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Waterford City & County Council

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By Waterford City & County Council

Uisce Éireann progressing plans for new reservoir to ensure a more reliable water supply for Lismore

Uisce Éireann continues to make progress in addressing water supply challenges for the town of Lismore. The community have been updated on plans to build a new reservoir as well as progress in reducing leakage across the town. This is all part of Uisce Éireann’s long-term plans to address challenges and ensure a more reliable and resilient water supply for Lismore homes and businesses.

Jim Fitzgerald, Regional Operations Senior Manager for Water at Uisce Éireann, explained, “We will be building a new reservoir which will provide backup water storage to the town. Additional land is required to build a new treated water storage reservoir, which we are progressing. Specialised leakage crews have been dispatched to Lismore to support local crews and intensify efforts to find and fix leaks. Reducing leakage and fixing issues identified in the pipe network will benefit everyone through increased water pressure. Steady progress has been made to fix leaks, with the rate already decreased from 46% to 32% since January. 15 leaks have been identified on the public network and repaired. There have also been 17 leaks identified on private properties where we have been engaging directly with landowners to ensure repairs are completed. Further investigation works are scheduled in the coming weeks.”.

Uisce Éireann welcomed the opportunity to meet with the local community and stakeholders in Lismore this week at a briefing chaired by Minister for State at the Department of Housing and Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins. It was a valuable opportunity to discuss the challenges and reaffirm our commitment to investing in the upgrade of water infrastructure, ensuring a more reliable water supply for the community.

Jim Fitzgerald, who met with the local community, continued, “We accept that operational issues at the water treatment plant and challenges on the network have caused ongoing disruption for the local community. Providing a robust, resilient, and safe water supply to the local community of Lismore remains a top priority for Uisce Éireann. We ask for continued patience and support while resolving the issues”.

Uisce Éireann remains committed to keeping the local community and stakeholders informed as a programme of work continues.

Uisce Éireann has launched a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at www.water.ie

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment.

By Waterford City & County Council

Participate in Ongoing Public Consultations

Waterford City & County Council is actively seeking community input on several projects that will influence the development and enhancement of our region. Your insights are needed to ensure that these initiatives align with the needs and aspirations of our community.

 

Current Open Consultations:

  1. Scoil Mhuire NS, Butlerstown: Active Travel Safe Routes to School Scheme: Aimed at improving safe travel routes for students, this initiative seeks to promote active commuting. Feedback is welcomed until 5pm, today, April 2, 2025.
  2. Residential Development at Old Parish / An Sean Phobal, Dungarvan: This proposal focuses on new housing developments aimed at enhancing community living in Dungarvan. The consultation is open until May 7, 2025.
  3. Williamstown Road Active Travel Scheme: This scheme proposes enhancements to facilitate active travel along Williamstown Road. The consultation period ends on April 16, 2025.
  4. Inclusive Play Space at Abbeyside, Dungarvan: The council plans to develop an inclusive play area to cater to children of all abilities. Submissions are open until May 7, 2025.
  5. Draft Litter Management Plan 2025–2028: This plan outlines strategies for maintaining cleanliness and managing litter across Waterford. Public input is sought until April 30, 2025.
  6. Extension/Redevelopment of Existing Playground at the Prom, Tramore: Plans are underway to enhance the playground facilities at Tramore Promenade. The consultation will run until May 14, 2025.

Why Your Participation Matters:

Public consultations are a cornerstone of democratic engagement, ensuring that community members have a direct influence on local developments. Your feedback assists the council in making informed decisions that genuinely reflect the community’s wishes.

 

How to Give Your Opinion:

To participate, visit the Waterford City & County Council’s consultation portal. Here, you can access detailed information about each project and submit your observations or suggestions.

By Waterford City & County Council

Scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta – Gaeltacht Scholarships 2025

Scholarships 2025

Is féidir iarratas a chur isteach anois do Scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta Chomhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge do Shamhraidh 2025. Is féidir an fhoirm iarratais a fháil ag https://bit.ly/Scoláireachtaí-Gaeltachta-2025.

Applications are now invited for Waterford City & County Council’s Gaeltacht Scholarships for Summer 2025. You can access the application form at https://bit.ly/Scoláireachtaí-Gaeltachta-2025.

By Waterford City & County Council

More children starting the day active following improvement works at two Waterford national schools

More children are now walking and cycling to two national schools in Waterford City following significant improvements made through the Active Travel Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programme.

The SRTS programme aims to promote walking and cycling as safe, sustainable travel options for schoolgoers and has been highly successful in encouraging healthier lifestyles among pupils at St Saviour’s National School in Ballybeg and Waterford Educate Together National School in Carrickphierish.

At the official launch of the schemes on Friday 28th March 2025, Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Jason Murphy commented: “It’s truly wonderful to see so many children opting to walk and cycle to school following these improvements.”

The SRTS programme, an initiative of the Department of Transport and supported by the Department of Education, is operated by An Taisce in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Active Travel Department in Waterford City and County Council at a local level.

Michael Murphy, Active Travel Senior Engineer, Waterford City and County Council, emphasised the importance of creating safe and welcoming spaces around schools. “When we improve the environment around schools, it naturally encourages children to walk and cycle, fostering healthier habits and safer communities,” Mr. Murphy said.

Patrick Pender, Principal at Waterford Educate Together National School, expressed his strong support for the initiative, emphasising its success in improving safety outside the school. “The reduction in cars around our school, combined with safer road crossings and junction improvements, has made a noticeable difference in creating a safer and more accessible environment for our pupils and their families. These changes are a welcome step towards making active travel a more viable and attractive option for children, encouraging more of them to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

“As these improvements take effect, we are excited to see initiatives such as the Walking Bus getting underway. This provides children with a structured and safe way to walk to school, fostering independence, promoting a healthier lifestyle, and strengthening the sense of community among those who travel together. Supporting active travel is a priority for us, and we look forward to building on this progress in the months ahead,” Mr Pender added.

Ciara Kavanagh, Principal at St Saviour’s National School, said the improvements have had a positive impact on the community. “While many of our pupils from the Ballybeg area have always walked to school, the new safety measures have made it safer and more accessible for everyone. We’ve noticed more children walking and cycling, which means they’re getting active, socialising before classes, and starting the day healthier and more energised,” Ms. Kavanagh said.

Finola O’Driscoll, Senior Programme Manager for Active Travel Investment in the NTA, said the NTA looks forward to empowering more Waterford communities in their active travel journeys. “Many of the children who attend these schools live in the immediate area and will now have a safer and more positive front of school experience due to reduced traffic congestion. Credit to those at St Saviour’s National School in Ballybeg and Waterford Educate Together National School in Carrickphierish for recognising the importance of ensuring the safety of the children coming to and from school,” Ms O’Driscoll added.

By Waterford City & County Council

Author Martina Devlin enthrals at Central Library

Author Martina Devlin joined Waterford City and County Librarian Mary Conway for the first Writers at Waterford Libraries event of 2025 in Central Library on March 29th to discuss her latest book Charlotte and writing life.

Martina Devlin is an author and newspaper columnist. She has written nine novels, two non-fiction books, two plays and a collection of short stories. Her latest novel, Charlotte, explores Charlotte Brontë’s Irish connections. Other novels include Edith about the Irish R.M. co-author Edith Somerville; and The House Where It Happened about a mass witchcraft trial in Co Antrim in 1711, which led to a plaque being erected to commemorate those convicted following a campaign she initiated.

Her work has won many prizes including the Royal Society of Literature’s V.S. Pritchett Prize and a Hennessy Literary Award, and she has been shortlisted three times for the Irish Book Awards. Martina writes a weekly current affairs column for the Irish Independent, and her journalism has also won acclaim including being named National Newspapers of Ireland commentator of the year, among other journalism prizes. She holds a PhD in literary practice from Trinity College Dublin and is currently a judge on the Dublin Literary Award.

Martina enthralled the audience of almost 80 people in Central Library with the stories of her research into Charlotte Bronte and the background to the book. She gave a very interesting insight into the life of Charlotte and her Irish husband Arthur Bell Nicols as well as recounting detail of the second marriage of Arthur to his cousin Mary Bell.

Mary Conway, Waterford City and County Librarian said, “It was an absolute pleasure to engage Martina Devlin in conversation about her work and it was clear to me how interested the audience were by their complete attention throughout the whole event.”

By Waterford City & County Council

Change to Customer Service opening hours

opening times block

Please note the following changes to Customer Service office opening hours:

Dungarvan & Waterford City customer service desks will remain closed to the public until 10:00 AM on the following dates:

  • Waterford City – Friday, 25 April 2025
  • Dungarvan – Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City and County Council hosts Second Waterford Student Climate Conference

Waterford City and County Council’s Climate Action Team hosted its second Student Conference at the Fusion Centre in Dungarvan last week (Wednesday, March 26th).

Eight secondary schools from across Waterford City and County sent teams to the conference which was also attended by members of Waterford community groups.

Each partaking school was represented by a teacher and a small team of ‘climate ambassadors’.  While the first Student Climate Conference in 2023 focussed on contributing to the writing of the Waterford Climate Action Plan, the emphasis this year was on community action.

Welcoming the students to the Fusion Centre at Dungarvan, Grainne Kennedy, Climate Action Coordinator, Waterford City and County Council said, “While we have achieved a tremendous amount already in the first year of Waterford’s Climate Action Plan, there is still a lot of work to come. And taking the longer view, our successes will come from cultivating an informed, engaged youth who can build on the great work communities are already doing.”

Students then had the opportunity to learn from various Waterford communities and businesses that have carried out a great variety of climate actions.

Cian Gill, Climate Action Officer with Waterford City and County Council said, “Sometimes people might have an idea that climate action is something technical, very scientific, and maybe even a bit mysterious – definitely not the sort of thing that anyone can do! They are often pleasantly surprised to learn that many actions they already feel positive about, and may already be doing, are a part of climate action.

“Today, we’re hearing from groups such as Árdscoil na Mara who have a ‘walk-to-school’ campaign, Affane-Cappoquin-Tourin, who have been saving and reusing rainwater, and Clashmore Community Council, who have made unused green areas more biodiversity-friendly. We also learned how to set up school sustainability squads with Education for Sustainability, and how to grow our own food with specialist Colman Power.”

Students from Abbey Community College talked about how they had been inspired saying, “We could utilise the spaces we already have for flower planters and to grow vegetables and organic produce in them, so we can use them when we come back to school in September to maybe cook them in Home Ec.”, while Waterpark College said, “We’ve been inspired by the speakers to create some sort of zen garden or pollination path.”

For more information about Waterford City and County Council’s Climate Action Plan, visit https://waterfordcouncil.ie/services/environment/climate-action/ or email climateaction@waterfordcouncil.ie

 

By Waterford City & County Council

Reminder: Martina Devlin Author visit to Central Library on Saturday 29th of March – Free Event

Martina Devlin

Waterford Libraries are delighted to welcome Martina Devlin to Central Library at 3pm on Saturday 29th of March as part of the Writers at Waterford Libraries programme of events for 2025.

Martina is an award-winning author and newspaper columnist known to us all.  She has written nine novels, two non-fiction books, two plays and a collection of short stories.  A former Fleet Street journalist, Martina has been writing weekly current affairs columns for the Irish Independent for many years. She chairs literary and current affairs events and regularly commentates on BBC and RTE!

Her latest novel, Charlotte, explores Charlotte Brontë’s Irish connections and marriage to an Irishman.  Prizes include the Royal Society of Literature’s V.S. Pritchett Prize and a Hennessy Literary Award, and she has been shortlisted three times for the Irish Book Awards. Martina writes a weekly current affairs column for the Irish Independent for which she has been named National Newspapers of Ireland commentator of the year, among other journalism prizes. She holds a PhD in literary practice from Trinity College Dublin and is currently a judge on the Dublin Literary Award.

This is a Free Event, but booking is required. Please contact Central Library on 051 849975 for bookings and further information.

The series of writer events aims to unite readers and writers through free, accessible events in their local library branches.

More information on Martina’s event here: https://waterfordlibraries.ie/author-event-martina-devlin-in-central-library-saturday-29th-march/

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

The word ‘blaa’ has been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)

The word ‘blaa’ has been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), with the official definition of the word according to the OED being, “A soft white bread roll dusted with flour, particularly associated with Waterford, Ireland.”

Made from flour, salt, yeast and water, the blaa was introduced to Waterford by the Huguenots in the 17th century, and has a unique floury white top to protect it during baking.

Awarded Protected Geographic Indication (PGI) status by the European Commission in 2013, only blaas made by specialist bakers in a Waterford city and county can be called blaas!

By Waterford City & County Council

Reminder: Connecting Communities Roadshow this evening in Tramore

Connecting Communities Roadshow Comes to Tramore
We all want the best for our communities—but where do we start?

Join the Connecting Communities Roadshow to learn about the wide range of supports available to help local community groups and volunteers make a real impact. Whether you’re looking to start a community initiative, strengthen an existing group, or find funding opportunities, this event is packed with valuable insights.

📅 Date: Wednesday, 27th March
🕕 Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Tramore GAA Community Hub

This is a fantastic opportunity to meet local organizations, discover funding sources, and connect with others who share a passion for making a difference. Don’t miss out—come along and be part of the conversation that shapes your community!

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Educate Together National School launches successful Walking Bus Initiative

Waterford Educate Together National School Launches Successful Walking Bus Initiative
Waterford Educate Together National School (ETNS) in Carrickphierish, Waterford City has proudly launched its first-ever walking bus, following recent improvements made under the Active Travel Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme.

On Wednesday 5th March 2025, the school kicked off this exciting initiative with great success. The walking bus was supported by Waterford City and County Council and Waterford Sports Partnership, as well as the school’s dedicated parents and staff.

A walking bus consists of a group of children walking to school under the supervision of responsible adults. The route includes several stops, where children can join the walking bus along the way. Schools have the flexibility to schedule their walking bus on a designated day each week or month.

The walking bus initiative brings numerous benefits, including promoting healthy, active travel habits among children, fostering road safety awareness, and boosting children’s focus throughout the school day.

The event marked a significant milestone in the school’s commitment to encouraging sustainable, active commuting and fostering a safer, healthier environment for its pupils.

On the day, Principal at Waterford Educate Together National School, Patrick Pender, said: “We had lots of children and parents take part in our first walking bus, and it was great to have the support of Waterford Sports Partnership and Waterford City and County Council in getting this initiative started. It really is a fantastic initiative. Thanks to everyone involved for their support.”

Dylan White, Active Travel Communications and Behavioural Change Officer at Waterford City and County Council, said: “It is wonderful to see the walking bus initiative get underway at Waterford Educate Together National School. By starting a walking bus, schools not only help reduce traffic and emissions but also provide children with a refreshing start to their day. The children arrive at school feeling energised and ready to learn, having had an enjoyable walk to school with their friends.”

Active Cities Officer at Waterford Sports Partnership, Lauren Walsh Kett, said: “It’s great for the children to be able to build in a little bit of physical activity into their day before they start school.”

 If you would like advice on starting a walking bus, contact the Active Travel team at activetravel@waterfordcouncil.ie.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Uisce Éireann advises of planned disruption to water supply in the Comeragh District

Uisce Éireann logoUisce Éireann wishes to advise of a planned water disruption impacting customers in the Comeragh District from 8 am – 6 pm on Wednesday, 26th March.

The outage is to facilitate critical ESB works following Storm Eowyn.

Supply interruptions and reduced water pressure will impact customers in the following areas: Fews, Killrossanty, Lemybrien, Ballynaneen, Ballyogarty, Kilmacthomas, Bunmahon and surrounding areas.

Every effort will be made to reduce the impact of these works on homes and businesses and to restore the water supply as quickly as possible. Uisce Éireann would like to thank the community in advance for their patience and co-operation.

Following work, regular water supply can take three to four hours to return to all customers as the network replenishes.

Vulnerable customers registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.

Uisce Éireann’s customer care team is available 24/7 on 1800 278 278, and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries. For further updates, visit the service and supply section of www.water.ie .

Uisce Éireann has launched a free text service that provides real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number on the text alerts page.

ENDS

For media queries, please contact press@water.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Change to opening times

opening times block

Please note the following changes to Customer Service office opening hours:

  • Waterford City customer services desks will open at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, 25 March 2025.

Apologies for any inconveniences caused.

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