From Monday 21st February, the construction of a traffic calming scheme will commence at the Carroll’s Cross Junction on the N25.
A one way system will be in operation for the duration of the works with stop go in place at various stages as the work progresses.
Motorists can expect delays while the work is ongoing, which is due for completion in early June.
Waterford Council has now opened applications for the 2022 Shop Front Improvement Scheme to support city and town centre businesses in improving their shop front aesthetic. As part of this scheme Waterford will cover 50% of the costs for successful candidates for shop front refurbishment up to a maximum of €1,000 or €2,000 depending on the works. This scheme covers businesses in Waterford City centre, Dungarvan town centre and Tramore town centre.
The scheme is now open and will take applications until the 3rd of March 2022, 5pm for works to be completed by the 31st of August 2022.
Waterford City & County Council wishes to advise that L4102 Cliff Rd, Tramore “One Way” vehicular system has been reintroduced.
The one way vehicular system has now been reintroduced on a section of Cliff Rd, commencing beyond the Old Quarry on Cliff Rd in the direction of the Guillamene carpark and up through Newtown Woods and ends at the T- junction with L8089 Newtown Woods Rd.
Please observe road signs and road markings in place.
Applications for Retained Firefighters based at Waterford City Fire Station are now open.
The Application Form, along with Information Booklet can be found on our website at https://www.waterfordcouncil.ie/departments/human-resources/vacancies.htm
Closing date for receipt of applications is 4pm on Wednesday, 2nd March 2022
When we think of inspiring women, there is one name who always tops the billing – Vicky Phelan. Her bravery and determination have changed so much for so many.
Waterford Chamber will be joining forces with WIT, Network Waterford, Waterford Chamber Skillnet and the Waterford Local Enterprise office on International Women’s Day to pay tribute to Vicky and to rise vital funds for her chosen charities the Solas Centre and the Shona Project.
On Tuesday, March 8th the Triptych Portrait of Vicky Phelan will be on public display from 4pm to 6pm in the Parlour Vintage Tea Rooms. This will also be the final event in the inimitable tea rooms as it closes its doors permanently thereafter.
Following the public viewing, the organisations will host a business networking event, where guests will have the opportunity to meet with Vicky’s lifelong friend David Brennan who purchased the portrait at auction and hear from artist Vincent Devine on the heartfelt story behind the creation of this masterpiece.
COLLABORATION IS KEY
According to Lynda Lawton, Waterford Chamber, “This is a phenomenal opportunity to view this magnificent piece of art, to pause and reflect and all the while, raise money for two charities that are so important to Vicky.
“Everyone is welcome to come along and you can donate on the day or also online at https://www.idonate.ie/VickiPhelanPortraitExpoMar22. What better way to mark International Women’s Day then to honour an incredible lady who has changed the landscape of the Irish health system for future generations.
“We always say collaboration is key, and it is fantastic that we can come together with our colleagues in WIT, Network Waterford, Waterford LEO and Waterford Chamber Skillnet to present an opportunity such as this.
“It will also be quite a poignant occasion as it marks the last event with our friends at the Parlour Vintage Tea Rooms. What an institution it has become, and we will certainly miss the activity in our building. So if anyone wants to say goodbye to their favourite hideaway, please come along on March 8th from 4pm to 6pm and of course don’t forget your wallet!”
END OF AN ERA
Speaking about the event and marking the end of an era, Sarah Jane Cleary, owner of the Parlour Vintage Tea Rooms said: “All good things come to an end but what better way to say goodbye than to honour a powerful woman on International Women’s Day. To be able to facilitate fundraising for the Solas Centre and the Shona Project, on behalf of Vicky Phelan, is a great honour and the perfect way to say goodbye. The entire contents of The Parlour Vintage Tea Rooms will be up for sale with a percentage of the proceeds going towards Vicky’s chosen charities, so people can always remember the good times we had here, while also remembering what Vicky Phelan has done for the women of Ireland. It is our greatest honour to join with the business community to do this.”
DIGGING DEEP
Following the public viewing, Network Waterford will host a networking reception, with Waterford Chamber and WIT, from 6.30pm in the Parlour Vintage Tea Rooms. According to Network President Margaret Julian, “As an organisation, celebrating women’s achievements is at the core of what we do and we will certainly be digging deep into our pockets to support Vicky’s chosen charities. Having a private audience with the artist is an incredible opportunity and we are inviting the entire business community to come out and support this event.
“Following the event, we are moving to Garter Lane for the opening night of How To Fall Flat on Your Face by Waterford’s Katie Honan, another female tour-de-force. Katie’s play focuses on mental health and the enduring strength of women. After missing out on so much over the past two years, International Women’s Day 2022 is certainly going to be one to remember.”
To register for the Network Waterford event, please go to https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/international-womens-day-networking-reception-tickets-274410809117?aff=ebdssbdestsearch or come along to the Parlour Vintage Tea Rooms between 4pm and 6pm for the public viewing.
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Waterford city is gearing up to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, with not just a parade for the first time since 2019, but also a new three day festival from March 17th to 19th.
The Parade, celebrating Waterford, Ireland’s Best Place to Live, will take to the streets of Waterford at 1pm on St. Patrick’s Day, led by Grand Marshall Finn Ryan. The Lego-loving Finn from Ferrybank made a lasting impression throughout the country and beyond when he featured on the Late Late Toy Show last November.
Coupled with the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a three day festival, new for 2022.
Johnny Codd, Festival Co-ordinator with Waterford City & County Council is looking forward to the three day programme of festivities. “Working with EveryEvent and local community groups, musicians and artists, there is a jam-packed musical, cultural and fun programme that is going to appeal to absolutely everyone.”
On St. Patrick’s Day, in addition to the Parade, a festival fairground will take place in John Roberts Square and throughout the three day festival.
On Friday, March 18th, Ireland’s newest Bank Holiday, follow the trail of free music, dance and entertainment from John Roberts Square to O’Connell Street to the Plaza Festival Stage, with acts such as Intonations, Celtic Rock Stars, Afro Dance Troop, Brass and Co., Banna Nua, Waterford Malayalee Association, WAMA, TheatreBox, Toucan and much more.
Saturday, March 19th the musical treats continue at the Plaza Festival Stage with community group performances, Three for the Road, Thin as Lizzy and Rookie Thomson, while the Applemarket Music Sessions will feature Waterford’s favourite Oasis tribute band, Mad Ferritt, ahead of a spectacular fireworks display on the Quay at 9pm.
Sunday takes a more chilled out vibe as the Phil Collins Trio Jazz concert takes place in Constitution Square from 1pm.
The Waterford St. Patrick’s Day parade will start at 1pm, with entries gathering at the Bridge Street end of the Quay. The parade begins at the Waterford Bus Station and will proceed along the Quay, past the Clock Tower and the Plaza, moving around to the Mall.
There will also be an online streaming of the Parade, so those who cannot attend or remain cautious about attending large events can still enjoy the celebrations.
To find out more details of the St. Patricks Day Parade and three day festival in Waterford visit www.stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com or keep an eye on WaterfordStPatricksDayParade social media channels.
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Waterford City & County Council wishes to advise that L4102 Cliff Rd, Tramore “One Way” vehicular system has been reintroduced.
The one way vehicular system has now been reintroduced on a section of Cliff Rd, commencing beyond the Old Quarry on Cliff Rd in the direction of the Guillamene carpark and up through Newtown Woods and ends at the T- junction with L8089 Newtown Woods Rd.
Please observe road signs and road markings in place.
Waterford City and County Council was successful in securing €691,814.00 in funding under the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme which was recently announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D.
The Town and Village Scheme is one of a series of national and local support measures designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, under the Department of Rural & Community Development’s Rural Development Investment Programme. The recent announcement which has committed funding support of €18.3 million for 99 towns and villages nationwide, is a key part of ‘Our Rural Future’ which aims to support rural towns and encourage more people to return confidently to town and village centres to work, shop and socialise.
Announcing the funding Minister Humphreys said, “I am delighted to announce this latest round of funding as part of Our Rural Future. Many of the successful projects I am announcing today will see vacant and derelict town centre building such as old banks, garda stations and convents transformed into community, cultural and arts spaces. There is also a strong focus on remote working projects in this round of funding and I am pleased to see that a number of counties have set out ambitious marketing plans aimed at attracting remote workers to relocate.”
Under this latest round of Town and Village Renewal Scheme funding the Waterford projects which will benefit include:
· Ballyduff Upper – proposal is to bring a vacant derelict storehouse located in the village centre back to use as a multi-purpose space incorporating a shop, café, remote working/videoconferencing facilities, youth hub and gym facility– €250,000.00
· Dunmore East – Remediation of the Fisherman’s Hall building for multi-purpose use and repurposing of rooms to facilitate remote working functionality and public realm and open space enhancement including access arrangement to Stony Cove.– €250,000.00
· Touraneena – Repurposing of the first floor of Sliabh gCua Community Centre in Touraneena to facilitate multipurpose flexible usage including dedicated remote working space– €100,000.00
· Villierstown – Fit out of a multi-purpose community building with a remote working hub facility i.e. IT and office equipment – €91,814.00
Welcoming the announcement Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Kelly was delighted to see more funding from central government.
“The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a much welcome injection of funds to enhance our rural communities. Towns and villages such as Dunmore East and Touraneena will now be better positioned to provide state of the art remote working hubs to attract even more talent, energy and vitality to these communities.”
Town and Village Renewal Scheme has funded 56 projects all across Waterford since 2016, which equates to funding support of €3.3m allocated to Waterford City & County Council. It is envisaged that projects funded under the 2021 scheme will be implemented throughout 2022 and 2023.
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Applications for Beach Lifeguards for Bathing Season 2022 are now open and will be submitted online.
The link to apply online, along with candidate Information Booklet & associated documents, can be found on our website at https://www.waterfordcouncil.ie/departments/human-resources/vacancies.htm
Closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Friday, 4th March 2022
Join us for Waterford’s Third Global Women’s Conference
Do you want to Break the Bias this International Women’s Day?
Next Tuesday (8th March) Waterford Integration Services, Europe Direct Waterford and Waterford Libraries are coming together on International Women’s Day to host Break the Bias – Waterford’s Third Global Women’s Conference a morning with an inspirational line-up of women. This event will take place in the Theatre Royal from 10:30am – 12noon. Tickets are FREE and can be booked on the Waterford Europe Direct Eventbrite page or you can call into your local library for more details.
The very special line-up of speakers and performers will include Waterford writers Dalal Sayed and Lani O’Hanlon, Magda Boulabiza from European Network Against Racism, Health Advocate and performer Osas Iyamu Usideme, Director of the Bealtaine Library Choir Anne Woodworth, members of the Bealtaine Library Choir, singer-songwriter Minnie Marley as well as Cora Kearney founder of the Positive Ability Network, student Ciara Fitzgibbon and Sarah Benson CEO of Women’s Aid will record a short message for the event. Programme Lead at Waterford Integration Services Anne Nolan will MC the event which will highlight and celebrate women’s achievements.
International Women’s Day reminds us that whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough; action is needed to level the playing field. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can imagine a gender equal world, a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
We can strive for a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive and a world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias on International Women’s Day (IWD) and beyond. This is a free event but booking is essential: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/break-the-bias-waterfords-3rd-global-womens-conference-tickets-267727238377
Join the conversation #BreakTheBias #IDW2022
The Europe Direct Waterford Centre is based in Central Library in Waterford City. It is part of a community of 424 Europe Direct centres around Europe whose purpose is to reinforce the important connection between EU institutions and citizens The Europe Direct network provides timely and factual information on European matters, but also seek to engage with citizens regarding the state and future of the European Union. You can find out more at: @eudirect on Facebook and Twitter.
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For more information contact:
Sinead O’Higgins, Manager Central Library and Europe Direct Waterford. sohiggins@waterfordcouncil.ie / 087 3637119
Waterford City & County Council are delighted to offer this innovative litter management workshop to all Tidy Towns members, Residents Associations and All those who wish to tackle local litter more effectively. The workshop will take approx 1 – 1.5 hours. This session is interactive and so is not recorded. If you would like to attend you need to be available on Wednesday March 23rd at 7pm.
Topics covered will include:
1. Litter Analysis for different areas
2. Litter.ie resources available
3. Tackling the litter at source
4. Approaching local businesses for support
5. Graffiti hot spots and easy fixes
6. Litter Awareness Workshops you can run
7. Questions and Answers
Wednesday 9th March 7pm-8.30pm via Zoom
The Community Safety Partnership is a new government initiative being rolled out nationwide. It aims to bring together residents, community representatives, business, education and training interests, councillors, local authorities and State services such as An Garda Síochána, Waterford Wexford Education Training Board, South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (SERDATF) Tusla and the HSE to work together to identify and tackle community safety issues that affect people in Waterford and to devise and implement a Local Community Safety Plan.
Community safety is a broad concept that goes beyond just policing and crime. It’s about people being and feeling safe in their communities and it includes everything from proactive visible patrolling by Gardaí to ensuring that there are safe places for children to play.
Community safety requires a multi-agency approach where services work together to deliver on the needs of individual communities. To craft an effective community safety strategy for Waterford we need the input of the community, those who live and work there. We want you to be a part of this initiative.
Both you and your local organisations can play an important role, we need your help to identify priorities and to devise and implement solutions.
We want to hear your views on community safety, what is working well, what could work better, what are your concerns and priorities for you personally and also your wider community.
Our first public consultation will be held on Wednesday 9th March via Zoom. We hope to see as many people as possible attend this event to get the views and opinions from across the city and county.
To register for the event please use click the following link https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtd-GurDguG9cJPgiR7r3G1MrrUy4fdfPc or email chair.lcsp@waterfordcouncil.ie, call 087 6263277 or scan the barcode below.
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For further information or to arrange an interview contact:
Sean Aylward
Chair Local Community Safety Partnership
087 626 3277
Businesses across Waterford are being encouraged to take advantage of the array of events and topics at this year’s Local Enterprise Week. The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices takes place from the 7th to 11th March with over 220 events for businesses and entrepreneurs taking place in person and online across the country and 26 in Waterford city and county.
The theme of this year’s Week is “Making It Happen” and is focused on helping businesses to look forward and to future proof themselves for the years ahead. The full listings for the week in Waterford can be found on www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford/Enterprise-Development/Local-Enterprise-Week
There is a wide variety of topics and events in this year’s listing. Kicking off the week in Waterford on Monday March 7th is a HR Advice Clinic. If you have Human Resources issues or concerns, LEO Waterford is providing one-to-one HR Advice Clinics for small or micro business in Waterford city and county.
Also on the Monday afternoon is a Trading Online information session. The Trading Online Voucher Scheme offers small businesses, trading over 6 months, the opportunity to create or develop an e-commerce project by availing of vouchers of up to €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure.
Those wishing to avail of a voucher, must attend our Information Seminar, where attendees will be informed of the purpose of the scheme and how best to use and get value from the application of the voucher.
While on Tuesday March 8th Waterford is hosting a fascinating event, Thinking Around Corners, Creativity & Creating Opportunities from Problems.
This is a series of five webinars, though each webinar can be booked as a stand-alone workshop. Each workshop has been designed to allow participants to check out a range of different and exciting ways of assessing and dealing with problems and discovering and creating opportunities for future success.
Other events taking place throughout Local Enterprise Week in Waterford include one of the national Spotlighted events, The Social Media Mashup, not to mention the County final for the national enterprise awards, the county final for the student enterprise programme, a business after hours with Waterford Chamber, Roadmap to Funding & Supports for Innovative Business Ideas, and a one-to-one financial advice clinic.
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.
To register for Local Enterprise Week events taking place in Waterford city and county from March 2nd to 6th, or to find out more about what business support services are available visit www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford/
Most events are online and 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.
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The €1.95 million project aims to raise awareness, protect shared cultural and natural heritage and support sustainable engagement, establishing two new experiential tourism and cultural cross-border networks.
Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)’s School of Humanities leads a new trans-disciplinary pilot project exploring the earliest connection between Ireland and Wales. Portalis maps the story of the first human journey between Ireland and Wales dating back to the Mesolithic period, in the context of contemporary resilience and climate adaption for both local coastal communities and their visitors.
New visitor experience
This is achieved by consolidating existing evidence with new data to develop a powerful new cross-border narrative, accessible within a new visitor experience at Waterford Museum of Treasures, Ireland, and Ceredigion Museum, Wales. The €1.95 million project aims to raise awareness and support community and business sustainable engagement, resulting in the establishment of two new experiential tourism and cultural networks in both Ireland and Wales.
Historic connections between Ireland and Wales
The Irish Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, TD, said:
“There are special and interlinked historic, cultural, academic and economic bonds linking communities in Ireland and Wales across the Irish Sea. This Sea is not a barrier but rather a shared space and a link between peoples. In developing this project to create a new narrative, I wish the Portalis Project every success and congratulate the partners on accessing funding from the 2014-2020 Ireland Wales Cooperation Programme. The approach of utilising traditional archaeological techniques in combination with digital technologies while closely involving local communities to highlight our shared natural and cultural heritage is to be commended and is well worthy of support. Like all other projects funded under this EU Programme it acts as a visible symbol of the ongoing close cooperation between Wales and the South East of Ireland.”
Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Welsh Government, Dawn Bowden, commented: “We welcome the development of projects that will strengthen our relationships with our closest European neighbour, and this project will provide a fascinating insight into exploring the earliest connections between Ireland and Wales.”
Ireland Wales Cooperation programme
Supported by €1.5m from by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme, the project consists of four partners, Lead Partner Waterford Institute of Technology and Operation Partners University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Ceredigion County Council, and Waterford Chamber of Commerce.
The Ireland Wales 2014-2020 European Territorial Co-operation (ETC) programme is a maritime programme connecting businesses and communities on the West coast of Wales with the South-East coast of Ireland. The programme focuses on seeking solutions to shared challenges including adaption of the Irish Sea and coastal communities to climate change, and cultural and natural resources and heritage.
20-month project
The 20-month project commencing in February features a range of different techniques including drilled core sampling, excavation, lab analysis, citizen archaeology, visitor experience design with film and virtual reality, a new app with a 3D online exhibition, and tailored network development events and resources.
Dr Suzanne Denieffe, Head of School of Humanities at WIT said, “We are delighted to be leading the Portalis project. This project is important and timely in that it speaks to key Irish and Welsh strategy and policy documents and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The unique wealth of nationally important natural and cultural heritage sites within the joint operation jurisdiction, together with the outlined project activities, provides new cross border shared data, and this will in turn underpin further research.
The project also promotes healthy living by using coast and sea as an enabler for outdoor experiential heritage tourism activity, with the deployment of new innovative visitor experience design to enhance the cultural experience of the location while lowering the environmental impact.”
Business opportunities for coastal communities
According to Gerald Hurley, CEO Waterford Chamber: “As the largest business representative organisation in the region, Waterford Chamber is delighted to be partnering on such an important project. This has the potential to unlock the estuary in terms of business opportunities for the coastal communities and will add to Waterford’s extensive tourist offering. The historical significance, the magnificent scenery and the fascinating linkage with Wales is just waiting to be explored and this project will uncover just that.”
Joy Rooney, Portalis Senior Responsible Officer, (SRO), and Lecturer and Researcher in Design at WIT, added, “Portalis builds on over 40 years of research and 10,000 years of shared heritage. Portalis is design led, delivering a unique, compelling new cross-border visitor experience at two key museums and linked coastal community destination experience sites. Highly significant natural and cultural assets provide evidence of Mesolithic, (Early Stone Age), human habitation. As we explore the earliest connections between Welsh and Irish coastal civilizations, this mirrors the multi-agency cross-border partnership now being forged by our contemporary coastal communities into two distinct cross-border networks within the inter-coastal area. In terms of climate change, Portalis will also provide new data and models of best practice, examining the adaptability and resilience within both communities from our earliest times.”
Public archaeology and citizen scientist programmes
Both Irish and Welsh communities are invited to join the Portalis team in discovering and protecting shared cultural and natural heritage, contribute to new research exploring the challenges of coastal climate change through Public Archaeology and Citizen Scientist Programmes, and in doing so, help trace the footsteps of potentially the first journey and cultural connection between Wales and Ireland.
To find out more visit:
https://www.wit.ie/research/centres_and_groups/interreg_networks_and_initiatives/
