Family friendly Mount Congreve a growing attraction in the South East

Issued : Wednesday 30 April, 2014

The fact that Mount Congreve gardens are re-opened to the public from last month and particularly that they are now accessible to children and families has been cited as a significant boost to recreation and tourism in Waterford and the South East.
 
Previous to 2011, when the estate was left in trust to the Irish state, it was not policy to accommodate children as visitors. Mount Congreve had also traditionally been open to the public only on Thursdays. It was confirmed earlier this year, however, that the 70 acres of intensively planted woodland and four acre walled garden at the Kilmeaden estate would be opened at week-ends (10am-5.30pm, including Sunday).

I have been closely involved in efforts to ensure Mount Congreve re-opened last month, and I believe that the admission of children under 12 free of charge to the estate (accompanied and supervised by adults paying €5 entry fee) is proving a success.
 
I strongly make the point that Mount Congreve is another attraction that fits into a wide range of amenities in and around Waterford for families:
 
Post 2011, there was of course concern among the dedicated staff there and among the public that Mount Congreve might not continue as a public attraction. I, along with colleagues at a local and national level, took a special interest in making sure this did not happen. Anyone fortunate to visit these beautiful surrounds during sunny spells this Easter will have been delighted that things worked out as well as they did for what are world famous gardens on our doorstep here in Waterford, at the heart of the South East. I was delighted to see whole families enjoying a day out - the Egg Hunts organised in Mount Congreve on Easter Sunday and the sunflower seed planting involving the kids being a case in point. A lot of people have mentioned to me how positive a move it has been - that is fantastic feedback to get." 
 
We are fortunate here in Waterford that so much work from the local authority and countless others at a local level goes into ensuring that children and families enjoy and indeed feature so prominently in annual occasions such as the Waterford Writers Weekend, the Dunmore East Festival of Food, Fish and Fun, Spraoi, the Woodstown August Fair, the Waterford Harvest Food Festival, the Imagine Arts Festival and of course Winterval. In the electoral area I'm contesting as a candidate in the Municipal elections, there are excellent children's playgrounds to be enjoyed all year round at The Peoples' Park, Farranshoneen, Cheekpoint, Passage and Dunmore. There is plenty more besides and I'm delighted that Mount Congreve can now be added to an extensive and impressive list of attractions in the Waterford environs. I look forward to having the opportunity to further develop support for family friendly amenities.