More than €40,000 was raised for local causes at this year’s Mayor’s Ball, which took place last month at the Tower Hotel in Waterford, spearheaded by Cha O’neill. The money will be allocated to several organisations, including the West Waterford Rapid Response Vehicle, the Little Sisters of the Poor, Autism Friendly Waterford, and the Waterford Red Cross.

A Mayoral cheque handover took place yesterday afternoon in the Mayor’s Parlour in City Hall.

However, this story is more than fundraising; it also marked the end of an era. In a surprise announcement, former Waterford City Councillor Cha O’Neill shared that he is stepping down from organising the Mayor’s Ball after more than 20 years in the role.

Cha has been the heart of the event since 2002, when he and then-Mayor Hilary Quinlan brought it back after a break. Since then, the Mayor’s Ball has raised over €1.5 million for local charities, including the MS Society, St. Patrick’s Hospital, Waterford Hospice, St. Vincent de Paul, and the Solas Centre, to name a few.

Local legacy

Cha’s work for Waterford goes far beyond the Mayor’s Ball. He was elected to Waterford City Council in 1999 and served as Mayor of Waterford City in 2006. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was the Mayor in the 1950s.

Cha is also well known in the local GAA community. He helped set up Roanmore GAA Club in the early 1970s and still serves as its Honorary Vice President. He’s always been a strong supporter of GAA and community sport in the city.

As he announced his decision to step down, Cha received a standing ovation from those in attendance, marking the end of his long involvement with the event.

Over the years, Cha’s involvement in the Mayor’s Ball has played a significant role in supporting local charities and community groups. His work has helped shape an event that continues to make a difference across Waterford.

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