Supporting Rural Development in
Waterford County

News

Mt. Melleray Abbey Closure: Pilgrim Path Walking Trails Remain Open to Visitors

Mt. Melleray Abbey in Co. Waterford, a 200-year-old site of deep historical and spiritual significance, has sadly closed. However, the scenic Mt. Melleray Pilgrim Paths remain open to the public, ensuring continued access to this iconic West Waterford landmark.

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Closed – LAES Caseworker Position – Fixed Term Contract (6 months)

We’re excited to announce an opportunity to expand our team! Waterford and South Tipperary Local Area Employment Service, operated by Waterford Leader Partnership CLG, is recruiting a Caseworker to help us continue our vital work in supporting jobseekers across Waterford and South Tipperary.
Here are the key details:
🔹 Role: Caseworker
🔹 Location: Waterford City (with regular travel to Carrick-on-Suir and other offices)
🔹 Contract: Full-time, 6-month contract (37.5 hours/week)
🔹 Salary: €33,147 per annum
Please find Job Specification
What Makes This Role Special?
The Caseworker will play a pivotal role in providing one-to-one guidance and support to individuals who are long-term unemployed, helping them overcome barriers and transition to sustainable employment. This is a chance to directly impact lives while collaborating with employers, training providers, and other stakeholders.
What We’re Looking For:
🌟 3+ years of experience in employment services, career guidance, or social work.
🌟 A positive, empathetic, and motivated individual.
🌟 Strong communication, IT, and organizational skills.
🌟 Flexibility and the ability to travel (full driving license and car ownership required).
Why Promote This Role?
This is a fantastic opportunity to welcome someone passionate about empowering jobseekers and contributing to our community-focused mission. If you know someone with the right experience and drive, encourage them to apply!
🗓️ Application Deadline: Tuesday, 28th January 2025 (5:00 p.m.)
📍 Interviews: Friday, 31st January 2025
📧 Applications: CVs and cover letters can be sent to info@wlp.ie or posted to:
Waterford LEADER Partnership CLG
John Barry House
Lismore Business Park
Lismore, Co. Waterford, P51XVP6
Spread the Word!
If you know someone who might be a perfect fit, please share this opportunity with them. Let’s work together to bring new talent to our team and continue creating brighter futures for the communities we serve.

County Waterford is crafting a new Outdoor Recreation Plan

Join a public meeting to share your ideas and help shape the future of outdoor activities:
📍 SETU Arena, Carriganore X91 XD96 | 29th Jan | 7:30-9:00 PM
📍 The Park Hotel, Dungarvan X35 CC97 | 30th Jan | 7:30-9:00 PM
From hiking and cycling to kayaking and sea swimming, let’s make Waterford the ultimate destination for outdoor enthusiasts!

 


2024/2025 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)

Waterford Leader Partnership Clg. will administer the 2024/2025 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) funded by the Department of Rural & Community Development. ORIS is funded under Project Ireland 2040 and is a key initiative of Our Rural Future – Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 and Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2027.

In line with Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, outdoor recreation is defined as activities that take place in the natural environment, such as walking, canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering and wild swimming. It does not include activities that take place outdoors on confined courses or pitches (such as golf, football, and showjumping) or motorised activities (such as quads/scramblers). Therefore, such activities are not eligible for funding under ORIS.

The focus of ORIS is to support outdoor recreational infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland that not only provides an outlet for the communities in which they are situated but also delivers added value from a tourism perspective.

2024/2025 ORIS Scheme Measure 1

Measure Description Grant Amount
Measure 1 Small Scale Repair/Development/Promotion and Marketing

 

Up to €40,000

 

 

Match Funding Requirement: Trail Management Organisations/Community Groups must provide 10% of their overall project costs as match funding.

Waterford Leader Partnership CLG now seeks expressions of interest from Trail Management Organisations (TMOs)/community groups for funding of suitable projects under this initiative. Expression of interest forms can be downloaded ORIS EOI Form WLP 2024 or obtained by e-mailing niamh.mcguinness@wlp.ie.

All those submitting an expression of interest form should, in the first instance make themselves aware of the scheme outlines and guidelines available ORIS 2024 Outline WLP, particularly regarding their proposal’s eligibility.

Completed expression of interest forms must be emailed to niamh.mcguinness@wlp.ie before 5.00pm Friday 22nd November 2024. Expressions of interest received after this date and time will not be considered for the 2024/2025 scheme. All applications will be subject to a selection process using National Criteria.

Waterford Leader Partnership CLG can submit a maximum of three Measure 1 projects, in accordance with ORIS guidelines. Expressions of interest that are selected by Waterford Leader Partnership will be further developed with groups into detailed project proposals for consideration under ORIS 2024/2025. Please note that the Measure 1 projects submitted by Waterford Leader Partnership are independent from those submitted by Waterford City and County Council under the same scheme.

 

 


Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors: Minister Humphreys announces over €1 million investment in 517 walking trails

 

  • Grants to be provided to 203 Community Groups nationwide
  • Funding for the upgrade and development of outdoor walking trails
  • Groups to be supported in promoting their trails as tourist attractions

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Waterford LEADER Partnership fund repairs to St. Declan’s Way via the Walks Scheme

Waterford LEADER Partnership has funded essential repairs to the popular St. Declan’s Way trail, via the Department of Rural and Community Development Walks Scheme.

A section of St. Declan’s Way in Cush of Grange, Co. Waterford had been experiencing significant drainage issues, causing the trail to be wet, muddy and unpleasant for walkers.

To solve this, Waterford LEADER Partnership has funded the drainage and repair works on this trail via the Walks Scheme. Sections of the trail have been resurfaced, side drains have been cleared and a piped cross drain has been added to prevent further drainage issues on this section of the trail.

Waterford LEADER Partnership secured €10,000 funding for St. Declan’s Way in 2023 via the Department of Rural and Community Development Walks Scheme Development Fund.  This contributed to the repairs required on the trail.

Over 50 landowners are currently supported by Waterford LEADER Partnership via the Walks Scheme, to maintain the sections of trails which pass through their land.

The Walks Scheme contributes to the maintenance and development of walking and hiking trails across Co. Waterford, benefiting rural communities and economies.

For example, St. Declan’s Way attracts thousands of walkers each year and was recently described by the Irish Times as the “Irish Camino”.
Click here to read more about the St. Declan’s Way feature in the Irish Times.

Waterford LEADER Partnership will be supporting 12 more trails across Co. Waterford, in addition to St. Declan’s Way and the Anne Valley Walk in Dunhill, as the following trails will be joining the Walks Scheme this year:

  • Rathgormack Boolas Loop Walk
  • Ardmore Cliff Walk
  • Waterford Estuary Coastal Path: Dunmore East to Ballymacaw Cove Linear
  • The Nire Valley – Coumduala Loop, Coumlara Loop, the Gap and the Sgilloges
  • Mt. Melleray Pilgrim Paths – The Cross, The Grotto, The Source, The Well and Byrne’s Bridge

St. Declan’s Way featured in Irish Times as “The Irish Camino”.

St. Declan’s Way, Ireland’s longest Pilgrim Path at 115km, has caught national attention as the Irish Times describe the trail as “The Irish Camino”. The continued maintenance of this nationally significant trail is supported by Waterford LEADER Partnership.

The Irish Times describe St. Declan’s Way as a trail that could “rival the Spanish Camino with a walking experience based around slow-tourism and mindfulness”.

St. Declan’s Way provides opportunities to appreciate the varied landscapes of Co. Waterford, entering the county over the Knockmealdown Mountains, crossing lush countryside and ending in the seaside village of Ardmore.

52 landowners are supported by Waterford LEADER Partnership, via the Department of Rural and Community Development Walks Scheme, to maintain the sections of this iconic trail which pass through their land.

Waterford LEADER Partnership also contributed to the development of the St. Declan’s Way 5-year Strategic Plan via the LEADER Programme. The St. Declan’s Way Strategic Plan can be viewed here: St-Declans-Way-Strategic-Plan-_-2024-to-2028.pdf

Read more about the Irish Times exploration of St. Declan’s Way:  https://t.co/8DhtuQ1G1n

Photo Credit: The Irish Times, 2024.