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Waterford City & County Council

Latest News & Announcements

By Waterford City & County Council

Hello, Konnichiwa Waterford

 

       

 

         

An early start as Waterford Walls Festival wows visitors with a massive fifty foot street art mural!

Waterford Walls, Ireland’s leading street art festival, is thrilled to announce a captivating addition to its 2023 event – a striking mural painting by none other than the renowned UK artist, Dan Kitchener aka DANK. Taking centre stage at the iconic Fitzwilton Hotel on Bridge Street, this large-scale masterpiece promises to enchant and captivate both locals and visitors alike.

Waterford Walls has long been celebrated for its commitment to urban transformation through vibrant street art, providing a unique platform for artists to unleash their creativity on the city’s walls. This year’s festival promises to be no exception, as the addition of Dan Kitchener’s mural elevates the artistic landscape to new heights.

Dan Kitchener, a world-renowned street artist and muralist, has gained international acclaim for his awe-inspiring urban artworks that blend dynamic realism with captivating scenes. His distinct style, characterised by vibrant colours and breathtaking lighting effects, has left an indelible mark on cityscapes across the globe.

The Fitzwilton Hotel, who is no stranger to street art, has graciously offered its 15 metre high wall to serve as the canvas for Dan Kitchener’s latest masterpiece. The striking mural is set to portray a traditional Japanese scene that depicts a porcelain geisha and the magic of Asia.

The Waterford Walls Festival is set to take place from 11-20th August at various locations across the city and county, featuring a diverse lineup of over 26 national and international artists who will grace the walls with their extraordinary talent. Waterford Walls is sponsored by Writers’ Tears Irish Whiskey and supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Waterford City and County Council.

Join us in celebrating the magic of art as Waterford Walls Festival and Dan Kitchener weave a spellbinding tapestry of urban transformation. Follow the festival’s social media channels and website for updates on the event schedule and additional artist announcements.

By Waterford City & County Council

Mayor of Waterford City and County launches the Community Playful Streets Program

Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Joe Conway attended a unique project in Portlaw.

Community Playful Streets are being rolled out through the Waterford City and County Council section under initiatives from the Healthy Ireland strategy.

This was one of Mayor Conway’s first outings since recently being elected and he said  “I was privileged to have been asked to come to the Playful Streets evening in Portlaw.  I met a great bunch of children and their enthusiastic parents, all of whom responded engagingly with Waterford Council’s espousal of the initiative.

The main thrust of “Playful Streets” is to get children to play together safely outdoors – and leaving the couches, TVs, phones and video games to one side.  In doing so, we will build a stronger, more inclusive, child-friendly community.

We hope in the Council to have many more such events in the coming months all over the city and county. Special endorsement for all those parents and helpers who cooked with smashing BBQ food and monitored activities.”

Cllr. Declan Clune was delighted to the response of the community saying, “We are really happy how the event went. We would like this to be a regular event now and give areas a further sense of belonging and knowing your neighbour.”

Resident association member, Leanne Simpson was also delighted with the response. “We didn’t expect such a response, the street came alive with activity and people came from everywhere to lend a hand. I would like to thank Eamon O Leary our estate manager, the mayor, our local councillor  Declan Clune, and most importantly the residents and children who took part. Our chef Philip kept the crowds full and looking for more.”

Eoin Morrissey from Waterford City and County Council Community Section added, “Over 15 events are planned with many completed already this summer. It’s a great way for community to work on a project together which is manageable and shows the benefits of play and social interaction as well as several other tangible benefits.”

By Waterford City & County Council

Recruitment : Assistant Scientist

Waterford City & County Council invites applications from suitably qualified candidates who wish to be considered for the position of Assistant Scientist, working with the National Agricultural Inspections Programme (NAIP) on a 3 Year Fixed Term Contract.

Completed application forms must be emailed to recruitment@waterfordcouncil.ie  clearly stating the position applied for in the subject line no later than 4p.m. on Thursday, 10th August, 2023.

By Waterford City & County Council

RSA’s Interactive Road Safety Shuttle visits Waterford this week

 

                              

        In conjunction with a Local Community Safety Partnership initiative, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has announced that its Interactive Road Safety Shuttle will travel to Waterford this coming week. This mobile interactive unit, designed to educate and engage the public on road safety, will be stationed at various locations in Waterford from 26th-28th July 2023.

What is the Shuttle?
The RSA Interactive Road Safety Shuttle is a cutting-edge initiative that aims to provide the general public and other target audiences with an immersive experience, raising awareness about critical road safety issues. Equipped with the latest simulations and immersive VR technologies, the Shuttle focuses on addressing killer behaviours on our roads such as speeding, driver distraction, fatigue, driving under the influence, and other important road safety concerns.

Visitors will have the opportunity to test their driving skills and reaction times on car simulators, as well as experience real-life situations, such as avoiding distractions in busy traffic or staying awake during late-night drives. Cyclists can also participate and improve their knowledge of road rules using the surround screen simulator, while a similar motorcycle simulator offers valuable insights into a biker’s perspective on the road.

Local Community Safety Partnership Coordinator, Eddie Mulligan emphasized the learning aspects of the Shuttle, stating :

“The RSA Interactive Road Safety Shuttle presents a unique opportunity for our community to actively engage in road safety education. We’re very glad to see people in Waterford getting this opportunity. By participating in the interactive simulations, we can all gain valuable insights into the dangers of bad behaviour on the roads. Our message is that road safety is a shared responsibility, and together we can make a difference in reducing accidents and saving lives.”

During the shuttle’s Waterford visit, the Road Safety Educators, a team of qualified teachers, will be present, leading the sessions and introducing participants to the VR experiences. They will be available throughout the session to discuss all aspects of road safety and address any queries attendees may have.

Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership Chair, Seán Aylward, further commented on the opportunity afforded by the visit of the RSA Interactive Road Safety Shuttle’s in Waterford, saying:

“With the concerning rise in road traffic accidents, the need for proactive safety initiatives is critical. These events present an great opportunity for our community to actively engage in road safety education and witness firsthand the potential dangers on our roads. The need for such initiatives is underscored by provisional fatality statistics for 2022, indicating a concerning rise in accidents. As of 1st June 2023, the RSA Research Department highlights the urgency for road safety awareness and action. I urge everyone to attend and be part of the collective effort to foster road safety awareness in Waterford.”

Shuttle Event Details

  • Wednesday, 26th July 2023 – Dungarvan Davit’s Quay Car Park (Across Civic Offices)
  • Thursday, 27th July 2023 – Waterford City, Bolton Street Car Park
  • Friday, 28th July 2023 – Tramore Promenade Car Park
  • Times: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

By Waterford City & County Council

Funding Increase for Repair and Lease Scheme

Waterford City & County Council are delighted to announce that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have confirmed that the maximum funding available under the Repair and Leasing Scheme has been increased from €60,000 to €80,000, including VAT, per unit.

This funding increase provides for recent cost increases and will allow even more vacant properties to be brought back into use. The Repair and Lease Scheme is complimentary to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant that is available for owner-occupiers and private rental.

Please contact the Vacant Homes Team in Waterford City & County Council for more information on vacanthomes@waterfordcouncil.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Public Chess Boards installed in Waterford’s historic Cathedral Square

 

 

Waterford’s Cathedral Square was abuzz with excitement today as the City & County Council unveiled a series of public chess boards, funded by the Fáilte Ireland Destination Towns initiative.

Coinciding with World Chess Day, members of the Waterford Chess Club were on hand to try out the new equipment, marking an exciting addition to the larger chess installation in the square.

Nestled in the heart of the city centre, Cathedral Square has long been a favoured spot for social gatherings and festivals, and it is hoped the new public chess boards will offer visitors a unique and enjoyable experience, complementing the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Project Manager with Waterford City & County Council, Ali Jay, commented:

“For tourists and local clubs alike, we hope the chess boards provide an opportunity to enjoy an intellectually stimulating game amidst the city’s scenic beauty, adding a unique touch to their visit.”

The tables were made by Keating Fabrication, a local firm who also made the planters on the square.

Chess and draughts pieces are available from the nearby Medieval Museum for a deposit.

By Waterford City & County Council

Mentoring Programme for Waterford’s Visual Artists

The Arts Office, Waterford City and County Council is pleased to announce details of the Big Look group mentoring scheme for visual artists. This programme aims to help emerging visual artists with an existing practice in painting and/or drawing to make breakthroughs in their artistic practice by placing them into a cohort with peers and connecting them to established artists.

The scheme is open to artists who are resident in the Waterford City and County Council administrative area and is run in partnership with Artform School of Art Dunmore East with the support of the Arts Office, Waterford City and County Council.

Participating mentors in the scheme are Ciara Roche, Maurice Quillinan and Gabhann Dunne.

This programme will run from September to December 2023. Selected mentees will join a cohort of artists following a structured programme over the course of 12 weeks, comprising online resources, weekly group sessions and on-location meetups.

The deadline for receipt of online applications is 23.59 on 25th August 2023. Full details are available on https://www.biglook.art/pages/waterford-group-mentoring-scheme

By Waterford City & County Council

Recruitment : Assistant Scientist

Waterford City & County Council invites applications from suitably qualified candidates who wish to be considered for the position of Assistant Scientist, working with the National Agricultural Inspections Programme (NAIP) on a 3 Year Fixed Term Contract.

Completed application forms must be emailed to recruitment@waterfordcouncil.ie  clearly stating the position applied for in the subject line no later than 4p.m. on Thursday, 10th August, 2023.

– Advert

– Application Form

– Information Booklet

By Waterford City & County Council

Lifting of Boil Water Notice previously issued by Waterford City & County Council, and Uisce Éireann

EAST WATERFORD WATER SUPPLY SCHEME

 Uisce Éireann and Waterford City & County Council wishes to notify consumers that following the cessation of industrial action and confirmation that the water quality on this supply is satisfactory, the boil water notice which has been in place is now lifted with immediate effect. This decision follows consultation undertaken with the Health Service Executive.

All consumers on the East Waterford Water Supply Scheme can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.

The Uisce Éireann Customer Contact Centre (1800 278 278) is available to answer customer queries in relation to the lifting of this notice. Further information is available on our website at www.water.ie.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City and County Council receives €9M to tackle long-term vacancy & dereliction

The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Ministers Eamon Ryan and Darragh O’Brien announced details on the 11th July of a €150 million fund which will be allocated to tackle long-term vacancy and dereliction in towns and cities across Ireland. Waterford City and County Council have received a €9M allocation. This was one of the highest allocations, second only to Dublin City Council, in the country.

Announced as part of the quarterly Housing for All progress update, the funding will be available to local authorities for towns and cities eligible for the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF). Within County Waterford the URDF centres are Waterford City, Dungarvan and Tramore.

The allocation of funding received follows the comprehensive submission by the Council where it identified suitable projects to increase the housing stock within the Metropolitan Area and Dungarvan. The Council will receive a grant for the entire 100% cost of acquiring suitable long term vacant and derelict properties or sites identified within the Counties URDF Settlements.

Michael Walsh, the CEO of Waterford City and County Council said:

“I am delighted with our allocation of €9M to tackle long term vacancy and dereliction in Waterford. This will transform our key settlements and promote vibrant communities in Waterford City, Dungarvan and Tramore.”

Kieran Kehoe, Director of Service with responsibility for Planning, Corporate, Culture, HR & IS in Waterford City and County Council said:

“This level of funding reflects the high priority that the Government has placed on boosting accommodation and tackling dereliction both nationally and within County Waterford. It also complements several existing schemes which the Council already have in place to tackle vacancy and dereliction. Through this fund we will increase the pace at which vacant and derelict buildings are brought back into productive use as new homes for people.”

The URDF Call 3 fund will help restore and transform the urban heart of many of our communities. It is envisaged that it will provide more homes for people in sustainable locations, allowing them to live close to local services, amenities and employment. Making use of our existing stock in a more efficient way makes clear environmental sense. For further information on the fund and derelict sites, please contact:

derelictsites@waterfordcouncil.ie

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