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By Waterford City & County Council

Europe Direct Soapbox Competition 2022 – Is Europe Listening to its Young People?

We are delighted to inform you that our Annual Europe Direct Soapbox Competition will once again take place online this year with fantastic prizes for the regional finalists and the overall national winners!

We are delighted to invite your students to record a short video for, or against, the soapbox topic:

 “Is Europe Listening to its Young People”? 

 Please note:

·        Entrants are invited to deliver a three minute speech on video for or against the topic:“Is Europe Listening to its Young People”?

·       Contestants will compete in one of two categories: 16 and under / 17 and over – tick the appropriate box on the application form.

·       A regional winner will be selected from each category to compete in a National final and have the chance to win the cash prize.

·        To avoid technical issues, we ask that that videos be submitted in MP4 format. (This is the format in which all Android phones and iPhones automatically save videos.)

Videos must be sent via WeTransfer or or Dropbox link to: abirney@waterfordcouncil.ie (16 and under) boshea@waterfordcouncil.ie (17 and over)

  • All entries must be received before 2pm Wednesday on the 30th of November.

Please find a Poster, an Application Form, Competition Rules and a reminder Tick List attached above.  Entry forms/Competition Rules and Tick list can also be downloaded from:  https://waterfordlibraries.ie/europe-direct-soap-box-competition-2022/

Wishing all entrants the best of luck!

If you have any queries please feel free to contact boshea@waterfordcouncil.ie or abirney@waterfordcouncil.ie.  Alternatively you can call us on 051 849975

By Waterford City & County Council

Winterval Festival officially opens in Waterford today and is set to welcome 600,000 festivalgoers

Ireland’s Christmas Festival will officially open in Waterford City this evening (Friday, November 18th) with the arrival of the country’s first Christmas Parade commencing at 5:15 pm in the Viking City.Santa Claus is, of course, the grand marshal and at 5:15 pm he will arrive in the city centre in a gigantic bauble having parked up his sleigh for the duration of this stay in Waterford, until December 23rd. The parade will commence from The Clock Tower on Waterford’s historic quayside and travel up Barronstrand Street into John Robert’s Square where upon reaching the main stage Santa and his band of merry elves will join the Mayor of Waterford Cllr John O’Leary in officially lighting up the festive season in Waterford as they switch on the lights at 6 pm.The festival organiser’s are expecting 600,000 people to enjoy the Winterval Festival between now and Christmas Eve delivering an economic contribution of €30 million.Festival Directors John Grubb and Trevor Darmody say, “Winterval is a festival which has broken all records and apart from covid impacted years it has grown exponentially each year. This year being the 10th anniversary of the festival there is an extra special programme of events on offer with a different one-off special event taking place each weekend in addition to the ongoing festival programme. For that reason, coupled with the delight of the freedom to enjoy Christmas once again, ticket sales are thriving and anticipation for the festival is high.There are six weeks of Winterval and we are expecting 100,000 festivalgoers for each of those weekends, we have 40 events on offer with 25 of those on offer for free, so there is plenty to see and do and room for crowds to enjoy the expanse of the festival and the city.The expected economic boost from a breakdown of day trippers from outside of Waterford and from domestic overnight visitors would offer an economic boost to the City in the region of €30 million. The festival also created over 500 seasonal jobs directly plus multiple indirect jobs and we have hundreds of volunteers and community groups involved too.This is all a huge economic boost to the city and is essential for what is typically an ‘off-season’ tourism time of the year and to support businesses that were greatly impacted during pandemic lockdowns.”Winterval Festival highlights include a gigantic and magical talking postbox with an elf post-collection show each weekend, magic mirrors and a host of free children’s workshops, a free shadow puppet show plus the magic lights of GLOW in New Street Gardens. The Winterval Illuminates light show on offer every half hour, the ice rink on the city’s Quayside to the vintage Ferris wheel at Arundel Square, a vintage carousel, the Port of Waterford Eye, the Winterval Mini Express train, a virtual ride in Santa’s sleigh plus a Wizard and Dragon interactive exhibition. Plus there will be Santa Paws for doggies and the Gerbola Circus will be hosting a festive circus show in their heated Big Top tent each weekend.Santa takes centre stage at the festival in the heart of the city at Santa’s Central Station. There will be live music on stage each weekend in Waterford’s cultural quarter featuring a mix of community and professional acts serving as the perfect backdrop to the wonderful Winterval Christmas market set out in a series of attractive wooden chalets through the spine of Ireland’s oldest city into the cultural quarter.Waterford’s heritage takes a prime position with Déise Medieval will host a traditional Viking Settlement. A Winterval by night programme will be offered at The Reg alongside their World Cup fan zone, plus Christmas concerts at the Cathedral and music at Waterford Crystal.10th birthday one-off special events include Waterford’s newest Comic Convention, a Blue Lights Parade, a Jingle Bells cycling event a sparkling Tractor Parade and BuskAid takes place on December 22nd to raise funds for Tinteán Housing which is the Winterval Festival dedicated charity for 2022.The Winterval festival is supported by Waterford City and County Council. The full Winterval Festival programme is available to view and book online at www.winterval.ie ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Winterval 2022 opens tomorrow with a 10th Birthday Celebration event

The number of ‘sleeps’ to the official opening of the 10th annual Winterval festival is limited, and with just 1 sleep to go until the festival opens in Waterford on November 18th the city is buzzing with excitement, twinkling lights and anticipation.

At precisely 5.15 pm on Friday (November 18th) the country’s first Christmas Parade will swing into the City with all the bells and whistles of the festive season.

Santa Claus himself will be seated in the middle of a gigantic bauble as he leads the parade from the clock Tower travelling up through Barronstrand Street and John Roberts Square, continuing through Broad Street and finishing at the top of Michael Street at 5:45pm.

The parade will feature some of the wonderful delights of the festival including the Gerbola Christmas Circus, the cast of Waterford Panto’s ‘Jack & The Beanstalk’, the new Winterval Mini Express Train, visitors from The North Pole, some of the big man’s naughtiest elves and even Mrs Claus.

Santa will then join in the singing and dancing on the main stage before he joins the Mayor of Waterford Cllr. John O’Leary, and illuminate Winterval by turning on the Christmas lights in Waterford City.

Once the lights of Winterval are switched on the City will be transformed into a land of magical festive entertainment with the opening of the City Fairground and Winterval on Ice, the first Christmas Circus show will take place at 6:30 pm on New Street,  the first Winterval Illuminates light shows in its new location of Arundel Square from 7 pm, and the main stage at the Winterval Food & Craft Market on O’Connell Street plays in until 10 pm.  The entertainment then continues on into the wee hours across Waterford’s busy bars and restaurants right around the city.

The full programme of events is on offer until December 23rd. Highlights include the vintage Ferris wheel at Arundel Square, a vintage carousel, the Port of Waterford Eye, the Winterval Mini Express train, a virtual ride in Santa’s sleigh plus a Wizards and Dragons interactive exhibition and even Santa Paws for doggies and Waterford’s heritage takes a prime position with Déise Medieval will host a traditional Viking Settlement.   Following his opening of the festival Santa will be taking centre stage at the festival in the heart of the city on Broad Street at Santa’s Central Station where he will be meeting and greeting boys and girls for the entire festival.

In addition, there is an abundant programme of Music and Theatre. Ben Hennessy will present a new Shadow Puppetry Show at the beautiful GLOW Gardens at Winterval on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Shadow play, also known as shadow puppetry, is an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment which uses flat cut-out figures that are held between a source of light and a translucent screen.

At the Apple Market each weekend a free show sponsored by WAMA & Theatrebox, which will engage with young spectators who can take part in the collection of Santa’s posts will be on offer. Let the little elves and helpers from the WAMA (Waterford Academy of Music & Arts) and TheatreBox as they collect your special lists and drive them off to the North Pole. The post box will snow, breathe smoke, blare music & magical sound effects, and it will illuminate the mirrored ceiling of the Apple Market.

Join Winterval’s Resident Storyteller Kitty Caboodle for a selection of songs and stories. Her repertoire mixes classic fairy tales, folktales, myths, legends, songs and tunes to entertain all ages. This event will be on offer at The Book Centre, John Roberts Square, Waterford every Saturday and Sunday from the 26th of November at 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm. This is a Free event. Booking is not Required

The Winterval Live Stage will offer 20 Days of Live Performances during the festival. Visitors can kick back to the live musicians, bands, comedians, magicians, and performance ensembles on The Winterval Main Stage on O’Connell Street, in the heart of the Winterval Market.  Highlights include music from Deise Brass, High Hopes Choir, comedy from Totally Wired, magic and street performance from Jack Wise and many more. Each festival weekend from 12 pm to 8 pm. Admission to this event is free

House of Waterford Crystal is delighted to present its Annual Winter Music Series which will begin on Saturday 19th November and will run every Saturday & Sunday until the 18th of December.

 The full Winterval Festival programme is available to view and book online at www.winterval.ie

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City’s history brought to life by digital story walking trail

A new digital story trail featuring augmented reality (AR) offers tourists an engaging way to discover Waterford’s history via their smartphone.

Waterford City and County Council (WCCC) in partnership with Imvizar, have launched a new digital walking trail featuring augmented reality (AR). This fantastic trail has been funded by Fáilte Ireland under the Destination Town’s Initiative. The Waterford Digital Story Trail explores the history, culture, and heritage of 15 different locations in the heart of the city centre, including Reginald’s Tower and Waterford Crystal.

Through the use of augmented reality smartphone technology, visitors and locals can experience Waterford’s past by watching digital animations of characters and architecture appear as if they are in the physical world right in front of them. The trail can be accessed for free by scanning one of the numerous QR codes on signs located throughout the city trail.

In addition to meeting life-like characters from Waterford’s past, scanning the QR code also provides an audio tale from an historical figure, coupled with interesting facts and a timeline of events. Spanning over a thousand years of Waterford’s history, tourists can listen as Reginald—a Viking King and warlord from the 10th century—describes his quest to launch raids all over Ireland, and watch as Thomas Francis Meagher—the Leader of the Young Irelanders in the 1848 Rebellion—raises the first Irish tri-colour.

Waterford’s history of master craft making is also recognised; Rachel Penrose—the wife of one of the founders of Waterford Crystal, William Penrose—appears in a recreation of an 18th century glass-blowing scene. Trail users can also meet Anastasia Fleming, a silversmith from the late 1700s, and see a reimagined façade of her silversmith shop.

Adele Keane, Creative Producer, Imvizar said,

“When crafting the digital story trail we wanted to focus on conserving Waterford’s heritage by giving voices to both well-known and lesser-known historical figures. By hearing their stories, and sometimes seeing them in their surroundings, we can better put ourselves in their shoes and imagine what life was like as a silversmith in the 18th century or as a young soldier in World War I.”

WCCC hopes to further promote Waterford’s culture and history to both visitors and locals with the launch of the digital trail. The new augmented reality story trail from WCCC offers a fresh perspective on storytelling that evokes emotions and allows users to walk away with a more memorable experience.

For more information visit: https://digitalstorytrail.visitwaterford.com/  (The Digital Story Trail is a mobile experience)

ENDS

Notes for Editors

This project has been funded by Waterford City and County Council and supported by Ireland’s Ancient East. The digital story trail is part of WCCC’s wider Visit Waterford tourism initiative.

By Waterford City & County Council

Webinar : Looking after your Pelvic Floor

Free webinar on Looking after your Pelvic Floor with Niamh Burn, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist on Friday 18th November at 11am.

Register for Free Here.

Join Niamh for a 1 hour adventure into the realms of the pelvic floor and its role during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Prepare yourself with expert tips to help you get to know your flexible foundations and get back to exercise post baby. Deepen your knowledge on common conditions such as urinary incontinence, over active bladder, pelvic organ prolapse and painful sex.

Niamh qualified as a Physio in 2003 at the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin. She has worked with people of all ages within the NHS and private practice over many years.

Women’s health is her passion and she is skilled in helping women with pelvic health, obstetric and postnatal related conditions such as pelvic girdle pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, abdominal diastasis and urogynaecological issues like painful sex, urinary leaks and prolapse.

Her musculoskeletal and pelvic health background gives her a holistic approach and she has a keen interest in guiding women back to exercise .She has worked with high level weight lifting , circus performers to the average weekend warriors. As a Mum of 3 kids (all boys:), Niamh knows the importance of being strong for motherhood and she enjoys helping other mums focus on whatever physical issue that may be affecting their lives or holding them back from doing what they want to do!

Niamh is a member of the Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapists, a Mummy MOT practitioner and a recommended practitioner on the pelvic partnership website. She is currently studying a postgraduate masters program via Brunel University (advanced clinical practice in pelvic health). She teaches regular pelvic health workshops to women and fitness professionals who work with women.

Places are strictly limited. The webinar format means that your screen is not on so you can relax from wherever you join from! Questions are submitted via the chat box or on discussion at the end.

This webinar is part of the Waterford Healthy Ireland at your Library initiative. For more information, please go to our website,  here.

For more information, please phone 058 21141 or email library@waterfordcouncil.ie

#HealthyIrelandatYourLibrary #HealthyWaterford #KeepWell #BeWell

By Waterford City & County Council

Siege of Waterford film

As part of the Waterford Commemorations Committee Programme for 2022,  historian James Doherty  has just released  a film looking  at the events of the 1922 Irish Civil War Siege of Waterford.

The work was funded by the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.

By Waterford City & County Council

Webinar : Looking after your Pelvic Floor

Free webinar on Looking after your Pelvic Floor with Niamh Burn, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist on Friday 18th November at 11am.

Register for Free Here.

Join Niamh for a 1 hour adventure into the realms of the pelvic floor and its role during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Prepare yourself with expert tips to help you get to know your flexible foundations and get back to exercise post baby. Deepen your knowledge on common conditions such as urinary incontinence, over active bladder, pelvic organ prolapse and painful sex.

Niamh qualified as a Physio in 2003 at the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin. She has worked with people of all ages within the NHS and private practice over many years.

Women’s health is her passion and she is skilled in helping women with pelvic health, obstetric and postnatal related conditions such as pelvic girdle pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, abdominal diastasis and urogynaecological issues like painful sex, urinary leaks and prolapse.

Her musculoskeletal and pelvic health background gives her a holistic approach and she has a keen interest in guiding women back to exercise .She has worked with high level weight lifting , circus performers to the average weekend warriors. As a Mum of 3 kids (all boys:), Niamh knows the importance of being strong for motherhood and she enjoys helping other mums focus on whatever physical issue that may be affecting their lives or holding them back from doing what they want to do!

Niamh is a member of the Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapists, a Mummy MOT practitioner and a recommended practitioner on the pelvic partnership website. She is currently studying a postgraduate masters program via Brunel University (advanced clinical practice in pelvic health). She teaches regular pelvic health workshops to women and fitness professionals who work with women.

Places are strictly limited. The webinar format means that your screen is not on so you can relax from wherever you join from! Questions are submitted via the chat box or on discussion at the end.

This webinar is part of the Waterford Healthy Ireland at your Library initiative. For more information, please go to our website,  here.

For more information, please phone 058 21141 or email library@waterfordcouncil.ie

#HealthyIrelandatYourLibrary #HealthyWaterford #KeepWell #BeWell

By Waterford City & County Council

Dungarvan Skate Park : Choose a new Mural : Win a €100 Voucher

Waterford Walls and Dungarvan Skate Park are running a competition to choose the type of mural park users would like to see painted in the park !

Scan the QR code, fill out the form and you could win a €100 Elvery’s Sports voucher in time for Christmas !

The option with the most votes will be chosen and the artist will engage with skateboarders about the design.  Get involved and share with your friends.

Closing date :  18th November 2022

By Waterford City & County Council

Winners of the Waterford Poetry Prize 2022 announced

The Arts Office, Waterford City and County Council is pleased to announce the winners of the national Waterford Poetry Prize 2022.

First prize goes to ‘In Between’ by Ian Hickey, Limerick. Ian Hickey grew up and lives in Limerick City. He currently works as a lecturer, teaching English literature. His first book Haunted Heaney: Spectres and the Poetry was published by Routledge in 2021 which was the joint winner of the British Association for Contemporary Literary Studies Monograph prize. He is developing his interest in poetry. His passion in life in surfing, and he says would give up everything to just spend to rest of his days aimlessly wandering Ireland’s west coast in search of waves. Ian was awarded €400 plus a course at the Molly Keane Writers Retreat, Ardmore.

Second prize goes to ‘A Break in the Weather’ by Christina Park, Wexford. Christina is a freelance writer and editor based in Wexford who has had pieces published in various national newspapers, and broadcast on RTÉ’s Sunday Miscellany. Her poems have appeared in Poetry Ireland Review, the Stinging Fly, the SHOp and Crannóg. She was shortlisted for the 2015 Bridport Prize, runner up in the 2020 Trócaire/Poetry Ireland Poetry Competition and placed second in the Shahidah Janjua Poetry Competition 2022. Christina receives €300 in prize money plus a writing course in Ardmore, Co. Waterford.

Third Prize is Pigs Meat by Ciarán O’ Rourke, Galway. Ciarán’s first collection The Buried Breath, was highly commended by the Forward Foundation in 2019. His second collection Phantom Gang has just been published by The Irish Pages Press. He is a previous winner of the Cúirt New Irish Writing Award, the Fish Poetry Prize, and the Westport Poetry Prize. More information about his work is available on www.ragpickerpoetry.net. Ciarán was awarded €200.

Margaret Organ, Arts Officer said that the Waterford Poetry Prize was an integral part of the Waterford Writers Weekend and that it played a part in stimulating new poetry from all over the country. She thanked everyone who has taken the time to enter and remarked on the energy and enthusiasm of the writer Colm Keegan who took considerable time over the adjudication process. You can see Colm Keegan read the winning poems and give the background as to why he chose them on the YouTube section of www.imagineartsfestival.com

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Europe Direct Soapbox Competition 2022 – Is Europe Listening to its Young People?

We are delighted to inform you that our Annual Europe Direct Soapbox Competition will once again take place online this year with fantastic prizes for the regional finalists and the overall national winners!

We are delighted to invite your students to record a short video for, or against, the soapbox topic:

 “Is Europe Listening to its Young People”? 

 Please note:

·        Entrants are invited to deliver a three minute speech on video for or against the topic:“Is Europe Listening to its Young People”?

·       Contestants will compete in one of two categories: 16 and under / 17 and over – tick the appropriate box on the application form.

·       A regional winner will be selected from each category to compete in a National final and have the chance to win the cash prize.

·        To avoid technical issues, we ask that that videos be submitted in MP4 format. (This is the format in which all Android phones and iPhones automatically save videos.)

Videos must be sent via WeTransfer or or Dropbox link to: abirney@waterfordcouncil.ie (16 and under) boshea@waterfordcouncil.ie (17 and over)

  • All entries must be received before 2pm Wednesday on the 30th of November.

Please find a Poster, an Application Form, Competition Rules and a reminder Tick List attached above.  Entry forms/Competition Rules and Tick list can also be downloaded from:  https://waterfordlibraries.ie/europe-direct-soap-box-competition-2022/

Wishing all entrants the best of luck!

If you have any queries please feel free to contact boshea@waterfordcouncil.ie or abirney@waterfordcouncil.ie.  Alternatively you can call us on 051 849975

By Waterford City & County Council

Works commence on new City Centre Community and Cultural hub

Waterford City and County Council has commenced works on the creation of a new community and cultural hub in the heart of Waterford Cultural Quarter.

With funding of €651,654 awarded through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), the repurposing of 16-18 Barker Place on O’Connell Street, will result in a creative multi-purpose venue for community and educational use.

It is expected that the development will vastly contribute to the overall vibrancy of the city and its Cultural Quarter. 

The building is earmarked to provide local facilities and a venue for migrant services, adult education, a community and performance facility, and foster entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and employment for communities living and working in Waterford.

Works are currently underway with renovations due to be completed in Spring 2023.

Katherine Collins, Waterford Cultural Quarter Project Manager commented, “The importance of this facility in Waterford Cultural Quarter cannot be overstated.

“The Community and Cultural Hub will be used by residents, creatives, educators, and students of the O’Connell Street area, as well as the people of Waterford City and County as a space to get information and support, to meet up in groups and to learn and explore creative skills.

“Celebrating the different cultures present in our region will be a large focus of the Hub and we look forward to welcoming the community in the coming months.”

Waterford Cultural Quarter is a culture-led urban regeneration project based in the O’Connell Street area of Waterford city. Its vision is to deliver inclusive and sustainable innovation and growth for the cultural and creative sectors and has six priorities including developing excellent buildings and public realm as well as supporting collaboration and place-making.

This is the first of 22 City Centre regeneration projects that has been awarded funding under the URDF, with total funding for the regeneration projects coming to almost €28 million.

Work to the remaining projects are progressing and are at various stages through site assembly, survey work and preparation of planning applications.

For more information about Waterford Cultural Quarter visit www.waterfordculturalquarter.ie

-ends-

By Waterford City & County Council

Poem of the Year shortlist for Tramore poet

The Arts Office, Waterford City and County Council is delighted that Martina Dalton, Tramore has been shortlisted for the Poem of the Year at the Irish Book Awards with her poem ‘The Wedding Dress’.

We have played a small part in Martina’s literary journey and she was runner up in the Waterford Poetry Prize 2021.

Read all the poems shortlisted for the Listowel Writers’ Week Irish Poem of the Year by clicking this link Listowel Writers’ Week

By Waterford City & County Council

10th Birthday Celebratory Programme announced for Winterval 2022

10th Birthday Celebratory Programme announced for Winterval 2022 plus Ireland’s First Christmas Parade

Waterford will host the 10th annual Winterval Festival from November 18th to December 23rd 2022 and in addition details of the country’s first Christmas parade have been unveiled alongside the festival’s biggest programme of events yet.

The festival will commence at 5 p on November 18th with the arrival of Santa Claus as part of Ireland’s first Christmas parade. The parade will traverse through the city centre coming to a stop at the main stage on Michael Street where the lights will be switched on, marking the beginning of the festivities in Waterford City.

The organisers of the 10th annual festival have planned a ‘10th Birthday’ celebration for each weekend of the festival with unique highlights set to include a Jingle Bells Christmas Cycle, a Christmas Tractor Parade, A Blue Light Parade with all of the emergency services, SuirCon Comic Conference and BuskAid with proceeds going to Tintean Housing Association.

There is also a tonne of free events on the programme, these include a gigantic and magical talking postbox where boys and girls can post their Christmas letters but also be entertained by an elf post collection show each weekend, a hall of magic mirrors and a host of free children’s workshops, a free shadow puppet show plus the magic lights of the New Street Garden trail filled with wonderous displays for families to explore. The Winterval light show will be projected onto a magical purpose-built castle placed as the entry point to the magical kingdom that is Winterval, this will be on offer every half hour and includes special effects which are a sight to behold.

The Winterval firm favourites will also be on offer across the city from the ice rink on the city’s Quayside to the vintage Ferris wheel at Arundel Square, a vintage carousel, the Waterford Eye is also back as is a reimagined Winterval Mini Express train and in addition, there are some brand new elements including a virtual ride in Santa’s sleigh plus a Wizard and Dragon interactive exhibition which offers the thrill of seeing fictitious characters brought to life through simulations, gigantic animatronics and visuals.

Santa will be taking centre stage at the festival in the heart of the city on Broad Street. He will be ensconced in Santa’s Central Station where a band of merry elves will lead little ones to the door of Santa’s magical cabin and families can meander through Santa’s city centre installation, taking pictures with photo scenes along the way.

There will be live music on stage each weekend in Waterford’s cultural quarter featuring a mix of community and professional acts serving as the perfect backdrop to the festival market.

The Winterval Christmas market will be set out in a series of attractive wooden chalets through the spine of Ireland’s oldest city into the cultural quarter – spanning the Viking city from George’s Street to Hanover Street and onto Gladstone Street and all in the midst of the Winterval family fun attractions. The market will connect with Waterford Crafts at Garter Lane Gallery, all-encompassing a variety of over 100 food, drinks crafts and gift producers and creators.

Waterford’s heritage takes prime position with Déise Medieval will host a traditional Viking Settlement where festivalgoers can hark back in time and enjoy the real-life smells, foods and experiences of Viking life during the festival season back when Waterford was first established as Ireland’s oldest City.

Brand new and novel elements include an opportunity for visitors to book a date for their doggie with Santa Paws plus the Gerbola Circus will be hosting a festive circus show each weekend.

A Winterval by night programme of will be on offer at The Reg alongside their World Cup fan zone, plus Christmas concerts at the Cathedral and music at Waterford Crystal.

Speaking at the programme launch, co-directors Trevor Darmody and John Grubb say, “Winterval is part continental Christmas Market and part Lapland and this year we are very excited to unveil the largest celebration of the festival yet for the 10th birthday of Winterval. Winterval is the largest celebration of the festive season in Ireland and this year there is a trail through Ireland’s oldest city offering over 50 different events and activities with 14 of those events on offer free of charge.  This is a festival, which is on a comparable basis to the best continental festivals and it had been reduced over the last couple of years due to the pandemic; however, Winterval 2022 is filled with festive cheer and it is set to be the biggest festival yet.”

The Winterval festival is supported by Waterford City and County Council, Bausch + Lomb for Winterval Illuminates, Southern Regional Assembly, sponsors of Reflection – Magic Mirrors at the Apple Market Zinnia (formerly SE2), sponsors of Santa’s VR Sleigh Ride, Guinness, House of Waterford Crystal, SmartPly , Expressway, official transport partners of Winterval, City Square Waterford, sponsors of Santa’s Express Train, Waterford Credit Union, sponsors of The Garden Glows at the Bishop’s Palace, 7up and Port of Waterford.
​
The full Winterval Festival programme is available to view and book online at www.winterval.ie

ENDS

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