Brand New Day

The fireworks surprised us.  The noise drew us outside to see the explosion of light over our city, brightening this winter night.  I was disoriented.  My mind was searching through the times of year when fireworks are expected, whilst remembering it was nearly Christmas, and failing to reconcile the two.  Further research revealed this was the Winter Firedance festival, organised by the City Council to celebrate the Winter Solstice.  Of course, it was 21 December.  The shortest day of the year.  The longest night of the year.  No better time for fireworks to brighten the midwinter mood.   The darkness was to be resisted.   Or maybe there is some grace we might receive from this dark day? Over the past year I have become more conscious of how this day was celebrated long ago.  Over seven thousand years ago the first farmers here saw this day as a major turning point in their year. It marked the beginning of longer days and a new cycle of growth, and the hope of food and feasting.  Toda

Exploring Welcome, Diversity and Faith in Ireland’s Oldest City.    Nothing says Waterford like a Blaa.  The soft feel of the fresh white bread roll pulled apart in your hands, covered in butter and filled with red lead (luncheon meat), sausages and rashers or even crisps, makes the mouth water.  It’s a true taste of home.  The Blaa is made by a few local family bakeries and possesses ‘Protected Geographical Status’. It belongs in Waterford, to this people and place.   Its popularity today means over ten thousand Blaas are consumed daily.  An impressive number, even if it is lower than the lofty heights of the eighteen thousand Blaas that were consumed in the early nineteenth century.  In those days the bread was enjoyed by the poor of the city, being made popular by Brother Ignatius Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers.   The origin story of the Blaa lies a century further back with those who found themselves far from home in Waterford.  French Protestants, called Huguenots, came t

  Exploring mental health, suffering and spirituality What's the Story in Waterford #6 The South East counties of Waterford and Wexford bask in more sunlight than anywhere else in Ireland.  This fact is well known and loved by residents who are proud of their home in ‘The Sunny South East’ or even, ‘The Irish Riviera’!  Compared to an average 5 to 6.5 hours in early summer in the rest of Ireland, the South East can boast of over 7 hours.  Waterford and Wexford top the charts of counties in Ireland with the most hours of annual sunlight. This sunlight, along with the beautiful beaches along the coastline, give the ready opportunity to remind friends and family living elsewhere just what they are missing out on. It’s all relative though isn’t it?  Spain, we are not.  So, the sun’s appearance, even in summer, is greeted with an impetus to get out and get into it.  This is something that comedian Des Bishop has described as a source of great anxiety.  You really need to get out and mak

Finding the company of hope and love we need in the face of death. What's the Story? in Waterford #4 The opening of the South East Palliative Care Centre in 2021 to receive patients was a cause for celebration.  It followed the raising of €6 million by Waterford Hospice Movement after over thirty years of fundraising.  This was a real team effort.  Chairperson of WHM, Danette Conolly, highlighted the enduring hard work of volunteers, board members and the community, to see this significant day.  This grit and generosity shows the best of our humanity in providing dignified care for our most difficult of days.   Waterford Hospice Movement have been providing a hospice homecare palliative care service to the people of Waterford and South Kilkenny since 1988. This care aims to improve quality of life for those who are living in the shadow of death.  It is life affirming, whilst acknowledging death as a normal process and part of our humanity.  There is a real team effort of healthcare

Will our passion for sport in Waterford deliver on our hopes and dreams?  What's the Story? in Waterford #3  So, he’s back, Davy Fitz is back in charge of the Waterford Hurling team.  Only time will tell what this sequel will be titled, but it won’t lack passion and drama, of that we can be sure.  Since his last stint as Bainisteor the expectations, performance and success of the team has steadily risen.  Now the hope will surely be that he brings the same speedy improvement he did in Clare and Wexford, as well as in the Deise the last time.  Is it time to set aside the quiet, slow simmering hopes of improvement for the high hopes of bringing home Liam for the first time since 1948?  Say what you like about Davy Fitzgerald, but he’s not lacking in passion or effort.  This is surely something that makes him a good fit with the Deise.  This is a county passionate about sport.  We’re only too delighted to celebrate a new hero, like Seamus Power in golf, or to treasure Sam Bennett in c

Is religion helpful or harmful in dealing with our guilt and shame?  What's the Story? in Waterford #2  The skyline of Waterford city is marked by spires and steeples stretching upwards.  It is a place full of churches and full of religious history, once known as, ‘Parva Roma’ or ‘Little Rome’ in the 1650s.  Today, whilst the buildings remain, the church for many has been humbled and emptied of significance.   In recent years wave after wave of reports and enquiries have uncovered the guilt and shame of the church.  It has lost its lofty esteem in the eyes of many, who in turn have ended up losing their religion.  No wonder, then, that the practice of confession has been lost.   What was once a regular practice is now limited to very few occasions, including making your first holy communion.    How could a church covered with such guilt and shame be trusted with your deepest and darkest secrets and regrets?   There is little authority to offer forgiveness.   If we are to cast aside

Journeying through the beauty to what lies beyond. What's the Story? in Waterford #1 Photo by Anthony Curran  The Waterford Greenway cuts a fresh path, bringing a width of wonders into the open.  A new way of enjoying the beauty around us, built on an old railway line.  The journey begins in the city beside the River Suir and then winds slowly past the fragrance of flowers in Mount Congreve.  The quietness of green fields are watched over by the unfolding Comeragh Mountains, before the salty seaside air and the beauty of Dungarvan Bay greet us at the close.  It’s a feast for the senses.  Little wonder that it has been recognised as Ireland’s best visitor attraction .  A journey, made on foot or by bike, that is slow enough to open our senses and soak in the wonder of the world around us.  It soothes our soul.   If we venture off track a little and explore the mountains we can enjoy the sounds of water flowing over rocks at Mahon Falls.  If we’re travelling on four wheels this time