Thanks to everyone who made Waterford’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and four-day festival such as success.
Thanks to Grand Marshal Waterford Senior Camogie team, organisers, volunteers, community, sports, arts, music and dance troupes who took part in the Parade …. the sun shone and the smiles shone brighter!
#SeizeTheDeise
Photos: Colin Shanahan, DigiCol Photography & Media Productions
Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has announced funding under 2 schemes for Protected Structures and historic buildings – the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2024 and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2024.
In Waterford, funding of €242,400 will be provided for 27 projects under the BHIS scheme and will support works such as the repair of historic roofs, walls and chimneys, repair of joinery and repair of historic stained glass for private and public buildings in the city and county . This includes €73,793 which has been ring- fenced specifically for thatch house projects
Funding of €264,000 has been allocated for 4 projects under the HSF €50,000 for Mount Melleray €50,000 Whitfield Court, €50,000 for Curraghmore House and €114,000 for St Augustine’s Church, Abbeyside, Dungarvan.
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993, Waterford City & County Council will temporarily close the following public roads to facilitate St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Events, March 17th.
The following Waterford City Roads shall be closed from 11am until 4pm approx. to facilitate the parade.
March 15th 16th 17th & 18th
From 5pm 15th March until 9pm 18th March O’Connell St from the junction of Hanover St to Meeting House Lane, John Robert’s Square, Broad St, George’s St, Barronstrand St.
Parade Traffic Management Plan
This plan outlines the management of Vehicle traffic for the St. Patricks Day Parade Event to be held on March 17th on the Quays in Waterford City.
Roads shall be closed by Waterford City & County Council Staff using Crowd Control Barriers, traffic Cones and Road Closed Signs.
1. Diversions.
Travelling East on R680 Cork Road.
All traffic for M9, N25 and N24 via Rice Bridge shall be diverted at Cork Road Roundabout and directed to Rice Bridge via R686.
Traffic for Tramore, Waterford Airport, University Hospital Waterford or
Williamstown/Dunmore Road area shall use the Inner Ring Road are unaffected.
Travelling West on R680 Rice Bridge.
The left lane shall be on Rice Bridge shall be closed and all traffic shall be diverted via R686 to R680 Cork Road at the Cork Road Roundabout. All Traffic shall then use normal routes.
Other Routes:
Travelling to Rice Bridge from Tramore, Waterford Airport, University Hospital Waterford or Williamstown/Dunmore Road area shall be diverted via R709 Inner Ring Road to Cork Road Roundabout and the detour via R686.
2. Parking
Parking within the main Quay car parks will be available until approximately 1 hour before the Parade Commences at 1pm and will be reopened 30 minutes after the all clear is called by Event Control. All on-street car parking on the closed roads will be removed 24hours before the parade begins. All other city car parks will be unaffected.
Waterford City & County Council are seeking expressions of interest from established village/town committees seeking assistance with developing their local town/village development.
Town Centre First funds are available for a project development measure; development of these proposals must be undertaken in consultation with the Councils appointed Town Regeneration Officer and local town/village community and business interests. Ideally, projects will have been identified as part of a town plan, health check or similar study, produced for the town or village. Projects that cannot demonstrate that a consultative process has been undertaken to ascertain the views of local community and businesses will not be permitted.
Funding may be awarded for costs such as detailed design, planning, procurement, professional fees, assessments, and other development costs.
This initiative will compliment other funding initiatives within the Department, including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration Development Fund.
Maximum funding amount available is €50,000 per project with a grant rate of 90% of the total project costs. Two applications from Waterford will be forwarded to the Department of Rural and Community Development for consideration of approval.
The expression of interest form should be completed with supporting documentation etc and emailed back to tcf@waterfordcouncil.ie by 4.00pm, Wednesday 20th March 2024. Late applications cannot be considered.
Notice is hereby given that Waterford City and County Council, in exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 75 Roads Act 1993, propose to close the following road to through traffic from 5.00pm Friday to 12 midnight Sunday each week commencing on 29th March, 2024 to 29th December, 2024.
Road to be closed
Diversion Routes (one way system)
Objections or submissions may be made in writing to the “Director of Services, Roads, Water and Environment, Waterford City and County Council, City Hall, The Mall, Waterford” not later than 4pm on 18th March, 2024.
Waterford based dhbArchitects have once again been shortlisted in a national competition for their town centre project in Tramore. The competition is ‘Building and Architect of the Year’, with the winner announced at an awards ceremony in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin on April 12th.
Máire Henry, Director of dhbArchitects, said, “I see this as a joint award for ourselves, our extended design team, our client Waterford City and County Council, our contractor, and the very supportive Tramore Town Centre Management group. We all worked together to deliver a much-needed public outdoor space in the old centre of Tramore town.”
Following investment of €5.1m from the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF), Waterford City and County Council, and Uisce Éireann, the project has transformed the heart of Tramore Town into a vibrant, connected outdoor pedestrianised space, where people can once again stroll, meet, sit, converse and connect, overlooking Tramore Bay.
The design places a strong emphasis on pedestrians over cars, resulting in increased walking among both locals and visitors. This has led to numerous positive outcomes, including improved physical health, a cleaner environment and a more robust local economy.
The addition of custom Irish limestone seating acts as an outdoor amphitheatre, attracting children who engage with the space while their parents queue and chat at the popular bakery and coffee shops that now line the area.
The seating also provides a resting spot for those who may find the steep topography challenging. Furthermore, this space serves as a pop-up performance area, hosting local parades and festivals.
Morris Conway, Acting Senior Architect with Waterford City and County Council said, “This project has created a vibrant town centre, with its bright and open reclaimed pedestrian area. The stepped seating and cascading paving are as practical as they are eye-catching, creating an impressive focal point, attracting visitors and increasing dwell time of those who visit the area.”
The Tramore Public Realm project was awarded a Commendation at the annual Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) awards in 2023.
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are appealing to the public to use the roads with care over the St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend. This appeal comes against the backdrop of high numbers of road fatalities in 2024.
Provisional analysis from the RSA shows that 42 lives have been lost on Irish roads to date this year, three (3) more than on this date last year (as of 14 March 2024).
The RSA and An Garda Síochána are reminding all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Ahead of the national holiday, drivers and all other road users are being reminded to plan ahead and organise a safe way home when celebrating over the coming days.
This means leaving the car and the keys at home, arranging a lift, agreeing a designated driver, booking a taxi, or taking public transport. Walking home or cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs can also put you and other road users at risk.
Gardai statistics show that:
The appeal comes as the RSA’s Driver Attitudes & Behaviour Survey 2023 found that one in four (26%) motorists believe that driving short distances after having a drink is acceptable, and one in ten report driving after drinking alcohol in the last 12 months.
The survey also reveals that nearly a quarter (23%) of drivers have admitted there were times where they may have been over the limit when driving on the morning after a night out.
To coincide with this Bank Holiday appeal, the RSA’s ‘SAY IT’ campaign will continue to run over the Bank Holiday weekend, with a specific focus on alcohol. The ‘SAY IT’ campaign encourages people to speak up when they see unsafe behaviours by family or friends on the roads.
Mr. Jack Chambers, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, said: “I am deeply concerned by the findings that people have admitted to driving while they may have been over the limit after a night out. This bank holiday weekend I am urging motorists to make responsible choices before getting behind the wheel after celebrating St Patrick’s Day. With the holiday falling on a Sunday, people who are away for the weekend may be travelling back on the Monday. We all need to keep our roads safe, and I am also appealing to people not to get behind the wheel if they have been celebrating heavily the night before.”
Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs with the RSA, said: “We know that fatal road traffic collisions are more likely to occur over the weekend and late at night/in the early hours of the morning. If any of us gets behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol or using drugs this weekend, we have to realise that our decision could lead to some very serious consequences. Plan a safe way home and stick to it – and speak up if you see someone about to drive or walk home when intoxicated. Don’t just think it, say it.”
An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing and Community Engagement, Paula Hilman said: “Throughout this St. Patrick’s Bank Holiday Weekend, an extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation will be in place nationwide. Enforcing road traffic laws is a core element of road safety, and Gardaí work all year round to detect road traffic offences which are known to increase the risk of death or serious injury on our roads. The reality is that this risk further increases during bank holiday weekends. We all have a personal responsibility to prevent road fatalities and serious injury road traffic collisions, and we must work together. An Garda Síochána are urging people to never, ever get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of an intoxicant be that alcohol or drugs. Please slow down and drive at an appropriate speed, always wear your seatbelt and do not allow yourself to be distracted by a phone while driving.
“There are consequences to these actions and poor driver behaviour – some more lasting than others. You could lose your licence and face significant financial penalty, but far worse is the possibility of seriously injuring or killing someone else on the road. We appeal to everyone to look out for one another on the roads this St. Patrick’s weekend.”
This St Patrick’s Bank Holiday Weekend drivers are also being reminded that the RSA and participating Applegreen service stations are providing free cups of coffee to motorists to combat driver fatigue. The offer is available from 2-8pm on Friday 15 March and on Monday 18 March – just mention RSA at the Applegreen till when you’re getting your coffee.
The RSA has also teamed up with JOE.ie to help combat drink driving this St. Patrick’s weekend. The JOE.ie team has produced a video where they put the public to the test with some ‘simple’ tasks using our impairment goggles, which shows the effects of driving under the influence.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Road Safety Authority Press Office, 096 25008
Expat Taxes Ltd., a Waterford company specialising in tax for expatriates has been named as Waterford’s Enterprise Award winner and will go on to represent Waterford at the 24th National Enterprise Awards which will take place in the Mansion House, Dublin, on Thursday May 23rd 2024.
The announcement was made as part of the Local Enterprise Office’s Local Enterprise Week at the Mayor’s Parlour on Friday March 8th.
Expat Taxes Ltd. is a boutique Irish tax practice that simplifies taxes for people moving to or from Ireland. As Chartered Tax Advisers and Chartered Accountants with over 15 years’ experience they are experts in expatriate tax. It offers tax advisory and tax compliance services. Its aim is to make taxes less stressful and to help its clients navigate the complex work of international tax.
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.
Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Joe Conway who presented the award was impressed with the winner, saying, “Expat Taxes represents the new outward looking Waterford. As our city and county continues to grow, progress and attract investment, companies such Expat provide a valuable and seamless service to those thinking of locating to Waterford and Ireland.
“I’d like to wish Stephanie and her 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. Expat Taxes has demonstrated its calibre, innovation and resourcefulness and is a very deserving winner of the Waterford award. To be so successful after just a few shorts years in business is a real achievement and I’m sure they will go on to represent us well on the national stage.”
Stephanie Wickham, owner, was obviously delighted to win the award, “After winning the Waterford Digital Award last year we know how important they can be for our profile. We’re really looking forward to representing Waterford on the national stage in May and would like to thank the team at the LEO for all their help over the years.”
The other four finalists in the Waterford NEAs were:
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 4th to 8th.
To facilitate works on the North Quays Public Infrastructure Project, the Bring Bank at Ferrybank (Bus Shelter at Dock Road / Rockshire Road Junction) has been removed.
You can find the nearest alternatives by visiting https://www.mywaste.ie/waste-service-locator/
The Joint National Housing Conference, in association with the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and Waterford City and County Council’s (WCCC) Housing Department opened in Waterford this week.
The national housing conference was first held in 1969 and every year since has explored the challenges, opportunities and innovations in housing design and delivery.
The theme for the two day conference was Diversifying and Expanding our Housing Delivery, with particular focus on emerging trends in planning, urbanism and architecture.
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Conway welcomed attendees to the Tower Hotel, Waterford saying, “I am delighted to welcome our esteemed speakers and guests to Waterford, Ireland’s Oldest City, for this two day event, who will no doubt inform, challenge and educate us all.
“This conference brings together planners, architects, academics, those in the construction industry and local authority housing teams who, day-in day-out, strive to create and shape sustainable, scalable communities, tackle dereliction and vacancy, and reinvigorate our villages, towns and cities.”
As a joint venture between the RIAI, WCCC and DHLGH, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said, “Over the years this conference has provided a strong networking and learning opportunity for architects, planners, and developers in the private sector to discuss emerging trends in the provision of both Social, Affordable and Private housing.
“It represents a valuable opportunity for them to meet with their professional counterparts and with housing practitioners in Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, as well as with the professional advisors and colleagues from my own department. The success of Housing for All is dependent on us all – public and private sector – working together, and events like this are key to that collaboration.”
Speaking at the conference RIAI President Sean Mahon said, “This conference offers a unique opportunity for the built environment professionals in the public and private sectors to come together to discuss and develop innovative ideas for housing delivery. Housing is critical infrastructure required to sustain human well-being. Architects have a leadership role in driving innovation in housing design solutions the conference is an excellent opportunity to hear about new models and solutions that exist for housing delivery, but also to discuss the challenges impeding progress.”
The conference which was attended by architects and planners from across Ireland, the UK and Europe, addressed topics such as master planning, modern methods of construction, placemaking, repurposing buildings and policy context through a series of panel discussions.
Paul Johnston, Acting Director of Services for Planning at Waterford City and County Council spoke about how Waterford is tackling vacancy and is recognised as a national leader for its proactive efforts to bring urban vacant residential properties back into use. Under Rebuilding Ireland and Housing for All, the local authority is on track to bring over 700 previously vacated dwellings back into use.
Acting Senior Architects with Waterford City and County Council, Walter Holden and Morris Conway took part in a panel discussion on Town Centre First, a government initiative that aims to create town centres as vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work, and visit, while also functioning as the social, cultural and recreational hub for local communities. The public realm improvements, varied cultural offerings, and return to use of vacant properties have combined to bring a unique sense of life to the city centre, and this was acknowledged in the Irish Times Best Place to Live Award, recently bestowed to Waterford.
Former Senior Architect with Waterford City and County Council, Rupert Maddock spoke about ‘Learning from Waterford.’ Rupert was recently awarded the RIAI Gandon Medal for his contribution to the advancement of architecture. Transformational public realm projects, spearheaded by Rupert include the Millennium Project, which entailed the design of the William Vincent Wallace Plaza, and the design of John Roberts Square, creating a pedestrianised, decluttered and multi-purpose destination public realm space.
In addition to projects such as the redesign, development and conservation of the People’s Park, the Clock Tower, the Franciscan Friary and Mount Congreve, Rupert’s passion and undoubted forte is the preservation of Waterford’s rich history and heritage.
Under his tenure, Waterford has cultivated an enviable portfolio of museums, under the Waterford Treasures collective, which includes the Medieval Museum, The Bishop’s Palace, The Irish Museum of Time, the Irish Silver Museum and the latest addition, The Irish Wake Museum.
The conference valedictory topic was ‘Towards the Ideal Town in Ireland’ delivered by Professor Daniel Miller, a professor of anthropology at University College London and a visiting professor at UCD.
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Images attached: Noel Browne
2: Paul Johnston, WCCC Acting Director of Services for Planning, Rupert Maddock, former WCCC Senior Architect, WCCC Acting Senior Architects Walter Holden and Morris Conway
15: Former Senior Architect with WCCC Rupert Maddock spoke about ‘Learning from Waterford.’
5: Paul Johnston, WCCC Acting Director of Services for Planning, Gary Falconer and Patricio Harte of CJ Falconer and Associates.
12: Paul Johnston, WCCC Acting Director of Services for Planning and Noelle Sweeney Housing Agency
Image attached: John Power
DHLGH_RIAI: Áine Stapleton, Assistant Secretary DHLGH; Graham Doyle, Secretary General at Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Sean Mahon, RIAI President ; Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Conway and Kathryn Meghen, RIAI CEO.
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 11 Subsection (1) (b) (iii) Roads Act 1993 that Waterford City and County Council propose to declare the roads mentioned here to be Public Roads.
The drawing indicating the roads to be taken in charge are available for inspection on our website or copies can be viewed in our Customer Services Departments in Davitt’s Quay,
Dungarvan or Bailey’s New Street for a period of one month up to and including 16th April, 2024.
Submissions or observations with respect to the proposal to declare the roads to be Public Roads may be made in writing up to 30th April, 2024. Please include the name of the development in the submission subject line.
By Post: Aideen Jacob, Administrative Officer, Roads Department, Menapia Building, The Mall, Waterford.
By Email: submissionsroads@waterfordcouncil.ie (Please put ‘Taking in Charge – Doneraile Court, Tramore’ in the subject line)
By Phone: 0818 10 20 20
The ArtLinks partnership of local authorities Arts Offices in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford is pleased to announce that it has awarded over €100,000 to artists in the South East across a broad range of artforms including music, visual arts, literature, theatre, dance, film , traditional arts, opera, circus, street arts and spectacle.
These bursaries for emerging and professional artists are supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and they provide professional development opportunities and supports for artists who are resident in these four counties.
The Arts Offices would like to thank everyone who applied and look forward to the successful recipients undertaking their projects, mentoring, courses and workshops in the coming months.
The Waterford recipients were Louise Bradley, Clashmore/Theatre. Cailean Finn, Dunhill/Visual Arts. Rayleen Clancy, An Rinn/Visual Arts. George Higgs, Villierstown/Music. Ben Hennessy, Annestown/Theatre & Visual Arts. Holly Pickering, Dunhill/Visual Arts. Mae Leahy, Ferrybank/Theatre. Dylan Kennedy, Lismore/Theatre. Julie Cusack, Waterford city/Visual Arts. Sarah Grimes, Waterford city/Music. Róisín Power Hackett, Kill/Literature. Jenny Fennessy, Lismore/Theatre. Rachel Roberts, Waterford city/Visual Arts.
Artists who are resident within the four partner Local Authorities can register for membership free of charge by contacting artlinks.ie@gmail.com for a registration form.
For all ArtLinks enquiries please contact artlinks.ie@gmail.com
Follow @Artlinks.ie on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.
Due to predicted high tides, flood barriers in Passage East will be closed on Wed 13th March until approximately 0900 hrs.
Passage East Car Ferry will not be in operation until barriers are open.
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993, Waterford City & County Council will temporarily close the following public roads to facilitate St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Events, March 17th.
The following Waterford City Roads shall be closed from 11am until 4pm approx. to facilitate the parade.
March 15th 16th 17th & 18th
From 5pm 15th March until 9pm 18th March O’Connell St from the junction of Hanover St to Meeting House Lane, John Robert’s Square, Broad St, George’s St, Barronstrand St.
Parade Traffic Management Plan
This plan outlines the management of Vehicle traffic for the St. Patricks Day Parade Event to be held on March 17th on the Quays in Waterford City.
Roads shall be closed by Waterford City & County Council Staff using Crowd Control Barriers, traffic Cones and Road Closed Signs.
1. Diversions.
Travelling East on R680 Cork Road.
All traffic for M9, N25 and N24 via Rice Bridge shall be diverted at Cork Road Roundabout and directed to Rice Bridge via R686.
Traffic for Tramore, Waterford Airport, University Hospital Waterford or
Williamstown/Dunmore Road area shall use the Inner Ring Road are unaffected.
Travelling West on R680 Rice Bridge.
The left lane shall be on Rice Bridge shall be closed and all traffic shall be diverted via R686 to R680 Cork Road at the Cork Road Roundabout. All Traffic shall then use normal routes.
Other Routes:
Travelling to Rice Bridge from Tramore, Waterford Airport, University Hospital Waterford or Williamstown/Dunmore Road area shall be diverted via R709 Inner Ring Road to Cork Road Roundabout and the detour via R686.
2. Parking
Parking within the main Quay car parks will be available until approximately 1 hour before the Parade Commences at 1pm and will be reopened 30 minutes after the all clear is called by Event Control. All on-street car parking on the closed roads will be removed 24hours before the parade begins. All other city car parks will be unaffected.
