Bridge Lift – Rice Bridge – Tuesday 11th March @ 1030hrs
Bridge Lift at Rice Bridge, Waterford. Tuesday, 11th March 2025, 10:30 am
Waterford City & County Council
Latest News & Announcements
St. Patrick’s Day 2025 – Road Closure Arrangements for Dungarvan
Waterford City and County Council has announced temporary road closures in Dungarvan to facilitate the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and related events on Sunday, 16th March, and Monday, 17th March, 2025.
Roads Affected and Closure Times
| Date | Road / Area | Closure Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, 16th March, 2025 | Grattan Square (Enterprise Side only) | 6am (16th) – 6pm (17th) |
| Sunday, 16th March, 2025 | Davitts Quay (Fireworks Display) | 7pm – 10pm |
| Monday, 17th March, 2025 | Grattan Square (Ormonde Café Side) | 6am – 6pm |
| Monday, 17th March, 2025 | Friary Roundabout to junction of Rice Street (R911) & Mitchell Street | 1pm – 6pm |
Additionally, the following roads will be closed on Monday, 17th March, from 1pm and will reopen once the parade has passed (no later than 6pm):
- Sexton Street
- Strandside Junction
- Devonshire Bridge Junction
- Grattan Square
- Mary Street
- Mitchell Street
Waterford City and County Council appreciates your cooperation and advises motorists to plan their journeys accordingly.
Waterford features on Nationwide this evening @7pm, RTÉ 1
It’s National Tree Week and the RTÉ Nationwide team is in Waterford this evening to explore Waterford City and County Council’s innovative GIS (Geographic Information System) Tree mapping survey.
They also talk to members of the horticulture and biodiversity teams, along with community groups, which are working to enrich their communities and enhance biodiversity through tree-planting initiatives around the county.
Tune in this evening (Monday 10th) at 7pm, RTÉ One.
Circular Economy Grant 2025
(previously known as the Waste Prevention Grant)
Waterford City and County Council invites submissions from community groups, youth groups, schools or other community development organisations, based in County Waterford, who are interested in receiving funding for local circular economy initiatives.
This grant is funded by the Environment Section of Waterford City & County Council as part of their Waste Prevention Programme for the County (Ref: Action Policy B.1.2 and B.2. of the Southern Region Waste Management Plan 2015-2021). This scheme aims to support communities to take steps on waste prevention, re-use and repair activities in their local areas, and encourage partnership between local businesses, local schools, charities and voluntary groups. A circular economy is based on long-life products that can be renewed, reused, repaired, upgraded and refurbished to preserve natural resources, protect habitats and reduce pollution. It is about finding ways to keep items in use longer and not generating as much waste in the first place. It’s about rethinking the way we do things – redesigning the items we use – changing attitudes and changing behaviours about what we buy and what we throw away.
The main focus for projects this year should be on projects to promote a circular economy e.g. repairing, reusing, building skills and knowledge in the community to facilitate repair and reuse, changing attitudes and behaviours to how we use items, reduce use of single use items (encourage use of reusable items). Applications for projects under these themes will be prioritised for funding.
Examples of projects are as follows: running a repair event(s) such as a repair café, how to repair a puncture, bicycle maintenance, basic sewing skills workshop (button repair, sew a hem, repair a tear, etc.) DIY skills, run a swap event, establish a sharing library/shed within a community (tool library), etc.
Projects funded in previous years include beach toy libraries, food waste reduction workshops, textile waste projects, composting systems, wormeries and initiatives to tackle disposable coffee cups.
Closing date for applications: 5pm, 11th April 2025.
Conditions and criteria used in selecting initiatives:
1. All projects should seek to encourage waste prevention and promote the circular economy
2. Applications will only be accepted through the online application form and all correspondence will be by email using the email address submitted on the application form.
3. Expenditure under this grant must be directly and fully related to waste prevention activities and cannot be used for refreshments, prizes, entertainment, or other unrelated expenditure. Please give a complete list of expenditure with your application; any expenditure not specifically funded under this grant cannot be compensated for in grant monies. Grants should be used, where possible, to leverage local business co-funding of waste prevention measures.
4. If successful a payment of 50% of the approved grant shall be paid to the name of the Organisation specified on the Grant Application form. Please ensure that this name is the same as the name on the Organisation’s bank account. The balance grant of the remaining 50% will be paid following the satisfactory completion of the agreed project, receipt of a completion grant form and evidence of monies spent. Projects that receive funding will be obliged to submit a completion report on their project detailing expenditure. Non-payment of the second 50% of the grant is at the discretion of Waterford City & County Council if your completion report is unsatisfactory or does not correspond with the project/expenditure agreed on initially.
5. Projects should be to a high standard and should aim at establishing or replicating best practice in relation to waste prevention.
6. Any online/virtual events should be recorded or streamed live to allow as many people to attend/share the information as possible.
7. All publications, print material or virtual events must reference funding through this grant if successful in obtaining funding.
8. Please note that only applications meeting the above criteria and conditions will be considered for grant funding.
Published: Weekly Planning Lists
Stay up-to-date with the latest planning applications and decisions in Waterford City and County. Each Friday, we publish a comprehensive list detailing new applications, permissions granted, and other updates. Access the latest planning lists here to stay informed about developments in your area.
Extended Deadline for Beach Lifeguard Applications – Apply by March 13th
Looking for a rewarding summer job ?
Waterford City & County Council has extended the deadline for applications for Beach Lifeguards and Senior Beach Lifeguards for the upcoming summer season.
The new closing date is Thursday, 13th March at 4:00 PM – giving you extra time to apply for this important role in keeping Waterford’s beaches safe.
If you’re a strong swimmer with a passion for water safety, this is your chance to join the team. For full details and to apply online, visit: Waterford Council Vacancies.
Don’t miss out – apply today! 🌊🏖️🚩
RSA launches impactful new Campaign exposing the Dangers of Speed on Rural Roads
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a powerful new advertising campaign highlighting the dangers of speed and complacency on rural roads.
The campaign, supported by bereaved families, depicts how small increases in speed, often unnoticed by drivers familiar with a route, can have devastating consequences, particularly on rural roads where almost three in four road deaths (73%) and nearly half (47%) of all serious injuries occurred between 2020-2024*.
The advert follows a commuter’s daily drive to work in a Groundhog Day-style. RSA research has highlighted the issue of unintentional speeding, where drivers can exceed limits simply because they are on ‘autopilot’ or unaware of a speed limit change. Many drivers also believe they are skilled enough to drive at higher speeds, particularly on roads that are familiar to them.
This is exactly what happens in the advert—the driver becomes increasingly comfortable and complacent driving with excessive speed on the same route, believing he has full control. On the final day, this leads him to take a bend at a higher speed, causing him to cross the white line into the path of an oncoming car—his evasive manoeuvre to avoid collision with the other car results in a single vehicle collision. The advert’s final message delivers a stark warning: “You never know what’s coming. Slow down on rural roads.”
The rationale for the campaign’s focus on worrying acceptance of speed is supported by research conducted on behalf of the RSA by Ipsos B&A which revealed that over 50% of drivers believe it is acceptable to exceed an 80km/h speed limit by up to 10km/h, with almost 30% considering it acceptable to exceed the limit by even more.
This campaign also aligns with the recent reduction in speed limits for rural local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h, reinforcing the importance of slowing down.
Commenting on the campaign, Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien said:
“Our priority is to protect all road users and make Ireland’s road network safer. A speed limit is not a target to be reached or exceeded—it’s there to save lives. The RSA’s advertising campaign shows us the impact speed can have and why it’s vital to watch your speed every time you take to the road. I would also encourage people to speak to their family about their driving habits – remind them that slowing down saves lives and helps keep everyone on the road safe.”
Sharon Cleary’s son, Adam Case, was a back-seat passenger when the driver of the car he was traveling in lost control and struck a tree on a narrow rural road, just three miles from his home in Co. Tipperary in 2017.
“Adam was a kind, fun-loving teenager who had his whole life ahead of him,” Sharon Cleary said. “He had no chance of survival when the driver lost control of the car. No family should have to endure this heartbreak. This powerful campaign is so important—anything that helps prevent another tragedy like this is absolutely necessary.”
Motorcyclist Christopher Fitzgerald was killed on a rural local road in 2018 when he was hit head-on by a car that had drifted onto the other side of the road. His heartbroken daughter June McArdle supports any campaign to raise awareness of road safety on rural roads.
“The tragic irony is that my dad was an incredibly careful and responsible driver—he always said his own driving wouldn’t kill him, but someone else’s could,” said June McArdle.
“He was hit head-on by a car that drifted into his path and, in an instant, he was gone. It was just 11 weeks before my wedding, and he had been on his way home after dropping off my wedding invitations. This campaign is so important because no family should have to endure this kind of heartbreak. We all have a responsibility to drive safely—not just for ourselves, but for everyone on the road.”
Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships & External Affairs at the Road Safety Authority, added:
“Too many lives are lost because drivers become too comfortable on familiar roads, unconsciously creeping up their speed without realising the deadly consequences. This campaign is a wake-up call—because even a small increase in speed can have the serious and tragic results.”
So far this year, 29 people have lost their lives on Irish roads—a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers*.
The campaign will launch across multiple platforms to maximise reach and impact. A high-profile TV campaign will feature a mix of 60” and 30” ads, supported by extensive digital activity, video-on-demand, and social media advertising across platforms like Meta, X, Snapchat and TikTok.
Radio will play a crucial role, with targeted regional coverage—upweighted in Dublin, Mayo, and Cork—counties which saw the highest numbers of fatalities in 2024.
The campaign will also air during key sporting events, including the Cheltenham Festival and Ireland’s Six Nations clash against Italy, ensuring high visibility. Further reach will be achieved through cinema advertising, out-of-home (OOH) placements (advertising in public places e.g. bus shelters, etc.), and digital audio adverts.
The RSA advert can be viewed here.
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Tramore Active Travel initiative reduces car use by 40% as students walk to school
A Tramore school’s walking initiative has been hailed a resounding success. Launched by Ardscoil na Mara secondary school in 2023, the Active Travel Stride to School initiative encourages its students to walk or cycle to school, reducing reliance on cars and helping to create a safer, greener community.
So far, the school has recorded a 40% decrease in the number of students travelling by car, significantly helping to reduce carbon emissions in the local area.
Establishing the Stride to School initiative was the collaborative effort of former Deputy Principal Ann Hennebry, Sustainability Lead Patrick Kirwan, Wellbeing Coordinator Anthony Widger, the Student Council and the TY Environmental Leadership Team. The school secured funding from Sanofi for the TY Environmental Leadership Development Programme and allocated a portion of this funding to hire a coordinator, Frances Fitzgerald, to manage the Stride to School initiative.
Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Jason Murphy has applauded the “incredible difference” the initiative is making in the community. “The Stride to School initiative is promoting active travel, and it aligns perfectly with our goals for a healthier, more sustainable Tramore. It’s wonderful to see so many students embrace walking and cycling, not just for the environment, but for the health of our children. We are creating a community where sustainability and wellbeing go hand in hand,” the Mayor said.
The Tramore school hopes to inspire even more schools to adopt the Stride to School initiative. Padraig Cawley, Principal at Ardscoil Na Mara, said: “The number of cars has decreased week after week. Our students enjoy the opportunity to chat and socialise with their friends during the walk to school, which helps them start the day feeling refreshed.”
Dylan White, Communications and Behavioural Change Officer at Waterford City and County Council, said: “The Stride to School initiative at Ardscoil na Mara not only supports the health of students but also demonstrates their commitment to tackling climate change. The reduction in traffic congestion around the school has made the area safer and more pleasant for everyone. Waterford Council look forward to supporting other schools in rolling out active travel initiatives.”
Mícheál Ó Cadhla, Community Climate Action Officer at Waterford City and County Council, complimented the efforts of the students. “The Stride to School initiative is a practical example of climate action by the students, with positive impacts both globally and locally. I hope that more schools will be inspired to follow in their footsteps,” Mr Ó Cadhla said.
Jennifer Murphy, Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist at Sanofi, said the company is committed to fostering healthier communities and a sustainable future. “Our partnership with Ardscoil na Mara on the Stride to School initiative embodies this commitment. By encouraging active travel, we’re not only promoting physical wellbeing among students but also contributing to a greener environment. This collaboration exemplifies our dedication to health beyond medicine and our belief in starting positive environmental habits early in life,” Ms Murphy said.
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Photos 1 – 5: Staff and students of Ardscoil na Mara taking part in the Stride to School initiative.
Photo 6: Staff and students of Ardscoil na Mara with Waterford City and County Council’s Dylan White and Mícheál Ó Cadhla.
Nighttime resurfacing works in Ferrybank
Waterford City and County Council and BAM wishes to advise that nighttime resurfacing works will take place on Fountain Street and Abbey Road in Ferrybank from Monday, March 10th to Friday, March 14th.
The works will commence at 8pm and finish at 6am daily over four consecutive nights and the public is advised to adhere to all local traffic management and follow directional signage for the duration of the works. During these times, Fountain Street will be closed to outbound vehicles between Rockshire Road junction and Abbey Road junction, while Abbey Road will be closed at the Fountain Street junction.
The diversion route will commence at Rice Bridge, continuing to the N25, N29/ Port Road and to Abbey Road. Local access will apply to Rockshire Road.
Inbound traffic and pedestrians will not be affected by the roadworks.
This nighttime work is intended to minimise any potential traffic disruption these works may cause for residents, businesses and commuters within the vicinity.
It will also prioritise the safety of all road users and working personnel on-site.
Waterford City and County Council and BAM apologise for any inconvenience caused and seek the understanding and co-operation of the public during the course of these works.
Details of the diversion routes are available on www.waterfordnorthquays.ie
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For further information:
BAM Construction Liaison Officer
051 364 077
Housing Applicants : Have You Changed Address ?
If you are an approved housing applicant with Waterford City & County Council, you must inform the Housing Applications team in the Council if you change address. Failure to inform the Housing Applications team of a change of address will result in removal from the social housing list.
Send current proof of your new address, utility bill, lease or rental statement to Housing Applications, Baileys New Street, Waterford or scan to housingapplications@waterfordcouncil.ie with your contact details.
To be considered for an allocation with Waterford City & County Council please engage with Choice Based Lettings (CBL) via www.waterfordcouncil.ie and make an expression of interest.
Service Alert: Telephone System Down
Our telephone system is currently down – we’re working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please contact us via social media or email contact@waterfordcouncil.ie.
Apologies for any inconvenience.
Tramore business wins Senior Student Enterprise Award
Tramore Sea Salt Spray from Ard Scoil na Mara wins Best Senior Student Enterprise in Waterford and qualifies for the National Student Enterprise Finals. Joining the Tramore business is Protein Pros from Mercy Convent secondary school, who won Best Junior Student Enterprise.
The county finals took place on Tuesday March 5th at the Park Hotel in Dungarvan. Co-ordinated by the Local Enterprise Office Waterford, the final took place during Local Enterprise Week. The competition is the most successful programme of its kind in the country. 27,000 budding entrepreneurs from 380 secondary schools across the country have been running their own enterprises, with help from their teachers and Local Enterprise Offices.
Tramore Sea Salt Spray, winner of the Senior award, created, produced and sold a unique product to enhance hair texture and volume by using natural mineral-rich sea salt, giving your hair a beachy, tousled look while also nourishing and strengthening it. The team comprised of Ben Phelan, Arlo Barron, Donnacha Flannery and Sam Ahern.
While the first Junior winners in Waterford in nearly 10 years produced a product similar to protein balls, however they made various different protein shapes instead. They offered multiple flavours including biscoff, dairy milk, and peanut butter in the shape of stars and hearts. The team included Sophie Wall, Emily O’Regan, Casey Wyse and Layla Costello.
The Waterford Student Enterprise Programme started in September with over 1,000 students from 14 schools in Waterford City and County. They created their businesses, developed, branded, promoted and sold. But most importantly they learned what it felt like to run their own business.
Finally, 100 students represented 12 schools in Waterford County competed in the Waterford Student Enterprise Final on Tuesday March 4th at the Park Hotel in Dungarvan. 36 businesses in total, shortlisted from a total of 350 who commenced the competition in September, presented their business plans and challenged for the top prize in the county section of the Student Enterprise Programme.
Tramore Sea Salt Spray and Protein Pros will represent Waterford at the National Finals on May 8th, taking on 34 other businesses, the best of the rest of the country.
National finalists from all over the country will set-up enterprise displays before taking part in a series of judges’ interviews. The judging panels take numerous factors into account, such as business reporting, innovation, market research, risk management and finances.
Praising the teachers and local schools involved in the programme, Gareth Evans, Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office Waterford, said: “We run a very successful and popular Student Enterprise Programme here in Waterford, thanks to the support of the many schools and teachers in the area. The Student Enterprise Awards give local teenagers a taste of what it’s like to run their own business and to be their own boss. Along the way, the programme helps them develop important entrepreneurship skills, learning about sales, innovation, managing finances and finding new markets. Learning the fundamentals of running a business now, will help them throughout their studies and career.”
Further information about May’s National Finals is available through www.studententerprise.ie, which also has free resources and video tutorials for students and teachers for the 2025/2026 programme.
For more information, please contact your Local Enterprise Office at 35 the Mall in Waterford City or Civic Offices in Dungarvan. Alternatively, you can email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .
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2025 winners’ list:
Best Display: – School: Abbey Community College Business: Beessentials
Best Innovation: – School: Newtown Secondary School Business: Nubus
Students’ Choice: – School: Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore Business: Tramore Sea Glass & Shell Art
Best Interview: – School: Blackwater Community School Business: M A R S
Best use of Social Media: – School: St. Augustine’s College Business: Knot Kidding
Most Sustainable: – School: Waterpark College Business: Return to Raffle
Merit Award: – School: Waterpark College Business: Glisten Ireland
Junior Winner: – School: Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Business: Protein Pro’s
Senior 3rd: – School: Ard Scoil na nDeise Business: LA Slick Stick
Senior 2nd: – School: Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore Business: Tramore Sea Glass & Shell Art
Senior 1st:- School: Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore Business: Tramore Sea Salt Spray
Captions:
DSCF0428: Sophie Wall, Emily O’Regan, Casey Wyse and Layla Costello and their business Protein Pros from Mercy Convent Secondary School, Waterford receiving the Junior Student Enterprise Programme award from Councillor Damien Geoghegan and Gareth Evans, Head of Enterprise Waterford LEO at the final of the Waterford Student Enterprise Programme in the Park Hotel, Dungarvan, hosted by the Local Enterprise Office – David Clynch
DSCF0445: Donnacha Flannery, Arlo Barron, Ben Phelan and Rob Kenny and their business Tramore Sea Salt Spray from Ard Scoil na Mara Tramore, receiving the Senior Student Enterprise Programme award from Councillor Damien Geoghegan and Gareth Evans, Head of Enterprise Waterford LEO with judges Dermot Walsh, Sharon O’Brien, Jamie Whitty and David Walsh at the final of the Waterford Student Enterprise Programme in the Park Hotel, Dungarvan, hosted by the Local Enterprise Office – David Clynch
Waterford St. Patrick’s Festival Line-Up 2025
Waterford City and County Council, in association with Fáilte Ireland and EveryEvent, is delighted to announce a jam-packed four-day programme of St. Patrick’s Festival events from Friday, March 14th to Monday, March 17th.
The theme for this year’s festival is Saints & Scholars – A Celebration of Waterford’s rich heritage and will be marked by parades, performances, carnivals and music right through the Bank Holiday weekend. And best of all…most events are FREE!
While the festival is a celebration of Waterford’s people and communities, its culture and heritage, its diversity, and its musical and artistic talent, there will be tribute paid to St. Patrick and to Waterford’s very own Scholar, Luke Wadding, a 16th Century academic, author, historian and Franciscan.
Young people: Kick-start your St. Patrick’s Festival weekend with free family fun activities at John Roberts Square. Over the four-day festival, Waterford’s city centre will be abuzz with the return of the much-loved City Centre Fairground, perfect fun for the littlest family members. Wobbly Circus has been enthralling and delighting for years, so don’t miss them throughout the weekend, along with Playful Streets for buckets of family fun activities.
Craft and entertainment: With so much to choose from, don’t tie yourself up in knots, although the Celtic Knotwork Workshop in Waterford Cultural Quarter might be the perfect solution in case you do! There’ll be no shortage of Shamrock Shenanigans at City Square Shopping Centre, while Little Irish Folklore Friends will introduce Liam the Leprechaun and his pals.
Music: Local talent will feature big and bold as the Suir Ukulele Strummers, Waterford Centre of Music Choir, The Knockadollys, City of Waterford Brass, Waterford Youth Arts and High Definition perform free gigs in the heart of the city, from the Waterford Cultural Quarter (WCQ) to John Roberts Square to the Apple Market Stage.
Late night entertainment: The music continues into the evening with performances from Oisin O’Connor, Bonya, The Knotted Chords, Spancil Jills, BOOLABOOM, Sympos and Guests – follow the music trail from the Apple Market to the Waterford Cultural Quarter. There’s also great live entertainment throughout the weekend at Dooley’s Hotel and Itty Bittys. And if you fancy a nip, you can always enjoy a tipple of O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey in The House of Waterford.
Firedance in John Roberts Square is a locally-produced, spectacular, outdoor fire-lit procession weaving its way through John Roberts Square setting the stage for an extraordinary performance and showcase of fiery theatrics.
Culture & Tours: The Urban Greenway Self-guided tour quite literally puts the (green) spotlight on the city’s historical monuments and iconic buildings. You can take the route the Vikings once took and see the city from the majestic River Suir aboard the Osprey Viking Cruise or join James Doherty for a Walking Tour of Waterford.
Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre has created an exhibition celebrating community creativity and highlighting people and place through art, while you can enjoy Ceiliúradh Cultúir – A Celebration of Culture featuring Irish sean-nós singing and dancing workshops at St. Patrick’s Gateway.
Also at St. Patrick’s Gateway, the inaugural Luke Wadding Convention featuring talks from Dr. Coleman Dennehy and Dr. John McCafferty will explore Wadding’s role and his influence which to this day is of world renown. The event will also feature a live performance of music from the 17th Century with famed international cellist Roger David.
Theatre: The Theatre Royal has a St. Patrick’s Weekend programme that will appeal to lovers of rib-tickling comedy as funnyman Neil Delamare brings his razor-sharp observations on life and trad.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: The theme for this year’s parade is ‘Saints & Scholars’ and will begin at 1pm sharp on St. Patrick’s Day, Monday March 17th. Three-time Olympian and European Gold medallist Grand Marshall of Waterford’s St. Partick’s Day parade, Thomas Barr, along with members of Ferrybank AFC are expected to lead out over 2,000 participants in the parade.
The parade begins at Waterford Bus Station and will proceed along the Quay, past the Clock Tower and the Plaza, moving around to the Mall, with entries gathering at the Bridge Street end of the Quay at the start of the parade.
Optimum viewing positions are from the Quays, where there is plenty of room as well as at the Mall. The parade will end at the Mall / Parnell Street junction and we ask that patrons do not congregate in Parnell Street as this area is designated for post-parade and production staff.
Waterford City and County Council is delighted to announce an Autism Family Friendly Area at the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Working with Autism Friendly Waterford and 50 Shades of Exceptional we are proud to introduce this initiative as the First Autism Friendly City in Ireland.
A special area has also been reserved and sign-posted for wheelchair users / special access at Mall Lane. This is on a first come, first served basis and intending patrons should make themselves known to stewards.
Last minute entries to the parade are still open to community groups from Waterford city, county and beyond – intending participants should complete the application form on the St. Patrick’s Festival website.
There will also be an online streaming of the Parade, so those who cannot attend but still wish to enjoy the celebrations.
To find out more details of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and four-day festival in Waterford visit www.stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com and keep an eye out on Waterford St. Patrick’s Day Festival social media channels.
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Gold for Waterford Gallery of Art’s Olympic-themed exhibition
Waterford Gallery of Art was delighted to receive the ‘Best Exhibition of the Year’ award for its Olympic-themed ‘Muscles and Mind’ exhibition at the recent Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards 2025.
The revival of the modern Olympic Games in the late 1890’s by Baron Pierre De Coubertin embodied the ideal of a marriage between ‘Art and Sport, Muscles and Mind’. The ‘Muscles and Mind: Irish Art Olympians’ exhibition coincided with the launch of the Paris 2024 Olympics and told the story of arts inclusion in the games, and displayed works by the Irish artists that participated.
With support from Waterford City and County Council’s Arts Office, Creative Ireland, and the Olympic Federation of Ireland, the exhibition featured artworks from the Waterford Art Collection, as well as loans of work by some of Ireland’s most renowned artists who competed for their country between 1924 and 1948.
Artists exhibited included Jack B. Yeats, Letitia Hamilton, Seán Keating, Mainie Jellett, Fr. Jack P. Hanlon, Desmond Broe, Flora Vere O’Brien, Ina Boyle, Stella Steyn, Hilda Roberts, Sir John Lavery, Sir William Orpen and more.
The exhibition was a fantastic success for the gallery with visitors and artists – and for achieving great local and national press coverage, including curator Luke Currall featuring on the Moncrieff Show on Newstalk, Irish Times, RTE, the Independent and more.
The gallery was also grateful to be acknowledged and nominated for further awards including for their current ‘Bodies’, exhibition, ‘The People’s Choice Award’, and for the ‘Outstanding Arts and Cultural Event of the Year’.
Luke Currall, Visual Arts Co-Ordinator thanked all who visited, supported, exhibited, loaned work and nominated them, saying, “‘Muscles and Mind’ was a delight to work on, full of discoveries and surprises, and made us a lot of new friends on the way.
“We would particularly like to thank Pat McEvoy, Mary Frances Ryan and all at the News & Star, WLRfm and Theatre Royal. The awards are a fantastic evening showcasing the incredible amount of artistic talent, dedication and energy we have here in Waterford.
“Congratulations to all nominees and award winners, and here’s to a fantastic year ahead.”
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Latest News
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