Ministerial promotions for Waterford…
Waterford now has a presence at the Cabinet table for the first time in more than a decade, with two local TDs holding ministerial office since early this year.
Fianna Fáil’s Mary Butler was appointed Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for Mental Health on January 23rd, making her the first Waterford representative at Cabinet level since 2010.
Days later, Fine Gael TD John Cummins — newly elected after securing over 10,000 first-preference votes — was named Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, becoming the only first-time TD to receive a Ministerial appointment.
Both ministers are now approaching the first anniversary of their roles, and with the rotation of Taoiseach between Micheál Martin and Simon Harris expected soon, political eyes in Waterford will be fixed on the next Cabinet formation.
Any reshuffle will determine whether the county retains — or strengthens — its voice at national level.
Listen to the report from WLR’s David Farrell here….
N25 road safety campaign….
As we bow out of 2025, unfortunately road deaths and crashes remain one of the big stories – after another year of tragedy on many roads.
A campaign group was set up in the summer focusing on the N25 and a section from the Rhu Glen to the Glenmore roundabout, in particular.
Damien Tiernan and WLR joined the campaign to seek road improvements and safety measures.
You can listen back to Damien’s report here…
Jimmy Carter and the Queally connection….
Former US President Jimmy Carter, died on December 29th last aged 100.
He served as President from 1977 to 1981. Although he never visited Ireland during his tenure in The White House, he visited County Waterford in 1995 and stayed with the Queally family at Gardenmorris, Kill.
The former President had developed a friendship with the late Peter Queally through a mutual friend in Georgia.
During his Waterford visit, the then 70-year-old was accompanied by his wife Rosalynn and two grandchildren. Following the former President’s death, Eileen Queally recounted the story of that visit to WLR’s Kieran Foley.
You can listen back to Kieran’s report here…
Characters of Waterford: Bridie O’Loughlin…
One of the best things about working on the ‘Deise Today’ show is the opportunity it presents to meet and talk to Waterford people.
As you know, Damien really enjoys getting ‘out and about’ around the city and county, talking to people about the issues they have, hearing their views and stories – and indeed just having the chat.
Back in May during a visit to Ballybricken, he happened to pop into the well-known and long-established Kervick’s Fruit and Veg shop.
He got chatting there to a lady in her 80s, a fan of WLR, who told him she was working there more than 40 years.
And here is just some of that chat with the well-loved Bridie O’Loughlin from Ard Na Greine!…
Tramore has a 4m lotto winner!
In April of this year, the National Lottery confirmed that the winning ticket for Saturday April 23rd’s Lotto jackpot was sold at Tramore Post Office.
That win marked the sixth Lotto jackpot victory so far of 2025, with previous winners hailing from Louth, Dublin, Kerry, Limerick, and Kilkenny.
The Tramore ticket holder also became the eleventh National Lottery millionaire of the year.
Speculation was rife in the town as to whether the ticket-holder was a person or a syndicate.
From news bulletins, to joining in the celebrations on site at Tramore Post Office, WLR had all the details of that significant, and for someone, very exciting win.
You can listen to Dymphna Nugent’s report on the win here…
Major development plans for Kilmeaden…
The village of Kilmeaden has been under the spotlight this year following the submission of a major planning application to Waterford City and County Council, relating to the former Kilmeaden Cheese Factory site.
The scale of the proposal has generated concern in the locality and resulted in public meetings taking place to discuss future issues involving the growth of Kilmeaden.
You can listen back to a report on the story by WLR’s Kieran Foley here…
‘Red lead’ makes the news!
It’s a Waterford institution – and when it disappeared from the shop shelves in late September due to a manufacturing hiccup, the city and county took up and took notice!
‘Deise Today’ broke the news that Countrystyle’s infamous luncheon roll – or ‘red lead’ – had temporarily ceased production – and the public were aghast!
For six weeks, the much-loved Countrystyle luncheon couldn’t get be got in a shop the length and breadth of the city and county SO when the production glitch was sorted and the machine started running again on Thursday, Nov 6, ‘Deise Today’ HAD to be there.
You can listen back to Damien’s report here…
Major funds raised by Solas run and walk…
East and West Waterford joined forces over the weekend of October 11 and 12 and collectively raised over 230,000 euro for the Solas Cancer Support Centre!
Over 4,000 people took part, with the main event taking place on Sunday, October 12 in Waterford city, while Dungarvan hosted the event on Saturday, October 11.
7,000 school pupils from across the South East also took part in the ‘Go Orange for Solas’ event on October 10.
You can listen back to a report from WLR’s Kieran Foley here…
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