Well-known architect and TV presenter Hugh Wallace, pictured at the North Quays groundbreaking ceremony on the South Plaza.
Editorial first published in March 14th edition of the Waterford News & Star
“THIS scheme is pivotal to Waterford being the best city in Ireland… The buildings are amazing, the museum area – you’ve already got so much – but it just needs that little bit more to be THE destination in Ireland.”
Confident and inspiring words from Hugh Wallace, well-known as RTE’s ‘Home of the Year’ judge and presenter of the ‘Great House Revival’ – and architect for the North Quays.
After so many years languishing, it is exciting to hear one of Ireland’s most passionate proponents of good design verbalising the unique potential of Waterford’s North Quays development site.
While any physical buildings that attached to the past dockland history of the site have long since been demolished, Mr Wallace says that it is the intention of the team at Douglas Wallace Consultants to bring elements of the docks back into the site “so that there is that connection with the past”.
Waterford had an illustrious shipping trade in the heart of the city, and it is heartening to hear that acknowledged by the chief architect for the biggest project to be undertaken in the city in recent decades.
Meanwhile, public optimism in the development of both the North Quays and Sustainable Transport Bridge is growing, with the release of a video by Waterford City and County Council depicting an artist’s impression of the Suir river crossing sparking considerable interest. Waterford is on the cusp of an exhilarating era of development, which it is hoped will propel it forward as a European city of true distinction.
With a spectacular blank canvas along our river, the horizon is particularly promising for the South East’s capital.
St Patrick’s Weekend!
A wonderful selection of events has been organised for the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend in Waterford city, with our time-honoured parade but one element of a fantastic, fun-filled festival organised by Waterford Council.
Johnny Codd, festival coordinator, has spear-headed a top-class musical, cultural and entertainment programme to appeal to all comers, while Spraoi artistic director Mike Leahy promises ‘wild and rambunctious’ creativity from his team. Countless more fantastic community groups are working feverishly behind the scenes this week ahead of a wonderful parade of floats and good-natured mayhem for our national holiday on Friday.
A special treat on Saturday will be a gathering of talented young harpists at the Cultural Quarter Stage from 3pm-4pm. Really, there’s no excuse not to get out and enjoy the numerous free events on offer!
Our Oscar Star
And finally, the last word must go to Carrie Crowley, an inspirational ambassador for Waterford, the Irish language and our homegrown film industry. She graced the Oscars with such eloquence and elegance this week, as An Cailín Ciúin took its turn in the starlight. It was wonderful to watch Carrie be interviewed by another of our own, Zara King, for Virgin Media. On the week of International Women’s Day, Déise Ladies Abú!
