New Children’s Attraction titled ‘Tír na nÓg’ to be housed in refurbished historic building
Waterford Fine Gael Senator and General Election candidate John Cummins has welcomed the allocation of €7 million under Strand 2 of the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) for Waterford City and County Council to bring the former men’s hostel at 18 Lady Lane in the heart of Waterford City back to life as a new Childrens experience.
Senator Cummins said “I want to thank my Fine Gael colleague Minister for State Alan Dillion TD for allocating the maximum funding allowable under THRIVE strand 2 to Waterford. When I discussed this project with Minister Dillon,he was very forthcoming in his support for bringing what is a historically important 18th century building back to life”.
“In my role as spokesman on Housing, Local Government and Heritage I have strived to ensure that as many vacant properties are brought back to life as possible and while we have had a lot of success in Waterford, there is always more that can be done. As someone who lives in the city centre, this particular building has been a bug bearer of mine for quite some time. It is on a really important thoroughfare between our world class museums and library and has sat derelict for an unacceptable period of time”.
In what could be described as pointed criticism, Senator Cummins said “This THRIVE funding has been designed to be utilised for ready to go projects, so it is imperative that Waterford City and County Council commences work in as short a period of time as possible. I don’t want a situation to occur like the €27.6 million I secured for the council under the URDF in 2021 for a series of projects across the city centre, where projects have yet to commence”.
It is understood that 18 Lady Lane will be converted into a visitor attraction for children with the working title – Tír na nÓg – the land of young people; to create a magical journey of discovery celebrating children’s past, present and future. In its concept brief Waterford City and County Council said the building would be converted to a life size dolls house, with a café and terrace lit by pencil lights on the ground floor, a new lift will be installed resembling building blocks and a new fire escape will be installed resembling a Meccano set.
They go on to state ‘Tír na nÓg will be antitheticallybeautiful, with sensory experiences incorporated into all aspects of the design and it will be fully accessible and inclusive. Tír na nÓg will develop a social inclusion plan to target children from socially disadvantaged communities and set aside days for children with sensory and intellectual challenges’.
Senator Cummins concluded by saying “Without urgent intervention, this historic building could be lost forever and that is why this €7 million is so important. Conserving the original fabric and decorative internal features of the building is a critical element of the project.
I’m proud that Fine Gael has played its part in government in delivering over €210 million to Waterford city centre projects in the past 5 years including the North Quays, City centre URDF, THRIVE and other local government funding streams”.