Gardens honoured with imperial visit
On July 10th 2017, the gardens were honoured with a visit by her Imperial Highness, the Princess Takamado, representing the Japanese Imperial Family, on the only stop of her official Irish visit outside Dublin.
The Princess was welcomed to the Lafcadio Hearn Gardens by the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Pat Nugent, Oireachtas members, Garden Management, staff and volunteers, members of Tramore Development Trust and local children who performed for her.
The Princess was accompanied by the Irish ambassador to Japan, HE Anne Barrington, and the Japanese Ambassador to Ireland, HE Mari Miyoshi, and was given a guided tour by garden director, Agnes Aylward.
Princess Takamado planted a Japanese Cherry Tree to commemorate her visit. She expressed great pleasure that the gardens were a community enterprise that would be there for future generations to enjoy.
Children from the Vickie Graham Stage School reenacted scenes from Katie and the Dream Eater – a children’s story written by Princess Takamado. Members of Dragon’s Lair Kyujutsu (Japanese Archery). The Harp was played beautifully by Fabien and as the visit coincided with the 64th birthday of the Princess, a birthday cake provided by one of the garden volunteers, Afra Cronin, was cut to the singing of Happy Birthday by the Ladies Choir.
