It’s with profound sadness and deep regret that we place on record the death of Paula Bergin nee Power, 66 Cannon Street, Waterford and late of Rice Park, who was called from this life following a short illness on Sunday, June 29. She was 48 years old.

Her sudden passing from this world has without doubt left a big dark cloud hanging over the local community and has also left a deep open wound within in the hearts of her close family, who try to come to terms with their sad loss.

There is no doubting that Paula was a much loved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, clearly evident by the hundreds of mourners, genuine in their outpour of grief that attended the funeral and burial of a person, who touched the lives of many for her kindness, care and generosity.

As her remains arrived to an overflowing St. John’s Church for her funeral Mass on Wednesday morning last where they were received by Rev. Fr. Michael Enright PP, tears flowed freely from the eyes of young and old before her coffin was carried shoulder high to the altar.

In welcoming the large concourse of mourners to the church, Fr. Enright expressed his sympathy to her family, including her husband Stan, well known local businessman, her young daughter Kim, her mother Nora, her sisters and brothers, all whom were left heartbroken by Paula’s demise.

The readings were by Ann-Marie, Leanna and Jimmy with the prayers of the faithful read by Brian, Niamh, Adam, Ruth, James and Lisa. Alan, Joe, Ellie and Kim brought up the offertory gifts, which included two photographs. Sacred music was rendered by the wonderful singing voice of Dick Hayes, accompanied on organ by David Hayes.

In his homily Fr. Enright said, "The Bergin and Power families have lost a treasure at such a very young age. I had the privilege of marrying both Paula and Stan in this church on the 15th May, 1993. The two of them together with their daughter Kim had a great friendship and relationship.

He also described Paula as a "wonderful" mother. "Sadly we have to let go today of a radiant person that loved and cared for her family so much. It’s a sad time for the Power family after losing their father Billy less than nine months ago but I’m sure that they will take great comfort in the support that they’ve gotten here today."

Near the end of her funeral Mass, her eldest sister Alice paid a heartfelt and touching tribute to Paula where she told of the many good times in Paula’s life including her friendship with Jackie Burke.

Her coffin was then carried from the church to Dick Hayes version of the Jekyll and Hyde number "This is a moment" – a song that meant so much to Paula and her husband before she was laid to rest at Kilbarry Cemetery next to her father Billy where three white doves were also released at the graveside.

Paula was the fifth child born to Nora and the late Billy "The Greek" Power on March 10, 1966 and she grew up along with her three sisters and two brothers at the family home in Rice Park. At the age of 15 she met the love of her life, Stan Bergin before marrying 21 years ago and the couple were blessed with their only child Kim ten years ago.

Her loyalty and devotion to her family is something that simply words couldn’t really convey and she showed a great lovingness to her family, all who thought the world of her, and their grief following the loss of Paula is something that can’t ever be overstated.

She also loved socialising with her many friends in particular her sister Maria and her best friend Maria McLoughlin. She also brought a lot of happiness to many people, who crossed her path throughout the years. She was also a hard worker in two local bars, the Woodman and the Lantern before going onto work in WIT for the past 14 years.

While, her life may have been a short one in years, there is no doubt that Paula was a person, who loved her life and lived it to the best of her ability, whilst also dealing with the many obstacles that were thrown at her with the minimum of fuss.

Her family also took great comfort from the help that they got from Eileen Nolan when Paula was a patient of the hospital. The friendship that the two of them forged during the final few weeks of Paula’s life is one that will never be forgotten.

Not only has her family lost a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt, they’ve also lost their true rock and backbone, something that was clearly evident at her graveside, as gone was the woman, who gave so much of her time to everyone that crossed her path in life.

Preceded by her father Billy, she is survived by her heartbroken husband Stan, her daughter Kim, her mother Nora, her sisters Alice Maria and Caroline, her brothers Victor and Austin, her nieces, nephews, extended family and friends to whom we offer our deepest and sincerest sympathy.

Paula’s Month’s Mind mass will be held on Tuesday, July 29, in the Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel at 7.45pm/

Paula may the sod rest lightly on your grave and may you rest in peace in the happiness of heaven.

As America prepares for crucial mid-term elections,Olivia MacDonald from New Ross, a second year BA (Hons) in Accounting student at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) was chosen from over 400 to join a class of 30 student participants representing Northern Ireland and Ireland in Washington, DC, this summer as part of the Washington-Ireland Program (WIP).

Olivia says, "It's such a huge honour to be chosen out of all the fantastic people that applied. I think it really shows the quality of WIT students as it's the only IT that's been represented every year."

WIP is a cross-community and cross border organisation that identifies promising young people with a commitment to service and a track record of leadership. WIP builds their skills through work experience, educational opportunity and hands on citizenship both at home and in the US.

The application process for the WIP Class of 2014 was highly competitive with over four hundred students from across the island and Great Britain competing for the opportunity to take part in the programme. After the completion of the Washington semester, the graduates will go on to become part of the active WIP alumni network who are working to make a positive difference in their communities.

If you would like to track the progress of Olivia and others this summer, you can follow their blogs and view photos at http://www.wiprogram.org.

For further information, please contact Bryan Patten, WIP Executive Director, at bpatten@wiprogram.org or +353 86 026 1530

The Waterford Business Group welcomed the appointment of Paudie Coffey TD to the Junior Ministerial post within the Department of Environment.

Chair of the Waterford Business Group Councillor Eddie Mulligan commented, "On behalf of the Business Group and its many members we would like to pass on our wholehearted congratulations to Paudie on his appointment to the Department of the Environment.

We have to acknowledge Paudie’s continued contact and work with the Business Group. He has been extremely proactive and supportive in all our Group’s lobbying efforts. For example, when others lobbied the Rates Revaluation Office, Paudie gave the Business Group his full support in directly lobbying The Taoiseach and subsequently meeting Minister Hogan. This of course resulted in a significant capital contribution to the City Council’s 2014 budget and ultimately the commercial ARV reduction we have seen implemented this year. We look forward to his support for further rates reductions and direct economic assistance for the new City & County Council.

Whilst Paudie has supported the Business Group’s efforts to bring the "Taking Care of Business Seminar", to the City, his appointment must tackle the unemployment issue with more than just another "Action Plan for Jobs". With Paudie now a Minister we would like to see the 24-hour Cardiology Care and enhanced hospital services, as per the Higgins’s Report, delivered for WRH. A focus on the immediate delivery of the Technological University status for WIT, positive progress on Retail Shopping Centre for Michael Street and the delivery of the runway extension to the Airport, as outlined in the South East Development Strategy & Amalgamation Implementation Plan.

Waterford Business Group and, personally as a Councillor, we will fully support all his endeavours to deliver Waterford as the economic hub of the South East."

Good news could be on the way for the nine workers who staged a sit-in at the Park Inn licensed premises on Tyrone Road, Lismore Park, Waterford which closed its doors on Tuesday 25th February last. The workers who said that they did not receive their statutory entitlements and would maintain their sit-in as long as necessary eventually called it a day after 75 days. When a receiver was appointed it cleared the way for them to receive their statutory entitlements.

A huge show of public support heartened the protesting workers and news that a prospective buyer further bolstered their resolve. However, a halt was put on the sale and the situation seemed at an impasse.

However it seems there’s reason for the nine workers, and indeed the community of Lismore Park, Larchville and Lisduggan to be optimistic as the ‘Lis Pendens’ which had put a halt to any sale going ahead, has been lifted. Commenting on the matter a spokesman for the group said that they welcomed this as did neighbouring businesses who had also been affected by the closure.

"We are now more optimistic than ever that the sale of The Park Inn can finally move forward, however we are still waiting on word from the legal side of things and as soon as we know more you will know more."

A local non-politically affiliated group is invited Waterford people to join them as we take to the streets to show support for peace in the troubled region of Palestine and Israel on Friday 25th July at 2pm.

"Join your intention to ours as we send the message that we demand that peace come to both Palestine and Israel and hold with us that vision as we march that this situation is already healed. No placards, no shouting, just marching holding the vision of peace, first in these troubled lands, and then spreading globally. Bring a storm candle to light and carry with you to symbolize the light of peace spreading to every corner of our beautiful plane,” Eileen Power.

The group will gather at the Cathedral at 2.00pm and march from there up through the town onto Parnell Street to City Hall. There they will present a petition to the Mayor or representative to send to both the Israelis and Hamas.

Eileen says "This is not a military offensive or defensive. It is genocide on the part of the Israelis. And Hamas are keeping it going. It’s time to say enough!"

The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing

For further information contact Eileen @ 0894488059.

Also in Tramore on the 27th July, a Demonstration for Gaza will take place at Railway Square, and will march to the Lifeguards hut at the end of the Prom.

My name is Wendy and I have been a volunteer with the ISPCC Childline service for over 2 years. Childline is a listening service for children and young people in Ireland under the age of 18. I was one of many people in Waterford who found myself unemployed, and I decided to make something positive from a bad situation. I went along to a Volunteer information evening, and a member of staff and a volunteer talked us through what the service is and what I would be doing. To be honest it was a little overwhelming, and in my mind I was going to be solving children's problems one call at a time and have to know everything. I soon learned through my training and taking call's that we don't have to know everything, and that I don't need to have all the answers and be an expert on every issue. We are just there to listen, and through listening and being there for young people, we empower young people in making their own choices. We don't know everything about the young people contacting us so we couldn't make a decision for them better than they could themselves.

Children who call Childline don't just call because they have a problem, it can be if they just want someone to chat to, or if they are feeling lonely. Yes we can get challenging calls but we also get calls from young people who want to say how their day went, or who heard about Childline and wanted to call and see what it's about. The ISPCC believes in the importance of giving children in Ireland a voice. You don't have to work with children to be a volunteer, we have volunteers from many backgrounds but we all have a common interest in listening to young people. Childline is the only 24 hour service available to young people in Ireland, and without it many young people would have nowhere to go if they need to talk in the evenings and weekends when they can be most vulnerable.

If I was to pick a call that makes me really see this it would be a child who spoke to me about being abused. They hadn't told anyone before and they spoke about their feelings of shame and guilt and they talked about how they blamed themselves. Childline allowed them to voice their fears and have their feelings acknowledged, which I have learned is far more empowering than trying to fix something for them. Sometimes talking and being heard is far more powerful. I won't lie and say Childline is easy or I don't have days when it's tough, but what I find more difficult is that there are calls possibly like this going unanswered because we don't have enough volunteers. People always ask 'how do you do it?', and say 'isn't that tough' and yes it is but it's also amazing when you talk to a child who is brave enough to call and talk about what's going on for them.

Childline as I said has its tough days, but it's also rewarding and the support you get from other volunteers, staff, and person on call and counselling service is amazing. I have never felt like there was something I had to deal with alone or that I couldn't go back in because like the callers, I know there is always someone there for me too. The training prepares you for the calls, and when you start getting calls you're not alone because there are others there with you to support you and honestly some of my closest friends I met through Childline. It is a commitment to become a volunteer because you do one shift per week. Each shift is 4 hours in length and I understand that can be difficult when you have work, college, kids and a social life too but it truly is something I look forward to each week.

If you have an interest in Volunteering, why not come along to a Volunteer Information Evening. The ISPCC's Waterford Office is currently recruiting for a variety of volunteer roles in our Childline, Fundraising and Advocacy Department. We will hold volunteer information meetings on Thursday the 7th of August at 8pm. Why not come along to one of our upcoming information nights to learn more about volunteering us. For full details please contact Sinead McKee at smckee@ispcc.ie or on 086 722 6788.For more info on Childline or the ISPCC please go to http://www.childline.ie or http://www.ispcc.ie

Development Programme with TSSG Waterford Technologies is the market leader in email and file archiving solutions and today has announced a joint development programme between Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG) & Waterford Technologies. This builds on the leading edge ICT research that is being conducted by TSSG and combines it with Waterford Technologies existing product set to deliver world class enterprise scale data management software. Lorcan Kennedy, CTO advised "the deliverables of the project will drive the Waterford Technologies product set over the next three to five years helping to solidify Waterford Technologies already significant market and will enable the Company to pursue new sales and product opportunities both at home and abroad". John Brennan, CEO of Waterford Technologies advised "Waterford Technologies are very excited to be working with TSSG on this programme and we are confident it will ensure Waterford Technologies continues to meet the ever changing needs and requirements of our customers". Throughout the fourteen years Waterford Technologies has been in business it has continued to invest in the development of its products, today we are announcing another milestone in our ongoing commitment to the development of our products to ensure we can drive our position forward in the market place. This leading edge research and development programme is supported by Enterprise Ireland. We have been working with Enterprise Ireland from the commencement and have been assisted previously in marketing and promotional programmes successfully.

About Waterford Technologies

Waterford Technologies has fifty employees operating from four locations; Waterford (Ireland), Liverpool (England), Nashville (Tennessee) and Irvine, (California). Waterford Technologies is the market leader of email and file archiving solutions for organisations worldwide. With over 2,000 plus product installations globally, Waterford Technologies provides a full range of email and data management and reporting products for archiving, compliance, legal discovery and storage management. Waterford's flagship product – MailMeter, provides safe and secure archiving to reduce the cost of email management, reduce the cost of legal investigations related to email, and meet regulatory requirements. For more information, visit http://www.waterfordtechnologies.com or call Waterford Technologies at 051 334967.

About Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG):

TSSG is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for ICT research and innovation. They carry out a wide spectrum of industry-informed research in Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), particularly technologies enabling communications and information services.

Their four key prioritised technical Research areas include Mobile Platforms and Services, Security Privacy and Identity, Data Analytics and Social computing, Adaptive Networks and services. They create economic impact by translating their knowledge base and innovation into leading edge products and services.

Over the past five years, TSSG has delivered innovative solutions to over 110 Irish companies, and has created 11 spinout companies in the South East including the award winning FeedHenry, a groundbreaking mobile cloud platform company, and ZolkC, a leading provider of mobile technology for international visitor attractions.

The IIE Manufacturing and Engineering Skillnet is inviting visitors to explore its new website, http://www.iieskillnet.ie. The website gives a comprehensive overview of the range of courses being provided by the IIE Manufacturing and Engineering Skillnet which is funded by member companies and the Training Networks Programme, an initiative of Skillnets Ltd. funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.

The public, both employed and unemployed and employers can now access all planned courses for 2014. "We are very excited to present our website and courses," said Victoria Wilmott, Network Manager of The IIE Manufacturing and Engineering Skillnet. "Created with the user experience firmly in mind, the website has been designed using the latest technology so the site is compatible with today's browsers and mobile devices. In addition, helping to make our vast portfolio of courses and events easy to browse, users can always access the latest information and view and download up-to-date course outlines. "

The programmes on offer focus on four main categories: Industrial Engineering Skills, Lean Manufacturing, Management Development and Technical Skills. In addition to offering multiple training programmes, relevant to the manufacturing and engineering sectors, the IIE Manufacturing and Engineering Skillnet provides special-purpose training in Industrial Engineering Skills which is exclusive to their Skillnet and people who gain certification will have one of the latest and most sought-after skills in industry.

The launch, which took place at the premises of Kel-Tech Engineering, coincided with an awards ceremony to honour the successful delegates who participated in a FETAC Level 6 Train the Trainer, a Lean Manufacturing & Process Improvement and an Introduction to Industrial Engineering Skills courses. Declan Walsh, Managing Director at Kel-Tech Engineering said: "I welcome the contribution to industry that the IIE Manufacturing and Engineering Skillnet will make by providing bespoke training which is subsided for member companies. The commitment of this Skillnet is cause for optimism that quality training and education will continue to be provided in this era of rapid change."

The new website, http://www.iieskillnet.ie, has been designed to provide the ultimate user-friendly experience and those interested in any of the training programmes can browse the site to access content. They can also e-mail info@iieskillnet.ie or phone 051 348344 for further information.

"The home care sector in Ireland is expected to care for an increasing number of older people as a result of the recent waiting list crisis for the Fair Deal Scheme", says Danette Connolly, Director of Care, Home Instead Senior Care Waterford.

Waiting times for nursing home funding have doubled over three months new figures from Nursing Home Ireland reveal. The number of people on the waiting list further increased by more than 500 over three months. This can leave families with a bill of up to €15,000 before any funding is received.

The Fair Deal scheme was introduced five years ago to provide state financial support for nursing home costs and it is feared the long waiting times could be putting older people's health and quality of life at risk.

Ms. Connolly said, "Priority should be given to dealing with the Fair Deal waiting list crisis and care options for older people in the local community. We need a policy that favours home and community-based care in addition to institutional care. Older people are suffering and missing out on needed care as a result of this waiting list crisis."

"We are receiving more home care enquiries as a result of the long wait for nursing home care. Older people and their families are struggling to cope and are in need of more help than is currently being provided by the Fair Deal Scheme", she added.

Home care is a very personal and intimate type of care. A home caregiver will deliver one-on-one care that matches the needs of the older person. There is no waiting for help with activities of daily living which may happens in an institutionalised care setting. A caregiver spends quality time with the person and is readily available.

Tax relief of up to 41% is available on home care fees and home care grants are readily available.

For more information on care options in the local community call Home Instead Senior Care Waterford on 051 333966 or visit http://www.homeinstead.ie.

Free Workshop for children in Tramore Library

Education Officer Deirdre, and Education Dogs Sadhbh & Conán will be at Tramore Library on Friday 8th August @ 11am.

Deirdre will be presenting 'Story Time With Dogs' Trust' where you'll get to hear all about Dexter the dog and carry out some FUN activities.

Will Dexter's tale have a 'waggy' ending??

This workshop is for children aged 6-12 who would love to learn a little about DOGS TRUST and find out what it takes to keep a dog healthy and happy.

Contact Jennie jloughran@waterfordcouncil.ie 051 381479 to reserve your free place.

Labour T.D. for Waterford, Ciara Conway is welcoming an agreement to negotiate with the state in the Waterford Crystal Pensions case.

"The news that UNITE has agreed to mediation with the State is very welcome and I would hope that this will bring us closer to a settlement that would bring peace of mind and resolution for the Waterford Crystal workers and their families," said Ciara Conway T.D.

"I've been working on behalf of ex- Waterford Crystal workers since I came into office, and I'm very pleased that a mediation process has been agreed upon. This is something my colleague the Tánaiste, Joan Burton , Minister at that the Department of Social Protection, has been trying to arrange for some time. Counsel on behalf of the State made contact with UNITE's Solicitors on two occasions, in January and February of this year, but no response was received at that time. I'm very pleased that there's now an agreement to partake in the mediation process and I wish them well in the negotiations, and hope that a satisfactory agreement can be reached."

"In the wake of the European Court of Justice ruling, the Government made financial provision for this issue. In the Budget speech, Minister Noonan said he would introduce a 0.15% pension levy both to help fund the Jobs Initiative and also "to make provision for potential State liabilities which may emerge from pre-existing or future pension fund difficulties".

Following that, the State wrote to the solicitors representing the Waterford Crystal workers taking the case, offering settlement and the possibility of mediation to arrive at same, if required.

The State made the offer in an effort to resolve the proceedings and bring clarity and finality to the issue for the workers – rather than risk court proceedings dragging on for some time and leaving the workers with a prolonged wait to determine exactly what benefits they would receive.

Following a proposal from ICTU General Secretary David Begg, Mr Kieran Mulvey has agreed to act as mediator in the case.

"While it would be unwise to be confident in advance of the outcome, I am hopeful that this mediation process, led by Mr Mulvey, can see progress made on a very difficult case. I wish them well in their negotiations and hope that the outcome will be to the satisfaction of former-glass workers as it's been a long time coming."

Trade union Unite has announced that it is accepting an invitation to refer the Waterford Crystal pensions dispute to the Labour Relations Commission in the hope that a settlement can be reached.

In April 2013, the European Court of Justice ruled that the Irish state is in breach of its obligations under the terms of the EU Insolvency Directive to ensure that employees receive sufficient accrued occupational pension entitlements. The case is currently before the High court and is listed for hearing on January 13th 2015.

In the interim, however, Unite has been invited to refer the case to the Labour Relations Commission under the chairmanship of Kieran Mulvey for mediation, and has accepted the invitation. The case will remain listed for hearing in the High Court in January unless and until a settlement is reached before the LRC.

Commenting, Unite Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly said:

"It is over five years since the closure of Waterford Crystal and well over a year since the European Court of Justice ruled that the Irish state had failed to protect the workers' pension entitlements.

"Since then, the case has been making its way through the Irish courts, with all the delays and uncertainties involved in the legal process. Several former Waterford Crystal workers have died during the past five years without receiving the pensions to which they were entitled.

"Unite will be engaging fully and constructively with the LRC process, and we are hopeful that it will result in a just settlement. If it does not, we will continue to progress the workers' case before the courts", Jimmy Kelly concluded.

Waterford man killed in climbing accident in France

A well known Waterford man and experienced climber, Colm Ennis aged 37, Lismore Park was tragically killed with another man in a fall from the 4,013m-high Dent du Géant in the Mont Blanc massif range in France. The second man was from Clonmel and is named as Peter Britton (55). Both were very experienced climbers and were founder members of the Rathgormack climbing club in the Comeragh Mountains.

Mr. Ennis was human resources manager at Amazon’s customer service centre in Cork, while Mr. Britton who was married with children, and originally from Roscrea, worked as an engineer with South Tipperary local authority.

Their bodies were located in the French-Italian Alps on Sunday afternoon. A mountain rescue team said they believed they died instantly, possibly on the descent.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the families of both men through its Embassy in Paris.

A freak accident also claimed the life of a Waterford man in Dunmore East on Friday night last. Michael Troy of Viewmount Park was fishing off the rocks between Badger’s Cove and Dunmore East harbour when he suffered a fall before 7.30 p.m. Originally from Ballygunner Michael was brought to University Hospital, Waterford where he died on Sunday evening.

Another unexpected death occured on Saturday night last when popular Tramore Community Radio presenter David McNamara collapsed and died as he chatted to colleagues just after 10 p.m. Frantic efforts by colleagues to revive him were unsuccessfull.

Dunmore East volunteer lifeboat crewmember, Roy Abrahamsson, married Tramore native, Caroline Kiely, in Dunmore East recently and Roy's lifeboat colleagues turned up in full life-saving kit to wish the couple every happiness in their married life.

It was an emotional day, as Roy is from a hugely respected lifeboating family in Dunmore East, and he recently lost his father, Walter. Roy has been with the lifeboat crew at Dunmore East RNLI for the last 15 years and is a Deputy Coxswain and Second Mechanic. His father, Walter Abrahamsson, spent 13 years as a coxswain and mechanic with the lifeboat station, after being asked to join in 1984 when he jumped into the harbour in Dunmore East to save a life. Walter sadly passed away on 13 July this year and his ashes were scattered at sea. Lifeboat crew from across the institution paid tribute to him as he had visited many stations during his time with the charity, helping them when they needed a duty coxswain or mechanic, a tradition that his son Roy is continuing. Caroline and Roy met nine years ago on a night out in Tramore. Caroline is an account manager for Core HR in Kilkenny and Roy proposed to her on top of a mountain while on holiday in the Italian Alps. Although Walter was sadly missed by everyone on the day, his presence was keenly felt by his family and friends and of course his and Roy's lifeboat colleagues. Best man and Dunmore East RNLI crewmember Neville Murphy commented; 'It was a special day and one of very strong emotions. Walter was a legend here in Dunmore East and in lifeboat circles and we really wanted to honour that while wishing Roy and Caroline the best in their married life together. Six lifeboat crew travelled from the station to Graiguenamanagh in Kilkenny and wore their lifeboat kit to give Roy and Caroline a surprise guard of honour when they left the church. It was like Walter was looking down on us and giving his blessing.' The lifeboats continued to play a part in the weekend when Dunmore East RNLI received a call to launch to a person in difficulty in the water on Saturday night and Roy made the lifeboat callout before he heads off on honeymoon in a few days. The person made it safely to shore with the help of bystanders.

Enrolment is now taking place for music classes which take place in Gaelscoil na nDéise, Gracedieu Road, Waterford City. Classes will resume on Wednesday 10th & Thursday 11th September. Waterford CCE Music Classes have provided students in the area with a wonderful opportunity to nurture their musical talents. Instruments include the tin whistle, flute & accordion (tuition by Nóra Kavanagh), fiddle (tuition by Bridget O’Connell), concertina (tuition by Aidan Rynne) uilleann pipes (tuition by Vincent Dunphy), banjo & mandolin (tuition by Rosmaire Kinsella). For more information on enrolling for music classes contact Martin Forristal on 086 0874409 or Nóra on 087 4148116. For further details on our professional tutors visit our website at http://www.waterfordtraditionalmusic.com or follow us on facebook at Waterford Comhaltas or Nora Kavanagh School of Music.

Congratulations to Evan Gloeckner (tin whistle slow airs under 12) and Clodagh Murphy (piano under 18) who qualified to represent Waterford at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Sligo. Both are pupils of Nóra Kavanagh. We wish them all the best in Sligo.

The recently awarded 4 star Majestic Hotel overlooks Tramore Bay with its impressive 5km stretch of golden beach and sand dunes and is less than 10km from the historical city of Waterford. Situated just a short stroll from the Tramore Blue Flag beach, the Majestic Hotel is the perfect base when visiting Tramore for the August Racing Festival. Guests can relax and spend their free time walking, surfing, swimming and sunbathing whilst taking in the beautiful scenery of Tramore Bay and Brownstown Head. The hotel provides extensive free car parking for all guests including complimentary Wi-Fi.

RESTAURANT & BAR FACILITIES

The newly refurbished and beautifully appointed Garden Room Restaurant offers panoramic views of Tramore Bay and Brownstown Head. The menu is a celebration of the freshest of local produce with an equally impressive wine list to suit the most discerning palette. Bestowed with the Taste of Ireland award in 2013 and again in 2014, the restaurant is listed as one of a number of recommended places to eat in Ireland by acclaimed Michelin star chef, food critic and writer, Paolo Tullio. The restaurant serves breakfast, evening dinner and Sunday Lunch.

The relaxing Majestic Lounge Bar overlooks Tramore Boating Lake and offers an extensive Bar Food menu served daily with plenty of tasty dishes to choose from.

Live Music is provided in the Lounge Bar during the summer months and every night during the August Tramore Racing Festival 14th-17th August.