1. Mount Sion Choir released a charity single with Don Mescall to benefit three charities

Mount Sion Secondary School Choir recorded the song Your Love Carries Me with Irish singer and songwriter, Don Mescall, in aid of three cancer charities: Can Teen, Can Care 4 Living and The Solas Centre.

The Waterford school debuted the song at an event at UCD to raise awareness of World Cancer Day. They were joined by the Solas Cancer Support Centre men’s choir, the UCD community choir, Midlands Irish Sign Language Learners choir, and the choirs of St Mary’s Newport Secondary School, Oatlands College, and Loreto College Foxrock.

2. Thousands take part in Darkness into Light

Thousands of people across Waterford City and County took part in Darkness into Light, in aid of Pieta House. The mental health charities flagship fundraiser got underway in the early hours and finished as dawn broke.

Dungarvan woman Jackie De Paor took part in the event in the West of the County. “It’s lovely and dark at that time in the morning, then we come along and we’re there with a group of people,” she said. “It’s very reflective of people who are experiencing loneliness, which is a huge part of mental health.”

“You’re surrounded by a lot of people, sometimes just a smile, or a wink or a nod lets you know you’re not alone.”

Members of the organising committee of Darkness Into Light in Waterford City have handed over a cheque for €53,667.25 to the Waterford branch of Pieta House.

3. Money given to Ciara to send her on holidays after a passport issue

On June 5th's Déise Today programme, we heard the brilliant conclusion to Ciara’s story of how due to a mix up in the passport office, she could not go on her holiday with her two daughters to Crete to see her sister.

That aired originally on Tuesday, June 4th, and the next day, an anonymous person called into us in The Broadcast Centre to give a large amount of money to Ciara so that she could go on her holiday.

We rang Ciara and told her this on air, and she was thrilled. Such a lovely gesture between the people of Waterford. If you want to listen to her interview and her reaction to when Damien told her the news, click below.

4. Waterford woman's hen party brought a Waterford flag to the Chippendales – and they loved it

These girls love their County so much they packed a Waterford flag in their suitcases to bring all the way to Vegas for their friend’s hen!

Shauna Gallagher, from Kilmacthomas, now lives in New York and spent last weekend enjoying her hen party with friends in Las Vegas. As part of the celebrations, the girls went along to see the famous Chippendales, best known for their male striptease performances, when one of the hens produced a Waterford flag and the Chippendale dancers were only delighted to pose for pictures with it!

It also turns out that one Chippendale in particular is a fan of John Mullane...

5. Six secondary schools in Waterford were included in The Sunday Times Best Schools Guide

Waterford’s highest ranked school on the list is Meánscoil san Nioclás in An Rinn in 156th place.

That’s followed by Newtown School, St Augustine’s College in Dungarvan, St Angela’s Ursuline Convent, Ard Scoil na nDéise in Dungarvan, and Blackwater Community School in Lismore.

6. 9 Waterford businesses won at food awards in Dingle

Nine producers from Waterford were recognised at the Irish Food Awards, Blas na hÉireann.

Now in their 12th year, the Blas na hÉireann awards are the all-island food awards that recognise the very best Irish food and drink products, and the passionate people behind them.

Several Waterford companies picked up gold including Carters Chocolate Café with their real lemonade, Veronica’s Cafe for their Lemon & Cranberry Scone, Irish Gourmet Butter, Blackwater Distillery and Pipin Pear baby food. Pipin Pear also won silver and bronze.

Legacy Irish Cider won silver as did Tastefully Yours for their Massaman Curry Sauce. Tea & Coffee Warehouse and Pure Food Company also picked up bronze. Irish Gourmet Butter was named Best in Waterford and Pure Food Company won Best in Farmer’s Market for Waterford.

7. Waterford produces €5.2 million National Lotto Winner

On October 23rd, the winning ticket for a €5,260,021 Lotto Jackpot was sold at the SuperValu store at the Kilbarry Shopping Centre on the Tramore Road in County Waterford.

The prize was won in the ‘Ireland Only Raffle’ EuroMillions draw and the seven euro quick pick was sold in store. It was the 41st jackpot to be won in Waterford.

8. Waterford Healing Arts Trust Wins National Lottery Award

Waterford group, Waterford Healing Arts Trust, scooped top honours at the National Lottery Good Cause of the Year awards. They won the Arts & Culture category in the Awards for their work in using various arts forms to bring smiles to the faces of patients, staff and relatives in the hospital and received €10,000 prize money to fund their work.

National Lottery CEO, Dermot Griffin congratulated WHAT on its Award: “The Waterford Healing Arts Trust is doing important work making life a little brighter for those who are ill and are very deserving of this award. It is fitting that Ireland’s unsung heroes who work quietly under the radar to improve lives and make a difference are honoured in these inaugural National Lottery Good Awards. Their work often goes unrecognised – but it is so valued.”

Three other Waterford groups were among the 36 finalists – Park Rangers AFC, Waterford Intellectual Disability Service and Mount Sion Choir. Mount Sion Choir also performed on the night.

9. Synergy Dance Club performed on Late Late Toy show

There was fantastic news for Waterford based dance studios Synergy Dance Club who were chosen to perform on this year’s Late Late Toy Show.

The spot on the most watched TV show of the year, is extremely coveted and there was a rigorous audition process for them to go through.

Based on the Park Road in Waterford city, the club offers a wide range of Hip-Hop styles for anyone with a passion for dance.

Owners Nicole Green and Nichola McLawrence came in and spoke to Damien Tiernan on Deise Today.

10. Des and Mona Manahan announced as grand marshals for St. Patrick's Day Parade

The viral couple Des and Mona Manahan were guests today on Deise Today!

Damien spoke to them about being the grand marshals for this years St. Patrick’s day parade. They also told us on how they first met and the success that that gorgeous video has brought them!

Listen to that interview below here.