Waterford’s North Quays
This time last year plans were afoot for new cranes, relocated trains, and snazzy roads for automobiles on the North Quays in Waterford.
Over the past 12 months, many of those plans have come to fruition and the largest single development project in the history of Ireland’s oldest city is progressing.
You can listen to Damien Tiernan’s report below.
Vince Power RIP
County Waterford-born music promoter Vince Power died on March 9th this year aged 76.
He was the founder of the renowned Mean Fiddler venue in London and was the driving force behind the Fleadh Mor in Tramore in 1993 as well as numerous other music festivals.
He was awarded a CBE in two thousand and six for services to music.
His funeral was held in his beloved Newtown near Kilmacthomas on March 23rd.
You can listen to Kieran Foley’s report below.
‘Dervla Decker goes up for sale!
Waterford is full of interesting people doing interesting things and here on ‘Deise Today’, we like to occasionally check in on some of them!!
After buying a former Dublin Busa a few years ago and lovingly and painstakingly restoring it, Waterford couple Mark Graham and Ellie O’Byrne offered it as luxurious accommodation on Air B&B, garnering much attention from national and local news outlets.
Well this year, they made the decision to sell ‘Dervla Decker’ as they call it, to fund another dream of theirs – a round-the-world cycle which they’re embarking on this coming year!
Mark and Ellie dropped into us on ‘Deise Today’ for a chat back in May.
You can listen to Jennifer Long’s report by clicking below.
Hospitality sector protests
On October 4, the hospitality sector – country-wide - announced they would stage a Day of Action in Dublin on Tuesday, October 15th in response to Budget 2025.
Members from Waterford were among those who travelled, gathering near Merrion Square before marching past Government Buildings and the Department of Finance to Leinster House.
They highlighted what they say is a lack of government support in Budget 2025 including the failure to reduce the VAT rate to nine percent, as was announced on WLR News a few hours before the protest.
You can listen to Kyle Butler’s report below.
Tough times for farmers
Earlier in the year, there were huge problems for the farming community country-wide when the persistent rain through the month of March and into April left land in extremely poor condition.
The Irish Farmers Association spoke out about the ‘extreme pressures’ farmers were under due to prolonged rainfall and the knock-on effect of absolutely saturated ground.
Here in Waterford, the problems were being felt acutely too.
Damien Tiernan went along to the Fews area back in mid-April and spoke to two local farmers, Ned Morrissey, and Bill Heffernan.
Listen back by clicking below.
Sisters’ brilliant efforts for Gaza
We spoke to many inspirational people on air in 2024 and two of them were sisters Sara and Emma Abu Selmia.
The Palestinian sisters, living here in Waterford, embarked on a fundraising campaign, involving them running or walking every day for the month of January, to raise much-needed funds for the family wjp had suffered back in the war in Gaza.
The initial aim was about 4,000 euro but their campaign gathered such momentum that the final tally ended up exceeding 50,000!
Sara and her aunt Suzie were on ‘Deise Today’ in mid-February, recapping how it had all developed.
You can listen to Jennifer Long’s piece below.
Waterford’s new TDs
On Friday, Nov 29th, after weeks of speculation, the people of Ireland were called to the polling booths for the second time in the year, for a General Election.
The coalition of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and the Greens was officially dissolved and 174 seats were open for the people of Ireland to vote upon.
A three-week election campaign got underway.
Listen back to Dymphna Nugent’s report on what happened here in Waterford below.
For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.
