The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), working on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality, is awarding €1,052 to events in Waterford.

Overall, €30, 665.25 in funding for 82 events in 24 counties is being granted under the ‘Water Heritage Day Grants Scheme 2025’.

Under the grants scheme, local communities and groups were invited to apply for financial assistance to support the delivery of events and initiatives celebrating Water Heritage Day on Sunday, 24th August.

Water Heritage Day celebrates water throughout Ireland, its history and heritage and our connections with it. Projects approved for funding in Waterford this year include:

  • Tides & Tales Maritime Community Project -3 events – St. John’s Pill – Waterford’s Victorian Thoroughfare, Ballyhack Millstones & Reclaiming an Irish Way of St James (€287).
  • Street Art Ink- Floating Voices Maritime Heritage Walking Tour (€375).
  • Clashmore Kinsalebeg Community Council- River themed activities for children and parents in our community (€390).

Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD welcomed this announcement: “The Water Heritage Day Grants Scheme gives communities and groups across Ireland the opportunity to organise events that celebrate and raise awareness about their local waterbodies. This grants scheme is an investment in the protection and restoration of good water quality nationwide. It allows people to create connections with their rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands and coastal waters in new and innovative ways.”

Held in partnership with The Heritage Council, Water Heritage Day takes place as part of National Heritage Week 2025, which runs from 16th to 24th August. The theme of Heritage Week 2025 is “Exploring Our Foundations”.

As part of Heritage Week there are awards for events held throughout the week. If you are holding a Water Heritage Day event you can submit your event to be considered for a Water Heritage Award. More information on the awards can be found here: www.heritageweek.ie/awards

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