Notice is hereby given that Waterford City and County Council, in exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993, propose to close the following roads on Saturday 25th June & Sunday 26th June 2022during the times specified below to facilitate the holding of the Waterford Viking Marathon 2022.
Alternative Route:
Diversions will be in place on the day and local access will be maintained.
Objections or submissions may be made in writing to the Director of Services, Roads, Water and Environment, Waterford City and County Council, The Mall, Waterford not later than 4pm on Friday 20th May, 2022.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD has announced that €1,125,135 in grant funding will be made available for the redevelopment and restoration of Mount Congreve Estate, in addition to €3,726,00 granted in 2019 under the Rural Regeneration & Development Fund (RRDF) and Project Ireland 2040.
The additional funding has been welcomed by Waterford City and County Council.
Michael Quinn, Director of Services for Economic Development, WCCC said “The additional investment in Mount Congreve House and Gardens is not only guaranteed to deliver a world class visitor centre, but also reaffirm Mount Congreve’s ranking as one of ‘the great gardens of the world.’ “
Upon completion, the project will deliver a tourism destination attracting 150,000 visitors annually, with an enhanced visitor experience to the gardens and planted woodlands. Investment in the under developed assets on the estate will generate additional employment and revenue opportunities, along with increased visitor numbers, and ensure the long-term viability of this enormously important visitor attraction.
The re-invigoration of the gardens will create an iconic visitor experience at Mount Congreve, through improvements to the garden infrastructure, establishment of new plant collections and the installation of creative play features that tell the story of Mount Congreve.
To maximise the benefit of the 18th Century mansion house, a new purpose-built visitor hub is in development in the existing courtyard and stables adjacent the eastern wing of the house.
The courtyard area will be covered with a glazed roof, with many of the existing architectural features being retained, and will include a cafe, servery, kitchen areas, retail area and visitor facilities. As well as this, some works will be undertaken to the Main House to accommodate a visitor welcome space with reception area, ticketing, orientation and interpretation pre-show.
A new wetlands area is under construction, the car park area has been fully resurfaced, and works on pathways, interpretation and way-finding elements are all in progress.
Substantial completion of the project is expected to be achieved by the end of summer, with a soft opening planned for early autumn 2022.
Michael Walsh, CEO, Waterford City & County Council, Anne Graham, CEO, NTA and Sean McKeown, Acting Chief Executive, Kilkenny County Council. Photo: John Power
NTA publishes draft Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy & launches public consultation
Waterford is set to witness a fivefold increase in the number of cycling trips across the city under new proposals contained within the draft Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (WMATS) published today by the National Transport Authority.
WMATS has been developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Waterford City & County Council, Kilkenny County Council, Southern Regional Assembly (SRA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The strategy provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in Waterford over the next two decades.
The projected 541% increase in cycling is set to be enabled by the delivery of a safe cycle network consisting of 100km of cycling track and a 54km greenway network. Among the primary cycling routes to be improved within the Waterford Metropolitan Area include:
Abbey Road;
Ashe Road to New Street through Barrack Street and Newgate Street;
Carrickphierish Road to Morgan Street via Knockhouse Road and Gracedieu Road;
Cleaboy Road to Lower Yellow Road through Upper Yellow Road;
Cork Road to The Mall via Manor Street and Parnell Street;
Kilbarry Road;
Williamstown Road to John’s Hill along Upper Grange Road.
The draft strategy recommends progressing with the development of a new sustainable transport bridge providing pedestrian and cycle connectivity across the River Suir. Through the provision of 43km of new and upgraded footpaths, the number of daily walking trips in Waterford will increase by 55% by 2040.
Another key objective of the draft strategy is the roll out the BusConnects programme in Waterford. This is set to include the provision of 63kms of bus lanes and bus priority measures across the Waterford metropolitan area. 75 new zero-emission buses and a park and ride facility will be required to service an expanded bus network spanning 100km.
The draft strategy also supports the relocation of Plunkett Station to a new site in the North Quays Innovation District to create a more direct access to Waterford City via the new sustainable transport bridge.
Future investment in road transport will be focused on maintaining, renewing and managing existing road infrastructure. This includes supporting the improvement of the existing N24 between Waterford and Cahir and the N25 between Waterford and Glenmore, in line with the provisions of the National Development Plan. The proposed Ferrybank Relief Bank would connect Belmont Roundabout to Newrath and help create an urban village within Ferrybank.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: “With Waterford set to grow by at least 50% by 2040, there is a need to scale up the public transport network and encourage active travel to and from the city. This Strategy published by the NTA today provides the blueprint for making this possible. The proposed expansion of the bus network will help encourage more people onto public transport while the delivery of a safe cycle network will increase the numbers cycling into the city by 541%.
“Through Government support, I’m confident we can deliver an integrated transport network that enables the sustainable growth of the Waterford metropolitan area and creates an attractive, accessible and connected city.”
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA, said: “The draft strategy unveiled today is focused on investing in sustainable transport and meeting the needs of a growing city.
“From BusConnects to new walking and cycling infrastructure, there is a unique opportunity to promote public transport and active travel in communities across Waterford. By rolling out these measures, we can help contribute to a 56% reduction in carbon emissions within the metropolitan area by 2040.
“Public consultation on the draft strategy gets underway today and runs for six weeks. I would encourage everybody to look at our plans and have your say.”
Michael Walsh, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council, said: “Waterford City and County Council is fully committed to the Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy and working with the NTA to realise its potential.
“This new transport strategy will be instrumental in the regeneration and transformation of Waterford as a sustainable city. Providing new bus corridors and cycle tracks on routes into the city will entice more people from their cars and onto more sustainable transport modes.
“Once finalised, we can put in place the transport infrastructure that supports the development of the Waterford metropolitan area as the major growth engine of the South-East.”
A public consultation on the draft WMATS, which gets underway today, will run for six weeks until June 2022. As part of the consultation process, two public information events will be held on Wednesday, 15th June from 2pm to 8pm and on Thursday, 16th June from 10am to 4pm at the Tower Hotel Waterford.
To read the draft Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (WMATS) and take part in the public consultation, visit: www.nationaltransport.ie.
Notice is hereby given that Waterford City and County Council, in exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993, propose to close the following roads on Saturday 25th June & Sunday 26th June 2022during the times specified below to facilitate the holding of the Waterford Viking Marathon 2022.
Alternative Route:
Diversions will be in place on the day and local access will be maintained.
Objections or submissions may be made in writing to the Director of Services, Roads, Water and Environment, Waterford City and County Council, The Mall, Waterford not later than 4pm on Friday 20th May, 2022.
The crème de la crème of international watchmakers have set their travel plans for Waterford for the inaugural ‘Waterford International Festival of Time’ this May 20th to 22nd.
16 of the world’s most famous horologists have now been confirmed for the festival weekend. They will be showcasing their masterpieces of time, design and engineering at the Waterford Treasures Museums in the City.
Commenting on the upcoming festival Curator of the Irish Museum of Time and Director of Waterford Treasures Eamonn McEneaney said:
“It’s very exciting to be welcoming a vast array of world-renowned clock and watchmakers to Waterford – home to the Irish Museum of Time. These are the most respected Masters in the world of contemporary independent watch and clock making and many of these watchmakers have three and five years and longer waiting lists for appointments and others have their future lifetime books of work filled with orders so this is an incredibly unique opportunity to enjoy meeting them, observe their masterpieces and chat with them about their work and process.”
Reading like a “Who’s Who” of contemporary watch and clock making, festivalgoers will have the opportunity to view, for the very first time in Ireland, masterpieces, which have defined the careers of these celebrated, award-winning and even Guinness World Record holding creators. The visiting watchmakers include three Irish makers brothers John and Stephen McGonigle and also Bryan Leech. Vianney Halter of France, Andreas Strehler, Marc Jenni and Thomas Prescher of Switzerland; Sebastian Naeschke of Germany, Patrik Sjögren of Sweden, Philippe Narbel of Switzerland, Christian Lass of Denmark, Bastien Vuillomenet of Switzerland, Rune Bakkendorff of Denmark, Giles Ellis from the UK and Paul Gerber of Switzerland.
Plus Bernhard Lederer who is one of the original members of the elite and most respected watchmaking bodies, the invitation-only AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants), or Academy of Independent Watchmakers.
In addition to the master craftsmen of the watchmaking world a very special event will be hosted at City Hall where author and former Curator of Timekeeping at the Royal Observatory Greenwich Mr David Rooney will take to the stage to discuss his work and his book, the acclaimed ‘About Time: A History of Civilization in Twelve Clocks’.
The weekend promises a celebration of the centuries-old traditional crafts, skills and techniques, which continue to be perpetuated by the hands of watchmaking’s most prodigious talents. Set in the city’s historic Viking Triangle, the Irish Museum of Time is the newest addition to the Waterford Treasures experience, having opened in 2021.
Within the refurbished nineteenth-century gothic-style church, a meticulously curated collection of historically significant long case and table clocks and watches from Ireland and abroad are preserved in all of their majestic elegance, for generations to come.
Opening to the public on Friday, May 20th and running until Sunday, May 22nd, between 10:00 and 17:00 on each of the three days, the inaugural International Festival of Time in Waterford is a unique and very special event which captures the spirit of contemporary independent watch and clock making, and one which introduces this extraordinary world of high mechanical complications and uncompromising hand finishing to a steadily growing number of Irish watch enthusiasts and aficionados.
Admission to the Festival is included in a ‘Freedom of Waterford’ ticket to Waterford Treasures Museums that gives access to all Waterford Treasures museums and a walking tour. The Festival of Time Lecture by David Rooney will take place on Friday 20th May at 7.30 pm in the Large Room and is FREE but bookable at medievalreception@waterfordcouncil.ie
Notice is hereby given that Waterford City and County Council, in exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 75 Roads Act 1993, will close the following public road to through traffic from 4th to 8th July, 2022 to facilitate New Connection for Irish Water.
Road to be closed: • L1511 Mayors Walk, Waterford.
Diversion Route:
• Via Newgate Street and Manor Hill &
• Via Newport Terrace to Ballybricken Green
Waterford City and County Council is delighted to announce that work is commencing on the South Plaza enabling works contract, the first phase for the construction of the New Sustainable Transport Bridge that will link Meagher’s Quays on the South Quays to the North Quays Strategic Development Zone.
The new Sustainable Transport Bridge and associated South Plaza will also link with the existing Waterford Greenway via the new Bilberry extension and new Southeast Greenway from Waterford to New Ross both of which are currently under construction. The Waterford City Marina will also be accessible from the South Plaza. The National Transport Authority, through their Active Travel Investments Grant is funding the new Sustainable Transport Bridge, South Plaza and the Bilberry Greenway extension.
The South Plaza will extend east and west of the Clock Tower with public realm enhancement and a focal point for local and visiting pedestrians and cyclists. The plaza will be landscaped with street furniture, incorporating seating, trees, planters, lighting, grassed and paved areas and bicycle facilities.
This enabling works contract will comprise diversion of existing services and investigative works in advance of the main construction contract. Suir Plant Ltd has been appointed as contractor while Roughan O’Donovan Consulting Engineer is the lead consultant in charge of the works. Other North Quays project elements are also progressing well, at the end of May a separate enabling works contract for rock stabilisation to the north of Plunket Station is also due to commence.
Waterford Crystal co-founder and Czech glass entrepreneur Charles Bačik was honoured in Waterford this Friday, as the space in front of the Waterford Crystal Menapia building was named in his memory.
Bačik, a glass works owner in the Czech Republic before and after the Second World War, was also involved with the Czech resistance and fled the Communist takeover of that country in 1946.
Arriving in Ireland, the family settled in Fiddown, near Piltown, and together with friend and investor Bernard Fitzpatrick, they reinvigorated the old Waterford tradition of glassmaking, with the first sod turned on new premises in 1947.
Welcoming the large attendance to the event on the Mall, which included Deputy Ivana Bačik TD, a granddaughter of Charles, Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Joe Kelly made reference to the restarting of the industry in Waterford.
Cllr. Kelly said: “There had, of course, been glass making here in Waterford in the previous century but as the tradition had waned, Charles and others including the designer Miroslav Havel, created new processes from scratch, effectively restarting the industry here. The company went on to have a remarkable influence on the revival of the city’s glass industry, helping to establish one of Ireland’s flagship brands on the international stage.”
Newly elected Labour Party leader, Ivana Bačik TD, attended the dedication and remembers her grandfather fondly: “It’s an honour to be here today as my grandfather Karel Bačik is recognised with this kind gesture. He was involved in the Czech glassmaking industry and was imprisoned by the Nazis during World War II.
When he came to Ireland from Czechoslovakia with his young family after the war, he found Ireland a country which welcomed him, and which provided him with the opportunity to make vitally important contribution to our economy and to our industrial development. I know that, in the context of the brutal Russian war on Ukraine, my grandfather would be pleased to see that Ireland, once again, is welcoming those who come here fleeing conflict in a time of crisis”.
A plaque commemorating the event was then unveiled by Cllr. Kelly, with the area henceforth to be known bilingually as “Plás Charles Bačik / Charles Bačik Plaza”.
Notice is hereby given that Waterford City and County Council, in exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993, propose to close the following roads on Saturday 25th June & Sunday 26th June 2022during the times specified below to facilitate the holding of the Waterford Viking Marathon 2022.
Alternative Route:
Diversions will be in place on the day and local access will be maintained.
Objections or submissions may be made in writing to the Director of Services, Roads, Water and Environment, Waterford City and County Council, The Mall, Waterford not later than 4pm on Friday 20th May, 2022.
VIKING MARATHON – Weekend 25TH/26TH JUNE 2022
