Millie Martini-Bratten, editor-in-chief of the prestigious ‘Brides Magazine USA’, tried her luck at some wedge-cutting with master craftsman Tom Power at the official opening of House of Waterford Crystal on Tuesday. See pages 2, 3, 4, 6 & 10 for further coverage. | Photo: Noel Browne
The management of the revived Waterford Crystal now in place on The Mall were highly satisfied with Tuesday’s official opening.
A considerable local, national and international media presence (including The New York Times online) ensured that words and images were relayed worldwide concerning the company’s return.
It’s already hoped that American television crews will visit the House of Waterford Crystal next month, just as NBC’s ‘Good Morning America’ did when visiting ‘The Glass’ back in 1990.
Design was one of the buzzwords during the opening ceremony of the new centre, where 79 full-time staff and 33 part-time staff (along with 30-40 temporary staff during peak season) will be employed.
A toast to new beginnings. The Mayor of Waterford, Councillor John Halligan, and Pierre de Villemejane, chief executive officer of Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton, celebrate the official opening on Tuesday of the House of Waterford Crystal on The Mall.
John Rocha, who attended the formalities on both Monday evening and Tuesday morning, told The Munster Express about his “great new design plans” for Waterford Crystal, which he has discussed with design manager John Connolly.
These include a new Claddagh-style design which is being prepared for a vase, and is currently being perfected in the company’s Cleaboy facility, which will eventually be on site on The Mall. Former designer Fred Curtis has also been involved in this work.
New York-based sculptor Michael Aram is also set to work with Waterford Crystal, which Vice President of Design Lisa Archambault brought us up to speed on.
Following extensive research and focus group discussions and through talks with ‘trend setters’, the new Waterford Crystal is aiming to developed usable products for a new generation of consumers across the United States and worldwide.
The skilled staff, who honed their abilities over several decades in the Kilbarry plant, are thrilled to be back in full-time work, 18 months after ‘The Glass’ as we knew it for 60 years, shut its gates.
Back in the cutting area with 38 years of experience to draw from, Tony Grant is now in charge of the cutting and engraving area in the splendid new production facility.
Tony, along with engraver Michael Murphy and cutter Philip O’Keeffe, spoke with great pleasure about putting their skills back to good use.
Tramore Blowing duo Frank Quilty and Edgar Evans, who have a combined total of 64 years working with glass, are equally thrilled to be back at work.
Jim O’Leary, the chief of design, is now, remarkably, in his 50th year of work with crystal. The blowers made a special piece to mark his 50th year.
continued on page 2
“The new blowing area is certainly more modern than what we had in Kilbarry,” said Frank.
“We’re working with brand new equipment and I think we’ve all adapted well. And with the visitor experience now a part of what we do here, visitors can really get a feel for what we do, as well as getting some idea of how hot the furnace is.”
Dunmore East native Sinead Brennan was our guide on Tuesday morning and meticulously described the entire blowing, cutting and engraving process. Like so many working in the new building, Sinead will clearly be a great asset for the House of Waterford Crystal.
Another designer present at the opening was Jasper Conran, who said bringing the new venture into the heart of the city represented a “tremendous move” which would benefit the city from a tourism perspective.
“The development of the Viking Triangle in this area is also very positive and I know myself, living as I do so nearby in London, that I’ll be travelling regularly to Waterford.”
There were no Government ministers present at the opening due to a Cabinet meeting being held at the same time on Tuesday morning in Dublin, we were told.
But the contribution made by former Tourism Minister Martin Cullen to the regeneration of The Mall was mentioned by many in attendance.
On Monday evening, a special one-hour concert was held at the Theatre Royal to coincide with the opening of the House of Waterford Crystal.
Theatre Director Ben Barnes welcomes the overseas guests, from locations including the United States, Russia, the UK and Europe.
Well-known local historian Julian Walton brought the audience on a whistle-stop tour through the city’s history, dating from Viking times all the way up to the present day.
Waterford playwright Jim Nolan, read a chapter from ‘Maestro of Crystal’, Brian Havel’s account of the first days of Waterford Glass, in which his late father Miroslav played such a vital role in creating and developing.
Along with fellow Czech Edward Bacik, Miroslav revived the tradition of crystal cutting in Waterford; some 100 years after the previous glass cutting operation had closed in the city.
Jim re-told Brian’s affectionate account of the twists and turns that marked those early days of ‘The Glass’ with great affection, which went down a treat with the assembled audience.
Musical accompaniment at the special production was provided by Waterford Comhaltas, Roisin Dempsey, Lynn Saoirse and Eoin Power, with the one and only Kevin O’Carroll conducting.
The new beginning which Messrs Havel and Bacik made possible in 1947 was warmly spoken of on Monday evening and was woven into the narrative of Tuesday morning’s opening.
The company’s new owners, it would appear, have bought into what Waterford Crystal means to those who made the company such a global, iconic brand.
They cannot have avoided the palpable love and affection that the people of the city have for ‘The Glass’, an affection which will surely secure the venture’s future in the heart of Waterford. We wish all involved in this ‘new beginning’ every good wish in the years ahead.
- Millie Martini-Bratten, editor-in-chief of the prestigious ‘Brides Magazine USA’, tried her luck at some wedge-cutting with master craftsman Tom Power at the official opening of House of Waterford Crystal on Tuesday. See pages 2, 3, 4, 6 & 10 for further coverage. | Photo: Noel Browne
Crystal gets its swing back on historic day on The Mall
Kieran Walsh
The management of the revived Waterford Crystal now in place on The Mall were highly satisfied with Tuesday’s official opening.
A considerable local, national and international media presence (including The New York Times online) ensured that words and images were relayed worldwide concerning the company’s return.
It’s already hoped that American television crews will visit the House of Waterford Crystal next month, just as NBC’s ‘Good Morning America’ did when visiting ‘The Glass’ back in 1990.
Design was one of the buzzwords during the opening ceremony of the new centre, where 79 full-time staff and 33 part-time staff (along with 30-40 temporary staff during peak season) will be employed.
John Rocha, who attended the formalities on both Monday evening and Tuesday morning, told The Munster Express about his “great new design plans” for Waterford Crystal, which he has discussed with design manager John Connolly.
These include a new Claddagh-style design which is being prepared for a vase, and is currently being perfected in the company’s Cleaboy facility, which will eventually be on site on The Mall. Former designer Fred Curtis has also been involved in this work.
New York-based sculptor Michael Aram is also set to work with Waterford Crystal, which Vice President of Design Lisa Archambault brought us up to speed on.
Following extensive research and focus group discussions and through talks with ‘trend setters’, the new Waterford Crystal is aiming to developed usable products for a new generation of consumers across the United States and worldwide.
The skilled staff, who honed their abilities over several decades in the Kilbarry plant, are thrilled to be back in full-time work, 18 months after ‘The Glass’ as we knew it for 60 years, shut its gates.
Back in the cutting area with 38 years of experience to draw from, Tony Grant is now in charge of the cutting and engraving area in the splendid new production facility.
Tony, along with engraver Michael Murphy and cutter Philip O’Keeffe, spoke with great pleasure about putting their skills back to good use.
Tramore Blowing duo Frank Quilty and Edgar Evans, who have a combined total of 64 years working with glass, are equally thrilled to be back at work.
Jim O’Leary, the chief of design, is now, remarkably, in his 50th year of work with crystal. The blowers made a special piece to mark his 50th year.
continued on page 2
“The new blowing area is certainly more modern than what we had in Kilbarry,” said Frank.
“We’re working with brand new equipment and I think we’ve all adapted well. And with the visitor experience now a part of what we do here, visitors can really get a feel for what we do, as well as getting some idea of how hot the furnace is.”
Dunmore East native Sinead Brennan was our guide on Tuesday morning and meticulously described the entire blowing, cutting and engraving process. Like so many working in the new building, Sinead will clearly be a great asset for the House of Waterford Crystal.
Another designer present at the opening was Jasper Conran, who said bringing the new venture into the heart of the city represented a “tremendous move” which would benefit the city from a tourism perspective.
“The development of the Viking Triangle in this area is also very positive and I know myself, living as I do so nearby in London, that I’ll be travelling regularly to Waterford.”
There were no Government ministers present at the opening due to a Cabinet meeting being held at the same time on Tuesday morning in Dublin, we were told.
But the contribution made by former Tourism Minister Martin Cullen to the regeneration of The Mall was mentioned by many in attendance.
On Monday evening, a special one-hour concert was held at the Theatre Royal to coincide with the opening of the House of Waterford Crystal.
Theatre Director Ben Barnes welcomes the overseas guests, from locations including the United States, Russia, the UK and Europe.
Well-known local historian Julian Walton brought the audience on a whistle-stop tour through the city’s history, dating from Viking times all the way up to the present day.
Waterford playwright Jim Nolan, read a chapter from ‘Maestro of Crystal’, Brian Havel’s account of the first days of Waterford Glass, in which his late father Miroslav played such a vital role in creating and developing.
Along with fellow Czech Edward Bacik, Miroslav revived the tradition of crystal cutting in Waterford; some 100 years after the previous glass cutting operation had closed in the city.
Jim re-told Brian’s affectionate account of the twists and turns that marked those early days of ‘The Glass’ with great affection, which went down a treat with the assembled audience.
Musical accompaniment at the special production was provided by Waterford Comhaltas, Roisin Dempsey, Lynn Saoirse and Eoin Power, with the one and only Kevin O’Carroll conducting.
The new beginning which Messrs Havel and Bacik made possible in 1947 was warmly spoken of on Monday evening and was woven into the narrative of Tuesday morning’s opening.
The company’s new owners, it would appear, have bought into what Waterford Crystal means to those who made the company such a global, iconic brand.
They cannot have avoided the palpable love and affection that the people of the city have for ‘The Glass’, an affection which will surely secure the venture’s future in the heart of Waterford. We wish all involved in this ‘new beginning’ every good wish in the years ahead.
