News and Current Affairs Review of 2025: The Top Stories in Waterford (Part 2) - We are WLR FM

Lismore water issues…

In a news story which dominated much of the year, the WLR news and current affairs team documented the significant water supply issues in the wider community of Lismore.

Locals, in their homes, their schools, and their businesses faced inadequate or even no supplies of safe, fresh, clean drinking water.

Compounding the issue was the communication between Uisce Eireann and the community, communication which locals say was wholly lacking and not-at-all transparent.

In a series of special reports, Damien visited Lismore and over the course of a year, pressure was applied on Uisce Eireann.

Late this year, it was announced that funding had been received and works were set to begin on the replacement of 3km of ageing water pipes in Lismore.

Works are expected to be completed early to mid next year.

You can listen to the report on the story by clicking here…

Cabinet approval for 24/7 cardiac care…

In April, Cabinet approval was granted for the expansion of cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) to a 24/7 basis.

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill made the decision to move to 24/7 cardiac care on foot of the most recent data from Irish Heart Attack Audit.

Minister Carroll MacNeill also brought the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services to Cabinet.

The decision followed years of campaigning on the topic locally, with the issue dominating recent elections in Waterford.

Following the announcement, politicians and campaigners gave their reaction to WLR…

Williamstown fire…

The weather and climate was another big story this year, locally and internationally.

Wildfires hit various parts of Europe – and Ireland wasn’t immune.

A housing estate in Williamstown in Waterford city was at the centre of a major scare when gorse behind the estate caught fire, as Damien Tiernan reported….

Portlaw woman Kitty Brett celebrated her 100^th!

Friday, November 14 last, was a very special day for one Co Waterford family

AND community…

Kitty Brett, living on the Carrick Road in Portlaw celebrated her 100^th birthday that day surrounded by her husband Paddy, son Pat – and a host of extended family and friends.

Born on Nov 14, 1925, in the townland of Lahardan, Kitty was also a staggering 68 years married to husband Paddy, himself just approaching 90 years of age.

In the days prior to her big birthday, WLR’s Jennifer Long visited Kitty and Paddy at their Portlaw home.

And here is her report…

Future of Waterford Airport

Waterford Airport continued to dominate the news agenda at various points throughout the year.

In October, there was a major development when Waterford councillors voted on a major proposal which would see a new company, Waterford Airport Ltd, take over operations and fund the long awaited runway extension.

The proposal, which was brought forward by the Bolster Group and is being advanced through a new company, Waterford Airport Ltd (WAL), will deliver the full Airport Development works set out in the existing Business Plan, without the need for Government funding.

You can listen to a report by WLR’s Kieran Foley here…

John and Kathi Burke…

Back in mid-October, ‘Deise Today’ had a lovely interview with Waterford father and daughter duo, John and Kathi Burke.

They were just about to launch their brand new ‘Animalopedia’ book, a follow on to their best-selling ‘Irelandopedia’ which they had launched 10 years earlier.

John, now retired, was teaching principal of Passage East NS from 1980 to 2009 while Kathi is an award-winning illustrator and artist with a passion for all things Irish.

Their best-selling ‘Irelandopedia’ book had sold over 220,000 copies in Ireland…

New Sustainable Transport Bridge…

Waterford witnessed a landmark moment in May as construction of the North Quays sustainable transport bridge moved from groundwork to skyline.

The bridge — set to connect the Clock Tower to the new North Quays and link the Waterford and South East Greenways – will give cyclists and walkers a direct route from Dungarvan to New Ross when complete.

The city paused on May 17 last when the 80m HEBO Lift 9 crane arrived, towering over the Quays as crews began placing each section of the bridge like pieces of a giant jigsaw.

Crowds gathered again on May 20 when the final spans made their journey upriver and, eight days later, watched the bridge stretch fully across the Suir for the first time.

Although public access will come later, the project already bridges past and future, a physical symbol of a city in motion. Its completion marks a defining step in Waterford’s sustainable development, and one many residents waited years to see.

You can listen to a report from David Farrell here…