Delegation visit Waterford to see the extraordinary growth of 'The Parish'
The UNESCO delegation visiting the Knights Templar Graveyard
‘The Parish’, as a community on the outskirts of Waterford city is fondly known, achieved UNESCO recognition this week in celebration of its remarkable “Renaissance”.
The Larchville-Lisduggan/St Paul's Parish area is undergoing a period of significant renewal thanks to the work of its dedicated local volunteers.
The area, which has previously been classed as ‘very disadvantaged’ by the Pobal Deprivation Index, has always had a very strong social fabric, and its proud locals have consistently laid the foundations for homegrown development.
On a weekly basis various improvements, big and small, are embarked upon by residents, and several flagship projects have been completed in recent years.
These include the regeneration of the Knights Templar Graveyard, the development of Francis Court and the addition of a community memorial garden in Central Avenue.
The growth of the community is all down to the tireless work of the community itself; its residents and volunteers who work together to ensure the area thrives.
In recent years, the community has become known nationally for their extraordinary homegrown, grassroots expansion.
Last week, this recognition further expanded, as a UNESCO delegation visited the area to celebrate its growth.
(To find out more about the history and growth of the Parish, read our Special Report HERE)
The recognition comes as part of Waterford’s new status as a UNESCO Learning City.
As a member of the UNESCO global network of Learning Cities, Waterford has joined leading learning cities worldwide. As part of Waterford's designation as a Learning City, key partners had to select a Learning Neighbourhood; an area which could best represent the city.
The parish of Larchville and Lisduggan was put forward as Waterford's pilot Learning Neighbourhood, in celebration of the work being done there.
Speaking on the recognition, Cllr John Hearne said that the community has set an example for every community in the country.
"We have a very basic philosophy here; to lift people up. That’s what it’s all about.
“We just see this as an example of how it can work for every parish if you work from the ground up with people and get things done.
“So we’re absolutely delighted that UNESCO would select us as a project, and Waterford as a City of Learning, and we’re delighted that so many people came from so many places to see the great work we do.”
During last week’s UNESCO visit, a large delegation from all over the island of Ireland descended to see for themselves the scale of work being done on the ground by the community.
They were treated to a tour of the area, led by locals to the parish, volunteers and community Gardaí.
The first stop on the tour was the Knights Templar Graveyard; an extraordinary site packed with centuries of history.
Up until a few years ago, the site was on the brink of extinction.
In 2022, during the golden jubilee year of St. Paul’s Parish, Fr. Pat Fitzgerald, a stalwart of the local community, planned to host a mass in the graveyard, which at that time was extremely overgrown and dilapidated.
And so, a project to revive the graveyard was embarked upon by the community.
Explaining further, local Jane Croke said: “We came down one October morning, and we literally couldn’t even get in here. The leaves were higher than ourselves and the graveyard was all completely covered. But we decided we’re going to do this, so we set about trying to clear the graveyard.”
A committee was established, and the graveyard has been miraculously brought back to life.
Every nook and cranny of the graveyard is now meticulously cared for and nurtured by the community through regular planting and maintenance.
Next on the agenda was a visit to Francis Court.
At a total cost of £300,000, 15 single-bedroom bungalows for the elderly were opened at Francis Court in Larchville in 1983. The block of houses was the inaugural development of national housing agency Respond, founded by Waterford’s Father Patrick Cogan.
It was the first dedicated housing project for elderly residents in the city and was initially developed as a response to a rise in elderly people living in slum conditions in Waterford.
Over the years, however, Francis Court began to fall into some disrepair, and its elderly population became secluded.
In recent times this has changed thanks to the work of the Francis Court Aged Action Group.
A disability friendly garden has been added to the block, along with a free gym and a community building.
The local schoolchildren have contributed colourful artworks to drape the walls surrounding the houses.
Once a year, all the houses in the block are painted free of charge.
Local brothers Joe and Gus Fitzgerald have been at the heart of the renewal.
They said, “What’s happened here is that everybody in these houses now all speak to one another all the time, they mix. Prior to that, nobody knew their neighbour next door, but now they love coming out and mixing.
“In the summer this place is alive with everyone joking and chatting. It’s a lovely, happy community.”
After a spot of lunch and a chat in St. Paul’s Parish Hall, the delegation next visited Central Avenue, a community garden that has become cherished by the community. They then moved along to Belvedere Grotto, which also recently underwent significant renovations.
For the parish, the work continues, and construction has commenced on their latest flagship community project.
A new landmark clock, which is being placed outside St. Paul’s Church is due to be unveiled in May. It will serve as the area’s focal point and will be visible from all approach roads into the community centre.
Speaking on the development, Cllr John Hearne said the clock is a symbol of the community’s growth and is a marker of the parish’s “Renaissance".
Works are underway.
“When you see the spade going in the ground everyone gets fired up,” Cllr Hearne said.
“It’s to mark the renaissance of the parish and all the good people who put their hands in their pockets to put towards our community projects.
“It’s going to be beautiful. It will be the crowning glory for us, to celebrate all the work that’s been going on over the years.”
Read more on the clock project HERE
