Latest News & Announcements - Waterford City & County Council

25th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

Supporting Waterford Communities Fund 2025

Supporting Waterford Fund

Waterford City & County Council is now accepting applications for the Supporting Waterford Communities Fund 2025. This fund provides financial assistance to community and voluntary groups, helping them to deliver projects and initiatives that enhance local life across Waterford.

Funding is available for a wide range of activities, including community development, sports, arts, heritage, environmental projects, and social inclusion initiatives. If your group is working to make a positive impact in your local area, this is an opportunity to secure funding for your efforts.

For full details on eligibility and how to apply, visit Waterford Council’s Community Grants page.

Applications close on Wednesday, 19^th March 2025 —don’t miss out!

24th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

Minister of State makes return to his native Waterford

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins TD paid a visit to his home city of Waterford last week (Friday, February 21st) where he met with Waterford City and County Council management team and visited an affordable housing development in Tramore.

First port of call was City Hall where Minister Cummins met with Waterford City and County Council Chief Executive, Sean McKeown and members of the senior management team, where he was updated on a range of topical issues including the URDF (Urban Regeneration and Development Fund) projects in the city and county.

Some of the ongoing URDF projects include the North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ); the redevelopment of the former Munster Express building on Merchant’s Quay into a smart data research hub; Parade Quay, a mixed-use development and new urban realm space in the Viking Triangle, and the large-scale redevelopment of the historic city centre building at No.3 & No. 4 George’s Street.

There was also discussion on planning matters, social and affordable housing projects, including cost rental.

The Minister then travelled to Tramore where he officially turned the sod on The Courtyard at Ballycarnane, the latest affordable housing development in the seaside town. The scheme when completed will consist of 25 newly built and beautifully designed homes, with a mix of two- and three-bedroom terrace and semi-detached properties. The Courtyard is the latest development launched under the Affordable Purchase Scheme, in partnership with Waterford City and County Council and developers, R. McDonald & Sons.

Through the scheme, these homes are available at a reduced price for first-time buyers whose mortgage and deposit will not cover the price of the home and who are seeking to purchase a newly built home. The scheme was introduced in 2024 and will be completed by the end of 2025.

Speaking of the visit, Minister Cummins said, “I was delighted to visit Waterford City and County Council on Friday in my capacity as Minister of State at the Department of Housing. My meeting with members of the senior management team focused on the future of Waterford city and county, particularly a number of projects that we will work hard to progress. As part of my visit, it was an honour to turn the sod on the latest affordable purchase development in Tramore, the Courtyard, Ballycarnane which is being delivered by Waterford City & County Council with the support of the Affordable Housing Fund.”

“I want to commend all involved at Waterford City and County Council and at R. McDonald & Sons in delivering these exceptional, well-designed, modern, energy efficient homes beautifully located here in the sunny southeast. This government is committed to providing more housing solutions for people. This visit and the interest around this development displays the scheme is working to help get people on the housing ladder. I look forward to seeing these houses used in time to come and I will continue to work hard to offer more solutions like this.”

In welcoming Minister Cummins to City Hall, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy said, “We are delighted to welcome Minister Cummins to City Hall in his new role as Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. John is no stranger to Waterford Council having served as a councillor for over eleven years and as a Senator for five years.”

“As a local authority that has been highlighted as an exemplar in housing provision, it was great to discuss the Council’s pipeline of housing initiatives, the regeneration of our towns and villages through URDF and RRDF (Rural Regeneration and Development Fund) and the progress on the North Quays.”

-ends-

Images (Free to Use); Noel Browne

1: Minister Cummins TD is pictured with (l-r) Richard McDonald, R. McDonald & Sons, Government Chief Whip Mary Butler TD, Sean McKeown Waterford City & County Council Chief Executive, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy, and Senator Joe Conway.

4: Minister Cummins TD with Richard McDonald, R. McDonald & Sons and Walter Holden Senior Executive Architect, Waterford City & County Council.

8: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins TD turns the sod on The Courtyard development at Ballycarnane, Tramore with

Walter Holden, Senior Executive Architect Waterford City & County Council; Clodagh McDonald, Lawrence & McDonald Selling Agents; Richard McDonald, R. McDonald & Sons; Helena Dennehy, Director of Services Waterford City and County Council; Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Jason Murphy; Government Chief Whip Mary Butler TD, Sean McKeown Waterford City & County Council Chief Executive; Senator Joe Conway & Melanie Cunningham-Head, Waterford City and County Council.

21st February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

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.

See https://waterfordcouncil.ie/documents/planning-lists/

21st February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford receives €314,789 in funding for Built Heritage

Funding under the 2024 BHIS

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage, and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, has announced the recipients of the 2025 Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and Historic Thatch Building (HTB) 2025 grants. These schemes provide essential funding to safeguard Ireland’s protected structures and historic buildings, ensuring their conservation into the future

In Waterford, €273,729 has been allocated to 28 projects under the BHIS scheme, supporting vital works such as the repair of historic roofs, walls, and chimneys, as well as the restoration of historic joinery in private and public buildings throughout the city and county. An additional €41,060 has been ring-fenced specifically for three thatch house projects, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to preserving this form of traditional building heritage.

Speaking on the funding announcement, Minister O’Sullivan said:

“In keeping with the commitment outlined in our newly ratified Programme for Government to cherish and protect our heritage as a vital national asset, I am pleased to announce today the projects which will receive funding under this year’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme. Ireland’s built heritage is a national asset which enriches our countryside, villages, towns, and cities. In maintaining and caring for our historic buildings, owners and custodians perform a valuable public service, and I am delighted to be able to support their efforts.

“Alongside related initiatives such as the Historic Structures Fund, Community Monuments Fund, and the THRIVE scheme, this vital funding will help to ensure the survival of Ireland’s shared architectural inheritance for future generations.”

Waterford’s Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins TD, also welcomed the announcement, stating:

“This funding from Government will greatly assist with protecting historic buildings which contribute to a community’s sense of identity, often forming the heart of a city or town. This year’s grants will be used to repair, restore, and protect historic structures from modest traditional homes to landmark public buildings. Guided and supported by Architectural Conservation Officers and other local authority staff around the country, these projects will greatly enhance the vitality and amenity of our streetscapes.”

Local conservation groups and building owners have also welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of financial assistance in tackling the high costs associated with historic building maintenance. By funding essential works such as roof stabilisation, joinery repairs, and masonry conservation, these grants will ensure that Waterford’s architectural legacy remains intact.

Subject to funding, both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Thatched Buildings Scheme will be open to new applications this July for projects for completion next year.

ENDS

Image: Davy Fitzgerald from Fitzgeralds Joinery working on the repair and restoration of the c.1815 windows at St Annes Church, Fews, which was supported under the BHIS 2024 funding.

21st February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

Boil Water Notice remains in place for customers supplied by the Carrick On Suir (Crotty’s Lake) Water Supply

Uisce Éireann would like to remind customers supplied by the Carrick On Suir (Crotty’s Lake) Water Supply that the Boil Water Notice issued in late 2024 will remain in place until the further notice.

This notice was issued to protect the health of almost 2,000 customers due to operational issues at the water treatment plant.

All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking.

The notice applies to all areas on the Carrick on Suir (Crotty’s Lake) Public Water Supply including:

All areas South of the river except Friar Street Upper, Corpse Road, Rack Hill, South Quay and Bridge Street
North side of the River Suir. The areas of Hazel Close, Hawthorn Cresent, Asgrove, Oak Drive, Beech Ave, Sycamore Close and Mount Saint Nichnolas are included in the area affected by the BWN.
Townlands of Ross, Clonmoyle, Ballyhest, Ballygarret, Sheskin, Curraghduff, Joanstown in Co. Waterford

Please note that Boil Water Notice does not apply to Uisce Éireann customers supplied by the Carrick On Suir Linguan Water Supply.

All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking. Uisce Éireann’s primary focus is and always will be the protection of public health. Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann are working, in consultation with the HSE, to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil and cool their water before use until further notice.

Uisce Éireann’s drinking water standards, as per EU Drinking Water regulations, are strict and include wide safety margins. Where risks to water quality are identified through Uisce Éireann’s enhanced testing and monitoring programme, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is consulted, and Boil Water Notices are issued to protect public health.

In all instances immediate action is taken to address the cause of the issue to enable the lifting of the notice as quickly as it safe to do so, in agreement with the HSE.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication on Boil Water Notices. Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled.

Water must be boiled for:

Drinking;
Drinks made with water;
Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating;
Brushing of teeth;
Making of ice – discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water.

What actions should be taken:

Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads);
Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling;
Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink;
Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water;
Preparing Infant Formula: Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cooled beforehand. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as ‘Natural Mineral Water’ as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. ‘Natural Mineral Water’ can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated. If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute), and cooled in the normal way. Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.
Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.

Uisce Éireann is committed to keeping customers informed across multiple platforms 24/7 and we encourage customers to engage with us through our website, X channels @IWCare and @IrishWater, on Facebook and LinkedIn and through our customer care helpline which is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.

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 the Water Service Updates page.

20th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

European gold medallist and three-time Olympian announced as Grand Marshall of Waterford’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025

Three-time Olympian and European medallist, Thomas Barr, has been announced as Grand Marshall of Waterford’s St. Patrick’s Day parade 2025. Hailing from Waterford, Thomas Barr is an Irish track and field athlete specialising in the 400-metre hurdles. Over his career, he set multiple national records and achieved significant milestones on the international stage.

Speaking on the choice for Grand Marshall, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy said, “Thomas Barr has been an outstanding ambassador for Waterford and for Ireland throughout his career.”

“His achievements on the world stage, from breaking records to making history at the Olympics and European Championships, have inspired countless young athletes. We are immensely proud of all he has accomplished, and his legacy in Irish athletics will endure for generations to come.

“We are particularly delighted that Thomas will lead the parade alongside members of Ferrybank Athletic Club. It was here, at one of the most successful juvenile clubs in Ireland, that Thomas was bitten by the athletics bug and the rest, as they say, is history!”

Barr’s journey in athletics began at the age of eight with Ferrybank Athletics Club, where he found early success at the youth level. He went on to become a multiple Irish record holder across Senior, U23, and U20 categories and was World University Champion in 2015. That year Barr won gold at the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea, and the following year at the 2016 Summer Olympics, he finished second with a season-best time of 48.93 seconds.

In the semi-final, he shattered the Irish record with a time of 48.39, winning his race and securing a spot in the final. He went even faster in the final, finishing fourth with a new Irish record of 47.97 seconds—a performance that remains one of Ireland’s greatest Olympic achievements in sprinting.

Barr continued to excel on the international stage. At the 2018 European Athletics Championships, he claimed bronze in the 400m hurdles, setting a season-best time of 48.31 seconds—his second-fastest time ever.

In 2024, he played a crucial role in Ireland’s Mixed Relay Team, which made history by winning gold at the European Athletics Championships. The team also secured bronze at the World Relay Championships, earning Olympic qualification in the process.

Throughout his career, Barr proudly represented Ireland at Three Olympic Games—Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024—securing his place as one of the country’s greatest track athletes. His legacy in Irish athletics is marked by record-breaking performances, resilience, and historic achievements on the world stage.

Reflecting on being named Grand Marshall, Thomas added, “It’s an honour to be chosen as Grand Marshall for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in Waterford.”

“My athletics journey started with Ferrybank AC, and the support from Waterford has meant so much to me throughout my career. I’ve always been proud to represent my county and my country on the track, so to now lead the celebrations at home is something special. I’m looking forward to the day and celebrating with everyone in Waterford”.

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. The four-day programme of events is set to take place between Friday, March 14th to Monday, March 17th.

Ciara Sugrue, Head of Festivals and Events, Fáilte Ireland said, “Fáilte Ireland is pleased to support this year’s St. Patrick’s Festival Waterford. Taking place over four days in Ireland’s Ancient East, this festival is a brilliant opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the culture, heritage and community spirit of Ireland’s oldest city.

“Festivals and events are a key component of Ireland’s tourism offering and they provide unique and compelling reasons for a visitor to choose a destination. They also have the ability to drive footfall for local businesses, supporting jobs and revenue generation. Fáilte Ireland is working closely with the festival organisers and the local community to develop and promote a compelling programme of events and experiences that celebrate both our national holiday, and all that Waterford has to offer.”

To take part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025 or to find out more about Waterford’s St. Patricks Day festival visit www.stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com or keep an eye on social media channels.

20th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

St. Joseph’s, Waterford featured on RTE’s Nationwide

In case you missed it The #Nationwide team visited St. Joseph’s House on Manor Hill, a converted convent that was now home to almost 100 residents.

They talked to members of Waterford City and County Council and residents about bringing the former convent back into use as a fully modernised, energy-efficient housing development in the heart of Waterford city.

To watch on the RTÉ Player visit: https://loom.ly/kbA825o

20th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

Construction contract signed for Shandon Development Project

Waterford City and County Council recently awarded the construction contract for the Shandon housing development project (Dungarvan) under the Accelerated Delivery Programme to Nevin Construction of Maritana Gate, Waterford.

The project consists of the construction of 38 residential units, comprising 22 two-and three-bed houses and 16 one-and two bed apartments along with a community facility. The works will include parking and amenity areas, boundary treatments, landscaping and all associated site works.

This new development will consolidate existing residential areas close to Dungarvan town, and support local schools, amenities, and commercial uses in the general Shandon area.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy acknowledged that it was a significant day for Dungarvan, saying, “This investment in Shandon and by extension Dungarvan is to be welcomed. The delivery of social housing is a cornerstone of Waterford City and County Council’s housing policy. These energy efficient, modern homes will mark the start of a new chapter for so many young families and will bring additional vibrancy to the area.”

Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council added, “Waterford City and County Council’s housing delivery programme is regarded as one of the strongest in the local authority sector.

“The delivery of projects such as the Shandon housing project is part of the Council’s strategy to further develop the pipeline of social housing across the city and county, in collaboration with our housing, planning and property management sections, and in tandem with government support agencies and stakeholders.”

Nevin Construction was awarded the contract which was procured through a Multi-Supplier Framework for the provision of Design & Build Dwelling Projects with values between €5,000,000 and €18,000,000 (Type 3 Projects) including associated works for use by Kilkenny, Carlow, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow County Councils.

The Shandon housing development is being delivered under the Government’s ‘Housing for All – a New Housing Plan for Ireland‘. Under the Housing for All initiative, Waterford City and County Council has unveiled new social housing units at various locations throughout the city and county, including Ballygunner, Green Road and Ballynaneashagh in Waterford City, Mary Street in Dungarvan, Cappoquin, Crobally Upper in Tramore, and Fountain Street in Ferrybank.

-ends-

Image: Noel Browne

Caption: The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Jason Murphy is pictured with Bernard Nevin, Managing Director, Nevin Construction, CE Waterford City and County Council, Sean McKeown, Walter Holden, Senior Executive Architect, WC&CC (Housing), Michael Landers, DML Architects and Thea O’Riordan, Executive Quantity Surveyor, WC&CC.

20th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

Reminder: Have Your Say on proposed Southern Entrance to Waterford’s Transport Hub

Waterford City and County Council has announced plans for a new southern entrance to the transport hub at the North Quays SDZ in Ferrybank.

The development includes curved external entrance steps, a passenger lift compliant with Part M of the Building Regulations, a new pedestrian access door from the southern platform, terraced planters, control gates with roller shutter systems, external blockwork treatment to the southern façade, external paving at ground level, and an extended roof canopy covering the lift and upper steps.

Plans and particulars of the proposed development are available for inspection on our Public Consultation’s platform.

The Council invites submissions or observations regarding the proposed development, focusing on the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Submissions can be made in writing to the Director of Economic Development at Waterford City & County Council, No. 35 The Mall, Waterford, clearly marked “Southern Entrance to Transport Hub,” by email to projectsteam@waterfordcouncil.ie, or online through the consultation portal.

All submissions must be received by 4 pm on 3rd March 2025.

We encourage residents and stakeholders to review the plans and share their opinions to help shape the future of Waterford’s transport infrastructure.

19th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

Road Closure Arrangements – St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Events

The following roads shall be closed from 10am until 5pm on Monday 17^th March to facilitate The St. Patricks Day Parade.

R680 – Merchants Quay
R680 – Meagher’s Quay
R680 – Coal Quay
R680 – Custom House Quay
R680 – Parade Quay
R680 – The Mall
R680 – Parnell Street
R708 – Catherine Street
L90025 – Colbeck Street
L5530 – Lady Lane (from its junction with Bakehouse Lane to Colbeck Street)
L90024 – Bank Lane
L90307 – Beau Street
L90023 – Mall Lane
R683 – Lombard Street (from its Junction with Rose Lane to The Mall)
L90022 – Adelphi Quay (from its junction with Rose Lane to Parade Quay)
L90021 – Bailey’s New Street
L90020 – Greyfriars
L90019 – Coffee House Lane
L90018 – Henrietta Street
L90017 – Keyser Street
L5534 – Exchange Street
L5535 – Conduit Lane
L91091 – Barronstrand Street
L5501 – Gladstone Street
L1502 – O’Connell Street
L15021 – Thomas Hill (from its junction with Meeting House Lane to O’Connell Street)
L5506 – Vulcan Street
L5505 – Thomas Street
L1503 – The Glen (Road No.1)
L15033 – The Glen (Road No.3)

Roads shall be closed by Waterford City & County Council Staff using Crowd Control Barriers, Traffic Cones Road Closed Signs and Diversion Signs.

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 which is unaffected.

Travelling West on R680 Rice Bridge.

The left lane inbound 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.

Travelling Inbound from Dunmore Road R683

All traffic will be diverted at Passage Road or Park Road

Other Routes:

Traffic 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 then R686 to Rice Bridge.

Parking

Parking within the main Quay car parks will be available until approximately 2 hours 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.

For more info on the St Patrick’s Day parade visit: https://stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com/

19th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

St. Joseph’s, Waterford features on RTE’s Nationwide tonight

Tune into RTÉ at 7pm on Wednesday, February 19th as the Nationwide team visits St. Joseph’s House on Manor Hill, a converted convent that is now home to almost 100 residents.
They talk to members of Waterford City and County Council and residents about bringing the former convent back into use as a fully modernised, energy efficient housing development in the heart of Waterford city.

Upgraded to the highest energy efficiency standards, the former convent has been transformed with 50 dwelling units located within the main building and 21 located in the various out-building clusters on the site, while the former chapel on the site has been repurposed as a community space for multiple uses by tenants.

18th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

We Need Your Opinion : Thomas Street Creative survey

Waterford City & County Council are seeking your views on the proposed development of the Thomas Street Creative Project.

The Pocket Park and Community Art House project presents a number of key opportunities for Waterford. The introduction of biodiversity rich green spaces within the urban fabric of the city, space for artists to work, collaborate and engage with the wider community, space for community and residents to engage with art practice and each other.

The Thomas Street Creative is an initiative to inform and shape the local community and the cultural direction of Thomas Street in the heart of Waterford’s Cultural Quarter (WCQ).

With your input Waterford City and County Council aims to create a community space, comprising Pocket Park and Community Art House, that will best serve the needs and interests of those who live, work and play here!

We would appreciate it if you could take 5 minutes to complete the short survey below.

TAKE OUR SURVEY

18th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterfords Official send off for Special Olympics Athletes ahead of World Winter Games

The City and County of Waterford came together today to give farewell wishes and support to the Waterford Special Olympics athletes as they prepare to compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games. The mayoral send-off event, held in honor of the four athletes from Special Olympics Waterford, was a celebration of their dedication, resilience, and the unwavering support of the local community.

The event was attended by family members, Special Olympics Ireland Board Member Charlotte Donnelly, Assistant Floorball Coach George Fitzgerald, and key figures from Special Olympics Waterford, including Chairman Denis Hegarty and Club Treasurer Emma Smyth.

The four athletes representing Waterford are:

– **Niall Corcoran** – Floorball

– **James Upton** – Floorball

– **Damien Kirwan** – Floorball

– **Clive Healy** – Alpine Skiing

These athletes, accompanied by their families, received words of encouragement and best wishes from all in attendance. The Special Olympics World Winter Games are a testament to the power of sport in fostering inclusion and breaking down barriers, and Waterford is immensely proud to have these athletes representing the city on a global stage.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy, addressed the athletes with an inspiring message:

“As you step onto the competition floor, remember that you represent more than just Waterford. You embody the values of inclusion, respect, and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to reach their full potential. Whether you win or lose, you are already champions in our eyes, and we are incredibly proud of you.”

“On behalf of the people of Waterford, I want to wish you all the very best in the upcoming Winter Games. Go out there, give it your all, and most importantly, enjoy every moment. We look forward to cheering you on from here at home.”

Chairman of Special Olympics Waterford, Denis Hegarty, expressed his pride and gratitude for the support shown by the local community:

We are so proud of our athletes. I want to thank all of the community who supported these young men to get where they are, including the club members, parents and of course Emma, and George here for the many lifts to competitions as well as the training and many hours put in. The Special Olympics is not just about the Worls Games, it is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday to Sunday. It’s training week in and week out”

Emma Smyth, Club Treasurer, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of community support in empowering athletes to achieve their dreams.

As the athletes set off for the games, the people of Waterford extend their best wishes for success and, most importantly, an unforgettable experience.

The entire city stands united in support, looking forward to celebrating their achievements upon their return. Go Team Ireland!

Waterford Special Olympics club needs volunteers! You can help athletes to achieve their dreams, get involved by emailing: so.munster@specialolympics.ie

ENDS

For further information, please contact: Kathy.baker@specialolympics.ie

18th February 2025

By Waterford City & County Council

Start strong, grow smart, and thrive global at Local Enterprise Week 2025.

Waterford Local Enterprise Office has announced a programme of 24 events across 5 days during Local Enterprise Week 2025, taking place for Waterford City and County businesses from March 3rd to March 7th.

This year’s Local Enterprise Week will feature many new events including informative and engaging workshops, seminars, presentations and advice clinics aimed at local businesses, whether in pre-start, start-up or as an established business looking to grow.

The Local Enterprise Office has gathered experts in finance, marketing, social media, A.I. and sustainability. There are networking events, advice clinics and regional business awards, all crammed into one week at the start of March.

While favourites like the ever popular ‘Social Media Mash-Up’ returns to the Local Enterprise Week there are new and innovative events such as a Digital Innovation Clinic with the Walton Institute. You’ll get the opportunity to discuss your Digital Innovation project with an expert from the Walton Institute and explore how their expertise could potentially assist you to realise your ambition.

This clinic will explore how your limited company could avail of an Innovation voucher to access up to €5000 worth of expert time with Walton institute to work on a project in areas such as software development, communications services, immersive technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analytics, future networks, digital platforms, and Internet of Things (IoT).

The ’Get Exporting Workshop’ is an excellent opportunity for businesses looking to scale up and seek new markets. It gives a practical step-by-step approach to get started exporting. This includes identifying target markets, currency exchange, invoicing, and trade finance, not to mention access to grants, trade missions, and expert advice.

Tuesday March 4th celebrates the future of enterprise in Waterford with the Student Enterprise Programme County final in the Park Hotel. 36 businesses from 12 schools will compete on the day for a place at the National Finals in May.

Two events not to be missed are, the Grow Digital Workshop which will assist you in securing up to €5,000 to transform your business, and an extremely interesting Going Green workshop which will help unlock an energy efficiency grant of €10,000.

The Local Enterprise Office also celebrates International Women’s Day with Waterford Chamber, Dungarvan Chamber and Network Waterford supporting three events across the week.

Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Waterford Gareth Evans is looking forward to what promises to be a busy and productive week, “Local Enterprise Week is the perfect opportunity for many businesses to dip into a specific area of interest and gather information on a topic that may be relevant to their business now or in the future. It also provides the perfect opportunity for someone who may be interested in starting a business to get an idea of some of the key areas of focus and how to take those first steps.

“Waterford Local Enterprise Office is delighted to work in conjunction with various key business support organisations and state agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, Network Waterford, Dungarvan Chamber and Waterford Chamber, to provide a programme that gives start-ups and small businesses opportunities to help them on the path to growth.”

To register for Local Enterprise Week events taking place in Waterford city and county from March 3rd to 7th, visit https://www.localenterprise.ie/!AK56SF . Most events are completely free of charge while some have a nominal booking fee. As with every year, many of the events are expected to book up quickly so early booking is strongly advised.