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  • An EU Commission visit to the pride of Waterford City

An EU Commission visit to the pride of Waterford City

Pictured (L-R):  Cllr. Tomás Breathnach, Leas-Cathaoirleach, S&E Regional Assembly; Cllr. Damien Geoghegan, S&E Regional Assembly; Stephen Blair, Director, S&E Regional Assembly; Michael Walsh, Waterford City Manager; Noel Farrell, European Commission; Cllr. Mary Roche, Mayor of Waterford City; Stephen Langley, European Commission and Cllr. Jack Walsh, S&E Regional Assembly.

The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly is proud of their association with the flagship House of Waterford Crystal.  The S&E Regional Assembly provided grant aid of €2.76 m to the centre promoters Waterford City Council under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme.

The Waterford city project which received funding under the ERDF Gateways scheme consists of two strands.  The first and largest element involved the restoration and conversion of a collection of adjoining buildings (including a Protected Structure) in the city centre in Council ownership into a crystal manufacturing and visitor centre.  The second element is located nearby and consists of the extension and upgrading of the Bolton Street car park to provide dedicated tourist coach parking area.  When Waterford Crystal ceased their Kilbarry operation, the proposal by the City Council to re-establish a crystal manufacturing and visitor centre in the heart of the city given the importance crystal making to the city in both employment and tourism terms, was consistent with the funding scheme managed by the Assembly.

Mr. Stephen Langley and Mr. Noel Farrell, DG Regio, European Commission, unveiled a plaque acknowledging ERDF support for the House of Waterford Crystal on the Mall in the heart of Waterford City at 4.00pm on Wednesday 4^th May.  The facility which was opened to visitors in June 2010, comprises manufacturing facility, visitor centre and retail outlet, and it ensures that the combined history of over 200 years of heritage, tradition and craftsmanship, remains firmly rooted in Waterford. 

Speaking in advance of the unveiling Mr. Langley said “we in D.G. Regio in the European Commission are delighted to be associated with this visitor centre, which is one of the jewels in the crown of Waterford City tourist offering.  The contribution of the European Regional Development Fund has helped to ensure that this Gateways project is of the highest international standards, and we wish continued success to this exciting joint venture between Waterford City Council and the House of Waterford Crystal.”

The event was also attended by Mayor of Waterford City, Cllr. Mary Roche; Michael Walsh, City Manager; Cllr. Tomás Breathnach, Leas-Cathaoirleach of S&E Regional Assembly; Stephen Blair, Director, S&E Regional Assembly; Cllr. Damien Geoghegan & Cllr. Jack Walsh, S&E Regional Assembly.

Press Release Waterford Crystal