The Arts Office, Waterford City and County Council in association with the Molly Keane Writers Retreat, Ardmore is pleased to present a free online lunchtime Poetry reading on Monday 8th March at 1pm to celebrate International Woman’s Day.
Bring your lunch and a cuppa and join us. Bígí Linn.
FREE 4-Week Course starting 6th March
Music Generation Waterford and Waterford Libraries (supported by the government’s Keep Well campaign) are running a series of free 4 week courses starting Saturday 6th of March at 11am. Suitable for children ages 1 – 12 years. Booking is essential and your child must be free to attend all four sessions (March 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th)
‘Music in Me’ Sing, Dance, Play & Be Free
Time: 11am – 11.30am , 4week course starts Saturday 6th March, 11am
Suitable for children ages 1 – 4 years.
Booking: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/music-in-me-sing-dance-play-be-free-tickets-143641524667
‘Chaos & Calm’ Move your body & Calm your mind
Time: 11:30am – 12pm, 4week course starts Saturday 6th March, 11am
Suitable for children ages 5 – 7 years.
Booking: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/chaos-calm-move-your-body-calm-your-mind-tickets-143642487547
‘Rhythm & Beats’ Samba ya Bamba to the Beat!
Time: 11:45am – 12:30pm, 4week course starts Saturday 6th March, 11:45am
Suitable for children ages 8 – 12 years.
Booking: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rhythm-beats-samba-ya-bamba-to-the-beat-tickets-143643033179
Thousands of people have pledged to ‘squeeze in a read’ for Ireland Reads Day, February 25th. So far, almost 500,000 minutes of reading have been pledged for the national reading day, organised by libraries nationwide as part of the Keep Well campaign.
The Ireland Reads campaign encourages everyone to get stuck into a book and read for pleasure and wellbeing during Covid-19.
A new website www.irelandreads.ie has been set up where people can pledge to read and get a book recommendation suited to their interests and the time they have available. There are more than 800 recommendations from librarians all around the country. A website user can simply enter their favourite type of book and how long they would like to read each day and the website will offer the perfect book suggestion and work out how long it will take to complete – a couch to 5k for books!
Campaign partners and libraries all over the country have been running ‘Ireland Reads’ initiatives and events throughout February in the build up to the day.
Speaking ahead of Ireland Reads Day, broadcaster and Ireland Reads ambassador Rick O’Shea said: “Ireland Reads Day is a brilliant opportunity for people of all ages to take some time for themselves, discover or re-discover the benefits of reading, and to shout about what they love to read! I think that, more than most other years, 2020 and now 2021 are the years we need reading in our lives most because reading can help us imagine that other worlds are possible and better days are ahead. I am thrilled to support Ireland Reads and I hope it kickstarts a year of reading for people right across the country.”
Rick is among a number of well-known campaign ambassadors from the worlds of writing, science, sport, health and broadcasting who are on board to help promote the campaign, and you can find out what reading means to them and why they support the campaign at www.irelandreads.ie.
While libraries are not currently open for browsing or borrowing due to Covid restrictions, library members can use the library Borrowbox service online and choose from more than 44,000 eBooks and 33,000 eAudiobooks.
We are offering a FREE Sustainable Gardening Course online to all Tidy Towns members and community groups in Waterford. This course is run by Horticulturist Aoife Munn. It is a 5-week course @10am on Fridays 19th March – 16th April. Topics covered include reducing your waste, growing your own vegetables, planting for pollinators, alternative to chemicals and much, much more.
To request a place please register your interest at the link below and we will get back to you as soon as possible. https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/waterford-sustainable-gardening-course-registration-142912401841
Seachtain na Gaeilge is being celebrated in Waterford again this year, with events and activities taking place online due to the pandemic.
The Irish Office of Waterford City & County Council is collaborating with a number of different groups to provide a range of events and activities and people from all over the world are welcome to join us online to celebrate the Irish language and culture of the Déise.
Waterford library services
Staff from the Libraries throughout city and county have organised a host of bilingual/Irish events and activities, which will take place online in the coming fortnight and all of which are free of charge.
A simple but fun Irish Crossword for Children will be shared on the Library Service website (www.waterfordlibraries.ie) and on its social media – Facebook, Twitter and Instragram – during Seachtain na Gaeilge from the 1st-17th March.
Storytelling for Children – the Library staff have organised a diverse programme of storytelling events this year through the Library Facebook page (@WaterfordLibraries). Throughout Seachtain na Gaeilge Library staff will post videos of themselves reading from a selection of the gorgeous Irish language books that are available for children. In addition, Jacqui de Paor from the Waterford Childcare Committee will host some fun storytelling sessions online for pre-school children.
Storytelling for all ages – The Library Service is delighted to announce that the wonderful Niall de Búrca will be with us again this year, hosting a wild and wonderful storytelling session online, suitable for all ages, on Monday, 15th March at 11am on the Libraries Facebook page. Poet and artist Róisín Sheehy will give a Poetry Reading of her own poems on Friday, the 12th March @ 3pm and talented young local, Tiger Lily Keoghan will give a very interesting talk on the connection between Waterford and Newfoundland on Wednesday, 3rd March at 11.00am.
Information on the dates and times of all of these events can be found at www.waterfordlibraries.ie and on the Facebook page WaterfordLibraries.
St. Patrick’s Day Short Story Competition – to celebrate a very different St. Patrick’s Day this year, Waterford Libraries would love to celebrate your imagination by running a short story competition. We are calling on 6 – 18 year olds to write a story, no more than 500 words, beginning with the line: “I will never forget what happened on St Patrick’s Day…”. Winning entries will be published in local newspapers and will feature on WLR FM. Full details of the competition are on www.waterfordlibraries.ie and all entries are to be emailed to library@waterfordcouncil.ie not later than 5pm on Tuesday 9th March 2021.
CIORCAIL CHOMHRÁ/IRISH CONVERSATION/EVENTS FOR ADULTS
Ciorcal na gCiorcal – Irish conversation groups in Waterford will have a chance to get together online for the ‘Ciorcal na gCiorcal’ event being organised by Glór na nGael in conjunction with Gael-taca in Cork on Tuesday, 2nd March. If you would like to take part to practice your ‘cúpla focal’, you can register in advance with Cabríní de Barra, Glór na nGael at cabrini@glornangael.ie.
Seal le Seanchaí – If you like storytelling and listening to a good yarn you will be most welcome to join us for Seal le Seanchaí, which takes place on Friday, 12 March on Zoom. This event is being organised by Glór na nGael, in co-operation with the Irish Office of Waterford City & County Council, and an evening of “caint agus craic”, chat and fun is promised! You must register in advance with Cabríní de Barra, Glór na nGael at cabrini@glornangael.ie.
Bilingual Table Quiz – the usual Bilingual Table Quiz for staff organised by the Irish Office of Waterford City & County Council will take place online this year on Monday, 15th March and Ciorcail Chomhrá groups from city and county are also welcome to take part. This will be a fun table quiz, giving people a chance to use their ‘cúpla focal’ in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. You can register in advance by contacting the Irish Officer, Máire Seó Breathnach on msbreathnach@waterfordcouncil.ie
Be on the lookout for Scríbhneoir an Lae – Dámh Dhéiseach on the Facebook pages of Waterford City & County Council’s Irish Officer and Archivist during Seachtain na Gaeilge. There will be daily posts on some of the most famous Irish language writers that came from Waterford, giving an interesting insight into the rich Irish language heritage of the Déise, as presented on the Dámh Dhéiseach, Scríbhneoirí na nDéise interactive map on the Council’s website.
EVENTS FOR TEENAGERS/YOUNG PEOPLE
The Péacóg Arts Festival for young people will host an Open Mic and Guest Speaker event online on Friday, 12th March to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge. Further information is available on the Péacóg social media pages.
GAELTACHT NA nDÉISE
The Gaeltacht development organisation, Comhlucht Forbartha na nDéise is also organising events for Seachtain na Gaeilge through its Language Planning Officer and Family & Youth Facilitator. A Seanfhocal Competition, Storytelling Night for Children and A Celebration of Lá ‘le Pádraig #Déise will take place online and further information on these events and activities is available from the Áisitheoir Teaghlaigh & Óige, Éimhín Ní Chonchúir at otodeise@gmail.com and on social media #@Gaeltacht na nDéise.
We would like to thank all the individuals and groups for their co-operation and support in organising the programme of events and activities for this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge Therefore, if you would like to practice your ‘cúpla focal’, or simply listen to our native language in use, please feel free to attend any of these free Seachtain na Gaeilge events. Bain sult as!
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Further information: Máire Seosaimhín Breathnach, Irish Officer: 0761 10 2884 / (087) 7434123
Tá Seachtain na Gaeilge á ceiliúradh i bPort Láirge arís i mbliana le go leor imeachtaí á n-eagrú ar líne, de bharr na paindéime.
Tá Oifigeach Gaeilge Phort Láirge ag obair i gcomhar le grúpaí éagsúla chun réimse leathan imeachtaí a chur le chéile agus beidh fáilte roimh dhaoine ó aon áit ar domhan ceangail isteach chun an Ghaeilge agus cultúr na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh le muintir na nDéise.
Seirbhísí Leabharlainne Phort Láirge
Beidh go leor imeachtaí Gaeilge agus dátheangacha á n-eagrú ag an bhfoireann os na leabharlanna éagsúla sa chathair agus sa chontae sa choicís amach romhainn agus iad ar fad saor in aisce.
Beidh Crosfhocal Gaeilge do Pháistí á roinnt ar shuíomh idirlíon na leabharlainne www.waterfordlibraries.ie agus ar mheáin shóisialta na Leabharlanna le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge ar fad (1-17 Márta).
Scéalaíocht & Filíocht do Pháistí – tá clár leathan scéalaíochta as Gaeilge á cur ar fáil i mbliana trí leathanach Facebook na Leabharlanna (@WaterfordLibraries). Foilseofar roinnt físeáin le foireann na leabharlainne féin ag léamh leabhair ón réimse leathan leabhair iontacha Gaeilge atá ar fáil do pháistí. Chomh maith leis sin, beidh Jacqui de Paor ó Choiste Cúram Leanaí Phort Láirge i mbun scéalaíochta agus amhránaíochta do pháistí réamhscolaíochta (0-3 bhliain).
Scéalaíocht do Dhaoine Fásta – Tá áthas ar an tSeirbhís Leabharlainne a fhógairt go mbeidh an seanchaí Niall de Búrca linn arís i mbliana do sheisiún scéalaíochta ar líne ar an Luan, 15 Márta ar a 11.00r.n. ar leathanach Facebook Leabharlanna Phort Láirge. Tá scéalta draíochtúla Niall oiriúnach go gach aois agus beidh fáilte roimh gach duine ceangail isteach chun éisteacht leis. Chomh maith leis sin, beidh Léamh Filíochta leis an bhfile agus ealaíontóir Róisín Sheehy á chraoladh ar an Aoine, 12 Márta ar a 3.00i.n. Tabharfaidh bean óg ildánach áitiúil, Tiger Lily Keoghan caint an-suimiúil dar teideal “Oiléan Go Oiléan: An Nasc Binn Idir Talamh An Éisc agus Éire” ar an gCéadaoin, 3 Márta ar a 11.00r.n.
Is féidir an t-eolas maidir le dátaí agus amanta na n-imeachtaí seo ar fad a fháil ar www.waterfordlibraries.ie agus ar leathanach Facebook WaterfordLibraries.
Comórtas Scéalaíochta Lá Fhéile Pádraig – chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar Lá Fhéile Pádraig ana-dhifriúil i mbliana ba bhreá le Leabharlanna Phort Láirge do shamhlaíocht a ghríosadh trí chomórtas gearrscéalta a reáchtáil. Táimid ag cur glaoch ar leanaí ó 6 – 18 mbliana d’aois scéal a scríobh ag tosú leis an line “Ní dhéanfaidh mé dearmad go deo ar an méid a tharla ar Lá Fhéile Pádraig…”. Foilseofar iontrálacha na mbuaiteoirí sna nuachtáin áitiúla agus beidh siad craolta ar WLR FM. Is féidir sonraí iomlána an chomórtais a fháil ag www.waterfordlibraries.ie agus caithfear gach iontráil a sheoladh ar ríomhphost chuig library@waterfordcouncil.ie roimh 5.00 i.n. ar 9 Márta 2021.
Ciorcail Chomhrá/IMEACHTAÍ DO DHAOINE FÁSTA
Ciorcal na gCiorcal – Beidh seans ag Ciorcail Chomhrá na nDéise teacht le chéile le grúpaí eile don ócáid “Ciorcal na gCiorcal”, atá á n-eagrú ag Glór na nGael i gcomhar le Gael-taca Chorcaí ar an Máirt, 2 Márta. Más suim leat a bheith páirteach, is gá clárú le Cabríní de Barra ó Ghlór na nGael ag cabrini@glornangael.ie roimh ré.
Seal le Seanchaí – Más spéis leat scéalaíocht agus éisteacht le seanchaithe, beidh fáilte romhat a bheith linn do Seal le Seanchaí, a bheidh ar siúl ar an Aoine, 12 Márta ar fhíschomhdháil Zoom. Tá an ócáid seo á n-eagrú ag Glór na nGael, i gcomhar le hOifig na Gaeilge, Comhairle Phort Láirge agus beidh caint, craic agus comhluadar iontach ann ar an oíche! Is gá clárú roimh ré le Cabríní de Barra ó Ghlór na nGael ag cabrini@glornangael.ie
Tráth na gCeist Dátheangach – beidh an gnáth-Thráth na gCeist, a bhíodh ar siúl d’fhoireann na Comhairle, á cur ar fáil ar líne i mbliana ar an Luan, 15 Márta agus fáilte roimh Chiorcail Chomhrá na nDéise a bheith páirteach chomh maith. Is gá clárú roimh ré leis an Oifigeach Gaeilge, Máire Seó Breathnach ar msbreathnach@waterfordcouncil.ie
Bígí ag faire amach chomh maith do Scríbhneoir an Lae – Dámh Dhéiseach ar leathanaigh Facebook Oifigeach Gaeilge Phort Láirge agus Waterford County Archivist gach lá le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge. Tabharfar blaiseadh d’oidhreacht shaibhir scríbhneoireachta na nDéise, mar atá sé ar fáil ar an suíomh Dámh Dhéiseach, Scríbhneoirí na nDéise ar shuíomh idirlíon Chomhairle Phort Láirge.
IMEACHTAÍ DO DHÉAGÓIRÍ
Féile Ealaíon Péacóg – Beidh Mic Oscailte agus Comhrá le hAoichainteoir á n-eagrú ag Coiste Péacóg ar an Aoine, 12 Márta. Féile ealaíne is ea é seo dírithe ar dhéagóirí agus daoine óga agus tá áthas orainn go bhfuil an ócáid seo á reáchtáil acu do Sheachtain na Gaeilge. An t-eolas ar fad ar fáil ar mheáin shóisialta Péacóg.
GAELTACHT NA nDÉISE
Beidh an tOifigeach Pleanála Teanga agus an tÁisitheoir Teaghlaigh & Óige de chuid Chomhlucht Forbartha na nDéise ag eagrú imeachtaí do pháistí na Gaeltachta le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge i mbliana. Beidh Comórtas Seanfhocail, Oíche Scéalaíochta do Pháistí agus Céilliúradh Lá ‘le Pádraig #Déise ar siúl agus is féidir an t-eolas ar fad faoi na himeachtaí seo a fháil ón Áisitheoir Teaghlaigh & Óige, Éimhín Ní Chonchúir ag otodeise@gmail.com agus ar mheáin shóisialta #@Gaeltacht na nDéise.
Gabhaimid buíochas le gach duine sna seirbhísí agus eagraíochtaí éagsúla as ucht a gcomhoibriú agus a gcuid tacaíochta chun an clár imeachtaí cuimsitheach seo a eagrú mar cheiliúradh ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge i mbliana. Mar sin, má tá suim agat freastal ar réimse imeachtaí trí Ghaeilge, nó do chúpla focal féin a chleachtadh, tá rud éigint duit le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge i mbliana. Bain sult as!
-críoch-
Tuilleadh eolais: Máire Seosaimhín Breathnach, Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge (087) 7434123
This year we are preparing to celebrate a very different St. Patrick’s Day and Waterford Libraries would love to celebrate your imagination by running a short story competition.
We are calling on 6 – 18 year olds to write a story, no more than 500 words, beginning with the line “I will never forget what happened on St Patrick’s Day……”
There are three age categories: age 6-9, age 10-14, age 15-18. There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes in each category. Each winner will receive a €50 voucher and there will be plenty of spot prizes!
Winning entries will be published in local newspapers and will feature on WLR FM so get writing for Paddy’s Day 2021!
All entries are to be emailed to library@waterfordcouncil.ie not later than 5pm on Tuesday 9th March 2021. Please include your name, address, age category, phone number and parent/guardian name with the entry. Remember to insert “St. Patrick‘s Day Short Story Competition” in the subject line of the email.
Terms & Conditions
1. By entering this competition you consent to these terms and conditions.
2. This competition is open to children living in Co. Waterford only.
3. There are three categories: Age 6-9, Age 10-14, Age 15-18.
4. Stories must begin with “I will never forget what happened on St. Patrick’s Day….”
5. Stories must be no longer than 500 words.
6. Deadline for entries is 5pm 9th March 2021.
7. Entrants can submit as many entries as they wish.
8. All entries to be submitted in digital format (e.g. Word, email or other) to library@waterfordcouncil.ie by 5pm on 9th March 2021. Hard copies will not be eligible.
9. Entrants should include their name, address, age category, phone number and parent/guardian name in the email. This information will only be available to the Waterford Council Employees and will not be used for any other purpose. This information will be kept only for the duration of the competition and all contact and personal details will be disposed of thereafter in line with GDPR and Data Protection Regulations.
10. Please use ‘St. Patrick‘s Day Short Story Competition’ as the subject line of the email.
11. Entries must be the original and unpublished work of the entrant.
12. There will be no correspondence with the judging panel and no feedback provided to individual entrants and the decision of the judges is final.
13. The winning entry from each category will be published in Local Newspapers and will feature on WLR FM. Entries will also be posted on www.waterfordcouncil.ie (note only Christian names and age group category will appear online, we will not publish full personal details).
‘Stories from the Waterside’ was a national story writing competition, organised LAWPRO in partnership with The Heritage Council and the Heritage Officers Programme, Waterways Ireland and Inland Fisheries Ireland. It celebrates the connection between people and their local waterbodies through stories. Entries were received from across Ireland in both English and Irish. In total there was almost 500 entries in the competition, which ran throughout the period of the first COVID-19 lockdown The winning stories were published in a book called ‘Stories from the Waterside’.
The new website, which will be launched on Tuesday 02 February, will provide ongoing access to this unique collection of stories. Details of event are as follows:
Event: ‘Stories From The Waterside’ online readings and reflections (in Irish & English) from the national story writing competition and launch of new dedicated website with all the stories.
Date: Tuesday, 2nd Feb 2021 (World Wetlands Day)
Time: 7pm
Register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/world-wetlands-day-2021-tickets-137399318059
The event will include readings and reflections on our local waterbodies and will see the launch of a new website to capture all the stories entered into the story writing competition. It will make all the stories available on a theme / county basis and the association with a local water body. The event is free to attend and open to all but registration is required (see above link).
Ends
Waterford City and County Council has allocated €1,287,300 in festival and event funding to aid with the development and promotion of events in Waterford City & County during 2021. The allocation supports 70 festival and events throughout Waterford City and County with the aim to promote local festivals that have an economic, tourism, cultural/artistic or community benefit for Waterford.
Speaking following the adoption of the Festival Grants for 2021, Cllr Damien Geoghegan stated ‘As Mayor I am delighted that Waterford City & County Council is in a position to support so many events across Waterford in the coming year. While 2020 has been a challenging year for all and many of our events could not be held, we are hopeful that by showing our continuing support for the many community and voluntary events across the county that these groups will be ready to bring vibrancy back into our communities when restrictions allow. I would like to express my gratitude to the many voluntary and professional groups that put so much effort into their applications and help make Waterford a great place for our residents and for visitors.’
| Name of Festival | 2021 Allocation |
| 1848 Tricolour Celebration | €4,500 |
| A Slice of Culture | €600 |
| Arts Festival Online Support | €5,000 |
| Bealtaine Living Earth Festival | €1,500 |
| Blackwater Valley Opera Festival | €7,000 |
| Campervan of Sound Music & Arts Festival | €1,000 |
| Camphire International Horse Trials and Country Fair | €5,000 |
| Capital of Culture/Music Generation | €84,000 |
| Celebration of International Women’s Day | €1,500 |
| Comeragh Christmas Craft Fair | €1,200 |
| Comeraghs Wild Festival | €28,000 |
| Copper Coast Festival 2021 | €500 |
| Copper Coast Trad Fest 2021 | €2,000 |
| Creative Ireland | €15,000 |
| Daonscoil na Mumhan | €1,500 |
| Deise Medieval Greenway2021 | €2,500 |
| Dungarvan Aglow | €20,000 |
| DUNMORE EAST BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2021 | €10,000 |
| Dunmore East Festival of Food, Fish and Fun | €5,000 |
| Dunmore East Walking Weekend | €500 |
| Festive Lighting | €111,850 |
| Festive Support briefing | €5,000 |
| Fun for Life 2021 | €500 |
| Giggle of the Galaxy | €2,000 |
| Harvest Festival | €65,000 |
| Imagine Arts Festival | €20,000 |
| International Women’s Day Festival 2021 | €1,500 |
| John Dwyer Trad Festival 2021 | €3,000 |
| Knockanore Fete | €1,000 |
| Lismore Towers and Tales | €5,000 |
| ModPoets Fest 21 | €1,400 |
| Nire Valley Drop MTB Challenge | €1,750 |
| O’Connell Street Festival | €9,000 |
| Pride of the Déise | €2,050 |
| Ravens Rock Rally | €3,000 |
| Robert Boyle Summer School | €2,000 |
| Seasonal Annimation in Dungarvan | €10,000 |
| Southeast Science Festival | €5,000 |
| Spraoi International Street Arts Festival | €70,000 |
| Sprog | €2,000 |
| St Patricks Day Parade, Waterford City | €45,000 |
| St. Patrick’s Day Dungarvan | €5,000 |
| St. Patricks Day Portlaw | €1,000 |
| Summer in the City 2021 | €59,000 |
| Summer on The Mall | €15,000 |
| Tallow Tostal Festival | €500 |
| The Barony Of Gaultier Rose Festival. | €550 |
| THE BOOLEY HOUSE | €1,000 |
| The Carbally Art By The Sea Festival. | €1,000 |
| THE CELTIC BOX CUP | €10,000 |
| The Good Old Days Festival. | €1,000 |
| The LIT Young Writers Festival | €1,800 |
| Tionól Nicolás Tóibín | €2,000 |
| Tramore Christmas Festival | €5,000 |
| Tramore St Patricks Day Parade | €5,000 |
| Tramore Street Party | €4,000 |
| TUNEFEST | €5,000 |
| Viking River Festival | €3,000 |
| Vitamin Sea Festival | €15,000 |
| Waterford Film Festival | €500 |
| Waterford Heath and Wellbeing Family Fest | €3,000 |
| Waterford PPN Community & Voluntary Awards | €5,600 |
| Waterford Viking Marathon | €22,000 |
| WATERFORD WALLS FESTIVAL | €35,000 |
| Waterford Writers Weekend | €34,000 |
| Well Festival of Arts & Wellbeing | €4,000 |
| West Waterford Festival of Food | €50,000 |
| Winterval | €429,000 |
| Wyse Park Arts Spectacle scheme | €6,000 |
| Yogafest | €1,000 |
| €1,287,300 |
As part of its Decade of Centenaries events Waterford City and County Council is delighted to make available a series of talks exploring 1920 in Waterford and the voices that were fighting to be heard in the creation of a new Ireland… an independent Ireland. 1920 was a very turbulent year for people in Waterford and there are lots of issues to explore. You can explore this time on the Council website www.waterfordcouncil.ie and check out the talks online in your own time.
There is a great line up of speakers :
Dr. Pat McCarthy, Waterford native and Mount Sion alumni is sharing his extensive knowledge of the period in his talk “At Length converted from the error of its ways”: politics in Waterford City 1916-1921. Find out just what those errors were and how things changed in 1920. Waterford City and Couty Archivist, Joanne Rothwell, will provide a picture of the consequences for Waterford County Council in their support for Dáil Éireann in her talk Waterford and the 1920 Local Elections. In tandem with Dáil Éireann the newly elected local councils in 1920 were keen to espouse their nationalist identity through the use of Irish and Aindrias O’Cathasaigh will talk about Local Government and the Irish Language in 1920. In keeping with the theme of his talk, this talk is presented in Irish, with subtitles in English.
However, there were other voices in Waterford clamouring to be heard in 1920. The labour movement in Waterford was particularly active and historian Emmet O’Connor will introduce us to Waterford in “the red flag times”. Alongside local politics a new local courts system was developed and Heather Laird will discuss “Illegal Law”: The Dáil Courts 1920-1924. Women too, were looking for a chance to play their part in 1920 and Christina O’Connor provides a talk on Cumann na mBan in Waterford.
As the nights draw in and we cannot travel too far from home why not try travelling a little in time to find out more about Waterford and the people who played their part in shaping its path. All the talks are available on the Waterford City and County Council You Tube channel and you can find the links on our website www.waterfordcouncil.ie
This series of talks is supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative and Waterford City and County Council Commemorations Committee.
If you would like to find out more about local authorities and the 1920 local elections throughout Ireland you can download the publication “Democracy and Change: the 1920 Local Elections in Ireland” commissioned by the Dept. of Housing, Local Government & Heritage from the Local Government Archivists and Records Managers to commemorate the 1920 local elections. Edited by archivists Niamh Brennan (Donegal) and Grainne Doran (Wexford) it includes documents from Waterford City and County Archives Service.
To find more events for the Decade of Centenaries check out www.decadeofcentenaries.com
Europe Direct Waterford in partnership with Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) and Waterford Social Enterprise Network (WSEN) have come together to organise a FREE online event this Wednesday (4 November) at 11am on Building a Social Enterprise Ecosystem for Waterford which can be booked via Eventbrite.
WIT’s Dr Felicity Kelliher will chair the expert panel which includes Grace O’Sullivan, MEP, Liz Riches and Nicola Kent, Waterford Area Partnership / Waterford Social Enterprise Network, Anne Nolan, Waterford Integration Services and Richard Gavin, Department of Rural and Community Development.
The panel will present the current situation on the ground and discuss the development of social enterprises in Waterford City and County outlining the practical supports available as well as looking at the importance of building a peer support network. The panel will discuss how best social enterprises can be developed and supported from the bottom up and identify challenges at local, national and EU level.
Today one in four newly-founded enterprises in the EU belong to the Social Economy providing 13.6 million paid jobs in over 2.8 million social economy enterprises. 80 regions are part of the ESER network throughout 22 member states. Waterford is already a leader in Ireland in the field of Social Enterprise. This event has been chosen as one of the 2020 European Social Economy Regions (ESER) partner event. Launched in February 2018, the ESER initiative is a response of the European Commission to the growing need to increase the visibility of social economy and build networks of stakeholders at regional and local level. The ESER Network is part of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. Waterford has been an active member of the ESER network since 2019 through Europe Direct, Waterford.
Europe Direct Waterford is run from Central Library in Waterford City and is one of a network of local contact points that serve as a direct link between citizens and the EU Institutions. Europe Direct Waterford aims to show people and organisations how the EU is relevant in their lives, offer information and to facilitate connections.
Book your free place: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/creating-a-social-economy-ecosystem-in-waterford-tickets-125207277337
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For more information contact Sinead O’Higgins sohiggins@waterfordcouncil.ie 087 3637119
It’s official – Christmas is NOT cancelled! Santa has sent Scrooge packing and assured the people of Ireland that the magic of Christmas will be alive on the streets of Waterford when Winterval returns on November 13th for its 9th year.
Ireland’s Christmas Capital has made some changes in line with government guidelines and the Winterval Elves have been working hard to adapt, so after 8 years of delivering hugely exciting programmes for young and old alike, 2020 will be no exception.
Some changes are inevitable due to social distancing and restrictions on mass gatherings, so some of the old favourites like the large festival market, ice skating and Winterval Illuminates will be taking a break for this year. However, visitors can still hop on the Winterval train, take in the incredible views of Ireland’s oldest city from the iconic 32 meter high Waterford Eye, enjoy a trip of a lifetime on a family helicopter flight over Winterval with Santa himself as your pilot, post that all important letter to the big man in Santa’s Giant post box and even see his elves loading up the mail, take in the city’s lights and sights and pick up that perfect Christmas gift.
Booking opens, Friday October 2nd on Winterval.ie for an incredible new Santa experience, and after your visit with the chap in the red suit, you can take the opportunity to sample the best of Irish, in Waterford – Ireland’s 2019 Foodie Destination of the year, while enjoying the unrivalled carnival atmosphere.
Winterval event controller Finn Brophy assures visitors – “The Winterval 2020 programme has been amended to reflect the current times, and management will be following all guidance issued by the HSE. Winterval is being designed to allow for managed queues and social distancing, the safety of our visitors is, as always, paramount.”
The Mayor of the City and County of Waterford, Damien Geoghegan said “I am delighted for the children of Ireland that Santa has confirmed he will be visiting everybody this Christmas and especially happy that Santa will be here for Winterval Waterford. Christmas is a magical time of year and Winterval brings that magic alive in Waterford each year. I am delighted that we will get to experience that this year and look forward to what promises to be an exciting Christmas season.”
With events taking place over extended hours from November 13th to December 23rd Winterval will sprinkle some much-needed joy and sparkle over Christmas 2020. The city streets to Dungarvan and Tramore will be alight for the festive season – so plan your getaway now, Ireland’s Christmas Capital will be waiting to welcome you.
Book your Santa visit Friday 2nd October on Winterval.ie, full programme to be announced mid – October.
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For more information Contact :
Winterval Marketing Manager – Sandra Power 086-1557627
2020 has been a challenging year for all and in particular the arts and culture sector. Each year Waterford Council supports a wide range of festivals and events across the city and county and plans are already progressing to continue to support a programme of festivals and events in 2021.
Festival and event organisers across Waterford are being encouraged to submit their application for funding for next year’s events. While the final budget allocated for festivals and events will be agreed later this year as part of the Council’s annual budget process, the call now highlights the value that Waterford Council places on the many community and voluntary committees and professional arts organisations that bring arts, culture and vibrancy to Waterford.
Applications can be submitted online at www.waterfordfestivals.ie from October 6th and the closing date for applications is Friday November 6th. This year’s application reflects the impact that Covid has had on events in 2020 and invites applicants to consider how they can be creative in the programming of their event to ensure all or part of it can go ahead if the level of local or national restrictions change and to make sure they have measures in place to ensure public safety.
A helpline will be open from October 6th to November 6th to answer any queries relating to the application process – 0761 10 2169
The Arts Office, Waterford City & County Council is pleased to announce details of the Waterford Poetry Prize 2020. The Waterford Poetry Prize is open to all writers currently living on the island of Ireland.
The prize will be announced at the Waterford Writers’ Weekend in October 2020, during the Imagine Arts Festival in Waterford city.
There is no age limit and no entry fee for the Waterford Poetry Prize 2020.
The first prize is €400 plus attendance at a designated writing course at the Molly Keane Writers’ Retreat, Ardmore in 2021. Second prize is €300 plus a writing course in Ardmore and third prize is €200.
The closing date for receipt of entries is 12 noon on Wednesday 16th September 2020. The judge is writer and poet Colm Keegan.
The entry form and guidelines can be downloaded below or from www.waterfordarts.com or by contacting the Arts Office on 058/41416.
