We may not be able to travel far from home, so why not rediscover all that shopping in Waterford has to offer. Local guests can enjoy a one night stay at Dooley’s Hotel with evening dinner for just €110 per couple. Or why not book for two nights with dinner on one evening for just €79 per person sharing.

Plus when you book, you'll also be able to avail of 10% off your purchases from over 25 amazing local, independent retailers in Waterford City.

There's never been a better time to be a tourist in your own county and to enjoy the great retail experience that Waterford has to offer.

To book call Reservations on 051 873 531 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

#StaySafe #StayLocal

• Almost half of employees (44%) felt they were better prepared to return to remote working, as the government raised the level of restrictions.
• Half of all employees are concerned about their employer’s flexibility around remote working.
• 57% of employees are concerned about the security of their jobs over the coming months.

2020 has been a year like no other and the way we work and live has been affected in ways we could not have imagined. The Hartley People Working and Job Seeking During the Covid-19 Pandemic Survey collected the views of employed adults in the south east to discover how COVID-19 restrictions have affected their working lives and future job prospects.

Remote working during the pandemic

42% of employees surveyed worked from home during the lockdown restrictions. Of those that returned to work on site 46% agreed that their employer had put appropriate measures in place to keep them safe as they returned to work.

Almost half of employees (44%) felt they were better prepared to return to remote working, as the government raised the level of restrictions. However, half of all employees are concerned about their employer’s flexibility around remote working as we face into an uncertain winter.

Over 40% of respondents admit that the change to their working environment has made them revaluate their work/life balance. Extra time accrued for personal and family activities due to not having to commute to work is stated as the main reason for this revaluation. Although, as few as 21% of those who are working remotely are enjoying extra time in bed in the mornings and 35% admit to eating more than usual as they work at home.

When it comes to what we miss about the office, over half of respondents who are working from home miss chats with colleagues, while 44% are tiring of video calls and longing for a return to face-to-face meetings. 12% admit to preferring work with restrictions around interactions with colleagues in place.

Job seeking and employment prospects

As we continue to live and work within the restraints of the pandemic restrictions, the survey highlighted concerns about job security and employment prospects amongst our respondents. 57% of employees are concerned about the security of their jobs over the coming months, with the highest level of concern being expressed by 35-44yr olds (45%), followed by 45-54yr olds (21%). Unsurprisingly those who are employed in the retail sector expressed the most concern about job security (19%), followed by those who work in the secretarial & admin (19%) and production and manufacturing (14%) sectors.

22% of those working in retail have experienced a pay cut or a decrease in their usual hours of work, followed by 18% of production and manufacturing workers.

Amongst the uncertainty there is still optimism amongst employees as 48% say they would consider changing job at the moment, while 20% have put their job search on hold while Covid-19 is still prevalent.

35% are satisfied with job opportunities for professional growth here in the south east, 15% of respondents who live outside the south east would consider relocating here for a new job.

This Christmas show your appreciation to customers, clients and friends with an Irish Chocolate Hamper from Carters Chocolate Cafe.

Call Philip on 051 841802 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. today to discuss tailored options and help support local business this Christmas.

The Santa Express at Waterford Suir Valley Railway is the latest event to be cancelled due to the uncertain environment created by the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

Christmas has always been a very special time at the Waterford Suir Valley Railway. The volunteer crew have been operating the Santa Express for 18 years, welcoming many loyal families visiting every year since it started in 2002. Many more, who having visited as children are keeping up the family Christmas tradition, now bringing their own children to enjoy the experience. 

Maria Kyte, Manager of Waterford Suir Valley Railway said “The Santa Express is without doubt our favourite event to organise and operate and therefore, it is with great regret that we have made the heart-breaking decision to cancel the Santa Express for 2020.”  She continued “The Government restrictions for the Covid-19 Pandemic are liable to be put in to place at any time resulting in the cancelation of the Santa Express at short notice.  It would be beyond our control and we don’t want to promise something we may not be in a position to deliver and disappoint children so near to Christmas. The lead up to Christmas will not be the same for us at Kilmeadan Station, we will miss welcoming all our lovely families to the Santa Express.” 

The Waterford Suir Valley Railway had already announced the cancelling of their other award-winning long running event, the Spooky Express, which was due to be held on Saturday 24th October. The railway is closed at present due to the level 3 Covid-19 restrictions. The crew at Waterford Suir Valley Railway hope to resume operation on 28th October until 1st November for the October mid-term break.  

The Whistlestop Café located on the Waterford Greenway at Kilmeadan Station is currently open for takeaway service of refreshments and snack and will remain open until the end of the year unless other restrictions are put in place.

Stay local, stay safe & feel a Million Miles away at Faithlegg this autumn, we are happy to announce that we are remaining open and are welcoming all Waterford City and County guests to Faithlegg.

Book a special staycation or overnight indulgence in your home county.

For details of all our stay local stay safe offers visit https://secure.faithlegg.com/bookings/packages3 or phone 051 382000.

Waterford Credit Union has proudly sponsored the Solas Cancer Support Centre “Fun for Life” in the Peoples Park for the past 4 years.

This event was always a great family fun day and attracted many people to the park. It is unfortunate that the event is cancelled for 2020 however, according to Ann-Marie Drohan, Marketing Officer Waterford Credit Union “this gives us an extra year of planning to make Fun for Life 2021 even bigger and better! We will continue to support the Solas Cancer Support Centre ‘Virtual Run & Walk for Life 2020’ as ‘Postage Partner’. This enables the centre to post the registration packs to all who sign up. So, let’s get as many people as possible to register for their main annual fundraising event.”

Solas Centre Virtual Run & Walk for Life takes place over the weekend of 9th-11th October 2020. Pick your distance and pick your route. Sign up at solascentre.ie

Annual Shine a Light Night returns for 2020 with appeal to business leaders, companies, and employees to join virtual sleep-outs across the country

October 5, 2020: Focus Ireland and Bord Gáis Energy are calling on business leaders and companies across Waterford to participate in Shine a Light Night 2020 on October 16th – giving one night to help raise much needed funds for vital homelessness services. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, Waterford’s business community has the option to host virtual sleep-outs in their own homes, gardens and safe private spaces in line with government restrictions surrounding Covid-19.

Corporate support for Shine a Light Night is more important this year than ever due to an increase in demand for Focus Ireland’s services in recent months since the Covid-19 outbreak. This demand is expected to continue growing as the economic impact of the virus hits the country and impacts on the 8,728 people currently homeless in Ireland, including 2,651 children and 1,142 families in emergency accommodation. As a result, Focus Ireland supported by Bord Gáis Energy hope that the virtual sleep-out option will make Shine a Light Night safe and accessible to as many businesses and employees as possible.

In 2020, Focus Ireland’s Shine a Light campaign, which is proudly supported by Bord Gáis Energy, is aiming to raise €1.3 million on Shine a Light Night, with Ireland’s business community helping to raise the vast majority of this. This year however, Waterford residents can also get involved in the initiative within their homes and host their own sleep-outs to shine a light on homelessness in Ireland. Since the event began in 2012, Shine A Light Night has raised over €5.3m for people experiencing homelessness in Ireland. In 2019, the support of Bord Gáis Energy as sponsors enabled Focus Ireland to help over 14,200 people.

For further information on Shine A Light Night 2020 and to register for a virtual sleep-out visit www.focusireland.ie/shinealight

Calling on business leaders to get involved, Pat Dennigan, CEO Focus Ireland said: “Shine a Light Night is our most important fundraising initiative each year and we have always been strongly supported by the business community in Waterford– we are truly grateful for their involvement and support in driving funds to ensure our vital services can continue to help those who are homeless across Ireland. As a result of Covid-19 and arising government restrictions, we have made the unfortunate but necessary decision to cancel our schedule of outdoor corporate sleepouts across the country. Instead, we hope that Ireland’s business leaders and companies will continue to show their support for Shine a Light Night and take part ‘virtually’ by sleeping out safely in their own homes, gardens, or private safe spaces.”

“Covid-19 is also having an impact on the demand for our services which has increased in recent months. Hitting our fundraising goal of €1.3 million will be more important this year than ever if we are to continue to support those experiencing homelessness in communities nationwide.”

Managing Director of Bord Gáis Energy, Dave Kirwan said, “Ireland has faced many challenges in the past six months, with those without homes particularly vulnerable. As we all know, having a safe, warm home is something everyone should be able to enjoy; along with the safety and security this affords. We’re proud of our partnership with Focus Ireland and are committed to supporting its great work in addressing the issue of homelessness and helping those at risk of losing their home. 

“We’re delighted to yet again support the Shine a Light Night sleep out and want to make this year’s event bigger than ever. The team and I in Bord Gáis Energy will be participating this year and we are asking businesses in Waterford to join us in giving just one night to sleep out in solidarity with Ireland’s homeless community.”