HORDES OF people came to pay their final respects to the Waterford Crystal visitors’ centre at Kilbarry yesterday as it closed its doors for the final time.
Some came in the hope of gathering a piece for their collection, while others simply came to share memories that made up the centrepiece of their lives for so long.
The centre had been due to close next month with the loss of about 15 remaining jobs there. And while the jobs will still be lost on February 5th, the centre closed ahead of schedule at 5pm yesterday.
About 330,000 tourists came to the visitor centre annually for 25 years – from the UK, the US, Australia and Asia. Almost 3,000 people once worked for Waterford Crystal at their factories in Kilbarry and Dungarvan.
Waterford Crystal worker of some 10 years Eleanor Horan said on Wlrfm news yesterday: “We are absolutely devastated but people have been fantastic; the support we got from all our locals has been absolutely incredible.”
Engraver Nicky Coady, with 44 years’ service, added: “While I’m here I’d like to just thank all the people who came in and shook our hands this week.
“If the politicians had come out a bit earlier maybe we wouldn’t be closing here today.”
Mayor of Waterford John Halligan said it was “a sad day for Waterford”.
