News Review of 2023: The Top Stories In Waterford (PART 1)
As we bid farewell to 2023, Waterford looks back on a year packed with stories that touched hearts and stirred conversations. From movie magic at the Oscars, to local struggles and achievements, each tale has left its mark on our community. Join us as we revisit the highs, lows, and important moments that made up the fabric of Waterford's news, events, and sports in 2023....
WLR's News, Current Affairs and Sports Review of the Year, featuring these and many more of the year's great stories and quirky features, airs on WLR from Wednesday to Friday December 27th to 29th between 10 at 12pm.
Waterford at the Oscars!
As magic moments go in the world of film, it’s about as good as it gets.
This year, a film set in Waterford and starring one of Waterford’s finest actresses – Carrie Crowley - found itself nominated for an Oscar.
‘An Cailin Ciuin’, which was set in An Rinn, was nominated for ‘Best International Film’ at the 95th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
It didn’t win in the end but what a proud moment it was for the Deise to feature at such a prestigious event.
It was back in January last that the good news broke about the film’s nomination.
An excited Carrie Crowley spoke on Deise Today about the ‘pinch me’ moment while Damien also spoke to a lady from An Rinn, Elaine, who also featured in the movie
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From Kilmacthomas to Capitol Hill…
It was a year to remember for Kilmacthomas man Maurice Barron, his wife Kandice and their young daughter Ava.
Not only did they attend the US President's State of the Union address in February, but young Ava and her parents were singled out for special mention by President Joe Biden in his address.
The family, who live in New York, have endured a tough couple of years due to young Ava's battle with cancer - a story which has touched the heart of President Biden.
He first met Maurice, son of Kilmacthomas Labour Councillor Ger Barron, at the White House early last year when Maurice was invited to the launch of the Cancer Moonshine Programme.
Maurice had written a personal letter to Joe Biden whose own son, Beau, died from cancer in 2015 at the age of 46.
A special relationship developed between the two which led to the invite for the family to attend the State of the Union address.
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End of the Eviction Ban…
The Eviction Ban was introduced in October of 2022 to curtail the rising homelessness figures across the country.
The ban lasted until March 31stof this year when thousands of ‘notices to quit’ were issued by landlords looking to exit the market - and leaving tenants nationwide facing homelessness.
WLR spoke to Waterford families who were dreading D-Day approaching, as was aired across both Deise Today and WLR News at the time….
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Commission of Investigation into Kenneally case…
One of the big stories in the past 12 months for Waterford has been the continuing Commission of Investigation into matters surrounding Bill Kenneally.
The commission held public hearings in September after Kenneally was convicted during the summer of more counts of sexual abuse and indecent assault against boys in the 1980s.
The commission is continuing its work into the New year (as Damien Tiernan reports)…
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Lismore House Hotel
There was some controversy in the Lismore area earlier this year when it was announced that a local hotel was to become a direct provision centre.
The Lismore House Hotel had closed down a number of years previously but was purchased by Cork-based company, MCHT, in 2021.
WLR broke the story that the hotel was to reopen in early February 2023 as a Direct Provision centre, with 60 women and children understood to be arriving initially and numbers rising to 117.
Dymphna Nugent went to Lismore where a demonstration was taking place amid the changes planned. Following this, local TD Marc O’Cathasaigh spoke to Damien Tiernan on Deise Today….
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‘Copper Coast’ named one of the best “offbeat” places to visit in the world!
There was some good news for Co. Waterford’s picturesque ‘Copper Coast’ in April of this year when it was named one of the best "offbeat" places in the world to visit by Lonely Planet!
The expert travel guide listed the coastal spot in its global guidebook called ‘Offbeat’ which focused on hidden gems off the beaten track and lesser-known destinations than the usual large towns and cities popular with tourists.
The 25km stretch of rugged Waterford coastline was described as “sorely overlooked” but was praised in the guide for its “gorgeously secluded, wave-whipped coves, walking trails and coastal woodlands “largely to your lucky self” (as they put it).
Needless to say, there was plenty of happy reaction to the listing from here in Waterford, as Damien discovered when he did a ‘ring around’ for the Deise Today show!...
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Waterford FC celebrate promotion!
Waterford FC will play in the League Of Ireland Premier Division in 2024 following their promotion in November.
Keith Long's side beat Cork City in the play-off final to get back to the top table after two years in the first division.
WLR Match commentator Ray Scott spoke with Nigel Kelly to look back on how the year played out...
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Fire at Wexford hospital causes problems at UHW…
University Hospital Waterford experienced significant pressures for a number of months this year following a fire that caused damage to the emergency department at Wexford General on March 1st.
UHW sprung to action once Wexford was first affected.
Fast forward six weeks to May of this year and UHW had record numbers of people attending the ED - leading to significant wait times and unprecedented pressures.
The emergency department at Wexford General ultimately reopened on July 25th - following five months of extreme strain on resources locally.
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WLR's News, Current Affairs and Sports Review of the Year, featuring these and many of the year's great stories and quirky features, airs on WLR from Wednesday to Friday December 27th to 29th between 10 at 12pm.
