • 350 residential units
  • ​​Office accommodation including ground floor creche & retail
  • 160-bedroom hotel and conference centre
  • 163-room aparthotel
  • Retail units on ground floor of residential blocks
  • High quality public realm spaces to include public plazas, riverside boardwalk and greenway.

The SDZ development places a significant emphasis on connecting the north and south quays and improving the public realm through investment in new high quality civic spaces. The direct benefit to Waterford of the investment in the SDZ Site is anticipated to be in excess of €350m over the next six years, with 200 people employed during construction and upwards of 1,500 jobs to be created following completion of phase one of the development.

Drone footage of North Quays Public Infrastructure Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jBrflSQgoE

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By Waterford City & County Council

Calling all Waterford entrepreneurs

Praveen Kaur, founder of Uoto

The Local Enterprise Office Waterford has launched its Pitch Perfect 2025 competition for Start Ups. It’s calling all those with a new innovative idea or who have recently started a business to apply today. 

Cash and industry prizes to be won!

Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Waterford, SETU Xcelerate Centre, and Boxworks Co Working Space have joined forces to deliver a new Start Up Competition for those with an innovative business idea or those already in business trading less than 18 months.

Previous winners include Praveen Kaur, founder of Uoto, a peer-to-peer car rental company that aims to revolutionise the way people rent cars at airports, and Michael Power, founder of Greenfeed, an animal feed additive which dramatically reduces methane emissions from ruminant species (such as cattle) currently farmed in Ireland. Now it’s your turn to apply.

The programme invites applications for two categories:

1.       Best Business Idea

2.       Best Start-Up Business (trading < 18 months)

Successful applicants will be selected for a Business Bootcamp where participants will be guided through the initial stages of developing their idea or business. Participants will fine tune their pitch before presenting to the judges who will select the top pitches, with prize winners announced on the day. The bootcamp will be delivered by the Entrepreneurs Academy for free to a limited number of participants over the course of a day and a half, on 25th – 26th April 2025. You must be able to attend on these dates to take part in the competition.

Day one of the programme will take place at SETU Xcelerate Centre, SETU West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, home to some of the most innovative companies in digital technology. Programme mentors will work with participants to review their idea, choose the correct business model, investigate market trends, plan the route to market and develop a business pitch.

Day two will be on location at Boxworks, Waterford’s coworking space for tech and creative industries, and hub for smart-thinking entrepreneurs, startups and ambitious small businesses. Participants will fine tune their pitch before presenting to the judges who will select the top pitches, with prize winners announced on the day.

Spaces are limited and those interested are invited to complete an expression of interest to be part of the event before 5pm, 14th April 2025.

For more information visit https://www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford/

By Waterford City & County Council

Deep Digital Solutions wins Waterford National Enterprise Award

Deep Digital Solutions, a Waterford company specialising in digitalization and data services has been named as Waterford’s Enterprise Award winner and will go on to represent Waterford at the 25th National Enterprise Awards which will take place in the Mansion House, Dublin, on May 22nd 2025.

The announcement was made as part of the Local Enterprise Office’s Local Enterprise Week at the Mayor’s Parlour on Friday March 7th.

Deep Digital Solutions Group is a leading provider of digitalization and data services, specializing in transforming businesses through innovative data lifecycle solutions. Headquartered in Dungarvan, Co Waterford it leverages cutting-edge technologies and industry-specific expertise to optimize operations, enhance efficiency, and drive success for clients. From harnessing the power of data analytics to streamlining digital processes, it empowers organizations to thrive in the dynamic landscape of the digital era.

The aim of the National Enterprise Awards is to spotlight, showcase, encourage and support a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship in our communities in Ireland, to promote entrepreneurship and to celebrate the achievement of the core client portfolio of the LEOs.

Marli Products Ltd. also won ‘Best Established Business’ 2025 at the NEA awards for Waterford.

Marli Products Ltd is an injection moulding company based in Waterford City, supplying high-quality products across a wide range of industries, including construction, food, healthcare, agriculture, automotive, and sports, among others.

Founded by Liam Murray and Martin Hamm, Marli Products Ltd goes beyond manufacturing, offering assembly, packaging, and warehousing services to its clients.

Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Adam Wyse, who presented the award was impressed with the winner, saying, “Waterford has evolved into a dynamic centre for manufacturing, tech, pharma, and services industries. Innovative companies like Deep Digital are shaping the future and will be key drivers of Waterford’s growth in the years to come

“I’d like to wish Eoghan and the Deep Digital team the best of luck as they go on to represent Waterford at the National Enterprise Finals.”

Gareth Evans, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Waterford, congratulated the winners, “The National Enterprise Awards are very much a benchmark for excellence for small businesses across the country. The breadth of industries within our list of finalists is a reflection of the range of services the Local Enterprise Office provides. We’re very excited and delighted to be putting forward such a worthy winner to represent our county at the National Finals.”

Eoghan Moloney, Chief Operating Officer at Deep Digital Solutions, was obviously delighted to win the award, “Have only been in business for a year, we’re thrilled to be rewarded in this manner. The calibre of business shortlisted today is amazing and a great reflection on our county. We look forward to representing Waterford at the National Finals.”

The Waterford Enterprise Awards took place as part of a very successful Local Enterprise Week programme of events.  There were over 300 events which took place across the country, run by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices from March 3rd to 7th .

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