Santa experience creates history for Waterford company

Bausch + Lomb was delighted to welcome employees and their families to the first-ever Santa Experience at the Tower Hotel in Waterford City on Thursday, December 18th.

A spokesperson for the company said the new festive event was created as part of the significant milestone -  to mark 45 years since Bausch + Lomb first established its operations in Waterford.

However, it was also to celebrate the people who shaped the company’s success over nearly five decades. 

The spokesperson also said that as an initiative for employees and their families, the inaugural event provided a warm and magical setting to honour the community that continues to support and strengthen company's presence in the region.

Mark Hennessy, VP of Operations at Bausch + Lomb, emphasised the importance of launching this first Santa Experience as part of the 45-year celebration.

“This Santa Experience is particularly special this year for us,” he said. 

“We created this event to celebrate 45 years in Waterford and to recognise the families behind our success," he added.

Mr Hennessy went on to comment: "Our employees are the heart of Bausch + Lomb, and hosting an occasion that brings joy to them and their children is a privilege. After four and a half decades here, we remain deeply committed to fostering a workplace and a community where people feel valued and connected. We are also delighted to continue our support for the Winterval Festival though our sponsorship of the Illuminates Light show, this year returning to its original home in Cathedral Square."

"The Santa Experience also served as a reminder of the exceptional generosity that has long been part of the company’s culture," he said.

In recent weeks, employees also supported Waterford Food Bank’s 'Fill the Bus' campaign, donated toys to Barnardos’ annual appeal, and contributed consistently through their payroll deductions. 

"Their kindness throughout the year and even more so during the festive season, underscores the strong community spirit that flows throughout the organisation," said Mr Hennessy.

"That generosity was further demonstrated when Bausch + Lomb presented €30,000 in donations to local organisations last week, funds made possible through employee initiatives combined with company support," he added.

He said those contributions reflect the shared belief that meaningful impact begins close to home and that supporting the wider community is central to the company's mission after 45 years in Waterford.

"Bausch and Lomb have been extremely proud to be a continued supporter of the festive spirit in Waterford for many years, including their ongoing sponsorship of the excellent Winterval Festival since its inception in 2013; which adds so much to our City every Christmas," said Mr Hennessy.

"We would like to wish all our employees and their Families a very Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year."