Tramore's Japanese gardens reveal cultural centre plans
The proposed Kokoro Cultural Centre at Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens in Tramore.
Tramore's Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens have revealed exciting new plans for the development of a cultural centre.
The gardens have announced the construction of the Kokoro Cultural Centre, which is expected to be completed by August 2025, just in time to mark the 10-year anniversary of the gardens.
A foundation stone ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 12, and will be attended by His Excellency Ambassador Maruyama Norio, Japan’s Ambassador to Ireland, Cllr Jason Murphy, Mayor of Waterford City and County, and Minister of State Mary Butler.
The word kokoro in Japanese refers to 'spirit' or 'soul'.
It is the title of a book by Irish-Greek writer Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, the namesake and inspiration of the gardens.
As a child in the 1850s, he was raised in the grounds of Tramore House by his great-aunt Sarah Brenane.
Lafcadio Hearn settled in Japan in the early 1890s, going on to marry the daughter of a samurai and becoming a Japanese citizen, a rarity for a Westerner.
In 1892, Lafcadio Hearn wrote 'In a Japanese Garden', a foundational text that later inspired the development of the gardens in Tramore.
In 2012, his great-grandson Professor Bon Koizumi travelled to Tramore House to explore the childhood home of his ancestor.
The seed of an idea for a memorial garden blossomed from this visit.
The plan was developed by Agnes Aylward with the support of Tramore Development Trust, Waterford City and County Council and local volunteers.
Over the years Japanese visitors have complimented the authenticity of the gardens, according to manager Janet Carey.
According to the centre: "The Kokoro Centre will further augment the peace and spiritual tranquility that visitors find in the gardens, where the extraordinary story of the Irish/Greek writer, Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, is told through 11 unique garden areas.
"Visitor numbers to the Japanese Gardens in Tramore have increased steadily year on year and are now running at 40,000 per annum.
"The Kokoro Centre will add greatly to the existing tourism offering of Waterford city, county and the wider South East region."
Funding for the centre was made possible through a grant from the Waterford Leader Partnership Programme.
The centre's upper floor will be a covered space, providing introductory information and facilitating talks to visiting tour groups.
The space will also provide a relaxing café to sit and absorb the beautiful views of the gardens and stunning Tramore Bay beyond. The lower level will have seating for 100 people and will become a venue for cultural events, concerts, music performances, poetry readings and workshops. It also allows an indoor space for many of the annual garden events, as well as a welcome facility for community and tour groups.
