Free Museum Hours- Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum: 10am-5pm
The Medieval Museum in Waterford is located in the heart of the city’s Viking Triangle and is unique as it’s the only museum in Ireland to incorporate two medieval chambers, the 13th-century Choristers’ Hall and the 15th-Century Mayor’s Wine Vault. Waterford Treasures reveals the story of Waterford through the Middle Ages and beyond.
On display are the magnificent Cloth of Gold vestments the only complete pre-Reformation set to survive in Europe, and it also contains to some internationally significant treasures including the only complete set of medieval High Mass Vestments to survive in Northern Europe as well as the Waterford Charter Roll which was viewed by Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Ireland.
Click here for more information.
Wobbly Circus Workshops- Arundel Square: 1pm-3:30pm
Wobbly Circus runs circus workshops that cater to all ages, these workshops aim to teach skills such as juggling, diabolo and devilstick, plastic plate spinning, tight wire walking, hula hoops and more. This workshop is run on a ‘come and have a go’ basis where audience members of all ages can come and learn circus tricks.
To find out more about Wobbly Circus, please click here.
After The Break-Cultural Quarter Stage: 12pm-1pm
Eamonn O Neill, Nicky White, Michael O’Brien and Joe Tobin have been playing folk and rock ballads together for a number of years. Please give a warm welcome to After the Break to the Cultural Quarter Stage for this year’s Patrick’s Day Festival.
Active Cities Events- Arundel Square: 12pm-5pm
Join us at Arundel Square where we have a wide variety of different activities available, including:
- A play area with obstacle courses, giant jenga, skipping, tug of war and much more!
- A new skateboarding ramp open to u16s who want to try skateboarding, complete with 2 experienced trainers to give guidance.
- An adult skateboarding ramp for anyone aged 16+ who are interested in taking part.
- A miniature balance bike racetrack for young people to learn how to cycle on a bicycle in a fun environment.
- Breakdancing.
- St. Patrick’s Day-themed photo orienteering.
WAMA Drumming Band- Apple Market: 1pm-2pm
The WAMA Drumming band were born out of The Waterford Academy of Music & Arts and will thunder in to the Spraoi Festival this August with their unique blend of toe tapping beats and head bopping grooves. With influences from Rock, Techno, Metal and Hip Hop, expect energy, noise and fun!
Click here to see the WAMA Drumming Band in action at Winterval 2021.
The Pipistrellas- Cultural Quarter Stage: 1pm-2pm
The Pipistrellas are the lively musical duo of Amy Jo Doherty and Yvonne Power who together offer their own unique versions of your favourite pop, soul and swing classics. Amy Jo is the sister of famous Libertines frontman Peter Doherty and she found her musical soul sister in fellow Waterford woman Yvonne Power. The Pipistrellas were created in Madrid, and they soon started to woo fans with heartfelt renditions in taverns and bodegas around the Spanish capital.
To see them in action, please click here.
Spoken Word Arena- Barronstrand Street: 1pm-4pm
Join us on Barronstrand St. for the St. Patrick’s Festival Spoken Word Event. It’s an open mic in the open-air featuring poetry, Irish language Readings, traditional Irish storytelling, music and a Luke Wadding history talk.
Music Generation- Cultural Quarter Stage: 2pm-3pm
Music Generation Waterford is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s National Performance Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network, funded by U2, The Ireland Funds and The Department of Education & Skills, co-funded locally by Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board and Waterford Council.
Music Generation Waterford engages with over 5,000 children and young people across Waterford City and County each week, providing access and opportunities to experience quality music education regardless of their circumstances or background.
Click here to see them in action.
Booley House Group- Apple Market: 2pm-3:15pm
The Booley House Show is proud to present the very best of Irish music, song and dance. Resident Seanachaí James Lenane is a well-known personality, All-Ireland winner in his field, and is sure to have you laughing as he regales times past. The Booley House also includes the Michael Ryan School of Irish Dance, which encompass a wonderful range of original step dancing routines that always generate enthusiastic audience response
To see them in action, please click here .
Music Generation Harp Orchestra–St. Patrick’s Gateway Centre : 3pm-4pm
Over 45 young harpers from Laois, Louth, Mayo and Waterford will gather in Waterford City for this year’s St. Patrick’s Festival Celebrations.
Established in 2019, the Music Generation Harp Collective is a group of over 45 young harpers from four areas of Ireland. The group meet each November at the Music Generation Laois annual Tionól for Harps and Pipes. In 2020, the Harp Collective, supported by the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership Creativity and Collaboration Fund, commissioned Irish Harper and Composer Michael Rooney to create a new suite of music for large harp ensemble. The suite was called ‘Cláirseoireacht’ by Michael Rooney and premiered at the St. Patrick’s Festival, Dublin in March 2022. This music has since been performed by the Harp Collective at the World Harp Congress in Wales (July 2022), Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar (August 2022) and in Liberty Hall, Dublin to mark Lá na Cruite – Harp Day (Oct 2022). In 2023, the Harp Collective will gather in Waterford City to perform as part of Waterford’s St. Patrick’s Festival programme, performing music of Ireland’s National Instrument to celebrate Ireland’s National Festival of Culture.
The Irish Harp was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019. The last decade has seen a resurgence in harping among young people across Ireland, from Laois, to Louth, to Mayo, and Waterford, propelled by the work of Harp Ireland, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Music Generation.
The Music Generation Harp Collective take great pride in their ongoing promotion of the harp, Ireland’s national instrument. The Harp Collective is led by Siobhan Buckley (Laois), Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla (Louth), Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson (Mayo) and Jill Devlin (Waterford).
Music Generation Waterford are proud to be part of the collective, having only begun their harp programme in late 2019. Led by Jill Devlin, the harp programme offers children and young people the opportunity to access weekly harp tuition, harp instruments and to be part of both the Waterford Harp Ensemble and the national Music Generation Harp Collective. This ambitious programme is accessible through Music Generation Waterford music hubs, school’s programmes and partnership with Waterford City Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Branch.
The Music Generation Waterford harp ensemble was formed in 2021 to provide an opportunity for young harpers from throughout the county to come together and experience ensemble playing of the highest quality. Led by Jill Devlin, the ensemble have performed at a number of local festivals and high profile events including The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, Culture Night, International Harp Day, Tionól Festival Laois and in performed for HRH Prince Charles and Camila in The Large Room of City Hall on their royal visit to Waterford in March 2022.
In addition to the upcoming Harp Collective performance at Waterford’s St. Patricks Festival, 2023 will see The Music Generation Waterford harp ensemble performance at The Pan Celtic Festival, Summer in the City Festival Waterford, International Harp Day and Culture Night 2023. The ensemble will also perform in late April with MTU Symphony Orchestra as part of Symphony Club of Waterford 2023 programme. Until then, Waterford will welcome the Harp Collective on Saturday March 18th, performing at 3pm on the Festival stage.
Music Generation Waterford is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education programme initiated by Music Network funded by U2, The Ireland Funds and The Department of Education in partnership with Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board and Waterford City and County Council.
Click here to see them in action.
Carbally Line Dancing- Apple Market: 3:30pm-4pm
Let the dancers from Carbally, Co. Waterford entertain you with their style of country and western dancing, as they scoot, brush kick and weave their way around the Apple Market!
Click here to see them in action.
Family Music Workshop– George’s Court Shopping Centre: 3:30pm-5pm
A chance for your child to try a musical instrument, discover your inner musician with AmyJo’s family fun Music Workshop.
Delta Dogs- Cultural Quarter Stage: 4pm-5pm
Delta Dogs are the house band for Waterford Blues Club, which was launched in 2013 and bring you a set which combines the soul of the original Delta and Chicago blues masters, e.g. Elmore James, Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley, with that of 60s revivalists like Clapton, Green, Hendrix and Irish icon Rory Gallagher, and the swagger of Texans Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Billy Gibbons.
Click here to see them in action.
Alan Power & The Aftershocks- Cultural Quarter Stage: 4pm-5pm
Have you ever heard of Elvis?
Alan Power is not an impersonator, but he comes closer to the king than the king himself- this Rockabilly quartet are by far the best sound to hit Waterford since the actual 50s.
Click here to see him in action.
Waterford Malayalee Association- Apple Market: 4:15pm-5pm
The Waterford Malayalee Association was formed in 2008 and have been bringing together Indian Malayalees in Waterford working together in social and cultural activities including arts and sports. You can expect traditional dress, dancing, drumming and singing.
Click here to see them in action.
Theatrebox Stage School– Apple Market: 5:15pm-6pm
Enjoy a showcase of superb local youth talent brought to you by TheatreBox Stage School, with performances from their Ballet, Tap, Contemporary and Intensive Dance classes, as well as musical numbers from their vocal students.
Click here to see them in action.
Intonations Choir– Apple Market: 6pm-6:45pm
Intonations are a local alternative music choir from Waterford City. Their selection of music is eclectic, from Queen to Musical hits and everything in between.
Click here to see them in action.
2Time Charlie– Cultural Quarter Stage: 6pm-8pm
2Time Charlie is a duo act consisting of Luke Donnelly and Rían Carty that was formed during the pandemic, they describe their band as an “attempt to express their passion for music with songs of good times, bad times and everything in between.” These guys skyrocket from Marvin Gaye to Rage against the Machine in minutes.
Click here to see them in action.
Outrun the 80s– Apple Market: 7pm-8:15pm
Outrun the 80s are an 80’s-themed party band, so be prepared for nostalgia overload! Break out those shoulder pads because we’re gonna party like its 1989…!
Click here to see them in action
Booley House Theatre– Garter Lane: 8pm
The Booley House” Show is proud to present the very best of Irish music, song and dance. Resident Seanachaí James Lenane is a well-known personality, All-Ireland winner in his field, and is sure to have you laughing as he regales times past. “The Booley House” also includes the famed Michael Ryan School of Irish Dance, which encompass a wonderful range of original step dancing routines that always generate enthusiastic audience response.
Set Dance teacher Tom Hyland will have his dancers doing Irish sets, often exciting audience members to dance in the aisles. A recent innovation to the show is the introduction of brush dancers, which have proved to be a showstopper.
The musicians provide a unique sound performing on traditional instruments, which has been the hallmark of “The Booley House” since the start and their musicians currently include nationally renowned artists Tony Dunne, John Nugent, Brendan Clancy, Claire Fennell, Thomas Ahern & Clodagh Kelly. They are also delighted to have singers Becky & Ellen McCloskey to complete their cast.
Note: This is a free event, but booking is essential. To book a seat, please click here.
Slippery When Wet– Apple Market: 8pm-10pm
Slippery When Wetare widely recognised as Ireland’s foremost Bon Jovi Tribute band, playing all the hits including, Livin’ on a Prayer, It’s My Life, Always and Wanted Dead or Alive.
The band is comprised of five members who are all fine musicians in their own right, having toured with some celebrated rock bands that gigged in the RDS and SFX with Magnum, Status Quo and they have performed in New York’s famous CBGB’s with Skid Row.
Currently touring Ireland, the band have sold out lots of venues, including Purty Loft Dun Laoghaire, Skylite Venue Warrenpoint and Bogans Venue Omagh, with The Times UK adding, how they “play note perfect renditions” and their front man is “captivating” and “…they are not just talented performers… they are masters of illusion” shedding blood, sweat and tears to fulfil the soulful music of Bon Jovi so much so that it’s hard to tell where the stage stops and the audience begins because the audience interaction is so important to the guys.
The lead singer, Collie, believes he’s only an instrument to the audience, guiding them to the crescendo of one of the greatest rock bands on the Planet, Bon Jovi.
Click here to see them in action.
