The Viking Hotel is remaining open for those guests travelling for essential business/medical purposes. We continue to operate with extensive Covid-19 protocols in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our guests and employees. The services of our restaurant and bar are available for residents.

The Wooden Pestle is also available for ‘call and collect takeaway’ serving some really tasty dishes to our valued local customers! You can keep up to date with our take away menus on our Facebook page. A special menu for Sundays will be available each week due to demand for our popular Sunday Roast! Check out our website www.vikinghotelwaterford.ie or find us on Facebook for more information.

If you would like to make a reservation for essential business/medical stays or indeed order your take away from our menu please call our team on 051 336933 and we would be delighted to look after you!

The Solas Cancer Support Centre have designed an ecard that allows companies to wish clients and friends season's greetings while at the same time supporting the charity.

With Covid 19 restrictions this is a safe way of sending a Christmas message that can be forwarded electronically to a team that may be working remotely.

The ecard can be personalised with your company logo in the centre of the design. For details of our 2020 ecards please contact AnnMarie on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 051 304604.

During level 5 restrictions the Solas Cancer Support Centre continues to offer free cancer support to those affected by cancer, their families and carers in the South East. These services are available in the centre at Williamstown in Waterford City and in the West Waterford service based in the Alternative Health Clinic in Dungarvan.

Level 5 restrictions has brought many challenges. And while we do our best to work from home if possible. At the Fitzwilton Hotel we understand that when travel is essential, accommodation is needed. Medical professionals, caretakers, construction and development workers, retail workers and other essential workers all need to travel and find accommodation during this time.

The Fitzwilton Hotel is an ideal base for essential travel during restrictions providing Essential Travellers with packages that include breakfast and dinner as required.

Please view our packages: https://bit.ly/3dSzOCY

Our guests can also avail of -  

Free onsite Car Park, Met Bar Café with great selection, high speed WIFI.

We cannot wait to go back to the better days, when traveling was much more fun!  But for now Essential Workers, please feel free to contact us at anytime for accommodation queries on 051 846900 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As the country moves to Level Five of the Government’s Living with COVID-19 Roadmap, our elderly population needs support, reassurance and care, now more than ever.

Unlike the initial lockdown in March there is no requirement for those over 70 years of age to cocoon, however they have been advised to exercise their own judgement and limit their social contacts as much as possible.

The introduction of a support or social bubble has been broadly welcomed by Home Instead Senior Care. A social bubble is a close support network between a household with only one adult in the home and one other household of any size, which then acts as one extended household. The measure is based on the New Zealand model that was successfully introduced there during lockdown.

Steven Tubbritt, Home Instead Senior Care Waterford said the introduction will help in alleviating social isolation amongst the elderly. “As the two households are treated as one extended household and the household does not have to be within the 5km radius, this will be a relief for anyone caring for an elderly family member who is living on their own.”

“What this means is that meaningful care can be extended to a senior relative living alone. Not only will it provide them with company, it is a good opportunity for the household members to help prepare that smaller household for winter.”

With evenings drawing in and temperatures falling as winter makes its presence felt, useful tips and practices that can be put in place to ensure those within our social bubble stay warm, safe and cared for over the winter months.

Make sure the house is well stocked with the essentials, such as batteries for the smoke alarm, medicines, particularly repeat prescriptions and plenty of tinned fruit and veg and non-perishables such as pasta and rice.

Steven also advises that encouraging our senior relatives to wear several thin layers of clothes, instead of one heavy layer and to keep all internal windows and door closed to keep heat in, will keep them warmer longer throughout the day.

“It is important that seniors eat regular hot meals, as the body keeps warm by burning the food we eat. Porridge is an excellent source of nutrients, it’s quick and easy to prepare and fuels the body for hours.”

Other tips include:

• Clear pathways of wet leaves, which pose a trip hazard
• Keep all emergency / contact numbers close at hand
• Block draughts and keep curtains closed at night to retain heat
• Ensure electrical devices are unplugged at night
• Have Eircode beside phone to assist emergency services in reaching property quicker in case of an emergency.

If you suspect that you or a loved one have COVID-19 call your local GP on the phone to ask for advice. Do not visit their surgery unannounced. You can also call the HSE Helpline on Call save 1850 24 1850 to seek advice and follow their instructions.

If you have any concerns about an senior relative during these challenging and unprecedented times you can call Home Instead Senior Care on 051 333966 or visit https://www.homeinstead.ie/

Staycation in Waterford City and transform your dinner and drinks into an overnight stay.

• Overnight accommodation for two guests sharing 
• Full Irish Breakfast
• 4-course meal in Hobsons Restaurant overlooking the city’s Marina
• Full use of leisure centre & pool, prebooking is essential
• Complimentary car parking
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel
• Free Cancellation 24hours prior to arrival
• No booking fee

Don't forget you can avail of the Stay & Spend Scheme.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Tower Hotel Waterford and assure you that your safety and welfare is our number one priority, keeping your comfort, well being and safety at the very heart of what we do, click here for further information.

Click her to avail for booking: https://secure.towerhotelwaterford.com/bookings/specials/dine-in-delight---1-night-with-dinner

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.