Monday – Friday 11am – 4pm
Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 1pm & 1.30pm – 4pm
Saturday 9am – 12.30pm
Please recycle your batteries. Use the battery collection boxes in your home, in your school, in your work place, in your local shop and at your local civic amenity site.
The Waterford Gallery of Art on O’Connell Street is the home of one of the oldest and best civic collections of art in Ireland. The Waterford Art Collection, founded in 1939, includes artworks by some of Ireland’s most renowned artists including Paul Henry, Jack B Yeats, Mainie Jellett, Sir Frederic William Burton and Evie Hone. Established and maintained through the incredible generosity of individual donors and charitable organisations, the gallery is delighted to receive several new donations from two of the leading figures of the Irish art world.
David Britton, the former director at Adam’s Auctioneers and owner of the Frederick Gallery with curator and art historian, Karen Reihill, have personally gifted to Waterford a selection of works which will feature in exhibitions from early next year. One of the incredibly significant, and rare donations, is a folio entitled ‘Short Course Waterford 1949’. This beautifully made handbound book includes original linocuts by various well-respected artists from the time including Christopher Campbell, R.J. Hobbs, Patrick Heney (Padraig Ó hÉanaigh), James Manning, John Pearce and more. It is a delight and tribute to see the works return back to their home of origin.
Alongside this donation is a limited edition ‘artists working proof’ illustration by Elizabeth Rivers which was created as the main image for the book, ‘The Man Who Invented Sin’ (1948), by Sean O’Faolain. This commissioned artwork was completed for The Devin Adair Company in June 1948 and Rivers remained friendly with Sean and Eileen O’Faolain for the remainder of their life. Rivers, who was born in England but spent the majority of her life in Ireland and on the Aran Islands was also close friends with artist Hilda Roberts, one the founding figures of the Waterford Art Collection and Gallery. Roberts taught at Newtown School from the late 1920s alongside husband and headmaster, Arnold Marsh. The Waterford Gallery of Art currently features a free exhibition, ‘Arnold & Hilda’ exploring their life and work.
Britton and Reihill have also presented to the Collection a large and curious etching entitled ‘Toad and Spider, early morning June’ (1979) by Patrick Hickey. The artwork was identified as an item amiss from the gallery’s sizable collection of prints and etchings obtained from Dublin’s ‘Graphic Studio’ in the late 1970’s.
The folio, illustration by Rivers, and etching by Hickey will feature in the gallery’s ‘Prints and Drawings’ exhibition opening February 14th 2024. This opening is parallel to an accompanying exhibition launching on the same day in the gallery which celebrates the one-hundred-year anniversary of the founding of the Friends of the National Collections of Ireland. ‘100 Years of the FNCI’ will showcase the 10 substantial donations the FNCI have gifted to the Collection since their foundation in 1924 as well as an early painting by Sarah Purser, the initiator of the FNCI and resident of Dungarvan for 25 years.
Lastly, in acknowledgement of the research and development of an Olympic themed exhibition due to open in the gallery next summer, the collection has kindly been gifted a pastel work entitled, ‘Man of Sweden’ created by Christopher Campbell. This personal and masterly executed work is a portrait of Chistopher’s brother Laurence, who was also a recognised artist whose paintings feature in the Waterford Art Collection.
Art, including architecture, literature, music, painting and sculpture, were included as part of the Olympic Games between 1912 and 1948. The Waterford art Collection includes works by many artists (such as Christopher Campbell) that took part in the Olympics during these dates including artworks by silver medal winner Jack B Yeats, and bronze medal winner Letitia Marion Hamilton.
The Waterford Arts Office and Waterford City and County Council are incredibly thankful for the generosity and consideration shown by David Britton and Karen Reihill in supporting the work and programming of the gallery in the coming year and assisting the future development of Waterford’s prized art collection.
The Waterford Gallery of Art is open to the public Wednesday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm and admission is free for all.
Luke Currall
Visual Arts Co-Ordinator
The Waterford Gallery of Art
lcurrall@waterfordcouncil.ie
This week Waterford received the coveted Purple Flag accreditation, which represents the gold standard of the management of evening and night-time economies.
n recognition of Waterford’s commitment to creating a dynamic, secure, and vibrant evening and night-time economy, the Purple Flag accreditation process is similar to the Green Flag Award for parks and Blue Flag for beaches.
This prestigious award highlights Waterford’s blend of entertainment, dining, and culture, all the while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, and visitors in the evening and night-time economy, between the hours of 5pm and 5am.
As part of the accreditation process a full assessment was held in Waterford on July 21st.
The judging panel was welcomed by Metropolitan Mayor, Cllr. Jody Power to the Vestibule in the Theatre Royal, which was followed by a walk about of the city to showcase the amenities and diverse offerings of Waterford.
The walkabout featured some of the city’s key cultural amenities including a tour of the Theatre Royal and the Irish Wake Museum. The panel also visited key venues which exemplify supporting an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night out, including Dooleys Hotel, Tullys, Momo, The Apple Market, The Woodman, Momo, Zanzibar and The Reg.
Jim ‘Flash’ Gordan, Proprietor of Revolution and Chair of the Purple Flag Committee said, “We are delighted that Waterford has, once again, received Purple Flag accreditation.
“In essence, it consolidates Waterford City’s vibrant, bustling and safe night-time offering. It’s important for tourists and locals to not only have a great choice of pubs, restaurants, cultural amenities and social venues to experience, but also to feel safe in their surroundings.”
Julie Walsh, Purple Flag Administrator with Waterford City and County Council added, “The success of the evening and night-time economy is vital to Waterford’s economic success. This award recognises that Waterford has a strong and diverse offering, making it a popular city destination.
“The Purple Flag project brings local businesses and stakeholders together who work closely with the Local Authority and An Garda Síochána to promote Waterford. I would like to extend our gratitude to them for their invaluable insight and assistance in the application and assessment process.”
Waterford’s submission also recognised the vital work of the Water Marine Search & Rescue, the strong and diverse partnership between local businesses and stakeholder groups, and the successful use of the distinctive quarters and the public realm.
There are one hundred Purple Flag destinations around the globe across the UK, Ireland, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia. This includes world renowned tourist destinations to small market towns.
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Waterford Chef, restaurants and produce is set for the spotlight on the Taste Waterford Kitchen Stage at the upcoming Waterford Harvest Festival this September 8th to 10th in Waterford City.
A host of Chefs will be taking to the Taste Waterford Kitchen Stage which will be located in the courtyard at Garter Lane Theatre for two full days of cookery demonstrations from noon to 4pm daily.
Getting the kitchen stage fired up first at noon on Saturday, September 9th is the Chef Patron of Michelin-starred House Restaurant at the Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, Tony Parkin. With over 22 years of experience in the culinary world, Parkin’s approach is shaped by an array of global influences, working in a number of internationally renowned restaurants, including Noma, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, and Northcote. Tony will be showcasing how to create his signature lobster dish, caught from Ardmore Bay.
At 1pm Jenny Flynn, Executive Chef of Faithlegg Hotel will be preparing Chicken Supreme with crisped skin using poultry from Comeragh Mountain Farm, foraged seaweed salt, and drizzled with a Dunhill Honey and tarragon glaze, all on a bed of pumpkin risotto. Jenny is a true believer in local is best, and her demos bring lots of foodie passion. With a chance to try her dish – you’ll be inspired by Jenny’s cooking and wanting to source your own local food.
At 2pm Stephen McArdle and Morgan VanderKamer from Waterford’s hotly tipped establishment Union Wine Bar & Kitchen. Head Chef Stephen will create a dish showcasing fish from Billy Burke Fish & Poultry, with Morgan, a trained sommelier, talking about wine for what occasion, and the importance in the hospitality industry. The perfect fusion between creating a quality, local dish and how the wine can sing with it.
Taking Saturday’s demo’s to a close is Donia Sikora of Avo Café, the champions a wholesome lifestyle, recognising the profound influence of diet on our well-being, vitality, and daily vigor. Donia will be preparing her version of the classic breakfast, with a ‘Garden Gate chickpea omelette’ being the star attraction in a dish that encompasses the finest, natural ingredients.
On Sunday, September 10th at noon Head of Food at the award winning GrowHQ in Waterford City JB Dubois. JB manages the award-winning zero-waste café – delivering local, organic and seasonal dishes everyday. And when using homegrown food, the distance from their plot to plate is an impressive 112 steps. He’s not just preparing a delicious and local dish, JB will inspire you to cook with seasonal ingredients, reducing food waste, and even reusing edible food waste – like turning vegetable skins into crisps. After this demo, you’ll feel encouraged to make sustainability a key part of your cooking, and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
At 1pm Irish-Israeli couple Nicola Crowley and Dvir Nusery from Mezzo in Tramore will take you through an easy recipe to cook bourekas – cheesy puff pastry parcels, with Knockalara and Knockanore cheeses, and pickles, perfect for lunch boxes and picnics.
The 2pm demo offers an exciting collaboration between two award-winning Taste Waterford members – Kamila Bystrzonowska from Momo Restaurant and Liam McDonnell of Legacy Irish Cider. With slow cooked pork in cider, served with bread from the Seagull Bakery and local pickles, it’ll demonstrate how you can use cider at home to enhance flavours.
Taking the Taste Waterford Kitchen Stage demos to a close at 3pm on Sunday is Husband and wife team Mary and Billy Sharpe of Irish Gourmet Butter. With many award wins under their belts, including the prestigious Blas na hÉireann Awards, they’ve dedicated their passion to elevating this simple ingredient and in this demo they showcase how quality butter can enhance food. Their son Head Chef Harrison Sharpe of Elbow Lane in Cork will demonstrate three recipes – caramelised carrot soup, gin-glazed vichy carrots, and tandoori carrots with yoghurt. Along with using a host of local suppliers, including Ardmore carrots and Blackwater Distillery Gin, it’ll be the perfect way to end this year’s Taste Waterford Kitchen – hearing about and tasting what’s great about Waterford produce.
The Waterford Harvest Festival is being supported by Waterford City & County Council and organised by GIY with the Taste Waterford Kitchen Stage sponsored by Waterford’S Local Enterprise Office.
The festival offers an array of entirely free events for everyone to enjoy. There will be two live music stages and in addition there will be vast array of entertainment and tings to see, do and eat throughout the festival weekend. Highlights include ‘Food Matters’ food sustainability talks where some of the country’s most esteemed food writers, chefs, activists, journalists and business people, it’s guaranteed to be an educational, engaging and entertaining debate each day.
For the food fans Waterford’s rich food heritage will be key, celebrating the City’s diverse restaurants, eateries and producers. The best of Waterford’s food and drink will be centre stage at the giant Harvest Festival Market which will traverse across Waterford’s wonderful squares and interconnecting streets.
In the Junior GIYer’s zone which will take over O’Connell Street families will enjoy the Wooly Farm where children can learn more about our furry and feathered friends. Artist Aga Krym will create a new living art installation with Slí Waterford based on the UN sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger. In addition Cool Food School and GIY will be hosting workshops on seed sowing, growing and cooking food and Monty Potts will be on hand to help out plus there will be art workshops, Fun Drums and at Waterford City Library there will be story-telling, colouring sessions, the Waterford Honey Show will be open for visitors and more.
The Waterford Harvest Festival is funded by Waterford City & County Council and is a weekend-long celebration taking place from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th of September and will see the city come to life with markets, special dining events, panel discussions and plenty more. For further details and to browse the full programme of free entertainment and events see https://harvest.giy.ie/
#WaterfordHarvest
#FoodMatters
In an awe-inspiring effort, firefighters from Waterford City Station are gearing up to embark on an extraordinary journey – a challenging expedition to conquer the 5 highest peaks in the UK and Ireland, within a tight 48-hour window.
Set to kick off on the 6th of September, the mission aims to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts: the Irish Cancer Society.
The journey will see the Waterford men commence their adventure at the foot of Mount Snowdon in Wales, before moving on to Scafell Pike in England, then conquering the grandeur of Ben Nevis in Scotland.
But their journey doesn’t end there – after scaling the three highest peaks on island of Great Britain, they will make their way back to Ireland to ascend Slieve Donard in County Down, concluding their quest at Carrauntoohil in County Kerry. It’s a feat that demands not only physical prowess but also strategic planning and much determination.
Every penny raised through this challenge will go directly towards supporting the Irish Cancer Society’s vital work, making a real difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.
Participant Firefighter, Willy Walsh, commented : “We have already made progress toward our fundraising goal. Through various collections like city-wide bucket collections over the past few months, we’ve managed to raise approximately €8,000. However, our target is set at €10,000, and we are looking to the Waterford community for further support.
We have set up a JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wcfs and any donation, no matter the size, will make an impact and help us reach our goal.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD was in Waterford today (Friday, June 16th) to announce 277 social and affordable homes at six sites across the city and county.
First port of call was An Garrán in Tramore, where along with Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John O’Leary, the Minister turned the sod on a new Waterford City and County Council development of 50 A-rated residential units, comprising 6 one-bed, 28 two-bed, 11 three-bed and 5 disabled access two-bed units.
The Minister then visited and met with residents of Slí na Coille, Clúid Housing’s newest social housing development. The scheme is a mix of houses, apartments and duplexes and provides secure, high-quality homes for 27 families. The residents came from Waterford City and County Council’s housing list and began moving into their new homes in August of 2022.
Mayor O’ Leary said, “It’s heart-warming to visit Slí na Coille. Having met with the residents there is an evident overarching theme and that is community, the sense of which is palpable. What started out as bricks and mortar have very quickly been transformed into homes, places of security and belonging for the residents.
“I’d like to commend the dedication of Clúid Housing in bringing this latest scheme to fruition, which brings the number of homes in Waterford owned or manged by them to 231.”
In the city, Minister O’Brien visited Summerfields and met with developers Whitebox Developments. The development consists of 92 units and form part of Waterford City and County Councils’ Affordable Purchase Scheme, along with the development at Deerpark, which comprises 25 affordable homes. Under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, homes are available at a reduced price for first-time buyers whose mortgage and deposit do not cover the price of the home.
At St. Joseph’s the Minister cut the ribbon on an age-friendly housing development on the landmark site of Manor Hill. The former convent has been transformed into 71 dwellings, with 50 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.
Over €4.2 million was approved through the Repair and Lease Scheme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The funding was provided under Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland. The Repair and Lease Scheme has been pioneered in Waterford and is a significant driver in providing high quality affordable housing solutions and at the same time has significantly addressed and delivered the return to use of vacant buildings in Waterford.
Minister O’Brien said, “Waterford City and County Council is leading the way in delivering new social and affordable homes, and in particular in tackling vacancy which to be frank is a scourge in many villages, towns, and cities across the country. I can only commend them on what has been a fantastic day, visiting numerous housing developments which are either underway or have just been completed.
“I want to particularly mention the St. Joseph’s development. I visited St. Joseph’s back in March 2022 when works were underway and I am blown away by what I saw today. The progressive nature of this Local Authority has helped to bring that project to fruition and I congratulate everyone involved in it. Housing for All will see us deliver more projects like these, and at scale too,” he concluded.
At St. Joseph’s Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD also launched Waterford’s Age Friendly Strategy 2023-2028, saying, “I am delighted to be launching the second ever Waterford Age Friendly Strategy 2023-2028, as we cut the ribbon on an age-friendly housing development on this landmark site. This pioneering development for Waterford, one which I hope to see replicated around the country, sees a former convent and chapel transformed into 71 dwellings and multi-use community space for tenants.
“As Minister for Older People, I look forward to further development of Waterford as a leading age friendly county in the coming years.”
The final visit to Waterford’s housing developments was to Ostmen Place, where the Minster was joined by Waterford Metropolitan Mayor, Cllr. Jason Murphy. Ostmen Place is a new social housing development consisting of 14 new social housing units in Ballytruckle, providing a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units.
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Free to use images: Noel Browne
3/ 5/6 / 7 – Senator John Cummins, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr John O’Leary, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD and Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD
8 – At the launch of Waterford’s Age Friendly Strategy were Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr John O’Leary, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD, Waterford City and County Council Chief Executive, Michael Walsh, and members of Waterford’s Older Peoples Council and Waterford City and County Council Community staff.
Inaugural French Food and Cultural Roadshow to visit Ireland this June Bank Holiday
June 4th – Cathedral Square, Waterford, from 12pm to 7 pm
The director of Normandy Tourism is eager to further bridge the gap that Brexit has created for Ireland and France and strengthen the Norman heritage shared by Ireland’s now closest European neighbours.
Speaking ahead of the arrival of the inaugural Normandy Food Tour to Ireland this June Bank Holiday weekend Michael Dodds says, “We are very excited to take the Normandy Food Tour to Ireland for the very first time, it will be an opportunity for our Norman cousins to enjoy an authentic experience in food, culture and music from the Contentin Peninsula.
We very carefully selected to visit the Cities and towns of Dublin, Waterford and New Ross where Norman heritage runs deep and it will be a wonderful opportunity for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a flavour of this shared heritage during our Food Tour at St. Patrick’s Park in Dublin on Saturday, June 3rd from noon to 7 pm, the historic Cathedral Square in Waterford City on Sunday, June 4th from noon to 7 pm and the Quayside of the Norman town of New Ross town on bank holiday Monday, June 5th from 11 am to 6 pm.”
The Normandy food trucks will arrive en masse to serve up tasty sweet and savoury dishes with tastings on offer at each event. Chez l’Couz marries the finest Normandy beef with creamy camembert and Neufchâtel cheese served up in a soft bun. Grignot’Malin will be serving up traditional French crêpes filled with cheese and more. And who can resist dessert, especially when it’s Caravanille preparing delicious fresh brioches topped with Normandy delicacies.
A Normandy Sweet Treats Tasting will also be on offer with Cara-Meuh, La Maison Du Biscuit cakes, Jeannette Madeleines, Caramel De Pommes Dieppois apple spread and more. If cheese is your preferred option then the best of the world is in store for you, with a cheese tasting ticking off the classics like Camembert, Neufchatel and Isigny Mimolette, crowned the best cheese in the world this year! Visitors will also have the opportunity to bring some home, thanks to cheese vendor La Dégusterie.
Traditional brews will also be on offer and visitors can enjoy a cider-tasting experience with Cidrerie de la Brique where visitors can journey from the traditional methods through to styles defining the future. Or why not get into the Bank Holiday spirit and chance a Calvados tasting Chateau du Breuil and Busnel apple brandies. La Mont Vinette, a bar in a vintage caravan will also be offering samples of their unique and authentic Normandy cocktails.
A demo stage will see a schedule of fabulous Normandy chefs cook up traditional and innovative cuisine including ‘Escalope à la Normande’, Teurgoule rice pudding along with the universally loved brioche. Totally free-to-attend Masterclasses will be held throughout the day with sampling some of Normandy’s best exports available plus a family-friendly crepe demonstration activity will be showcased each afternoon.
To top the celebrations off visitors to each of the food tour stops will be entertained by the French musicians For the Hackers, who will be performing for the very first time in Ireland! Hailing from Dieppe, Normandy, these indie-rockers have been active for about a decade now, and have numerous hits to their name. Their blend of pop, rock and electro with French lyrics is guaranteed to impress. These music devils have the capacity to move the audience emotionally, and physically! Their live shows are powerful, and engaging, and their chemistry as a band is very visible. A truly unmissable act, especially as For the Hackers will be playing on top of their solar-powered bus!
The Normandy Food Tour is a free-to-attend family-friendly event with live music, free cookery demos, tasting opportunities and more. See https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/normandy-food-tour/ for more details.
The Normandy Food Tour will visit:
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Please be advised that ahead of official opening of the Bilberry to City Centre Greenway link next week, Craddock Construction will be undertaking night works on the following nights:
The works are required to finish the new tarmacadam and line marking on the junction (Friday night) and to install detectors for the new traffic lights (Wednesday night) and will be the final invasive nightworks with large machinery required on the junction.
During the day next week a traffic management / taper plan will be in place (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) in the middle of the day at approximately 11.30am to avoid peak traffic flows. This will remain in place for approximately 2 hours and is required to pour concrete for the new pathways coming over the bridge and along the river. Given the short duration of the works and off peak hours it is expected that delays will not be as extensive as those experienced this week, however, some delays are expected, so please allow extra time for your journey
Whilst there will still be some outstanding paving works on the paths around the junction over the coming weeks, these can be completed without impacting on traffic flows
Pedestrian management will be in place for these works and pedestrians should expect amended layouts from time to time and should abide by the temporary pedestrian management provisions.
Join us for our annual Africa Day Event 2023!
May 27th, 12 to 4pm, O’Connell Street, Waterford.
If you’re a boating enthusiast or a user of Waterford City’s marina, please take note of the latest update regarding the marina.
Construction work on the sustainable transport bridge across the River Suir has commenced. This bridge is a crucial part of the North Quays development, as it will connect the city’s north and south sides, creating new opportunities for businesses, residents, and visitors alike. However, in order to facilitate these works, the visitor berths at Waterford City Marina have closed until 2025.
If you had planned to moor your yacht at the marina during this time, you may be disappointed to hear that it won’t be possible. However, it’s important to note that this closure is necessary to ensure the safety of all involved in the construction of the new bridge. The project is expected to take approximately 2.5 years, at which point the marina will to re-open to visiting yachts.
Waterford City & County Council apologises for this temporary inconvenience, but if you’re looking to explore the beautiful waters of Waterford and experience the city’s rich culture and history, mark your calendar for 2025, and plan your trip accordingly.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in securing a long-term berth at the marina, a waiting list is in place, and the Marina Superintendent can be contacted on 087-2384944.
The marina looks forward to welcoming visitors back in a few years’ time, and in the meantime, there are still plenty of other ways to explore and enjoy the vibrant city of Waterford.
The Waterford Metropolitan District Council, having consulted with the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, and after the public consultation process was finalized, has made the following bye-laws that will commence on the 21st of April, 2023.
On Saturday March 11th, Metropolitan Mayor Cllr. Jason Murphy officially launched the Jubilee Memorial Community Garden in Central Avenue, Lisduggan.
The concept for the community garden was spearheaded by Larchville Lisduggan Residents Association in a bid to develop a space in the heart of a thriving Waterford community that residents and visitors alike can enjoy.
Jointly funded by Waterford City and County Council’s Environment Section and Waterford Area Partnership (WAP) Active Cities, the first phase of the project entailed the submission of landscape architectural drawings. Following a public consultation, the winning design was chosen. The landscaping project was tendered, overseen by the Open Spaces team in the Environment Department, with Fairybush Landscaping awarded the contract.
Phase two funding has been secured from Sláintecare to further enhance the overall design of the garden which is due to be completed by the summer.
At the launch Metropolitan Mayor, Cllr. Jason Murphy said, “I’m delighted to be here today to officially launch the Jubilee Memorial Community Garden, as I was born and bred quite literally a stone’s throw from here. This project is particularly close to my heart and what will make this phase of the project and any future phases a success is the buy-in from us, the community. This is your garden, this is your space. Please enjoy it and take ownership of it and as a community come together to develop it how you wish, bursting with wildflowers, pollinators, colour, and scent.”
“The time is now for the community to link in with the Residents Association to form a working group to oversee the development and maintenance of the space going forward.”
Bulbs were planted by those from the area in memory of lost loved ones and a remembrance tree was blessed by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, as part of the 50th Jubilee of St. Paul’s Parish. Nuala Colfer from Central Avenue donated two tress to the Memorial Garden in memory of Joe and Kevin Colfer.
With refreshments provided by residents, and music by David Flynn, despite the inclement weather the occasion was enjoyed by all in attendance.
Michael Murphy of Waterford City and County Council’s Estate Management Team was delighted to co-ordinate the project with all the stakeholders.
“The idea of creating a community garden in an unused large open space is as inspired as it is pragmatic. This community garden is placed in the heart of Lisduggan, and it is sustainable, good for the environment, has health and well-being benefits and it strengthens community ties. I look forward to seeing what the local community do in the months and years ahead to solidify and develop this space as a place to be proud of.”
John Burns, Chair of Lachville Lisduggan Residents Association added that the community was looking forward to the next phase of the community garden. “We’re delighted with how much progress has been made so far. Already the difference is apparent, and the community has really embraced the idea of having a communal garden that everyone can benefit from. There has been a great level of commitment and dedication from the residents and the Council in bringing the garden to fruition and we’re looking forward to seeing phase two rolled out.”
If members of the public would like to donate trees in memory of loved ones to the Jubilee Memorial Garden, they can do so by contacting Larchville Lisduggan Residents Association or members of the Jubilee Memorial Garden Committee.
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The Waterford Regional Sports Centre is set to shine bright in the new League of Ireland seasons, thanks to a recent €260,000 investment by the Department of Tourism, Culture-Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Waterford City and County Council. This significant investment has been used to install new floodlights at the main pitchside, and the results are nothing short of impressive.
Carried out by the expert team at Enerveo Ltd., the floodlight upgrade delivers brighter, clearer light to the football pitch, but is also resulting in energy and CO2 savings, making it a win-win situation for all involved.
RSC facilities manager, Darren Sealy said:
“The new floodlights are set to have a particularly positive impact on Waterford FC and all who use the facility. With the ability to deliver exceptional light quality, players and fans alike will be able to enjoy a better experience during matches and training sessions. The bonus is that the new installation will allow us to host competitive European u21 international matches as well.”
Waterford FC’s first home match since the installation takes place tonight, with an SSE Airtricity League of Ireland clash against Longford Town. The match will be a fantastic opportunity for the club to experience the benefits of the new floodlights firsthand, and for the fans to enjoy an even more exciting atmosphere at the games.
Waterford City & County Council wishes the Blues the best of luck for the coming season.
A top-class boxer, 24-year old Kelyn represents the Saviour’s Crystal Club in Waterford City and is also a member of the Irish Amateur Boxing Team. The Waterford athlete is the reigning and back-to-back National Senior Elite Light Heavyweight champion and reached the quarterfinals of the last World Championships in Belgrade.
Speaking at the reveal of Cassidy as this year’s Grand Marshall, Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. John O’Leary said:
“Kelyn was a wonderful suggestion as Grand Marshall this year, as our theme is “The Best of Waterford”. He is a true champion in the ring, and a gentleman outside it. I have no doubt he will be a leader in our community in years to come. I’d like to congratulate him on being named the Grand Marshall for this special day in our annual calendar.”
Cassidy cites the people of Waterford as a big inspiration when he is competing in the boxing ring. Speaking to Waterford City & County Council Communications Office, he said:
“I receive amazing support from home whenever I’m competing abroad. My family and club are always behind me, and I know the people of Waterford are too. I’ll be counting on their support this year as I attempt to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic team. That process starts in Poland this June at the European games.”
Chairperson of the festival organising committee, Johnny Codd added :
“Kelyn’s recent victories, including becoming a two-time National Elite Champion, have inspired us all and we are proud to have him represent Waterford on our national holiday.”
The theme for this year is ‘The Best of Waterford” and the festival will feature many exciting entries from Waterford’s people and community groups, showcasing our diverse culture, famous heritage, and our musical and burgeoning artistic talent.
On Friday 17th March, Waterford St. Patrick’s Day parade will start, as usual, at 1pm, with entries gathering at the Bridge Street end of the Quay. The parade leads off from the Bus Station and will proceed along the Quay, past the Clock Tower and the Plaza, concluding at the Parnell Street end of the Mall.
To find out more details of the St. Patricks Day three-day festival visit www.stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com or keep an eye on social media channels.
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Photos by Colin Shanahan – DigiCol Photography (c) 2023 – http://www.digicolphotography.com
