“Look at Me! I’m a Kestrel.”

Isn’t nature a wonderful thing? In many ways, a metaphor of our lives. Just when you think you have figured it out, it well and truly turns around and bites you on the backside.

There was I and probably thousands of others, thinking that Spring had sprung last week. Then, I put on my new, thinner Lycra to pedal a few more hundred kilometres around our stunning county and suddenly there’s another cold, windy spell of “Unseasonable” weather. Just when will the doubt end? When will we see a return to the better conditions, which define the “Sunny South East”?

Whilst out cycling last weekend, I noticed dozens of farmers’ 4x4s. Pulling trailers, horse boxes and all manner of load bearing platforms. Collecting much needed silage or fodder, for hungry animals, which have been stuck indoors for weeks and months. Judging by the lochs and lakes of water collecting in the fields, it will be sometime before any of these beasties are released out into pastures of green and lush grass. It will take an almighty spell of sunny, hot, dry weather, to get our farmers calendars back on track.

The biting cold wind, of Eastern origin, also returned. Making the business of keeping our houses warm, difficult once again. There was many a Dad, having to go out to the shed to bring back the very briquettes, that he had so carefully put away for next Winter. We didn’t expect to be stoking our fires, on the first weekend in April.

Amongst all of this climatic doom and gloom, I spotted a member of the crow family, up near Carrick, probably a Jackdaw (Though I am no ornithologist or a twitcher, I have been known to glance at the odd bird or two!) Anyway, this Jackdaw, we’ll call him John, was trying very hard to fly against a stiff Easterly wind. His mates were all perched on a telegraph wire below, beaks pressed directly into the wind, to minimise the chances of being blown over. I could just imagine the conversation.

“Look at me!” John the jackdaw shouted. “I’m a Kestrel! I am hovering.” Then all the other Jackdaws, sitting on the wire, looked up and shouted back, “No you’re not, you’re a bloody Jackdaw, nothing more or nothing less!” We come across many people in life who try to convince us they are something they are not. They mimic the mannerisms, the traits of others, in the hope that we can be deceived. Maybe the people representing us are trying to be Kestrels, when in reality they are Jackdaws?

On a brighter note, I also spotted my very first Swallow of the year. Showing off some stunning moves and aerial acrobatics, alongside the GAA fields in Portlaw. Some say, “One Swallow does not make a Summer!” Well this poor chap certainly took the wrong, cheap-as-chips, Rhino-air flight to Ireland. I swear that he was trying to fly in a wee, woolly, bobble hat and scarf. He must have been freezing cold. After weeks of non-stop travelling, to the Promised Land, his forecaster came up short. He was sold a pup! Despite the rhetoric and supporting documentation in the glossy brochure, there was to be no milk and honey when HE arrived.

Otters are as rare as hen’s teeth and seeing one in the flesh is a very exceptional and infrequent occurrence. Yet, on Friday last, just outside the Tower Hotel, whilst with a group from Waterford Camino Tours and near the Fromby and Coningbeg memorial, we saw a big one. Hunting for his dinner. He was over three and a half feet long. Not troubled by the crowd who had gathered to watch him chase his fish supper. Whilst observing this majestic animal, he managed to catch not one but two small fish from the muddy tidal flats!

I have only seen a handful of Otters in my entire 52 years on this planet. A bit like recounting what game-changing projects have actually been delivered by Government for Waterford. Very few over the past number of years! Their infrequency is perhaps what gets us a wee bit over excited.

So there you have it. Nature – a metaphor for life!

It’s time to make “A Holy Show of Oneself!”

Believe it or not and despite the very recent unseasonably bad weather, we are nearly in the middle of Spring. Summer time will be here before we know it. Allowing us time to look forward to the visiting hordes, descending on Waterford City and County, in their tens of thousands?

To ensure that these visitors come back, we must ALL play our part in making our tourists welcome. After all, the best type of holiday-maker is the one who comes back! Bringing with them three or four family members, other relatives or a bus load of friends! Repeat business, as our Waterford Hotels will attest, is the easiest sell, offering the best value for money, in terms of communicating, marketing and securing bed nights.

A long time ago, whilst running Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre, in Scotland, I attended a tourism conference. Speaking at one of the seminars, was the then Governor of HM Prison Barlinnie, Glasgow.  A prison which has housed the likes of the Dragons’ Den Duncan Bannatyne, artist Jimmy Boyle and footballer Duncan Ferguson. They visit one of the many “Luxury suites” and spent time at her Majesty’s pleasure. The Governor, whose name escapes me, was delighted to boast, to a room full of the great and the good of Scotland’s very best hotels, that he had an unenviable return rate. Or “Rebooking rate”, as he put it. His occupancy rate was constantly near enough to 100%!!! He apparently knew most of the inmates “Holiday habits” and when they were likely to be back to him for a visit.

Repeat business for Waterford City and County cannot be under estimated. It is word of mouth recommendations that make a relatively easy sell. If people have good experiences, whilst on their “Holliers”, they are likely to come back. Of course, have a poor experience and dozens will hear about it. That means significant numbers will NOT consider Waterford as a destination.

Collective marketing of Waterford is alive and well. Helping ALL our annual visitors enjoy spending their hard earned cash, right here in the Deise. It was on the back of this, that a number of Waterford business attractors, attended the recent consumer show at the RDS Dublin. The brand new, “Outdoor Revolution Show” took place on 24^th/25^th March.

Waterford Camino Tours, along with Dunmore East Adventure Centre, Waterford Greenway Bike Hire (Durrow) and Wilder Wander, were in attendance, as part of Waterford Council’s Waterford Greenway exhibit. This was a collaborative approach to marketing our Greenway as a destination of substance. By that I mean, that you can now create a holiday itinerary around the Greenway for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. A real vacation, escape and retreat. There undoubtedly is so much to do right across our City and our County.

The key to securing more overnight stays, will of course be promotion. We need to see an end to the one stop, one night trippers, creating experiences which will invite them to stay longer. Using and exploiting Waterford City and County as the base to discover the “Sunny South East”. Tour operators, bus companies and independent travellers, need to change their current view of Waterford. Not as a mere one night destination, or one night stopover.

Responsibility for this, lies with all our tourism partners working closer together. Cross promoting and building relationships, based on trust. We must be able to recommend a provider, knowing that said provider will deliver to the very highest standards.

Waterford generously receives a liberal amount of RTE coverage, from the institution that is Nationwide. This is in part due, to the tireless work on our behalf, of Suzanne and Brian at Hi-Lite TV. Featuring the recent Viking Festival, a whole programme on Waterford Camino Tours and so much more.  

However the caveat to future support, is the need for those being featured to “Self-promote”, likewise their partners to “Cross-promote”. The bean-counters in RTE will doubtless return to the regions, where viewing figures justify the programme costs. It’s not just a case of, “We’ll produce a show and you sit back and reap the rewards.” We must all play our own supporting roles.

So, say it loud – “I’m Waterford and I’m proud!”

The truth is a powerful thing, as nobody expects it!

In our world of instant news, via 24-hour satellite TV and social media, it is an interesting debate as to whether or not we are influenced by what is real or fake. We all know that The Donald has been making hay, by constantly trumpeting on about “Fake news”. He has singled out every news channel for his twitter treatment. In fact, I am beginning to wonder if there is a news source that The Donald hasn’t targeted?

Finding the truth in news stories and our day to day lives, for that matter, is becoming harder and harder to unravel. As examples, the Facebook revelations last week and the data harvesting of all our information, by companies likes Cambridge Analytica. Were we really so surprised, to find out that the wee annoying, pop-up adverts and messages that appear on our social media pages are targeted directly at us? We’re certainly not that stupid, or are we?

Are we really that easily suckered? I’d like to think that the majority of people, who used social media are savvy. Savvy enough to know that whatever they looked at, posted or registered for is being “Gathered” or “Harvested” by someone. Chief amongst them all has to be Facebook itself. No matter what settings you opt out of, your information is ALL traceable and therefore collectable. The fact that this has a monetary value means that other third party companies, can purchase that statistical data and sell it on to their clients for “Marketing purposes”.

I have actually taken the time to look at the information that pops up on all my social media pages. I must confess, no doubt to the joy of Mrs Garland, that the majority of messages and images are relating to bikes, at this precise moment. Nothing more or nothing less, just bikes and bike paraphernalia! There are no political messages or African Princes offering me a share in millions of Dollars. Maybe I am the exception to the rule, or are the vast majority of us viewing these adverts as just annoyances? In truth, how many of us actually read these adverts? Then immediately rush to the old internet and buy said product or service? I couldn’t see many, if any, of my friends or colleagues using those ads as a call to action.

The truth is that some, a small minority, will be influenced by those social media pop-ups. Even fewer of us will be inclined to change our voting habits. I sometimes feel that these stories are as much about fake news, as the fake news itself.

It’s the truth attracts our attention. It is always a surprise to realise that we are in fact being told legitimate news or information. It somehow comes as a shock to our system. We are so used to being delivered clever spin, by people who are paid thousands of Euros, Sterling or Dollars, to circulate degrees of truth.

Take the 2040 National Development Plan. Something we all need to support, if there is even a modicum of truth contained in said document. We’ve become very excited about the fiscal funds being given for Waterford’s North Quays. However, they haven’t so far. There is a process to complete and before any funds secured our application must meet the criteria.

That promise of a Technological University for the South East? No matter how this is promoted, a degree from a Technological University will not hold the same prestige, as a degree from a mainstream Irish “University”.

We were enthused with the Capital Sports Grants. Announcing that participation in sport would be increased. Thousands of Euros ended up in private members clubs and fee paying schools? “Build it and they will participate”, is NOT supported by the evidence. Evidence of non-participation, confirmed by ESRI. This money would have been better spent on engagement programmes and encouragement.

 

One man’s truth, is another’s obfuscation, distortion or even equivocation. Take the Brexit border issue with the North. Take the continuing debates and the various positions adopted. Another topic, for another day, but rest assured the truth is out there.

Whistleblowers, paper trails and computer wizardry, uncover the “Cover ups!”

Made of Waterford!

As we recover from the excesses of yet another Saint Patrick’s Day weekend, we should reflect with pride Waterford’s historical link. There can be great comfort, for the people of the wee green isle and wider Irish Diaspora, whose roots originate in Waterford. Much of the imagery can be traced directly, to Ireland’s oldest City.

The origins of the world phenomena that is Saint Patrick’s Day, originate in Waterford City. There is a small, inconspicuous statue of an Irish Franciscan Friar, outside a somewhat derelict building in Greyfriars. Upon closer inspection of the statue, we read that Luke Wadding was, responsible for putting Saint Patrick’s Day on the Religious Calendar. He apparently lobbied Pope Charles I and therefore it is he who we must thank for the World Wide celebrations on the 17^th March.

Little did Luke know, that this Day would become so well received? We can see many iconic “Wonders of the world”, turning verdant green every 17^th March. Edinburgh Castle, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, One World Trade Centre, Christ the Redeemer, the Colosseum, the Sphinx and even Nelson’s Column have all succumbed to the charm of the Irish. They’ve been bathed in viridescent green, to honour Saint Patrick’s Day. Maybe secretly Luke was using the force?

The draw to be “Irish”, even gets our Taoiseach access to the most powerful man in the world – the President of the good old U.S. of A. There is no other country that gets such an open invitation. No other country that gets such a focus. In fact there are weeklong celebrations of “Saint Patty” and all manner of official lunches, dinners and receptions to attend. This year The Donald, received his customary bowl of Shamrock from, let’s face it, a star struck Leo. Yet, few will know that the glass bowl containing said Shamrock was decorated and engraved right here in Waterford City!

We and the whole rugby playing nations of the world for that matter, got behind the boys in green on Saturday afternoon. Old “Green, White and Orange” flags were found in the bottom corners of drawers. Previous Saint Patrick’s Day paraphernalia, recovered from those supermarket “Bags for life”. Dusted down, or wiped down in some cases, ready for the off, on what would turn out to be an extra special 17^th of March.

The thousands of morning parades, which had to be attended, an exciting pre-curser to a bigger sporting occasion. Many a procession had their start times moved slightly forward, to allow Joe’s adoring hordes the chance to get settled onto their favourite bar stools. Then Ireland would take on the Auld Enemy, hoping to seal the ever elusive Grand Slam. The Championship had been won the week before, with a resounding victory over the Bonnie Laddies fae Scotland. The ultimate prize and immortality awaited at “Twickers”, the home of that red rose and English rugby.

As Saint Patrick’s Day wore on, it was becoming apparent that history was in the making in a corner of TW2. The Irish rugby team were outscoring “Engerland”. There was a distinct possibility that a Grand Slam and Triple Crown would be returning with the Victors, on flight EI159. After 80 minutes of controlled, passionate, never say die rugby, Angus Gardner put his whistle to his lips and blew for full-time. Cue the wild celebrations and the mad, over-enthusiastic waving of the Tricolour. It was all over and Ireland won the lot!

The flag that had been so proudly waved all day on 17^th March originated here. To be precise, Thomas Francis Meagher, designed, created and raised The Original Flag, right here in Waterford City. To be exact, it was flown for the very first time at 33 The Mall, on the 7^th March 1848.

So there we have it. Two of Ireland’s most recognisable symbols, the Flag and Saint Partick’s Day, were born here in Waterford City. Yet I do feel, that we fail to acknowledge and publicise, such ownership. Everyone who proudly flies the Tricolour or takes part in a parade, no matter where in the World, should know of these Waterford City connections. Let’s make more mileage, out of these historic associations.

“Use the force Waterford!”, as Obi-Wan Kenobi would say.

“When Leo came to town!”

It was a busy week last week. What with the news of the North Quay Strategic Development Zone and Leo’s bandwagon rolling into the City. “The 2040 NDP Tour” was in full swing and those busy bees in the Special Communications Unit were doing what they do best, spinning us a yarn!

Everyone was very excited and relieved on Thursday last, to read across various social media sources, that the North Quays would go ahead unhindered. It appeared that the planning process had this time worked in Waterford Inc’s favour. Unlike many a scuppered past development, this time there were to be no road blocks. No insurmountable barriers and no “Serial-objectors”, using their pens to blunt our sword.

The announcements were made by various media savvy Councillors. Immediately after the Mayor declared at the monthly Council Meeting, that An Bord Pleanala had corresponded with the Executive, confirming that “No valid objections had been received”. It would surely be plain sailing from this hour forward? Waterford City would be able to grow, expand and develop at an accelerated pace.

No sooner had we caught our collective breath, when the rug was well and truly pulled from under our feet!

News started to trickle through, that one “Valid objection” had in fact been received by An Bord Pleanala. Apparently, this was delivered around the 6^th of March, though nobody is really quite sure. The reason given for not noticing this paperwork, was that storm Emma and the Beast from the East had caused “Issues with the post!”

I am pretty sure, with ALL the publicity and mountains of paperwork, that the guys and gals at An Bord Pleanala, must have known that this development would be Waterford’s Renaissance. Yet indefensibly, they managed to misplace, loose or ignore a fundamental part of the process. Should they not have been extra vigilant with the Council’s application?

To communicate that “All is good”, when in fact it is not, is unpardonable incompetence.

We in Waterford, will have to wait that wee bit longer, to see if the planning process finds in favour of our North Quays. Whilst it is disappointing that a person, persons or an organisation has objected. The process allows this to happen, being part and parcel of a free democratic society. I have no doubt, that when the name or names are revealed, the keyboard warriors will have a field day with said objector/s. Stoking the internet fires with bile, vitriol and lots of bad grammar.

Just before Leo and his considerable cavalcade rolled into town, we had the wind well and truly taken out of our sails. We were expecting so much from this, the latest leg, of the National Development Plan Tour. Waterford was finally on the map. Leo, supported by Paschal, would be playing to an adoring audience at the WIT Arena. He would have the opportunity to localise his NDP, demonstrating exactly what it would deliver for Waterford.

This was a wonderful opportunity to make that “BIG” funding announcement, on the back of An Bord Pleanala’s faux pas? Leo’s magically, mystic, new Spin Unit would be well aware of the Department’s boob, only 24 hours earlier. He would make amends. He would shine in his natural environment - the stage. He would play to the audience and waiting media, “Oh no he wouldn’t!”  

Alas, the tour schedule must have been so demanding that Leo forgot to cement the Government’s commitment and our plea for circa €60,000,000 of infrastructural works. Didn’t he also forget to commit to a funding for our second Cath Lab. No money to allow a regional airport to grow. He even made it very clear that the Technological University title was very likely to go to a Dublin consortium first, rather than the Waterford and Carlow axis.

A gruelling tour schedule had obviously muddled his lines. He was after all off to greener fields. The good old U.S. of A. was calling him for the annual St Patricks’ Day/Week expedition. A much more palatable audience, than the “Quiet people” of Waterford.

The highs and lows of Waterford’s development history are well written. I just hope that these, “Best laid schemes o’ mice and men”, don’t go awry.

“It was snow joke!”

Well, didn’t we get some dollop of snow last week? In Castle Garland, the back garden had over 50cm and believe it or not, 100cm in some places where the wind caused drifting. This was three days of Winter weather nobody will ever forget. We’ll be talking to our Grandchildren, in years to come, saying “I remember the Spring of 2018, when Ireland STOPPED for three days.” “We ran out of BREAD!” Or tea, in my case, I had to resort to drinking “Lady Grey, with zingy orange zest!”

Unfortunately, an event I am involved with, the 1848 Tricolour Celebrations, had to be cancelled in its entirety, from the 2^nd to 4^th March. We had an inkling that reaching Waterford City was going to prove impossible. The main roads may have been cleared by Saturday, but we had a feeling that accessing these major arterial routes was going to prove slightly more troublesome. In the end the right decision was made. The thaw only truly started between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning. We did have a number of intrepid guests, who completed their journey to Waterford City from Montana, New York and Tasmania. Hopefully, they will return in 2019.

I was on WLR’s Deise Today, to speak about the tough cancellation decision. Of course the conversation came around to my Scottish roots and how my home country coped with these unprecedented levels of snow. Scotland is a country of four REAL seasons. We do get snow in the Winter and therefore are prepared for this eventuality. We drive in the snow, get our messages in the snow and “Boi” do we love playing in the snow, much like our Scandinavian cousins.

Truth be told, I love the Winter, cold crisp air and sharp morning frosts. Lots of snow, to practice my driving skills and some great Scottish skiing. (Though admittedly almost always bloody freezing!) I used to own a 1964 Mini Cooper S and when the snow fell, I would be transported to the South of France and the Monte Carlo Rally. I was Paddy Hopkirk, on the back roads around Pitlessie Village. For a few fleeting moments I could make my Cooper S dance on the snow. Then I’d get stuck in a snowbank, having to dig myself out, without a spade and with no Winter clothing on – you get my drift.

Community spirit can always be judged in times of hardship. Over the four days of “Snowmagedden”, the Council, Civil Defence, Armed Forces, Garda and hundreds of volunteer “4x4 minicab drivers” did their bit. We saw nurses walking to University Hospital Waterford, like a scene out of “Scott of the Antarctic”. Our local Broadcast Centre, home to WLR and Beat, steadfastly refused to go “Off-air”.

Then there was Damien Tiernan and his local cameraman, Neilus Dennehy. Our very own Shackleton and Crean. Standing up to absolutely everything that the “Beast from the East” and “Storm Emma” could throw at them. Despite ALL their stoic minute by minute coverage, I picked up a comment, by some numpty on social media, that there was more to the South East than just Waterford. Clearly this bloke had his head buried.....in the snow.

“Team Waterford” came to the fore. We pulled together with blitz like spirit. You could see people helping neighbours. Communal paths being swept clean of snow and grit/salt being shared by all. This was truly uplifting.

Yet amongst this fortitude, we saw gratuitous acts of vandalism beyond imagination, in Dublin. A local supermarket being raided, then destroyed with a mechanical digger. The safe being stolen, then paraded as a trophy through the street, like a Sam Maguire homecoming. Appalling watching, which sadly made International news.

 

Thankfully, nothing like this took place in Waterford. Though we did appear to be missing from ALL the TV3 weather maps. Maybe, we had too much snow and were metaphorically buried?

As we return to some form of reality, spare a thought for the many SME independent businesses that had to close for 3 or 4 days. It’s time to support our local shops. Perhaps Government could give them a tax break in their aid package? After all, Waterford’s SME’s are far more important than the NDP!

“The future’s bright!”

It seems that the “fallout” from the National Development Plan (NDP) started in earnest last week. (Poor old Ernest always getting the short straw). All manner of TDs and public representatives eventually managed to find their reading glasses and started to scrutinise the “Terms and Conditions”. Low and behold, all was not as it seemed, after Leo spoke to his adoring, assembled press in Sligo.

We here in Waterford, have learned the hard way. Thick, glossy, weighty documents, never seem to translate into positive results for the principal players in said publications. I recall when “Talk Talk” closed its doors out of the blue and rather sharply, in September 2011. We had the usual flurry of activity from local TDs and senior political portfolio Ministers. A publication was hurriedly put together and launched, per Christmas, during the start of Winterval.

Ian Noctor was DJ on WLR’s “Drive-Home” and was beaming a live programme, with the outside broadcast unit, from the ice rink on The Quays. He interviewed me as CEO of the Chamber, about the plan and what it would or would not do for Waterford. I distinctly remember being markedly cautious in welcoming “The Plan”. The devil was always going to be in the detail. Having witnessed firsthand, the reluctance of Department Officials to support the recently redundant staff members, I was unwilling to become too enthused. Ian questioned my rational, but I stuck to my guns, stating that I hoped this plan did not become another dusty door stop, in the offices of power in Dublin.

Sure enough, this plan was rather quickly superseded by another publication. The delivery of help and resurrection for Waterford’s economy, soon faded into the annals of history.

Since 2011, I know that we have seen many a journal come and go. Each one promising more and more for Waterford. It’s “Groundhog Day!” There is a glitzy press launch, lots of RTE coverage, loads of newspaper’ headlines, with radio interviews galore. Then “Boom!” reality strikes, a new story and memories fade. Another crisis looms large and yet again a Government Department is busy engaging with the printers.

I have quite literally, run out of fingers, counting the numbers of publications promising to be “THE ONE”. The one, which will once and for all, bring salvation to Waterford’s troubles.

It’s not just me thinking this way either. John Deasy has re-emerged from the Wesht, like the creature from “The Black Lagoon”, to question the NDP’s content and what it means for Waterford. There are no timelines. Our Middle Eastern International Developer, is waiting in the wings. Do we have the time or the freedom to stall them off for another 6, 9, 12 months? I think not! They will simply move on to the next potential lucrative or speculative opportunity. Time is of the essence for such large conglomerates, as their return on investments, which needs specific deadlines.  

I once met the Department of Finance’s main man, in the middle of the banking crisis. At the time when banks were NOT lending to businesses and the availability of any sort of credit, was as rare as hen’s teeth. There was a proposal to put in place a review of bank practices. This would take 9 to 12 months!!!! I asked about the urgency of the situation? Stating that some businesses, in Waterford, were in such financial turmoil with their banks, that they might not be here next week, let alone in 9 or 12 months time. This fell on deaf ears. These Departments, which run our lives, work in months and years, rather than minutes and hours.

So, let us guardedly and cautiously welcome the attention we get from Government publications. We must however ensure we are delivered our fair share of the pie. This is the responsibility of our elected representatives. The very people, who stand for us in the Dail, must ensure that Waterford is at the forefront of everyone’s mind when it comes to financial exchequer help. Unfortunately, our track record on this is also, well let’s just be polite and say not so great.

Maybe the light at the end of the tunnel is still too dim?