Cutting the celebratory cake in the Granary on Wednesday last at the opening of the WIT Architectural Department were students from left: Brian Kehoe, Ciaran Chestnutt, Darragh O’Keefe, Tadhg Casey and Niamh Murphy with Máire Henry, Director WIT Architectural Dept.

Cutting the celebratory cake in the Granary on Wednesday last at the opening of the WIT Architectural Department were students from left: Brian Kehoe, Ciaran Chestnutt, Darragh O’Keefe, Tadhg Casey and Niamh Murphy with Máire Henry, Director WIT Architectural Dept.

A large gathering of students, staff and public representatives were on hand to see the official opening of Waterford Institute of Technology’s relocated Department of Architecture at the Granary on Wednesday last.

Speaking as he officially opened the building, Mayor Pat Hayes praised the development as another step in the right direction for the city, with the former home of Waterford Treasures now housing over 320 staff and students.

“This is a significant step yet again for us in Waterford City, especially here in the heart of the old Viking City,” he said. “Having such a department brings life and vibrancy to the area that feature such a large amount of landmark buildings, ideal for the students of this discipline.”

Mayor Hayes paid tribute to the enthusiasm that young people can have on a particular area of a city and emphasised the pride at seeing the renovation continuing in Waterford’s ‘West End’.