Pictured as the host port, education and media partners for Waterford’s hosting of The Tall Ships Races 2011 were announced on board the ‘Lord Nelson’ in Waterford on Wednesday were (l-r) Conor Doyle, WIT; Elaine Carey, 3; Marcus Goodwin, Bulmers Original Irish Cider; David McCoy, Waterford Crystal and Nuala Carey, RTÉ. | Photo: Dylan Vaughan

With just 10 months to go to Waterford’s hosting of The Tall Ships Races 2011, the event has received a €450,000-plus boost with host port partners coming on board.

With more than 500,000 visitors expected in the city over four days next summer, 3, Bulmers Original Irish Cider and Waterford Crystal have been named as host port partners while Waterford Institute of Technology are host port education partners and RTÉ will be the official media partner locally. Between them they will provide funding and related supports worth more than €450,000.

Waterford City Council and the Port of Waterford Company are already in place as lead delivery agencies having jointly mounted the successful bid to secure the event’s return following Waterford’s hosting in 2005.

Welcoming the strong backing announced at a reception on board the Lord Nelson sail training vessel in Waterford on Wednesday, Mayor Mary Roche said their support represents “a welcome vote of confidence in our hosting of this massive event and is all the more appreciated in an economic climate where marketing and sponsorship spending has been hit across the board.”

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The €15.8 million EU project aims to develop new ways in which individuals and organisations such as emergency services operate and communicate.

Head of Pervasive Communications Services at WIT Kevin Doolin said the use of the technology had the potential to create many positive results for the way in which emergency services react to disasters.

“The first people on the scene after a natural or man-made disaster are local emergency organisations such as the fire brigade, ambulance or police,” said Mr Doolin.

“Using this technology, we could establish a group to quickly share critical information such as danger spots, photographs, trapped victims and so on.”

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However, sales for the Australian company’s Republic of Ireland stores increased by 1.4 per cent to €127.22 million for the full year ended June 30th 2010, up from €125.42 million the previous year.

“It has been a very challenging year for us, but we’re holding our own in terms of market share, sales, and unit volumes,” said Blaine Callard, CEO of Harvey Norman’s Irish operations.

The company is also, where possible, seeking rent reductions from landlords.

“Some landlords are commercially minded, and some are still stuck in 2006,” said Mr Callard.

“Unless retailers can survive the slow grinding return to profitability, many ofthose centres will end up half closed. Job losses and tumbleweeds are all that will result if landlords cling to the status quo.”

A company statement read: “A drastic improvement in macroeconomic conditions in Ireland is required before the Irish operations can return for a profitable position. Strong roots have been established in the Irish market.

“The Harvey Norman brand is well-known in Ireland and is respected by both suppliers and customers.” The company currently employs almost 800 staff in Ireland.

| Photo courtesy of Trevor Coady

Subject to formal approval of what’s already been agreed in principal, the sprawling Suirside domain is to be handed over to the State with plans for new tourism-related facilities creating up to 120 jobs.

It was previously agreed that the gardens would be handed over to the State 21 years after the death of its owner, Mr Ambrose Congreve, who is now aged 103.

However, talks are currently underway to ensure that the transfer takes place without delay, with the responsibility for the gardens expected to go to the National Botanic Gardens.

Waterford Fine Gael Senator Paudie Coffey said last night that the development is great news for Waterford and the southeast region.

It’s his understanding that talks have made substantial progress and there is a real likelihood of an integrated tourism development now proceeding.

In 2008 a masterplan was submitted to Waterford County Council for the estate. It outlined a vision for the longer-term development of a separate 350 acres of the property as a resort, including a 180-bed hotel and spa, along with a 40-berth marina, ‘country pursuits’ centre, and Victorian-style holiday homes.

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Speaking to this newspaper, the Williamstown illusionist says he is willing to do whatever he can to help the Deisemen bridge a 52-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

He first made the offer in an exclusive Munster Express interview ahead of Waterford’s semi-final defeat to Tipperary, a story subsequently ‘lifted’ by the national and other local media.

“As a Mount Sion old boy and major Waterford hurling fan, I want to do what I can to help end the famine,” he said.

“I first made the offer at the end of July, and, since things didn’t work out for Davy and the lads against Tipp in the semi-final, I just want to make it known that the offer still stands.”

Reflecting on the semi-final defeat, Keith said: “We could have finished the game better. We ought to have made more effective use of the last five, ten minutes of the game when we could still have pulled it ought of the fire and made next Sunday’s final.

“And by using the best mind control techniques that I can teach, I believe I could have programmed the players to play differently, to help them find that something extra.”

Many hurling observers believed that even the most possessed of hurlers wouldn’t beat the current Kilkenny team, now just one win away from an unprecedented fifth successive title. But Keith believes much of the Cats’ success is all in the mind.

“To the best of my knowledge, the Kilkenny panel uses some hypnotherapy, and it’s obviously having the desired effect,” said Keith, who attended the (Dublin) launch of the Waterford Festival of Music on Friday last.

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The Munster Express understands that between six to ten cars per day have recently been clamped at Plunkett Station, with the release fee costing €120.

Nationwide Controlled Parking Systems (NCPS) is the body responsible for the clamping at Plunkett Station, but according to the solicitor, who didn’t wish to be named, Irish Rail has shown no interest in working to resolve the matter.

One client of the solicitor initially sent a cheque for €50 as a rebate on the €120 fine issued, however this was rejected by NCPS.

After threatening to bring proceedings against NCPS and Irish Rail, the issue was eventually solved when it was appealed to the Independent Parking Appeals Service.

They found that the signs in the car park at Plunkett Station were defective and did not properly inform potential users of the consequences of not paying and displaying.

The Appeals Commissioner recommended that a full refund of the clamp release fee be paid.

Anybody seeking a refund of money can make the claim themselves, without the need to instruct a solicitor on their behalf.

The First Citizen made her comments at the Munster Express/Dooley’s Hotel South East Heritage & Culture Awards (Q2 2010) presentation held at Dooley’s Hotel on Wednesday last.

“The Munster Express has made, for 150 years, and continues to make a very positive contribution to the life of both the city and the south east,” she said.

“As a newspaper, it has always treated its role in a very positive light, with none of the negativity that we sometimes associate with other media institutions.

“And I would see and associate The Munster Express very much as a partner in the development of the city and I would like to thank them and commend them for that.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Roche has called for “positive use” to be made of the derelict North Quay site ahead of next summer’s Tall Ships Festival.

She believes a park, including a series of sports courts and pitches or even additional city centre car parking would represent a reasonable, cost effective alternative when set against its current, decaying guise.

“Personally, I favour the sports courts, followed by the park,” she stated.

“One way or another, this would tidy the area up until some other use is found for them. It will be an awful shame if they are allowed to fall into further disrepair.

“If all parties were willing, the North Quays can and should be brought into use. There may even be a job or two in it.”

See our News & Business section for more comments from Mayor Roche

I’m writing on behalf of an initiative by Destination Waterford Tourism Committee and for which I have volunteered to help get the ball rolling. A couple of months ago I wrote to all the local papers seeking an input into an eco tourism plan for Waterford. The response has been very good so far but I have decided to extend the deadline for initial submissions until Monday 13th Sept. as with the holidays etc. some people missed the call for submissions.

What we are seeking are ideas as to how to make Waterford a better City in relation to Eco Issues and to possibly encourage visitors to come here in the future and enjoy the beautiful environment which we have on offer. Some of your ideas could be for immediate implementation but others could be more aimed at long term thinking and planning.

So far inputs have ranged from Green walkways to Whale watching off Dunmore East and from Cycle paths to Eco adventure holidays. All ideas are welcome and can be either posted to my home address at 99 Barrack Street, Waterford or emailed to olliebres@gmail.com

The plan is that when all the submissions are collated that we will then have a meeting of all concerned to discuss the ideas and move them forward. Remember that by making Waterford more attractive as an eco tourist destination we are also making the area more attractive for us to live in.

Yours Sincerely,

Ollie Breslin

Wayne Roche with an address at Harbour View, Scotch Quay, pleaded guilty to assaulting Judge David Kennedy of Waterford District Court on March 19, 2009. He was also given six months detention for stealing a hand bag containing cash from the Marina Hotel, Scotch Quay, on September 29 last.

Judge Gerard Haughton said the assault on Judge Kennedy was a random one and had nothing to do with the administration of justice. If the assault had been in that context it would have been a very serious matter.

Garda Inspector Tom Duggan said late in the evening Judge Kennedy went for a walk near his hotel and was approached by the defendant who shouted a lot of abuse at him and hit him on the arm. The Gardai were called to the Scotch Quay area and they found the defendant in a highly intoxicated state. It was a random attack and the Judge suffered no injuries.

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