Mayoral Reception for An Garrán Residents’ Association

On Friday 24th March, Resident’s of An Garrán Residents’ Association were hosted by Mayor of Waterford City and County Council, Cllr. John O’Leary, at special reception to commend the groups work in their community in Tramore.

The reception was held to celebrate the Residents’ Association being named as runner-up at the All-Island IPB Pride of Place awards  in January. The Association was nominated by Waterford City and County Council, in the Urban Neighbourhood (Under 3,000) category.

The ‘Pride of Place Awards’ awards, hosted by Dublin City Council and held in the Clayton Hotel in Dublin, celebrate the best in community development, and recognise the efforts of people in making their local neighbourhoods better places to live, work and socialise.

Please see below the speech made last Friday by Mayor of Waterford City and County Council, Cllr. John O’Leary:

“As Mayor of Waterford City and County, I would like to welcome you all here to the Mayor’s Parlour in City Hall for a Mayoral Reception of An Garrán Residents’ Association.

Built in 2009, the estate development was a joint venture between Waterford City and County Council and Tuath Housing Association. The An Garrán Residents’ Association started out as a very small group coming together to develop a committee that provided a platform to bring people together on both sides of An Garrán and provide a range of supports through engagement with all the residents and the council. 

The estate consists of huge culture diversity with residents from many parts of Europe Ghana, Russia, Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, England, and Canadian French empowering a great community of residents. Adults and children learn about different traditions and cultures as part of everyday life and living together in An Garrán, and one of the most significant ventures to have taken place last year by the residents of An Garrán was the European neighbour’s Day this was celebrated by a fun day and barbecue for children and adults and a celebration of local national Boxing champion Dylan Rocket.   

The An Garrán Residents’ Association Action Plan is – To create a sense of community in An Garrán by hosting community events for all residents and ensuring there is a social inclusion for all people who live in the estate. To have a safe, secure place for residents to enjoy, to call home and have a place to live and raise their families and build relationships and with the support both housing authorities Waterford City and County Council and Tuath Housing and have a link to community Garda and other external Agencies. To ensure the people of An Garrán have a voice when it comes to the development of the estate. But most of all to create a Pride of Place.

Since the residents’ group was set up, there have been several environmental awareness projects such as Tree Planting, Clean Up Days, Daffodil planting, National Planting Month, and a Pollinator Projects Meet and greet days and fun events.

The residents’ association, Waterford City and County Council and Tuath Housing have created a very positive link with the community Gardaí for support. As a result, the Residents’ Association have witnessed less antisocial behaviour over the last year.  Residents took an active role to establish ways to deter anti-social behaviour. The community garda, Waterford City and County Council and Tuath Housing worked together to find solutions to stop nuisance fires close to An Garrán.

Thanks to the strong neighbourhood presence, it is fantastic to see such a strong sense of community among the An Garrán residents thanks to the Residents’ Association. I want to congratulate you the residents and the residents’ Committee on your fantastic achievement in the national IBP Pride of place awards held recently and where you were awarded your prize and recognition in this 32 County National Pride of place Competition,

The pride of place judging committee on their visit to the estate last July were delighted to meet such an enthusiastic committee and commended the sense of pride for An Garrán.

I commend you all on the hard work done in the past and hope it continues into the future.

Go raibh mile maith agat.”

If you are interested in setting up or joining a Residents’ Association in your area, please see the ‘How to get involved’ section on website and get in touch with a member of Tuath’s Tenant Engagement team today.