WATERFORD CITY AND WATERFORD WALLS

One Of My Favourite Cities

THE SCRIBBLE GRID IN ACTION AND A WORK IN PROGRESS AT THE GLEN

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WATERFORD WALLS HUB 2025

As I could not book a hotel room for Saturday or Sunday many of the planned murals had yet to be completed so many that I photographed were very much unfinished but hopefully I can revisit them next year.

I’ve finally had the opportunity to photograph something I’ve always wanted to capture: a mural created using the scribble grid technique. This mural is a work in progress at The Glen, part of the Waterford Walls Hub 2025 event. While I don’t know the exact artist yet, it’s one of the following: AndyMc, HOCK, Kohneshia, Kone, Rocket01, WRN, or Zurdie.

What Is a Scribble Grid?

The scribble grid, also known as a doodle grid or lazy grid, is a clever technique used by artists, especially muralists, to scale up a design from a small sketch to a large wall. Unlike a traditional, precisely measured grid, this method allows for more spontaneity and is perfect for irregular or textured surfaces.

Here’s a breakdown of how the process typically works:

Preparation: The artist first creates their design digitally and takes a photo of the wall where the mural will be painted.

The Grid: On the actual wall, the artist draws a series of random, non-uniform shapes, letters, or scribbles. These aren’t meant to be neat; they simply act as a unique set of reference points across the surface. This can be done with chalk, spray paint, or a brush.

Overlay: The artist then takes a photo of the wall with the scribbles on it. They import this photo into their digital software, placing it on a layer beneath their mural design. By making the mural design partially transparent, they can see the scribbles underneath.

Transfer: Using the overlaid image as a guide, the artist notes where the lines of their design intersect with the random scribbles on the wall. For example, a line might start where a letter ‘G’ is drawn and end where it crosses a curvy line.

Painting: Using these “scribble intersections” as a guide, the artist transfers their design onto the wall, ensuring the proportions and placement are correct.

This method is fast, flexible, and doesn’t require a ruler or a projector, making it a modern, less rigid alternative to the traditional grid method. It allows artists to maintain accuracy while adopting a more freehand approach.

TRAMORE THE BIG BEACH COUNTY WATERFORD

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AUGUST 2025 VISIT

I had a few hours to spare so I decided to visit Tramore and it took me much less than an hour to get there from the Granville Hotel in Waterford. I had intended to revisit the town on the following day in order to search for and photograph examples of street-art and also visit the Metal Man but I got distracted by events and did not re-visit.

Getting to Tramore from Waterford City

Travelling to Tramore from Waterford City is very straightforward and easy. The two towns are located just 12 kilometres apart, and there is a frequent and direct bus service operated by Bus Éireann (Route 360) that connects them. The journey is short, taking approximately 18-20 minutes, with buses running every 30 minutes throughout the day. This makes it a very convenient and reliable option for commuters and visitors alike.

History and Origin of Tramore

Tramore, which translates from the Irish ‘Trá Mhór’ to ‘big beach’, was originally a small fishing village. Its transformation began in the late 18th century when it was discovered as a “pleasant retreat” for the citizens of Waterford seeking the benefits of “salt water”. The town’s growth as a tourist destination was significantly boosted by the opening of a unique, isolated railway line from Waterford City in 1853. This railway was integral to the town’s development until its closure in 1961.

A key event in the town’s history is the “Sea Horse tragedy” of 1816, when a military transport ship carrying soldiers, women, and children was wrecked in the bay, leading to the loss of over 360 lives. This event led to the erection of the famous “Metal Man” statues on the headlands in 1823, funded by Lloyd’s of London, to warn seafarers of the dangerous waters. The seahorse also became a symbol of the town and was later adopted as the logo for Waterford Crystal.

In recent decades, Tramore has evolved into a “dormitory town” for Waterford City, with a large portion of its population commuting for work. The town council is now focused on promoting a more self-sustaining local economy.

Peak Season and All-Year Community

While Tramore has always been a popular tourist destination, it has developed into a settled, all-year community rather than solely a seasonal resort. Its population was recorded at over 11,000 in the 2022 census, making it the second-largest town in County Waterford.

The peak season for tourism is undoubtedly from Easter through to September, with July and August being the busiest months. During this time, the town’s amusement park, beach, and other attractions are in full swing, and a large number of local and international visitors arrive. Surfing and water sports are particularly popular, and the town hosts a long-running annual horse-racing festival in August.

However, the town does not shut down in the winter. Its large community ensures that local businesses, schools, and services remain active all year round. The off-season also offers a different type of experience, with the beach still being a draw for surfers and walkers, and the cliff walks providing a rugged, scenic alternative to the summer crowds.

Street Art and Murals

While Tramore may not have the same concentration of street art as nearby Waterford City, which is known for its annual “Waterford Walls” festival, it has been included in the festival’s expansion. The Waterford Walls festival has brought large-scale mural artwork to various locations within the county, including Tramore. Therefore, it is possible to find street art in the town, with pieces often commissioned to beautify urban spaces and engage with the local community.

THE MARIAN GROTTO AT FERRY BANK NEAR WATERFORD CITY

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PHOTOGRAPHED AUGUST 2025

The Marian Grotto at Ferrybank near Waterford City

Confusion often arises between the large Marian Grotto in Ferrybank and the Our Lady of the Wayside Grotto on Cork Road in Waterford City. During my recent visit, both were photographed, and a third site, a statue in Roanmore Park, was also discovered and photographed. This statue is a different type of monument and is a more recent addition, erected in July 1973. The Our Lady of the Wayside Grotto on Cork Road is a traditional grotto, but the one in Roanmore Park is a statue on a plinth.

The Grotto in Ferrybank is a significant local landmark with a history rooted in the Marian Year of 1954. Following the global Catholic devotion to the Virgin Mary, a local committee in Ferrybank, with the full support of then-parish priest Canon James Ryan, initiated a project to build the Grotto.

The Grotto’s construction involved using large conglomerate stones sourced from local quarries in Ballinamona and Slieverue. A piece of rock from the Grotto in Lourdes was also incorporated into the structure. On Sunday, 20th May 1956, the Grotto was officially unveiled and blessed before a large gathering of people from Ferrybank and the surrounding areas. A time capsule containing newspapers and coins from the era was also built into the Grotto.

The Grotto remains a focal point for the community, lovingly tended to by a dedicated local resident for many years. It serves as a place of pilgrimage and prayer, and in 2024, a special event marked the 70th anniversary of the Marian Year.

THIS CONE SHAPED OPJECT CAN BE SEEN AT HENNESSEY’S ROAD IN WATERFORD

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I COULD NOT ESTABLISH IF IT IS A SCULPTURE

I first photographed this large cone many years ago and could not determine if it was a work of art or if it served some other purpose. A year ago I saw a photograph of it online and it was described as follows: “This monument was completed in 2008 by Waterford City Council. Allegedly it is to commemorate the old City Boundary.”

The cone-shaped monument on Hennessy’s Road is a compelling piece of public art with a clear, likely purpose. My follow up research confirms that its location aligns with a historical boundary of the County Borough of Waterford. The sculpture’s powerful and symbolic form, particularly the deliberate vertical split, serves as a fitting visual metaphor for a line of division, strengthening the argument that it is a monument commemorating this specific civic boundary.

However, the claims regarding its commissioning by Waterford City Council and its installation date of 2008 could not be verified. The absence of documentation in the records of known public art commissioning bodies suggests that the sculpture’s origin may be a private or unique project, rather than a standard municipal commission. The 2008 date is likely a point of local lore.

CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART FERRY BANK COUNTY KILKENNY

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PHOTOGRAPHED AUGUST 2025 USING A SONY A1 II

I must admit that when I visited the area in the past I was unaware that I was in County Kilkenny rather than County Waterford.

The Church of the Sacred Heart, Ferrybank

The Church of the Sacred Heart is a prominent building in Ferrybank, and its location can be a source of confusion for visitors. While Ferrybank is often closely associated with Waterford City, it is indeed located within County Kilkenny. The parish itself is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory, which primarily serves County Kilkenny.

History of the Church

The history of the Church of the Sacred Heart is tied to the expansion of the Catholic community in Ferrybank in the 19th century. The church was built in two main phases, with the initial construction beginning in 1867.

Architectural Design: The church was designed by the notable architectural firm of Pugin & Ashlin. This partnership was a key force in the Gothic Revival movement in Ireland, and their influence is visible in the church’s design, including the striking tower and spire that were added.

The Barron Family: The construction was initiated with the intention of rebuilding a pre-existing church, a project supported by a local landowner, Sir Henry Page Turner Barron. The church’s tower walls were designed to include the Barron family vault, linking the building directly to the local gentry.

A Living Church: Today, the Church of the Sacred Heart remains an active and vital place of worship for the local community. It holds regular masses, and its parish website lists a full schedule of religious services, including events for Holy Week and Christmas.

The Graveyard: Active and Historic

The large graveyard surrounding the Church of the Sacred Heart is both historic and active.

Historic Significance: The cemetery contains many old headstones and is the final resting place of generations of local families. It also holds graves with historic significance, including war casualties, reflecting the area’s long history.

Current Status: The graveyard is still in use for new burials. The parish holds annual cemetery masses and remembrance services, a clear sign that it is an active burial ground that continues to serve the community. The upkeep and continued use of the graveyard show that it is a living part of the parish, not just a historical site.

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