Waterford Council’s hosts ‘Welcome to Waterford’ event for International Protection applicants
Local community representatives met with new members of the Waterford community at St. Patrick's Gateway. Photo: John Power
Waterford City and County Council’s Integration Team hosted a ‘Welcome to Waterford’ event at St. Patrick’s Gateway on Wednesday, February 18.
The event was organised to welcome new communities to Waterford, including International Protection applicants, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and individuals supported under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.
“Today is about welcome, belonging and opportunity, creating space for people to connect with services, with each other, and with the wider community,” said Mayor of Waterford City and County Council Seamus Ryan.
“It is also a chance to share what makes Waterford special, from our rich history, culture and heritage to our food, music, stories and sense of place, shaped over generations by people, movement and shared experience.”
Attendees were welcomed by the music of the Relics Duo, and were served famous Waterford delicacies- Blaas, Denny’s Rashers and Flahavan’s Oats.
Stakeholders from the HSE, INTREO, Buíon Phort Láirge, Waterford Integration Service, Irish Red Cross, Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board, Local Enterprise Office Waterford, and local community centres were present on the day.
Actor Michael Power performed a one-man play designed to celebrate Waterford as Ireland’s oldest city.
Homayoon Shirzad, an Afghan refugee who has assimilated into life in Waterford, rounded off the evening by speaking on his own immigration experience.
