Local Notes: Greenway works, sympathies and Ross Abbey Centre
There are lots of events happening in Ferrybank
The death has occurred of Tommy Haberlin, Upper Drumdowney, Snowhill, Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny, formerly of Holy Ghost Residential Home and The Tower Hotel, Waterford.
Tommy passed away suddenly on Thursday, December 12, at the age of 70. Predeceased by his parents Michael and Kathleen, and his brother John, Tommy will be deeply missed by his brothers Richard, Michael, Tony, and Gerard; his sisters Maria and Breda; his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and his many friends, as well as the staff and residents of the Holy Ghost Residential Home. Tommy is fondly remembered from his time at The Tower Hotel, where he was affectionately known as "Tommy Towers". He was especially passionate about dancing, enjoying memorable nights at venues such as The Tower Hotel, Bridge Hotel, and the Showboat. Tommy reposed at Power’s Funeral Home, Ferrybank, on Saturday, with removal on Sunday, December 15, to The Church of the Assumption, Slieverue, for Requiem Mass. He was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
Roadworks in the Dock Road, Fountain Street and Abbey Road areas are progressing and will be completed in phases over the next six months. The works include new footpaths, drainage, surfacing, junctions, lighting, signage, and road markings, with traffic management in place. The signalised junctions at Rockshire Road and Abbey Road will remain under temporary traffic management. The realigned Abbey Road is now open with updated access, including a new school set-down area for Our Lady of Good Counsel National School. Footpath and service works continue with temporary traffic measures in place.
A major focus is on providing safe pedestrian and cycling facilities, connecting with the South East Greenway, which is being developed by Kilkenny and Wexford County Councils. The current phase will extend the greenway to the new train station, forming part of a multi-modal transport hub for rail, bus, cycling, taxis, and private cars. Two new greenway overbridges and cycle lanes are near completion, connecting directly to Abbey Road, and this section will open next year. The new train station construction is progressing with roof work completed and internal layout underway. The building will feature a pedestrian footbridge, concourse, ticketing office, and waiting areas. External cladding and platform finishes are ongoing. The public plaza and set-down areas will be completed in early 2025, along with a new footbridge over the tracks at Dock Road. A new flood defence and drainage system for the rail corridor will also begin next year to protect infrastructure from flooding and climate change.
The death has occurred of Noelyne Brennan (née: Dower), Rocklands, Christendom, Ferrybank, Waterford and formerly of Rathkeevan, Clonmel. Well known in Bridge circles, she was predeceased by her husband Michael Joseph, who died in April 2022 (former Waterford Golf Club President), and sister Ailish. Noelyne was sadly missed by her daughter Michelle, sons Fiachra and Oisin, sister Teresa, brothers Patrick and Thomas, daughters-in-law Tzarina and Sharon, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren Emily, Karl, Kieran, and Meagan, along with nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives, and friends. Noelyne reposed in Thompson’s Funeral Home, Barrack Street, on Monday evening with Vigil prayers and Rosary. Requiem Mass took place on Tuesday, December 17, at 10am in the Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Ross Abbey Retail Park is nearing full capacity, with a new chemist and takeaway set to open in the new year. These additions will join Tesco, Ferrybank Barbers, Exhale Beauty, Mr Price, Alchemy Hair, Time to Paws Dog Groomers, Cubex, Bank Fitness, Bloom Cafe and the Tile & Paint Shop, creating a well-rounded selection of services and businesses for local residents.
We extend our sympathies to the Brett family on the passing of Sheila O’Neill, (née: Brett), The Folly, Waterford on Monday, December 16. Aged 88 years, Sheila was predeceased by her husband Denis, parents Tom and Elizabeth, sisters Nancy (Byrne), Susie (Atkins) and Maura (Keohane), brothers Jimmy, Henry and Paddy. Sheila will be sadly missed by her daughters Pauline, Deirdre, Janet and Annette, sons-in-law Paul, Seamus and Frosty, her beloved grandsons Mark, Ryan, Dean and Robbie and granddaughters Amy and Sophie, brother Joe, sister Patricia (Canada), nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends. A private cremation was held following Requiem Mass on Wednesday, December 18.
Helen Phelan, (nee: Fleming), aged 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 17, in the tender care of her family and the staff at the South East Palliative Care Centre, Oak Ward, University Hospital Waterford. She was predeceased by her husband Richard (Dick), her son Brendan, her parents, and her sisters. Helen was deeply missed by her sons, Declan and Richard; her daughters, Ciara (O'Kane) and Noemi (Moore); her grandchildren, Alan, Stephen, Rachel, Sarah, Alicia, and Niamh; her sons-in-law, Bryan and Roger; her daughters-in-law, Philippa and Anne; her sister, Nesta (Brophy); her sister-in-law, Hannah (Phelan); as well as her nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours, and friends. Helen reposed at her home on Friday evening. Her removal took place on Saturday, to the Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank, where Requiem Mass was celebrated. She was then laid to rest in St Killian’s Cemetery.
We extend our sympathies to the family of Tom Hurley, formerly of Dungarvan and Ferrybank, and late of Killiney, Co Dublin, passed away peacefully, after a short illness, on December 16, at Beechfield Manor Nursing Home, surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of the late Sheila and cherished father of Donal, Deirdre, Gráinne, Diarmuid, Colman, Fergal, and the late Ciaran. Predeceased by his brother Jacky, Tom is survived by his sister Breda, brother-in-law Stephen, sister-in-law Deirdre.
We would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2025. Remember that Christmas can be a hard and lonely time for a lot of people so sometimes the best present you can give someone is your presence over the festive season. If anyone wishes to have any items, births, birthdays, graduations, deaths and marriages included in these Ferrybank notes, they can drop them into Waterford News & Star, Gladstone House, Gladstone Street, Waterford or email them to localnotes@waterford-news.com.
