'Dublin controls the temperature' - A trip out of the Déise and into urban depression
Kilkenny City has a buzz about it.
The other week I had to travel to Kilkenny City on Waterford-related business. What began as a simple court marking turned into an hours-long lament about the state of infrastructure between the two cities.
At 9am on a Tuesday, I stood on The Quays with fellow passengers waiting for a certain bus company to come snaking up that single lane. Forty miserable minutes later it finally arrived. Once we pulled into the city, I power-walked my way from Ormond Street to Kilkenny Courthouse, trying not to get distracted by the amount of colourful, bespoke shop fronts and bustling populace.
Inside Kilkenny Courthouse, I noticed with pleasant surprise that the heating was on. I have lost count the amount of times I've been in a frigidly-cold courtroom on Catherine Street while the court staff apologetically inform attendees: "Dublin controls the temperature". I'd say it does.
Once my business was over with, I went for a little wander about town. I was shocked by what I found; shops selling unique wares, people socialising on a weekday afternoon in outdoor cafés (with heaters!). I stopped by The Pantry for a coffee and pancakes with streaky rashers. Watching the world go by outside, I was trying to understand why there was a profound distance between this city and our one only 40 minutes down the road.
We are not uniquely touched by a malign influence here in the Déise. The Kilkenny courtrooms are as busy, if not busier, than ours. We both have beautifully preserved medieval influence on our streets and architecture. Through these streets, however, there was a theme, a continuity, a bigger vision.
Local commercial rates have become a point of controversy here in the wake of a number of business closures. The council’s commercial rates, which are currently some of the highest in the country, will rise to an Annual Rate Valuation (ARV) of .3082.
On Michael Street there is a shrinking community of independent businesses. Finders Keepers shuttered a year ago. The Vintage Factory is closing down at Christmas. These are places that had character, warm staff and a commitment to bringing something unique to Waterford. They were ingrained in the local community and added much needed vibrancy to our city.
No one is going to want to visit a town that has more vape shops than character.
We're accustomed to waiting in Waterford. Despite many valiant efforts, we are waiting on major interventions from the State in regards to 24/7 cardiac care, educational supports and housing. Up until very recently we were waiting on Government investment into the Airport.
It is wearying to see major investment going regularly going into towns/cities because of who is holding the purse-strings. Waterford holds 9% of the population, yet we barely get half of that percentage in State funding.
Reading a recent column by The Phoenix, I was reminded of something Alfie Hayes said recently at The Book Centre; "We've great people here." I couldn't agree more, I just wish we could see them supported properly.
