Hopes for Waterford’s own ‘Gathering’ in 2022
2022 could see a festival of events for Waterford, something similar to ‘The Gathering’ which was held in 2013.
A motion put forward at last week’s reconvened Waterford City and County Council Plenary meeting by Councillor John Pratt, requested that the council look at holding and supporting such events in 2022, or as soon as it is safe to do so.
Cllr Pratt noted that this would encourage people to travel to Waterford to help tourism and business in the city, towns and villages to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
“This is something I believe strongly in that we can be the lead on as Waterford council and I’m sure it’s something that Fáilte Ireland will look at or back us on going forward.
“I think that we can now start working on what can be done next year, as we all know businesses have really suffered. The pub trade has been almost non-existant and I believe we should do what we can to encourage people who are keen to come home,” Cllr Pratt said.
Pointing to a number of cancelled festivals for 2021, Cllr Pratt also spoke of reallocating funding in order to begin preparatory works for a possible event in 2022.
He went on to tell the council that preparatory works should start straight away and that the initiative should be circulated to other councils also.
LOOKING TO ‘STEAL A MARCH’
Fellow Labour councillor, Thomas Phelan seconded the motion, stating that ‘now is the time to put in the prep work’ to win back international tourists and plan ahead towards a ‘post-pandemic world’.
However, Cllr Phelan disagreed with circulating the initiative to other councils, noting that Waterford has an opportunity to ‘steal a march’ on other counties.
Councillor Seamus Ryan commended the motion, noting that if 2022 was designated as a ‘homecoming’ year, that it would benefit businesses that have suffered throughout the pandemic.
Elderly people and those living rurally, who have been ‘left alone’ due to the ‘scourge of emigration’, were highlighted by Cllr Jim Griffin who noted that it would be an ‘excellent idea’ to bring those emigrants home via the event.
The motion was unanimously agreed upon by council members.
Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council, Michael Walsh, noted that ‘The Gathering’ in 2013 was funded significantly at a national level.
“I am delighted that you are all saying that we will achieve savings in the current year, I am not so sure of that. By the time that this year will be over, I am not so certain,” Mr Walsh said.
With the proposition being for 2022, Mr Walsh said that the council would revert with a report and some thoughts on the matter.