Waterford's Greatest Moments
The Irish Times recently voted Waterford 'The best place to live in Ireland'. To celebrate the award, here on WLR we will be reliving some of the greatest moments and achievements of Waterford city and county.
The Déise is no run of the mill place. From sporting success, to cultural exports and world-class infrastructure we have a lot to acknowledge. Join us from Monday, March 28th when we will be teaming up with Flahavan's to celebrate and relive all those magical moments that make Waterford such a great place to live work and visit.
Listen in on-air to Waterford's Greatest Moments or see more below. It's sure to make you feel pride in where you're from!
Fleadh Mór
In July 1993 Bob Dylan, Ray Charles and Van Morrisson all performed in Tramore. Fleadh mór was one of the most impressive music festivals ever staged in Waterford.
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Henry De Bromhead Grand National Win
Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead had great success in the 2021 Grand National at Aintree. Minella Times, ridden by Rachael Blackmore won the race at odds of 11-1. This made Blackmore the first female jockey to win the world's most famous steeplechase. The glory doesn't stop there for Henry de Bromhead, who had another 1-2 in the Gold Cup this year, with A Plus Tard and Minella Indo. We look forward to seeing more victories from Henry, Rachel Blackmore and the Knockeen Stables in Waterford.
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The official opening of the Waterford city bypass
On October 20th, 2009, the Waterford city bypass was officially opened. 40 years after the project was proposed. The 500 million euro project included a 475 m long cable-stay bridge over the Suir, which we now know as the Francis Maher Bridge.
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Louise Richardson became vice-chancellor of Oxford
On January 1st, 2016, Tramore-born Louise Richardson became vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford. She is an Irish political scientist whose specialist field is the study of terrorism.
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Ryanair's First Flight
Europe's Biggest airline Ryanair had its first-ever flight scheduled service flight from Waterford to London Gatwick on July 8th 1985. The airline's first aircraft was an Embraer EMB-110P1. The first cabin crew had to be shorter than 5ft 2", due to the cramped cabin of the small plane.
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Niamh Briggs named Player of the Year
Dungarvan Born Niamh Briggs was the foremost woman’s rugby player of her generation. She represented Ireland in the 2010 and 2014 Rugby World Cups.
Niamh Briggs was a member of Ireland's six nations winning team in 2013 and two years later captained the team that won the 2015 six nations championship. Briggs was the leading point scorer in the 2013 and 2015 championships and was named as Irelands Player of the year in 2013 and 2014.
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The Waterford Blaa is granted PGI status
In November 2013 the humble Waterford Blaa rose to the ranks of champagne after being given new legal protection against imitators. The ruling by the EU means the floury bread roll - which can be soft or crusty - can be called by its famous name only if made in Waterford.
Other delicacies already given protected geographical status against imposters by Brussels include Parma ham, Feta cheese and Cornish pasties.
The Waterford Blaa reportedly dates to the arrival in Ireland of French Huguenots escaping religious persecution during the 1690s. The unusual name is said to have derived from the term "blaad", which the Huguenot bakers used to call leftover dough. Another theory suggests it comes from the French word "blanc", meaning white.
At the height of its popularity up to a third of the Waterford population eat a Blaa every day.
The rise of Waterford Glass
The origins of Glass production in Waterford date back to 1783 when George and William Penrose started their Glass Works business. Building on the legacy of glass making in the City, Waterford Glass was set up in 1938. By the turn of the millennium, Waterford Crystal employed over 3,000 staff and was stocked in the world's most prestigious department stores.
The opening of the Waterford Greenway
On a beautiful March Day in 2017 Minister Simon Coveney officially opened the Waterford Greenway. Built on the former Waterford to Mallow railway line the 46-kilometre route passes through some of the county’s most scenic areas.
Waterford wins the FAI Cup
Waterford won the FAI Cup for the first time on Sunday 20th April 1980. Brian Gardner scored the winning goal.
Gilbert O’Sullivan’s Alone Again Naturally reached no 1 in the American charts
Gilbert O'Sullivan was born in Waterford and lived on the Cork Road before moving to Swindon with his family as a young teenager. Initially struggling to achieve chart success, on signing with Tom Jones then manager, Gordon Mills, Gilbert scored his first top ten hit with Nothing Rhymed. Hit after hit followed with songs like No matter how I try, Claire, Get Down, and Matrimony.
In all Gilbert O Sullivan had 14 top ten hits across the world but the song which marked him out as an exceptional songwriting talent was Alone Again Naturally. One of the great pop ballads Alone again reached no 1 in the American charts and stayed there for six weeks.
Play Alone again.
Now in his 70’s, Gilbert lives with his family in Jersey. He is still touring and recording and in 2018 his 19th studio album entered the music chars to give him his first Top 20 hit in almost 40 years.
Dan Mulhall becomes the first Waterford man to be appointed Ambassador to the United States
In August 2017, Dan Mulhall became the first Waterford man to be appointed Ambassador to the United States. Educated in Mount Sion, Dan Mulhall received a Batchelor of Arts degree from University College Cork and later a Masters in History before taking up a career in The Department of Foreign Affairs. His first ambassadorial posting was to Malaysia in 2001 and was the Irish Governments representative there following the Earthquake and Tsunami on St Stephens Day 2004.
Following a posting to Germany Dan Mulhall was appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom and was vocal in his campaign against Brexit. In 2017 Dan Mulhall received the Freedom of London an honour also bestowed on him by his home city of Waterford in 2019. In August 2017 Dan presented his credentials to US President Donald Trump to become Ireland's 18th Ambassador to the US.
Waterford’s Chris Doran represents Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turkey
In 2004 Waterford’s Chris Doran won the Your A Star Competition and went on to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turkey. Chris accompanied by Final Four sang If My World Stopped Turning which came 22 out of 24 songs in the Eurovision Final.
Sean Kelly wins the Paris Nice race consecutively from 1982 to 87
Born on the Waterford side of Carrick on Suir, Sean Kelly is among the greatest cyclists of all time. Turning professional in 1977, Sean Kelly went on to become one of the most decorated cyclists of his era. Hugely competitive, Kelly excelled in the sprints and won 193 races in his professional career.
Winning five stages of the Tour de France Kelly also won the points classification in the race five times. In 1988 Kelly won the tour of Spain but it was in the one-day event where he excelled winning the Paris Nice race consecutively from 1982 to 87. Kelly twice won bronze medals in the World Road Race Championships and on points ranking is recognised as the second greatest cyclist of all time behind legend Eddie Merckx.
Waterford plays Host City for the start of the Tall Ships Races
In 2005 and again in 2011 Waterford was the Host City for the start of the Tall Ships Races. On each occasion the three-day event in July of both years attracted over 300,000 visitors to the City. Over 100 of the world's most beautiful ships docked on Waterford’s mile-long quaysides and were open to the public. The ships were the centrepiece of the Tall Ships Festival which also included live music, concerts, street theatre, hundreds of food stalls and a magnificent parade of the sail down the River Suir. The City was widely acclaimed for its hosting of the events and in 2011 won a People of the Year Award in recognition of its organisation of Ireland's largest ever festival.
Waterford wins the 1959 All-Ireland Hurling Final
Despite being among the top-ranking hurling counties for the past 25 years you have to go back to 1959 for Waterford’s last All Ireland Hurling win. Following a 1-17 to 5-15 draw with near neighbours Kilkenny on September 6th 1959, four weeks later the Deise boys put the black and amber to the sword beating them 3-12 to 1-10.
The Regional Technical College comes to Waterford
Third Level education finally arrived in Waterford in 1970 with the opening of the Regional Technical College on the main Cork Road. Designated an Institute of Technology in May 1997, the institute has six schools and offers programmes in Business, Engineering, Science, Health Services, Education and Humanities. On May 1st 2022 Waterford Institute of Technology will become the Technological University for the South East.
Waterford Rose Kirsten Mate Maher crowned the Rose of Tralee
Waterford Rose Kirsten Mate Maher was crowned the Rose of Tralee in September 2018. Aged just 21, Kirsten became the first African Irish Rose of Tralee when the winner was announced on national television to a worldwide audience of millions. From Mullinavat in Co Kilkenny, Kirsten's dad Kwalo met Kirsten's mum Jacinta when training as a cadet in the Curragh. One of the most popular roses ever, Kirsten has become a voice for diversity and inclusion in Ireland. Now one of the country’s top models, Kirsten is also a major influence with thousands of followers on social media.
Actress Anna Manahan wins two Tony Awards
Waterford born Actress Anna Manahan won the first of two Tony Awards in the 1968 production of Lovers. Some thirty years later Ann won her second Tony for Best Actress in a play for the much-acclaimed Beauty Queen of Leenane. A star of stage and Screen, Anna Manahan featured in numerous Film and TV productions but will be best remembered for her TV roles in the Irish RM and Fair City.
WLR wins a licence to broadcast
On September 9th 1989 WLR came back on air as the only station from the pirate era to win a licence to broadcast. Situated in studios and offices over Georges Court Shopping Centre that first day on air featured some of the previous stations' most popular broadcasters. Rick Whelan, Billy McCarthy, Timmy Ryan, Geoff Harris, Bob Houston and Tony Weldon, who all went on to become household radio names in Waterford. WLR, Waterford's local radio station has become one of the most outstanding broadcasters in the independent sector and was named Local Radio Station of the year in 2009, 2013, 2019,2020 and 2021.
About Flahavan's
Flahavan’s is Ireland’s oldest privately-owned family food business, tracing its roots back seven generations to 1785 when the family began milling locally grown oats in Kilmacthomas Co. Waterford. The company is proud to source its high-quality oats from local growers based within a 60-mile radius of its mill and it continues to be Ireland’s favourite porridge brand with over three million portions consumed each week across the country. A local brand with a global footprint, Flahavan’s currently sells over 50 oat-based products in more than 20 countries worldwide. Flahavan’s range includes Progress Oatlets, Organic porridge, Quick Oats as well as its Muesli; Granolas, Overnight Oats, Flapjacks and Oat Drink ranges. Visit Flahavan’s website and online shop for recipes, inspiration and oaty gift hampers - www.flahavans.ie.
