Waterford LEADER Partnership CLG was delighted to be part of the official launch of the ‘Kokoro’ Visitor and Cultural Centre and Café by Minister Dara Calleary, Minister of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
This project was co-funded by the 2023-2027 LEADER Programme. The project entailed the construction of a two-storey split-level extension of 160 square meters, with a further 42 square metres of viewing deck, to create a multipurpose interpretative and cultural centre.
This now provides space for:
• Seating 100 people for a range of cultural activities, such as poetry readings, book launches and musical events, including visiting Japanese artists and art exhibitions
• Information talks and lectures to tour groups to the gardens.
• An exhibition space to display personal artefacts relating to Lafcadio Hearn, such as a reproduction of his famous elevated desk, first editions of his work and other objects.
• Space for touring Japanese cultural exhibitions.
• A space where family and community life events will be celebrated.
• Expansion of what was a small coffee dock into a spacious café with indoor and outdoor seating.
• A lift to facilitate disabled visitors reach the lower floor and access parts of the gardens not currently accessible to wheelchairs.
• Additional visitor toilet facilities.
This is situated in the stunning Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens in Tramore. In addition to welcoming day visitors, LHJG host five annual family and cultural events, provide educational opportunities for schools and community groups, and serve as a venue for weddings, concerts and other cultural activities. The gardens are an important regeneration project that assists in revitalising the town centre, attracting additional tourist footfall and driving economic activity with visitor numbers reaching 37,000 in 2025.
