Contractors and project teams welcomed representatives from Waterford City and County Council as they visited multiple rural regeneration and infrastructure sites currently under development or recently completed.

The first site visited was Mahon Bridge, where works included the development of a new car park, repairs to the Crough Woods walkway, and installation of a playground. These works were funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). The new car park provides 106 spaces, four EV charging bays, two disabled spaces, a set-down area, bike parking, footpaths, seating, and biodiversity planting with a designated soakaway.

At Colligan View, the delegation received updates on Local Community Safety Partnership initiatives and viewed the proposed site for community allotments.

In Cappoquin, various projects forming part of the Cappoquin Town Centre Regeneration Strategy were outlined. The primary funding source is the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht’s RRDF, with additional support from Waterford City and County Council, the Cappoquin Regeneration Company, Waterford Leader Partnership, and the Tomar Trust. The works are focused on tackling vacancy and dereliction, with investment in the renewal of public spaces and infrastructure.

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In Lismore, the former Bank of Ireland building is under redevelopment to become a boutique hotel, which will also include five glamping pods with vehicular access. The group also visited the former hospital site, now being regenerated for the Lismore Men’s Shed project.

At Knockanore, completed construction works include a new Astroturf pitch, a community walkway, and a health centre. These were delivered with support from the Knockanore Glendine Kilwatermoy Development Group, the Leader Project, the Tomar Trust, Active Travel Investment, and Waterford City and County Council.

The final visit was to An Rinn to view the newly completed Fiontar Phobal All-Weather pitch, now in full use as a local facility for sport and community activities.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan said that the not only did the projects bring new amenities to the towns, but they also brought with them a sense of community and connectedness: "What we have seen here today is a host of exciting public and private partnership projects that have enhanced each and every community.  From housing and active travel projects, to sporting and heritage projects, each one of these was only possible with the vision of the Council and the knowledge and determination of the respective community partners, who gave so generously of their time."