KOKORO CULTURAL CENTRE
AnnounCing the development of our new kokoro cultural centre
We are excited to announce today the commencement of the construction of our new Kokoro Cultural Centre which will take pride of place in Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens Tramore. Kokoro Cultural Centre, is on course for completion in August 2025. The name Kokoro in Japanese means, ‘spirit or soul’. It is the title of one of Hearn’s books about Japan, which strives to convey a sense of the inner life of his adopted country. The Kokoro Centre will further augment the peace and spiritual tranquility that visitors find in the gardens.
We look forward to developing this centre of culture which will further enhance the tourism offering of Waterford City, County and the wider South East region. The upper floor level of the Kokoro Centre will be a covered space, providing introductory information and facilitating talks to visiting tour groups. It will also provide a relaxing café space to sit and absorb the wonderful views of the gardens and the glorious Tramore Bay below.
The lower level will have seating for one hundred people and will become a venue for cultural events, concerts, music performances, poetry readings and workshops. it will also provide a beautiful indoor space for many of the annual garden events as well as functioning as a welcome facility for community, national and international tour groups.
The Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens is a registered charity and a ‘not for profit’ entity. The outlay on the construction of the building to date is being supported by a grant from the Waterford Leader Partnership Programme, by philanthropic sources, by money raised directly by the gardens from gate receipts and borrowings. Fundraising is ongoing for this development and we will post details on support options in the near future.
In the meantime we would like to take this opportunity to thank you our followers, volunteers and the thousands of local, national and international visitors who come to the gardens annually, without your support this would not be possible.
“What can be imagined….can be achieved.”
We will update this page soon with details on the construction
OPTIONS TO SUPPORT / DONATE
You can help to support the Fundraising Initiative for our New Kokoro Cultural Centre in the following ways:
DONATE NOW
You can donate directly to our Kokoro Cultural Centre Fundraiser by Credit or Debit Card using the following Link into our Paypal Account.
CORPORATE OR INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS: BY BANK TRANSFER
Simply email us below and use in Subject Header ‘KOKORO DONATION’ we will then forward you our IBAN and Bank Details, your donation can be sent directly to the gardens via Bank Transfer.
A receipt for your donations will be forwarded to your email on receipt.
Email: info@lafcadiohearngardens.com
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR DEVELOPMENT
TAKE OUT ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP (2 people)
BUY ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
VISIT THE GARDENS OR ATTEND ANY OF OUR ANNUAL EVENTS.
BUY TICKET ENTRY
