Communities get connected in Waterford with roadshow initiative
Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Jason Murphy with community groups and stakeholders launching Connecting Communities Roadshows 2025. Photograph: Patrick Browne
Following the success of last year’s community initiative, the Connecting Communities Roadshow (CCR) series is set to return again this year.
Waterford City and County Council, in partnership with community groups and stakeholders, will host a series of CCRs from February through to May, throughout the city and county.
A spokesperson for the local authority told Waterford News & Star that the roadshows will provide local communities with the opportunity to engage with the Council and its associated partners. T
"They also provide insight and guidance about setting up community groups, sourcing funding for developing community initiatives and how to build a stronger, inclusive, and vibrant place to live," said the spokesperson.
The initiative will be spearheaded by, among others, Healthy Waterford and Waterford PPN, in collaboration with organisations such as Waterford LEADER Partnership, Waterford Area Partnership, Creative Waterford, HSE, Emergency Services, UPMC Whitfield and Waterford Sport Partnership.
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Jason Murphy welcomed the initiative, saying: “I’m delighted that the Connecting Communities Roadshow series is returning this year. Judging by the large turnouts at each event and positive feedback these roadshows are a valuable and insightful source of information and guidance for all communities."
“These roadshows are a great opportunity for communities from all over Waterford to avail of advice, expertise and resources from community groups and agencies, giving them the tools for their communities to grow, thrive and become more inclusive," said Cllr Murphy.
Feedback from last year’s series of events was very favourable, with one person commenting: "The roadshow was a great chance to connect with multiple organisations quickly".
Another person said: "As a volunteer with busy work schedule, it was very beneficial”, while another attendee commented: "It was excellent all round with many stalls being manned by informative personal”.
Other people expressed the need to have more showcase events of this type in the Déise county to highlight the "great work going on in Waterford".
“I was impressed by the helpful and informative people I met from Waterford Council, who informed me about available community supports," said another person who attended.
Commenting ahead of this year's series of showcases, Sinéad Breathnach, Senior Executive Officer for Community & Sports with Waterford City and County Council said: “Last year was the inaugural year of the Connecting Communities Roadshows and the response was fantastic. We are excited to deliver the series again in 2025 and work with our partner agencies, who all provided guidance on a wide range of topics, everything from exploring setting up community groups, how to go about it and how to avail of funding streams to develop progressive community initiatives.”
The Connecting Communities Roadshows will take place at the Primary Care Centre, Ferrybank, on February 12, Lisduggan Shopping Centre on March 6, Tramore GAA Community Hall on March 26, Rainbow Hall, Kilmacthomas on April 7, Cappoquin Community Centre on April 30 and St Declan’s Hall, Ardmore on May 21.
These events are free to attend and members of the public are invited to call in anytime between 5.30pm and 7.30pm. The public can call along to the Lisduggan Shopping Centre Roadshow on March 6, between 12pm and 3pm.
To find out more keep an eye on social media or contact Eoin Morrissey, Community Department Waterford City and County Council at eoinmorrissey@waterfordcouncil.ie or Muriel Tobin, PPN Waterford Coordinator at waterfordppn@gmail.com
