Local Notes: Café closure, Tidy Towns and cross-border collaboration
Architects drawing of proposed development on the North Quays
The popular local Enzo’s Café and Deli have made the decision to close their doors, for the time being, following significant roadworks in Ferrybank.
Cavaliere brothers, Adriano and Dario Cavaliere, owners of Enzo's, have said the lack of progress on the Ferrybank roadworks, together with 'severe lack of parking' left them with no alternative. The closure of Marymount for two months and the lack of progress on roadworks and severe lack of parking on Fountain Street has effectively rendered the café unviable in the short term.
The brothers intend to continue with plans to redevelop and re-open as soon as possible, with a sit-down restaurant in the adjoining premises. Hopefully when all the works are completed and the new Railway Station up and running that Ferrybank will prove to be a thriving place to do business.
The death has occurred of Vera Frisby (née: Warren) Sweet Briar Lawn, Tramore, and formerly of Rockenham, Ferrybank, at University Hospital Waterford, on Tuesday, July 30. Formerly of The Irish Kidney Association, she was predeceased by her parents Mattie and Joan Warren. Vera will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband Edward, her loving sons Mark, Ward and Derek, her adoring grandchildren James, Joe and Rose; her daughters-in-law Majella, Charlotte and Kathy; her sisters and brothers Margaret, Joan, Ken and Gerald. She will be forever missed by all her nieces and nephews all her relatives, extended family, wonderful neighbours and many friends. The Waterford Branch of the IKA acknowledges the unstinting work of Vera and her husband Eddie for being the mainstay of the newly renovated apartments in Riverstown, Tramore, in 2021. Vera was laid to rest in St Declan’s Cemetery, Tramore following Requiem Mass in the Church of the Holy Cross on Friday, August 2.
The death took place of former Abbey Park resident Aóife Walsh, late of Rathinure, Glenmore, on Tuesday, July 30. She was predeceased by her father John and will be sadly missed by her much-loved son Ruaidrí, her loving mother Anne, her partner PJ, sisters Grainne, Céara, Róisín and Enda, brother John, nieces and nephews: Clóideach, Luke, Caolán, Áine, Tadhg, Íde, Cillín and Fódhla, brothers-in-law Brendan, Diarmuid and Mark, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. She was buried following Requiem Mass in St. James Church, Glenmore.
More great work carried out voluntary for Ferrybank Tidy Towns by local resident, Roscommon man, Damien Donoghue. When Damien became aware of the Ferrybank Tidy Towns being re-launched, he offered to help by cleaning up our Rockenham Green, and it's a huge improvement. As part of his tidy up, the old plaque which is on the green behind the Grotto on Rockenham Green, beats the inscription: 'Bord Na Móna Award 'Best Residential Estate' – Munster Tidy Towns Competition 1978' (46 years ago). The group had a great response to the call for help with the relaunching of the Ferrybank Tidy Towns. Their immediate focus is to improve the area and route, which the Pride of Place judges will be passing on August 29. If you'd like to help in any way, email ferrybankcn@gmail.com.
On Sunday, July 28, Sr Hanora Mary (Nuala) Mullins of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Madonna House, Ferrybank, formerly of Athlacca, Co Limerick, passed away peacefully in the exceptional care and love of her community and carers, aged 97 years. She was predeceased by her parents Michael and Mai Mullins (née: Halpin), brothers Willie, John and Dermot, sister Kathleen. Sr Nuala will be sadly missed by her brothers Michael, Tony and Gerard, her nephews and their families Gerry, Fiona, Mark, Melissa, Melina, David, Miriam and Sadhb and her niece Nuala and her family Damian, Eoin and Rachel, grand nieces, grand nephews, The Sacred Heart of Mary Sisters, Madonna House community, relatives and her many friends. Sr Nuala was buried on Monday, July 29, in the Convent Cemetery after Requiem Mass in The Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank.
Congratulations to Brian Kinsella, Rockenham and Camila Byrne, who were married recently in Church of the Assumption, Slieverue. Also congratulations to Brona Wemyss, Glenmore and Dave Hearne, St John’s Park who were married recently in the Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank.
Ferrybank Church Cleaning group is a small group of people who keep our beautiful church clean and tidy. They hoover, sweep, polish, dust and clean. More volunteers are always welcome so if you would be in a position to help out, even one hour a week would be appreciated, please contact the Parish Office. Many hands make light work.
An interesting opinion piece written by journalist Christopher Dunne in last week’s Kilkenny People in the relationship between Kilkenny and Waterford summarised……..'Since tensions peaked in 2017 around the county boundary dispute between Kilkenny and Waterford, much progress has been made. Communication and understanding between the two sides have been crucial in realizing the potential of planned infrastructure in the region. Through Piltown Municipal District meetings in Ferrybank, it’s evident that collaboration is yielding positive results.
Kilkenny County Council and Waterford City and County Council have been working together on projects benefiting both counties, such as the South-East Greenway and North Quays Project. This cooperation is vital for developing a new local area plan for Ferrybank and Belview and has influenced the Waterford Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan, thanks to South Kilkenny councillors.
The appointment of Lar Power, former Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Economic Development and Planning at Waterford City and County Council, as Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, and Sean McKeown, former acting Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, as Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council, is promising. Their experience on both sides of the border is expected to enhance collaboration.
Belview Port exemplifies the benefits of cooperation, serving as an economic driver and hub for wind turbine infrastructure importation and a docking point for cruise ships. The Cabinet's approval to include the Rosslare-Waterford railway line in the EU’s TEN-T rail network is a win for both counties, stemming from the All-Island Strategic Review published in July 2023.
A strong partnership between Kilkenny and Waterford is essential for a connected and thriving South-East region. While friendly rivalries remain, the growing cooperation marks a positive step forward.
