Brand New Day

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