Voting is now open for Clubbing In 2025
Clubs and community groups are at the heart of Waterford, bringing people together and adding kindness, energy, and spirit to our local community. After much deliberation by our impartial judging panel, the top four finalists in Clubbing In 2025 have been chosen.
Now, it’s over to you – the people of Waterford – to decide who will take home a share of the €6,000 prize fund, proudly sponsored by Waterford Credit Union and Cairde Credit Union.
- There will be one winner from the city and one from the county – each winning €2,000.
- Runners-up (one from the city and one from the county) will receive €1,000 each.
So, without further delay, here are the top four finalists…
- City: Cnoc Bui Active Retirement Association
- City: Waterford Helping The Homeless
- County: Bonmahon Lifesaving and Lifeboat Group
- County: TWC Community Group in West Waterford
VOTE BELOW
More about the Finalists
Cnoc Bui Active Retirement Association
The average age of the Cnoc Bui Active Retirement Association’s members is approximately 65 years and upwards. The group includes both men and women, giving the association a broad outlook on life and bringing many interesting viewpoints to its meetings. Most members come from the east side of the county, with both city and county members from the Ballygunner/Grantstown areas.
Many members live alone, and the monthly meetings provide a valuable outlet, offering a variety of activities and guest speakers. Past topics and sessions have included Chair Yoga (Fitness), a doctor speaking on senior health, a solicitor discussing wills and power of attorney, a Garda on senior security, and HSE staff providing health information.
The association participates in both local and national bowls competitions, enjoying recent national success to the delight of all involved. The bowls teams are mixed and play weekly at The Butler Centre. A very active committee of nine members meets once a month before the general meeting to plan forthcoming activities.
Every Christmas, the association hosts a much-enjoyed Christmas Lunch where members dress up, enjoy music, and share a festive meal together. The committee also organizes an annual three-night trip away, giving members—especially newcomers—a great chance to get to know one another. Next year’s planned trip is to Devon and Cornwall, which will require fundraising to make it a success.
The Cnoc Bui Active Retirement Association is considered a great asset to the retired community in the area, offering friendship, activities, and a renewed sense of life for its members.
Cnoc Bui Active Retirement Association: 1 Brook Road, Riverview, Knockboy, Waterford
Waterford Helping The Homeless
The group is a non-incorporated voluntary organisation that runs a unit for homeless people, open 365 days a year, including Christmas Day. It offers hot drinks, food, and a safe place for homeless individuals to sit for a few hours, charge their phones, and shelter from the weather. The service is funded entirely through donations, without any support from the government or other sources. Service users are deeply grateful for any assistance offered.
Railway Square, Waterford City.
Bonmahon Lifesaving and Lifeboat Group
In Bonmahon, there is an inshore rescue boat and lifesaving club operating under CRBI (Community Rescue Boats Ireland) and trained and administered by Water Safety Ireland. The team is a declared resource for the Irish Coast Guard and is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
The RLSS (Royal Life Saving Society UK) is the governing body of the club’s lifesaving and lifeguard activities. The club trains children, teenagers, and teachers as lifesavers and lifeguards. It is a completely voluntary organisation with over 100 members, dedicated to community safety and water rescue. The club would greatly value winning this prize.
Bonmahon Lifesaving and Lifeboat Group, Waterford City.
TWC Community Group in West Waterford
The TWC Community Group organises the hugely popular “Santa at the Strand” event in Lismore, Co. Waterford each year, with 2025 marking its fifth anniversary. Attracting over 4,000 visitors annually, the event draws families from far and wide to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in the magical woodland of the Strand each Christmas.
The TWC Community Group manages the event with the support of more than 30 committee volunteers and a wider team of around 200 elves and marshals who help run the four-day celebration. “Santa at the Strand” is a major community engagement initiative, involving participants from all across West Waterford.
In recent years, the group has worked closely with Waterford City and County Council, securing planning permission in 2024 to continue the event. As it is held in a Special Area of Conservation, the group must comply with ecological planning requirements, including completing a biodiversity plan with an ecologist by September 2025. This work will cost €8,500.
To raise funds, TWC will hold a special “Green Santa” event in August 2025, featuring a table quiz and meet-and-greet for local children. (In Victorian times, Santa was dressed in green and only became red in the early 1900s when Coca-Cola popularised the look.) However, the table quiz alone will not cover the full cost, and additional support is needed to meet the financial deadline.
Each year, “Santa at the Strand” raises funds for three charities: St. Carthage’s Rest Home in Lismore, Cappoquin Day Care Centre, and the Little Blue Heroes Foundation. This year, Santa and the TWC Community Group find themselves in need of help to ensure the event’s 5th year can go ahead. Any assistance towards this goal would be greatly appreciated.
Toor, Lismore, Co. Waterford.
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The closing date for the public vote is Tuesday, August 19th, at 12 noon. The overall winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 20th.
Waterford Credit Union and Cairde Credit Union proudly invest Community Funds in their local communities throughout the year. Visit their websites, www.waterfordcu.ie and www.cairdecu.ie for more information.
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