Mayor Ryan welcomes Uachtaráin Catherine Connolly to Waterford
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Séamus Ryan welcomed President Catherine Connolly to City Hall today as part of her first official visit to Waterford.
President Connolly, accompanied by her husband Brian and her Aide-de-Camp, was greeted on arrival by the Mayor, and the Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council, Seán McKeown. Also in attendance were Waterford Oireachtas members, Councillors, senior officials, and representatives from a wide range of community and voluntary organisations across the city and county.
In his address of welcome, Mayor Ryan reflected on the President’s lifelong commitment to public service and community engagement. He noted that her journey to Áras an Uachtaráin had always been grounded in real life and that she understood that public policy “lands in real homes, on real streets, and in real lives.”
The President’s engagement at City Hall centred on organisations that reflect Waterford’s strong tradition of civic participation and community leadership. Over refreshments, representatives of the Waterford Public Participation Network (PPN) had the opportunity to chat with the President and outline their work.
President Connolly met volunteers from Fiontar Pobail ó Ghaeltacht na nDéise, whose work sustains community life in the Gaeltacht, members of Re-a-Suir group, and residents from Belvedere Manor, among others.
The visit further highlighted Waterford’s commitment to inclusion and wellbeing as the President also met parents and advocates involved in making Waterford Ireland’s first Autism Friendly City, including service dog Alva, as well as members of Waterford’s Older Persons’ Council.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Ryan said, “We are delighted to welcome Uachtaráin na hÉireann to Waterford today. I’m particularly happy that she got to meet many of the communities and groups that shape this county every day. Waterford has always believed that challenges are not solved by waiting, but by working together, and that spirit was clearly reflected in the organisations the President Connolly met today.”
In addressing those assembled, President Connolly touched on the importance of targeting climate change, locally delivered solutions and resisting the normalisation of war, saying,
“Many of the solutions to the challenges we face must be delivered locally. Meaningful action is needed at every level of society and economy as climate change affects every sphere of our lives.”
In acknowledging the work underway in Waterford, she continued, “It’s important to recognise the great work that is already in progress, including the regeneration of Waterford’s North Quays and the Local Economic & Community Plan, which focusses on a sustainable, vibrant economy in the region.”
Following her engagement at City Hall, President Connolly continued her itinerary in Waterford with visits to BRILL Family Resource Centre in Ballybeg and Millennium Youth Community Services and will tomorrow attend an event at the SETU Arena.
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Photos: Free to use: Noel Browne
President Catherine Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery are pictured with Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan, Ivan Grimes, Director of Services, Waterford City and County Council and Sean McKeown, Chief Executive, Waterford City and County Council
- President Catherine Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery are pictured with Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan, Ivan Grimes, Director of Services, Waterford City and County Council and Sean McKeown, Chief Executive, Waterford City and County Council.
- President Catherine Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery are pictured with Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan, Muriel Tobin, Waterford PPN Network Co-ordinator, Honor Dunphy, Senior Executive Officer Waterford City and County Council, Ivan Grimes, Director of Services, Waterford City and County Council, Sean McKeown, Chief Executive Waterford City and County Council and Sinéad Breathnach, Senior Executive Officer, Community & Sports, Waterford City and County Council.
- President Catherine Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery pictured with Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan.
4. President Catherine Connolly pictured with Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan.
5. Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan makes a presentation to President Connolly.
6. Josie Ward from Mincéirí Portlairge chatting with President Catherine Connolly.
7. Eveleen Uí Dhrócháin and Áine Uí Ríordaín from Fiontur Pobail chatting with President Catherine Connolly and Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan.
8. Natalie Tobin and Faith Tutty and her dog Alva from Autism Friendly Dungarvan chatting with President Catherine Connolly and Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan.
9. President Catherine Connolly and Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan talking to Amy Doherty and Lily McCarthy from Comhairle na nÓg.
10. President Catherine Connolly chatting with Eileen Proctor and Yvonne Sheehan from Deise Women’s Shed.
11. President Catherine Connolly and Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with Csilla Czelvikker and Humaira Ashrai from Waterford New Community Network.
