The Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens in Tramore have announced the commencement of the construction of their Kokoro Cultural Centre.
The Japanese Gardens in Tramore will celebrate their tenth anniversary with the opening of the centre, which is on course for completion in August 2025.
A foundation stone ceremony will take place on October 12th, 2024 in the presence of His Excellency Ambassador Maruyama Norio, Japan’s Ambassador to Ireland, and Cllr. Jason Murphy, Mayor of Waterford City and County, and Minister of State, Mary Butler.
The outlay on the construction of the building to date is being supported by a grant from the Waterford Leader Partnership Programme, by philanthropic sources and by money raised directly by the gardens from gate receipts and borrowings.
The name Kokoro in Japanese means, ‘spirit or soul’.
The upper floor level of the Kokoro Centre will be a covered space, providing introductory information and facilitating talks to visiting tour groups.
It will also provide a café space to sit and absorb the views of the gardens and Tramore Bay.
The lower level will have seating for one hundred people and will become a venue for cultural events, concerts, music performances, poetry readings and workshops.
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