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Waterford City & County Council

Latest News & Announcements

By Waterford City & County Council

Transformative Ardmore Regeneration Projects to commence

Ardmore was identified by Waterford City and County Council as one of the priority towns in County Waterford that required significant public investment due to a number of factors including vacancy, dereliction, socio-economic performance and population decline.

Waterford City and County Council received funding of €1.3million under Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth Scheme to develop a water sports facility which will provide best in class facilities for both the local community and visitors taking part in water activities.

This facility was a catalyst project which facilitated the Council to secure further funding through the Rural Regeneration & Development Fund to deliver a suite of much needed town centre infrastructural projects.

The suite of projects were identified via a collaborative Town Centre First process and the subsequent development of a Town Centre First Plan. The first phase of projects to be delivered include:

·       New relief road

·       Car parking area

·       Public realm works

·       A new Water Sports Facility (funded by Fáilte Ireland)

·       A new public footpath connecting the town to the GAA sports field

·       Refurbishment of sandcastle building (public toilets and Lifeguard Station)

Many of these projects had been long term objectives for Ardmore and for the first time there is a funding source available to make these possible.

The Water Sports Facility is designed to provide best in class facilities for water activity participants  that will attract tourists 365 days a year and has the potential to further develop water-based activities such as kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding and sea swimming for all users. The tender process has been completed and work will start on site in February 2025.

The Department of Rural and Community Development approved €3,273,638 for the Ardmore Regeneration Project through its Rural Regeneration & Development Fund (RRDF).  This investment is being augmented by additional funding from Waterford City and County Council bringing the total budget to €4,092,048. The current proposal is fundamental to the Council’s and community’s overall vision for the continued development of Ardmore in that it delivers critical pieces of enabling infrastructure by way of the relief road, parking for the Water Sports Facility, pedestrian safety measures, flood protection and public realm improvements which will directly facilitate and allow for the sustainable development and enhancement of the wider village. The aim of the proposal is to create an extension of the village core, along the proposed relief road, in which people will live, connect, and engage with their physical environment.

In addition to the delivery of the Water Sports Facility, the existing public toilets and lifeguard station located in the sandcastle building will be refurbished. Tendering for this work will be carried out over the next few weeks and works are expected to be complete by June 2025.

The land acquisition for the relief road and for future housing along the western side has been confirmed by An Bord Pleanála and this is the key to enabling the commencement of this exciting development for Ardmore. Detailed design of the relief road and public realm works can now commence.

This is Phase One of the Town Centre First Plan for Ardmore; the plan is being finalised at the moment and will be presented to Council for adoption in February.

Waterford City and County Council would like to thank the town team, Ardmore 365 for their input and support in the preparation of the Town Centre First Plan and looks forward to implementing future phases of the Ardmore Regeneration Project.

By Waterford City & County Council

St. Patrick’s Festival set to honour Waterford’s ‘Saints & Scholars’

Waterford City and County Council and EveryEvent, with the support of Fáilte Ireland, are delighted to announce the return of the St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival celebrations – four days of craic agus ceol, live entertainment, pageantry, and tradition from March 14th to March 17th.

The theme for this year’s festival is Saints & Scholars – A Celebration of Waterford’s rich heritage.  As with previous years the festival is a celebration of Waterford’s people and communities, its culture and heritage, its diversity, and its musical and artistic talent, with a nod to our very own renowned Saints and Scholars.

St. Patrick is in the company of esteemed Waterford ‘scholar’, Luke Wadding, who was instrumental in placing the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in the Church’s Calendar of Saints.

Born in Waterford in 1588, Luke Wadding was an academic, author, historian and a Franciscan, who was at one stage considered for Pope.  He is however best remembered for ensuring St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated world-wide after it was added to the liturgical calendar.

This was the starting point of Waterford’s long-held association with St. Patrick’s Day.  In February 1903, before March 17th was ever declared a National Day of Celebration, a meeting was held in the Town Hall in Waterford where the citizens unanimously voted to make St. Patrick’s Day a ‘general holiday’ where local businesses would close in order to allow everyone to celebrate.

That year Waterford was Ireland’s first city to hold a St. Patrick’s Day Parade and over 120 years later, that tradition is stronger than ever!

Details of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and festival event will be revealed in the coming weeks, however Johnny Codd, Festival Director, Waterford City and County Council said there will be plenty for all to enjoy.

“Waterford has a great track record in festivals and events.  We were the first to hold a St. Patrick’s Day Parade and this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival will not disappoint.  From parades and pageantry, live music and cultural events and festival fairgrounds to history tours, there really is something for all ages to experience and enjoy.”

Waterford City and County Council and EveryEvent are also inviting applications from community groups, sports clubs, charities and businesses, large and small, to take part in the parade to really showcase what a diverse and special place Waterford is.

John Grubb of EveryEvent said, “We’re hoping to see as many groups as possible line up for the Parade this year.  It’s a fantastically fun occasion for all participants and a great platform to showcase your club, society and community to Waterford.”

If your business, group or club would like to take part in Waterford’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025 visit https://stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com/take-part-in-2025/ and register your interest.

By Waterford City & County Council

The Raptures author Jan Carson in conversation at Tramore Library

Jan Carson book club event Join Jan Carson and Dymphna Nugent as they discuss the Raptures – Jan’s third novel set in an Evangelical Protestant community in rural Northern Ireland during the summer of 1993.

It is a world Jan knows inside out but it may be unfamiliar to some of you who will be reading and orientating yourselves about Ballyhack and the strange works of Hannah Adger. Since its creation a century ago, perceptions of Northern Ireland have often been dominated by stories of conflict and political unrest. But as anyone who lives there or who has visited knows, it is a picture that’s far from complete. This is your opportunity to explore with the author the idiosyncrasies of the everyday, hidden histories and untold stories, which outsiders rarely get to hear about.

  • Tuesday 25 February, Tramore Library at 7pm
  • FREE Event. Booking essential. Phone 051 – 849594

Creative Communities on a Shared Island, funded by Creative Ireland, is a joint two-year initiative between Waterford City and County Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to develop and enhance our shared sense of community through the lens of creativity in areas such as heritage, literature and the arts.

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/

By Waterford City & County Council

Have your Say! County Outdoor Recreation Plan in development for Waterford

Outdoor Recreation Plan - Poster

A five-year plan for outdoor recreation in Waterford is being developed for the first time in collaboration with a number of leading stakeholders.

These include Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Sports Partnership, Waterford Leader Partnership, Fáilte Ireland, Coillte, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Get Ireland Walking who have joined together to steer the development of the plan, which is being facilitated by Outscape. It is important for everyone with an interest in the outdoors to get involved as your input will play a vital role in shaping a plan that reflects the county’s natural beauty and the aspirations of our community.

The aim of the plan is to promote the enjoyment of outdoor activities in our natural landscapes, while also ensuring that these activities are sustainable and accessible to a broad section of the population.

The meetings are taking place on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 29th January: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, SETU Arena, Carriganore, Waterford, X91 XD96
  • Thursday 30th January: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, The Park Hotel, Dungarvan, X35 CC97

Anyone interested in attending can register at this link – https://forms.office.com/e/Y33zPg2Jgh

It is hoped the plan will reflect the diversity of outdoor pursuits outlined in Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the national outdoor recreation strategy, and includes activities such as walking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, fishing, horse riding, rock climbing, running, orienteering along with many water activities including open water swimming, surfing, kayaking, SUP, canoeing, sailing to name a few.  Air based activities such as paragliding or hang gliding are also included.

The development of this plan is made possible through funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

For further information, please contact David Abbott, Outdoor Recreation Officer with Waterford Sports Partnership on 086 1650970 or dabbott@waterfordsportspartnership.ie

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Plean Ealaíon Phort Láirge — Comhairliúcháin Phoiblí 2025

 

Tá Seirbhís Ealaíon Chomhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge ag ullmhú Plean Ealaíon nua do Phort Láirge. Chun deis a thabhairt don phobal i gcoitinne, d’ealaíontóirí agus d’eagraíochtaí ealaíon a nguth a chur leis an bPlean seo, tá na cruinnithe seo a leanas á dtionól againn (tabhair faoi deara nach gá duit a bheith i do chónaí i dtoghcheantar chun freastal ar an gcruinniú sin). Ní mhairfidh na seisiúin níos faide ná 90 nóiméad.

• Dé Sathairn , 1 Feabhra ag 12 meán lae — Gailearaí Ealaíne Phort Láirge, Sráid Uí Chonaill, Cathair Phort Láirge.

• Déardaoin, 6 Feabhra ag 11am — Ionad Ealaíon Seanteach an Mhargaidh, an Phríomhshráid Íochtarach, Dún Garbhán, Co. Phort Láirge.

• Dé Céadaoin, 12 Feabhra ag 6pm — Leabharlann Choill Mhic Thomáisín, An Phríomhshráid, Coill Mhic Thomáisín, Co. Phort Láirge.

Ba mhór againn do fhreastal chun cabhrú linn leis an treo, na spriocanna agus na tosaíochtaí a aithint chun an obair seo a threorú. Ní gá réamhchlárú. Beidh sonraí faoi na deiseanna eile chun do chuid smaointe a chur ar aghaidh ar fáil ar ár nArdán Comhairliúcháin tar éis na gcruinnithe poiblí.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Arts Plan – Public Consultations 2025

The Arts Service of Waterford City & County Council is preparing a new Arts Plan for Waterford. To give the general public, artists and arts organisations the opportunity to contribute their voice to this Plan, we are holding the following meetings, (please note that you do not have to be resident in an electoral area to attend that meeting). Sessions will be no longer than 90 minutes.

  • Saturday 1st February at 12 noon – Waterford Gallery of Art, O’ Connell St., Waterford.
  • Thursday 6th February at 11am – Old Market House Arts Centre, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
  • Wednesday 12th February at 6pm – Kilmacthomas Library, Main Street, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford.

We appreciate your attendance to assist us with the direction, goals and priorities to guide this work. No pre-registration is required. Details of how to further contribute your ideas will be available on our Consult Platform following the public meetings.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City and County Council shines spotlight on public lighting

Waterford City and County Council is one of twenty-one Local Authorities taking part in the National Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project (PLEEP) to upgrade public lighting to LED.

In the Southern region 77,000 public lights will be retrofitted to LED and Waterford City and County Council is working with the lead local authority, Cork County Council, along with partner local authorities in Clare, Kerry and Limerick.

The primary objective of the project is to maximise energy savings, reduce CO2 emissions and enhance efficiency across the public lighting network by replacing the traditional light fittings with LED luminaires.

Projected energy savings of 50% will be made through the retrofitting program and 786 tonnes of CO2 emissions will be saved per year, which will significantly contribute to meeting Waterford City and County Council’s climate action target reduction of 51% in CO2 emissions by 2030.

Funding for the retrofitting of the LED lighting in Waterford is through the Department of Environment’s “Climate Action Fund” and Waterford City and County Council.

The process of retrofitting 10,000 public lights across Waterford city and county began in August last year and is anticipated will be substantially completed by August this year.

Fergus Gleeson, Director of Services, Waterford City and County Council said, “Waterford has set out an extremely ambitious strategy in its Climate Action Plan and this project aligns closely to the goal of establish Waterford as a decarbonisation zone (DZ) by 2040.

“The implementation of PLEEP copper fastens our commitment to reducing energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions. The project will also reduce the incidences of lighting outage when complete and reduce excess lighting with over designed installations.

“With advances in LED technology, the improved public lighting will add to enhanced public safety and an improved visual environment over traditional public lighting,” Mr. Gleeson added.

Le Chéile Lighting Specialist, acting on behalf of Cork County Council as the lead authority, has been contracted to carry out the public lighting works across Waterford city and county.

The company stated that “the works in the most part will present little or no disruption to the public or businesses within your area, and power will not be interrupted. Some deployment of temporary traffic management may be required in areas of high traffic volume or narrow roads to facilitate safe access to streetlights for work crews.”

A secondary objective of the PLEEP is to survey and collect data on the condition of the public lighting infrastructure to enable the region’s local authorities to strategically plan and invest in the upgrading of the public lighting underground infrastructure. This survey work has identified a number of infrastructure issues that need to be addressed before retrofit to LED can be carried out.

Deregulation within the electrical industry in 2009 resulted in Local Authorities taking over ownership from ESB Networks of underground cabling infrastructure servicing public lighting columns. This included concentric cables which had been installed since the 1950’s and represents around 15% of Waterford City and County Council’s public lighting cabling inventory.

Concentric cabling doesn’t comply with current electrical standards and where cable faults occur, the cabling must be replaced in full. As this cabling is at the end of its service life it is prone to faults.

While Waterford City and County Council will make every effort to ensure a timely repair is carried out, the time required to restore these cable faults can be considerable given the necessity to provide new ducts and cables and excavate pavement and footpaths to reinstate same.

The work is site specific and timelines for repair can be more than 3 months because the work is dependent on availability of funding and a specialised contractor. Technical human resources in the private sector are constrained at this moment in time.

In the short term to ensure public lights are repaired as faults occur, Waterford City and County Council will continue to maintain all public lighting and endeavour to keep the incidents of non-functional lights below 2% at any given time.

Public lighting faults can be logged on the Deadsure app or via Waterford City and County Council’s website https://waterfordcouncil.ie/services/roads-transport/public-lighting/

By Waterford City & County Council

City Hall undergoing renovations

City Hall renovations

Waterford City Hall on the Mall is currently undergoing renovation and conservation works.

The works, which include addressing issues with the roof, conservation works on the windows, and rendering of the building are being undertaken to preserve the integrity of the building, retain its cultural significance and allow it to continue to serve as one of the administrative centres of Waterford City and County Council.

Waterford City Hall was designed by architect John Roberts and originally built as Assembly Rooms and Theatre in 1783.  The ground floor was leased to then Waterford Corporation and in 1813 Waterford Corporation bought the freehold lease.

Throughout the course of the works over the next four to five months, there will be minor disruption, however public services will not be affected and will operate as normal.  The works will be ongoing for four to five months.

Waterford City and County Council apologises for any inconvenience.

By Waterford City & County Council

Noel O’Donoghue holds Portrait exhibition in Dungarvan

The Old Market House Arts Centre, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan is currently showing ‘Before the Shutter’ by Noel O’Donoghue, a self-taught artist who grew up in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford.

Noel has been sketching and painting for as long as he can remember.  Strongly influenced by the nature on his doorstep, he has several landscape based works in his portfolio. As a teenager Noel sketched using pencil and now he works in oils and acrylics. He freely moves from portraits to landscapes as he believes this experience of painting portraits gives him a more critical, detailed eye when executing landscapes.

During the Covid lockdown Noel embarked on a project to select and paint historical icons. He then moved to include modern icons and he has completed numerous portraits of family and local people over time. Each portrait is selected to express an emotion or experience, of which Noel said, “I believe this form of painting is endangered by modern technology and needs to be nourished to survive.”

A selection of Noel’s portrait works is now on show until Saturday, February 8th 2025.

The Old Market House Arts Centre is open Tuesday to Friday 11am to 5pm (lunchtime close 1.30pm to 2.30pm) and Saturdays 1pm to 5pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

By Waterford City & County Council

Teachtaireachtaí Tábhachtacha Sábháilteachta Poiblí

  • Déan cúram do dhaoine aosta, daoine leochaileacha agus comharsana atá scoite amach.
  • Beidh cúrsaí taistil deacair mar gheall ar cheathanna geimhriúla agus dromchlaí a bhfuil sioc orthu
  • Beidh na bóithre contúirteach, fiú agus grean curtha orthu agus iarrtar mar sin ar dhaoine a luas a laghdú, tiomáint go cúramach, a bheith airdeallach ar dhaoine eile atá ag úsáid an bhóthair agus am breise a thabhairt dóibh féin dá dturas.
  • Ní mór do rothaithe a bheith thar a bheith cúramach ar na bóithre le linn na tréimhse seo d’aimsir fhuar. Cé go mbeidh grean á chur gach oíche ar phríomhbhealaí artaireacha, d’fhéadfadh sé tarlú nach mbeadh grean curtha ar go leor bealaí rothaíochta.
  • Moltar do thiománaithe a bheidh ag tabhairt faoi thurais níos faide a bheith airdeallach ar chúrsaí feadh an bhealaigh ós rud é go bhféadfadh athrú mór a bheith ar an aimsir in áiteanna éagsúla sa tír.
  • D’fhéadfadh an tréimhse seo d’aimsir fhuar cur isteach ar sheirbhísí iompair phoiblí freisin, mar sin moltar do dhaoine seiceáil le hoibreoirí seirbhíse chun an t-eolas is déanaí a fháil faoina gceantar féin.
  • Iarrtar ar dhaoine a bheith an-chúramach nuair atáthar amuigh ag siúl: is féidir le cosáin etc. a bheith an-chontúirteach/an-sleamhain ag sioc.
  • Moltar do dhaoine a bheith ullamh don tréimhse dhrochaimsire seo lena n-áirítear a chinntiú go bhfuil a bhfón póca luchtaithe go hiomlán le go mbeidh siad ábalta cumarsáid a dhéanamh le daoine eile.
  • Coinnigh d’fhón luchtaithe agus tabhair leat é ar gach turas. Glaoigh ar 999 nó 112 i gcás éigeandála
  • Tá gach cur isteach ar sheirbhísí Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte le fáil ar an leathanach baile na Feidhmeannachta agus táthar á thabhairt cothrom le dáta go rialta ar chainéil meán sóisialta an HSE https://www.hse.ie
  • Is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh le Seirbhísí Éigeandála BSL ag an uimhir 1800 372 999. Is féidir leis an bpobal súil a choinneáil ar www.PowerCheck.ie.
  • Is féidir le custaiméirí Uisce Éireann a shuíomh gréasáin agus a chainéil meán sóisialta a sheiceáil chun an nuacht is déanaí a fháil agus is féidir leo teagmháil a dhéanamh le hUisce Éireann faoi aon fhadhb nó ábhar imní a bheadh acu trína n-ionad cúraim do chustaiméirí 24/7 ar an uimhir 1800 278 278. Is féidir le daoine clárú ar líne freisin le córas foláirimh téacs saor in aisce chun an t-eolas is déanaí a fháil go rialta faoina soláthairtí áitiúla – féach www.water.ie. Moltar do dhaoine uisce a chaomhnú, agus féachaint ar https://www.water.ie chun comhairle a fháil
  • Cuirtear tuilleadh comhairle ar fáil ar an láithreán gréasáin Bí Ullamh don Gheimhreadh https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready chun ullmhú do dhrochaimsir.
  • Moltar d‘fheirmeoirí gach réamhchúram a ghlacadh agus iad ag déileáil le beostoc agus iad ag obair astu féin seans.
  • Ba chóir do dhuine ar bith a bheidh ag taisteal ar eitleán thar an deireadh seachtaine neart ama a thabhairt dóibh féin lena dturas a dhéanamh. Ba cheart do phaisinéirí a bhfuil an t-eolas is déanaí faoi eitiltí sonracha á lorg acu teagmháil dhíreach a dhéanamh lena n-aerlíne.
  • Coinnigh súil ar réamhaisnéisí Met Éireann agus/nó féach ar https://www.met.ie/ chun an t-eolas is déanaí a fháil. Tá eolas ar fáil ar fud ardáin meán sóisialta agus ar fud foinsí meán nuachta eile.

By Waterford City & County Council

Key Public Safety Messages

  • Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours
  • Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions
  • Road conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
  • In areas of freezing fog, switch on fog lights where visibility is reduced, ensure to check mirrors and slow down. Use your foot brake lightly so that your lights warn following drivers https://www.rsa.ie/news-events/news/details/2025/01/03/the-rsa-is-advising-road-users-to-be-prepared-for-treacherous-road-conditions
  • Cyclists need to exercise extreme caution during this cold weather spell. While key arterial routes are being gritted nightly, there are many cycle routes that may not be gritted.
  • Drivers travelling longer journeys are advised to be aware of conditions right along their route, as the weather may vary significantly across different parts of the country.
  • Public transport may also be affected by this spell of wintry weather; people are advised to check with service operators for the latest updates in their area.
  • Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice
  • People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
  • Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112
  • All disruptions to HSE services are on the hse.ie homepage and it is being regularly updated on HSE social media channels https://www.hse.ie
  • Always stay safe and stay clear of electricity lines and wires as these are live and therefore dangerous. You can report any damage to ESB Networks by contacting our emergency phone number: 1800 372 999/021 238 2410 (24 hours/7 days). The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie
  • Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie.People are advised to conserve water, and visit https://www.water.ie for advice.
  • The Be Winter Ready website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
  • Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone.
  • Those travelling by air over the weekend should allow plenty of time for their journey. Passengers seeking updates regarding specific flights should contact their airline directly.
  • Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.

By Waterford City & County Council

1.8 Million Visitors Enjoyed the Winterval Festival

Waterford has just celebrated its first year under the title of the European City of Christmas and the 12th year of the Winterval Festival, and new record-breaking data released from the digital counters across Waterford City show that on the Winterval Festival dates just over 1.8 million (after removing the local population base) unique visitors joined Waterford’s festive celebrations.

The data is collected via a Smart City Data Collection which is operated by Three Data Analytics on behalf of Waterford City and County Council. It enables the City to view the number of unique visitors to the area who have a mobile phone, thereby ensuring that each person counted is done so on a unique basis.

Upon winning the European City of Christmas title the Winterval Directors John Grubb and Trevor Darmody along with Waterford City and County Council set about placing the bar high, with ambitions of attracting more visitors to Waterford for the festive season, and the visitors numbers released have not only broken all records but also all goals set for 2024.

Speaking of the event’s success the Festival Directors, John and Trevor say, “We set out with some major ambitions to deliver a magical and fun-filled festival that would attract visitors to enjoy Christmas in Waterford plus we also added some night time economy events, like the Winterval Big Top Live gigs to bring in a new audience segment to the festival, and all of this has paid off greatly. We are delighted with the visitor numbers even with weather 2 storms during the festival. We would like to thank everyone who came along to enjoy Winterval and all of those businesses and sponsors who support Winterval, too. Waterford now holds the title of European City of Christmas for life, so we look forward to building upon that even further for 2025.”

Winterval commenced on November 15th and ran over weekends for 5 weeks plus six consecutive for the last days of the pre-festive period; it has seen the number of people coming to enjoy the festival in 2024 double compared to 2023, along with an increase in ticket sales to the variety of Winterval Festival events. Data shows that 3% of the visitors to Winterval were from overseas with the UK, Netherlands and the US featuring highly as the visitor’s country of origin followed by France and Spain and 97% are from all across Ireland, with a large proportion of these visitors from the Southeast region and also from Dublin. 5% of attendees to Winterval were overnight visitors (accounting for 53,000 people) to the festival with the remainder being daytrippers.

Hotelier Tina Darrer of Dooley’s Hotel says, “Winterval and the European City of Christmas title has certainly shone a spotlight on our wonderful City for the festive season, and we have been delighted to welcome repeat visitors to Dooley’s Hotel and also welcome new first time visitors to the City and the festival this year – both from across Ireland and from Europe and the US. The festival ensures that Waterford has a strong winter visitor season, and feedback from guests is that they were greatly impressed with the festive events and indeed, the tourism offering in the City during their stay – which ensures repeat visitors into the future. Winter in Waterford is certainly proving as the best place to be.”

Maeve Ryan Cooke MD at The Book Centre in Waterford says, “The Book Centre and The Book Bar see Winterval as an integral part of the Christmas shopping experience in Waterford.

It is hugely valuable to our business and it is another reason for Waterford people and visitors alike to visit our beautiful city. Being a family-run business in Waterford for the last 53 years, we see the hard work that has gone into the creation and continuance of Winterval and its importance to the success of our city.  As such, we see it as a vital attraction for all retail and hospitality in the city.”

Lisa Fitzgerald at George’s Court Shopping Centre and No.9 commented, “Winterval is now a traditional part of the fabric of Christmas in Waterford with 2024 being another wonderful year welcoming people from across Ireland and beyond to enjoy everything we have to offer which is a lot here in this great City and for all ages. “

Ronan Mulligan of Mulligans Pharmacy commented, “Winterval brings volumes of people into Waterford City Centre, extending the festive season and shopping period for us all. We know from our customers that the connection people make with the city during the festival is incredible. It is a huge advertisement for Waterford, and we know many of those people revisit outside of the festival period too.”

The festival also achieved an increased digital footprint with over 3 million unique visitors to the website and social media plus international and national media coverage, with glowing articles on Winterval featuring in The Irish Independent, The Irish Examiner, Irish Country Magazine, RollerCoaster.ie The Scotsman Newspaper, the international luxury travel website and magazine ‘Dream Escapes’,  the Swedish Magazine Vagabond and the Canadian Magazine ‘Zoomer’ with a readership of 17 million to name but a few.  Not only does this coverage place a spotlight on the Winterval Festival but the visits by media to the festival ensure coverage of Waterford more generally as a tourism destination, encouraging those reading the features to plan a visit to Ireland’s oldest City.

The festival directors and all of the Winterval Festival team want to extend their thanks to the local business community, the festival sponsors, Waterford City and County Council, the people of Waterford and all of the festival’s visitors for their support and their joy in celebrating the festival.

For further details on the Winterval Festival see www.winterval.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Met Éireann issues Status Orange Low Temperature – Ice warning

Orange Weather Warning

A Status Orange Low Temperature – Ice warning will be in place for Waterford and Munster from 8pm this evening until 10am tomorrow, Wednesday (January 8th) and again from 6pm on Wednesday until 11am Thursday (January 9th).

There is also an ongoing Status Yellow Low Temperature – Ice warning in place for whole country until 6am Friday (January 10th).

Waterford City and County Council is continuing to treat the Priority One, Two and Three roads network during this cold spell. All Waterford City and County Council gritting routes can be found on the homepage of Waterford City and County Council website at https://waterfordcouncil.ie/

With temperatures expected to remain below freezing in many parts of the country, travelling conditions will remain challenging, even where roads are gritted, and motorists are advised to exercise caution, slow down, allow extra time for journeys, allow an extra safe distance between you and the vehicle in front, and be mindful of vulnerable road users.

Travelling conditions, particularly on untreated roads will be hazardous, with potential for black ice.  Most roads throughout Waterford city and county are open and passable, however the R668 (Vee Road) and R669 (Clogheen Road) from Lismore and Cappoquin remain closed and motorists are asked to avoid.

Pedestrians are also advised to take care as footpaths will be dangerous with be slippery due to ice and frost.

Members of the public can contact Waterford City and County Council’s Customer Services Desks by calling 0818 10 20 20 during normal office hours, after which calls will be transferred to the Council’s emergency services number

Key public safety messages:

  • Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions.
  • Road conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
  • Drivers travelling longer journeys are advised to be aware of conditions right along their route, as the weather may vary significantly across different parts of the country.
  • Public transport may also be affected by this spell of wintry weather; people are advised to check with service operators for the latest updates in their area.
  • Take extra care while walking as footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice.
  • Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
  • People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
  • Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.
  • Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
  • ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie.
  • Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie.
  • People are advised to conserve water, and visit https://www.water.ie for advice.
  • The Be Winter Ready website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
  • Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone.
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