Economic Boost
One has to compliment Garvey’s Supervalu who have recently appointed local building contractors Terra Nua, as Main Contractors to manage the re-fit of their existing store at Davitt’s Quay, Dungarvan. This is a win win for the town of Dungarvan as Terra Nua Building Contractors always seek to appoint and work with locally based bona fide sub-contractors, and source all their materials locally where possible. Thus giving a great economic boost to the area before Christmas. Commenting on this exciting investment by Garvey’s, Liam Power, Branch Manager said it was “a very significant investment in the Store’s infrastructure and the new layout would greatly enhance the shopping experience for all customers”. He added that he was particularly pleased to have a local Building Contractor appointed to this project, and looked forward to having the works completed in time for what promises to be a spectacular Christmas offering”. Much of the works will be undertaken outside of the normal trading hours and will be completed over a 5-6 week period. John McGrath, who will manage the works for Terra Nua Building Contractors confirmed that the project will provide the equivalent of between 260 to 300 man days of employment to locally based staff and Sub-Contractors over the duration of the project, and was a welcome employment boost for all those engaged in the works. A number of local Sub-Contractors have already been appointed to the works, they include Donal Walsh, plumber and James Kirwan, electrician and they look forward to being able to appoint others in due course. This is all good news and great credit to the Garvey Group for staying local with their appointment.
FBD Chamber Awards
The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber Awards in association with FBD have been growing in popularity every year. So much so, that there are 12 categories in this year’s awards, including both business and social sectors. This year’s categories appealed to everyone, businesses, employers, employees and those who make contributions to our community. Each of the categories has three nominees, categories such as service excellence, retails excellence, best use of social media, emerging new business and veteran to business are among the 12 areas from which the panel will pick winners. There will be two overall grand prizes sponsored by FBD Insurance. They are the Business of the Year Award and the Ambassador of the Year Award. The winners in each category will receive a framed certificate and a commemorative piece. All category winners are put forward to the two grand prize categories where the winner of each will receive €1,250. Winners of the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber Awards in association with FBD will be announced at an Awards Night on Friday November 8th in Lismore Castle.
Clara Mannion
The Comhaltas Tour of Ireland 2013 arrived in Dungarvan last Wednesday night and for local musician Clara Mannion, it was extra special. Clara, who is a member of the Comeragh Comhaltas Group, was performing on a national tour in her own home town. She wasn’t alone, as a girl with Dungarvan connections, Rebecca McCarthy Kent, from Tramore was also part of the 2013 tour. Some of the top musicians in the country are performing on this two week Comhaltas Tour of Ireland. There was a full house present, which gave a big Dungarvan welcome to all the musicians, dancers, story tellers and singers on this Tour. The performance on the night was top class and people are still talking about the quality of the show.
Waterford Against Pylons
Community groups and individuals across the county are up in arms against the proposed route of the EirGrid power lines. The company had a day in the Park Hotel, where the proposed routes were put on display and individuals could walk in and ask questions. However, it has come to light that there were no adverts in the Dungarvan papers to let people know about these meetings thus leaving thousands of people who could be affected by the routes totally in the dark (so much about improving our electricity supply). Word has filtered out quickly and people are up in arms and rightly so. There is the health fear which the company is trying to say is very small and there’s the environmental fear which will be huge to Co Waterford. These pylons will be eyesores crossing the county. They will have a detrimental effect on our tourism and our economy, destroying the beauty of our county at the same time. The current consultation stage ends at the end of November, which doesn’t allow much time to make submissions but I ask our public representatives to do all in their power to stop this outrage. Looking at such problems in other countries, it is hard to see this company putting the lines under ground. Unless the Tipperary route is taken and Waterford avoided, we will be faced with these overhead power lines. I would suggest that people look for the monopoles rather than the towers which will destroy the countryside.
Irish Press Cup Visit
There was much excitement and smiles as the Irish Press Cup arrived into Care Choice last week. It was accompanied by a couple of the players and Sean Power, the Manager of the victorious Minor Hurling team. Most of those present got their photo taken with the cup, as local photographer Dan McGrath was present to capture the moment. The place was decked in the blue and white as many of the residents and their families awaited their turn to get their hands on the silverware. As it moved from person to person, the joy could be seen, and various stories of ‘59 told.
Colour Passion
The Old Market House Arts Centre, Lower Main Street, Dungarvan is currently showing ‘Colour Passion’ by Ardmore based artist Brenda Harris. A combination of watercolours and oils showing both interiors scenes and landscapes, they all have one thing in common – an amazing colour palette. As both an artist and interior designer, this exhibition represents the different environments she finds herself in, absorbing all the sensations of differing landscapes, light and interiors. The exhibition was recently officially opened by musician, composer and writer Eamonn Keane and the guests were welcomed by County Mayor, Cllr Damien Geoghegan. There is also a new ‘October Offers’ section featuring greatly reduced prices on original artworks, plus they have a range of prints on offer, starting at €50. New stock has just arrived in ceramics, textiles and novelty items to suit all pockets and a deposit will secure any item. These exhibitions continue until November 16th. The Arts Centre is open Tuesday to Friday 11am to 5pm (lunch 1.30pm to 2.30pm) and Saturdays 1pm to 5pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.
SGC News
On Wednesday next (6th) the SGC Cinema will be screening the Keane concert live form Berlin at 7pm. Over the past ten years Keane have become one of the world’s most successful and admired British bands. They have sold over 11 million albums worldwide and had many hits including ‘Somewhere Only We Know’, ‘Everybody’s Changing’, ‘Is It Any Wonder?’, ‘Crystal Ball’, ‘Silenced By The Night’ and ‘Spiralling’. The following night, it will be another live performance, Muse in Concert, this time from the Rome Olympic Stadium at 9.30pm. It was filmed in July in front of a capacity audience of over 60,000, capturing the momentous evening in the Italian capital and showcases the most extravagant set build and spectacular stage show of any Muse tour to date.
Village Celebrates
There were great scenes of joy and long hours of celebrations in Abbeyside on Sunday night and the following days after Ballinacourty captured the Conway Cup. It was the second time in three years that the cup found its way to the Village. The previous time it was by the slimmest of margins but this year, the destination of the county senior football title was decided well before the final whistle at the Fraher Field. Well done to Packie Hurney and the team. They were the better team on the day and the best of luck in the Munster club championship.
Macra News
The county rounds of the public speaking and impromptu public speaking competitions took place in Lenihan’s Bar, Newtown on Monday night. Waterford City competed against Cappoquin in the public speaking which was extremely close but which resulted in Waterford City claiming victory. They will move forward to the quarter finals of the competition along with Best Speaker on the night Maria Cosgrave in a couple of weeks’ time. The impromptu side of things was the most entertaining part of the evening with topics such as sausages, cooking and the Farmer’s Journal arising resulting in some very unusual and no doubt very knowledgeable speeches! Well done to Niamh Mooney and Maria Cosgrave who will go on to represent the county in the next round of the competition.