Former Taoiseach Dr. Garret FitzGerald celebrates anniversary of Cathedral Close Apartments

Visitors to and residents of Cathedral Close enjoyed the celebrations at Cathedral Close Apartments in Waterford.

Patron of Cathedral Close, former Taoiseach Dr. Garret Fitzgerald was keynote speaker at the event and was joined by Dr. Eithne Brenner of the Brenner Clinic and Eamon McEneaney of Waterford Treasures.

Cathedral Close offers 30 apartments on three floors, all with either lift or stair-lift access. The Cathedral Close (being 300 years old) is thought to be the oldest continually occupied building in Waterford. In its present form Cathedral Close dates from 1990 when government grants and local subscriptions enabled its refurbishment.

As well as celebrating The Close’s 20th anniversary, many visitors enjoyed tours of the facilities and an opportunity to meet with one of Ireland's most well regarded politicians and statesman.

Waterford Health Park to host “Positive Solutions for Ageing” as part of Positive Ageing Week

Now officially recognised as a Positive Ageing Week City, Waterford will play host to a number of senior related activities from September 24th to October 2nd.

Positive Ageing Week is run by Age Action Ireland and the premise of the event is to highlight the positive aspects of ageing and also to dispel the negativity that surrounds the ageing process.

The “Positive Solutions for Ageing” Health Day is one such event and will take place in the Waterford Health Park (Former Presentation Convent) from 10.30am to 4pm on Thursday, September 30th.

A keynote speaker for the event is Danette Connolly of Home Instead Senior Care, who will advise on all home care options. Home Instead Senior Care is a global organisation which provides personal care for seniors. Founded in 1994, Home Instead now has more than 850 franchise offices in 14 countries.

According to Ms. Connolly, Director of Services with Home Instead “By 2011, it is estimated that persons aged 65 and over will represent 14.1 per cent of the Republic's population. Currently there are over 7,500 senior citizens living in Waterford City and County.”

“The basis of Positive Solutions for Ageing is to highlight the options available to seniors and their families about many health related issues including; healthy eating, mental well being, free blood pressure and hearing tests, complimentary therapy options, personal safety and security and general advice for seniors. And all talks and presentations are free to attend.”

As Ireland’s most trusted source for senior care, Home Instead Senior Care is and has been heavily involved in championing seniors’ rights since its establishment in Waterford in early 2009. By partnering with service providers such as the HSE, An Garda Siochana, local pharmacies and active retirement groups, Home Instead has given voice to seniors’ concerns throughout the South East.

Ms. Connolly added, "Home Instead is about alleviating senior’s fear of growing older and having to move to an institution because of the risk of isolation. We want to give older people the option stay at home with the companionship and support necessary to live a longer, happier life.”

“We also want to give seniors as much information about the options available to them to empower them and enable them to make the right choice when it comes to all senior matters.”

The “Positive Solutions for Ageing” Health Day takes place in the Waterford Health Park, Slievekeale Road from 10.30am to 4pm on Thursday, September 30th – admission is free and all are welcome.

To find out more about the Home Instead Senior Care service visit www.homeinstead.ie or contact the Waterford office at Cleaboy Business Park, Old Kilmeaden Road on 051 333966

Home Instead Senior Care puts the kettle on to raise funds for Waterford Hospice Movement

Home Instead Senior Care, in association with Cleaboy Business Park, was one of the local businesses that hosted a coffee morning in aid of Waterford Hospice Movement on Thursday, September 16th.

The WHM Coffee Morning was organised in order to raise much needed funds to provide hospice care for patients currently under its care in Waterford.

Home Instead and Cleaboy Business Park were delighted to host a coffee morning for the fourth consecutive year. Danette Connolly, Director of Services at Home Instead said “As a company that supplies caring professionals to the region, we are acutely aware of the absolute necessity for a dedicated hospice facility in Waterford. The level of care provided to both the patient and the family is paramount. Through the provision of funds and services the best quality of life can be guaranteed to the patient and their support network of family and friends”.

Ms. Connolly added “It’s no secret that Waterford deserves a dedicated hospice facility. If something as simple as putting the kettle on can raise money for such a worthy cause, we’ll definitely be doing it again”.

The Coffee Morning enjoyed a great turnout as the residents of Cleaboy Business Park gave generously to support this very worthwhile initiative.

According to Carmel Organ, Administration Manager at Cleaboy Business Park, “Everybody who attended on the morning gave generously. We had the full support of all the businesses in the Park, including WWRD, Reflexite, ABB, SISK and many more. We were also delighted that the Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. Mary Roche could be with us. The Park has always harboured a strong community spirit and the turnout this morning was case in point of that.”

For further information about how you can help the Waterford Hospice Movement contact Marie Cummins, Fundraiser, on 051 832330 or visit http://www.homeinstead.ie/.

Former Taoiseach and renowned Statesman returns to Waterford

For 20 years Cathedral Close Apartments have been providing sheltered accommodation in Waterford and the South East. To mark its 20th anniversary, Cathedral Close will host a celebration on Sunday, September 26th.

The celebration will take the form of an open afternoon with events geared to interest and inform the active retired of Waterford. The highlight of this event will be the attendance of former Taoiseach Dr. Garret FitzGerald, a patron of Cathedral Close.

Dr. FitzGerald boasts an impressive and extensive political career, becoming a Senator in 1965 and being elected to Dáil Éireann in 1969. He became Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Fine Gael / Labour Coalition Government in 1973 and became leader of Fine Gael in 1977. In June 1981 Garret FitzGerald became Taoiseach until March 1982.

He then served a second period as Taoiseach from December 1982 to March 1987. Dr. FitzGerald retired from politics in 1992, although he came out of political retirement to campaign actively in the second referendum campaign on the Nice Treaty in 2002.

Dr. FitzGerald will be remembered by many as the dignitary who visited the Cathedral Close Apartments in 1990 for the signing of contracts and again during the building process and has remained a friend of the Close ever since.

Cathedral Close offers 30 apartments on three floors, all with either lift or stair-lift access. Each apartment is unfurnished but has a fully fitted kitchen with refrigerator and electric cooker. The Cathedral Close (being 300 years old) is thought to be the oldest continually occupied building in Waterford. In its present form Cathedral Close dates from 1990 when government grants and local subscriptions enabled its refurbishment.

As well as celebrating The Close’s 20th anniversary, the event will highlight the features and benefits of living in Cathedral Close. A number of interesting and short talks by Eamon McEneaney of Waterford Treasures on ‘The future plans for the Viking Triangle’ and Dr. Eithne Brenner on ‘Health and the elderly’ will also take place throughout the afternoon.

There are tours of the facilities available for those who have a genuine interest in its offering and have never seen the apartments and living areas. Other organisations who supply products and services to the active retired will also provide information for those in attendance.

The proceedings start at 2pm on Sunday, September 26th at Cathedral Close Apartments opposite Christ Church Cathedral in Waterford City and all interested parties are most welcome.

Bin War Heats Up

Mr. Binman, the family owned and run waste collection and recycling company, is leading the “green revolution” into Cork, by providing a new, innovative and environmentally friendly waste collection service to the householders of Co. Cork.

Cork County Council recently sold its waste collection business following a Waste Management Review which highlighted decreasing customer members and a substantial budget shortfall.

Mr Binman, Repak Recycling Recovery Operator of the Year in 2009 is now expanding its services to more areas in County Cork to offer a cheap, hassle-free household service for Cork householders.

According to Joe Cleary, Sales and Marketing Director of Mr. Binman, they are making it as easy as possible for the former Cork Council customers to move to its new service, “Our ‘Make the Change’ Campaign in Cork has been generating a huge amount of interest. We are switching people over to the new service in under 3 minutes – how could it be any simpler? Either over the phone or online at mrbinman.com, we can set up a new account immediately once we verify the household is on one of our ever expanding collection routes”.

Mr Binman offers a different type of service compared to the previous pay per weight in arrears arrangements put in place by the County Council. This ensures an easy to use service with no headaches of pay per weight arrears and Mr Binman says they are offering savings of up to €100 per annum.

Mr. Cleary said: “We are very much aware of how competitively priced we have to be in the current economic climate but even though we are cheap on price, we are not cheap on service! We value all our customers and the business they give us and we are working every day to make sure our customers are getting an excellent service at an excellent price. We are constantly improving our services to suit our customer’s needs and will continue to do so in the future.”

“We are servicing the glass bottle banks all over County Cork for some time now and people should be familiar with our distinctive yellow and green trucks as a result of this. We have over 60,000 household customers across all areas of Munster including parts of Cork and there has been a tremendous uptake on our service in Cork so we hope that this continues.” Joe Cleary added.

Since its establishment in 1994 Mr Binman has continually expanded routes into the wider Munster region and due to its commitment to waste processing and recycling, Mr Binman ensures that all its customers are winning in the Race Against Waste.

Completion of M9 means Suir Bridge more vital than ever

The opening of the completed M9 is yet another milestone for Waterford and the South East region. The Motorway now links directly from the Suir Bridge Waterford to Dublin. The Suir Bridge is pivotal in providing a regional gateway for the entire southeast.

Declan Cahill, Operations Manager for the Suir Bridge expressed his optimism for the future, “It is our hope that the opening of the final phase of the M9 will play a part in the economic growth and regeneration of the Waterford area and the entire Southeast region, to the benefit of all.”

This new section of motorway provides improved access to and from the city of Waterford via the Suir Bridge and marks the completion of the M9 major inter-urban route connecting Dublin and Waterford. It also impacts on the greater southern and eastern regions. Figures confirmed by the National Roads Authority reveal that significant journey time savings from East Cork, South Tipperary and Waterford to Kilkenny, Carlow and Dublin can be achieved.

A journey from East Cork or West Waterford to Dublin can be signnificantly reduced via the Suir Bridge. Twenty minutes can be saved by using the bridge as an alternative to traversing Waterford City, but now as an integral part of the M9 it combines with the M9’s time savings to Kilkenny, Carlow and Dublin.

According to Mr. Cahill, the success in opening this section marks another significant piece in the national programme of infrastructure development. The enhanced road infrastructure of which the M9 is an important component will improve road safety and shorten journey times. Further critically it will afford both the Waterford and Kilkenny regions opportunities for increased inward investment and assist in attracting foreign investment which is so vital for increased employment and development.

Additionally, the improved road network will aid tourists in accessing a full range of offerings from the Irish hospitality industry throughout the southeast.

This early opening will assist both business and tourism along the entire route for easier access to Kildare, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford.

Notes to Editors:

About Celtic Roads Group:

Celtic Roads Group is an international consortium which brings together both national and international organisations with diverse skills across construction contracting, facility management and financing. Companies involved with Celtic Roads Group include, National Toll Roads, BAM PPP and Iridium of Spain. CRG is also responsible for three PPP schemes throughout the country including:

1. The M1 / Dundalk Western Bypass
2. The M7/M8/ Portlaoise Scheme.
3. Suir bridge operations in Waterford

Mr. Binman launches “Bag for Life” with WLRfm

Gary O’Keeffe, Mr. Binman Commercial Manager, Billy McCarthy, WLR fm Director of Programmes, and Joe Cleary, Sales and Marketing Director of Mr. Binman recently launched the Mr. Binman / Deise AM Bag for Life.

This is an initiative both companies are jointly promoting to reduce the use of plastic bags and as such act more responsibly towards the environment.

Mr Binman is the current Repak Recycling Contractor of the Year and is constantly striving to increase the amount of recycling. The more material that is recycled, the less waste going to landfill which is better for this and future generations.

Joe Cleary said “The challenge for us all is to make small modifications in our day to day practises. Small but significant steps such as reducing, reusing and recycling our waste can make a big difference. We want to encourage everyone to Make the Change today.”

Mr. Cleary added “By joining Mr. Binman’s Green Revolution we are all playing a small part in recycling our waste and because it’s free, we will all feel the benefit.”

Mr Binman is a family run waste and recycling company that employs over 150 people in the South East region.

For further information and details about Making the Change log onto http://www.mrbinman.com/ or call 051 643144.