CABLE cars crossing the River Suir from a world-class 100-metre high 'Guardian of the Deise' sculpture sitting high on the hill near the former Ard Ri Hotel looking down over the city and county...
That's the vision for a major world-class tourist attraction proposed by Waterford sculptor John Hayes on the north quays site for which 110m funding was confirmed by Government for this week.
A 'gatekeeper for Waterford' is how John sees this attraction, an idea he has pitched to all involved in the city's north quays project.
The idea is that people would be able to enter the massive sculpture at its feet and walk through to the top from where they would enjoy iconic views of Waterford and neighbouring counties. Cable cars would also connect it to the far side of the river.
On 'Deise Today' this morning, John told Damien Tiernan that the project would cost in the region of 10m (not including the cable car element) but the long-term effects for tourism would be huge.
"These major world attractions make statements. We have only one chance to do this. I'm passionate about Waterford. We need to do this because it would change the whole dynamic of how we're perceived,"John told Damien...
John explained he had the idea for this attraction seven or eight years ago. He felt we needed "a major signpost" that made Waterford stand out and tapped into our unique history.
He has researched it forensically and has also travelled across the world visiting other major world attractions to examine the feasibility.
You can listen back to John Hayes' full interview on Deise Today this morning by clicking below...
Meanwhile, you can listen to the full Deise Today show from this morning by clicking below here...
