Waterford city will mark the St. Patrick’s Day period in style this year, when a jam-packed three days of craic agus ceol, live entertainment, music and tradition will take place from March 17th to March 19th alongside the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The weekend is set to be an unmissable occasion with musical and entertainment events centered around the city’s three main squares as well as the Cultural Quarter on O’ Connell Street. To kick start the festivities there will be live music on the Cultural Quarter Stage from 6pm-10pm on Thursday March 16th. There is something for everyone with unmissable entertainment, Waterford is the ultimate destination to celebrate Ireland’s national day.
Perfect for Families
The events of the St. Patrick’s Day Festival have been curated with families in mind, with workshops and events to suit the whole family. The City Fairground will be open at John
Roberts Square which will operate:
Friday 17th: 11am-8pm
Saturday 18th: 11am-8pm
Sunday 19th:11am-8pm
Saturday will be a fun filled day with a range of activities taking place between 12pm-5pm in The Apple Market and Arundel Square. The Wobbly Circus Workshops will take place in Arundel Square on Saturday 18th between 12pm – 4.30pm. The Balance Bike Track will be at Arundel Square on Saturday 18th between 12pm-5pm and the Active Cities Orienteering & Play for Kids events will also take place at Arundel Square from 12pm-5pm.Theatre Box Stage School will be at the Apple Market between 5.15pm-6pm on Saturday the 18th also. Elsewhere a Family Music Workshop Georges Street Shopping Centre 3.30pm-5pm on Saturday.
Cruises
There will be river cruises on Friday 17th, the Barrow Princess Cruise will leave from Adelphi Quay and Osprey Cruises will leave from Millennium Plaza. For more information please visit barrowprincess.ie and email ospreyvikingcruises@gmail.com
*Please note these are ticketed events.
Music Friday
Following the St. Patrick’s Day Parade there will be live music at the Cultural Quarter Stage from 4pm-10pm.
Music Saturday
There is a fantastic lineup of musical events taking place throughout the city on Saturday March 18th. The main stages are situated at The Apple Market and The Cultural Quarter.
The Apple Market
WAMA Drumming Band will kick things off at the Apple Market from 1pm-2pm.
The Booley House Group will perform from 2pm-3.15pm,
Waterfords Malayalee Association will take to the stage at 4.15pm-5pm.
The Intonations Choir will perform from 6pm-6.45pm and to conclude the day’s music at the Apple Market Bon Jovi Tribute Slippery When Wet will take to the stage from 8pm-10pm.Outrun the 80’s 7pm-8.15pm.
The Cultural Quarter
Over in the Cultural Quarter After The Break will kick things off at 12pm followed by
The Pipistrellas from 1pm-2pm.
The Music Generation featuring 45 young harpers from Laois, Louth, Mayo and Waterford will take to the stage from 2pm-3pm and the Music Generation Harp Orchestra will perform from 3pm-4pm.
The Delta Dogs will perform from 4pm-5pm and 2 Time Charlie 6pm-8pm
Alan Power and The Aftershocks will finish the day’s music in the Cultural Quarter from 8pm-10pm.
Spoken Word Arena Open Mic will take place at Barronstrand Street from 1pm-4pm and The Booley House Group will play Garter Lane Theatre at 8pm (booking essential).
Music Sunday 19th
Music on Sunday will take place at The Apple Market and The Cultural Quarter.
The Apple Market
Cal Pacino 1pm-2pm
SAND 2pm-3pm
The Mulligans 3pm-4.30pm
Cultural Quarter
The Camper Van of Sound 12pm-5pm
Free Museum Hours – Waterford Treasures
To celebrate The St. Patrick’s Day Festival 2023, there will be free entrance to the Medieval Museum on March 18th. Step back into Medieval Waterford as you begin your tour in the 13th-century Choristers Hall and 15th Century wine vault where you are sure to be wowed by some of the greatest treasures of Medieval Ireland, including the Great Charter Roll viewed by HM King Charles III and the Queen Consort and the magnificent 15th-century cloth-of-gold church vestments. Opening hours 10am-5pm
For all festival information please visit https://stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com/
Dancing
It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without some Irish Dancing and The McGrath School & Toner Academy will kick things off at 12:30 on The Mall on Friday 17th. On Saturday the 18th Carbally Line Dancing in The Apple Market 3:30pm-4pm.
Parade
This year’s parade will celebrate The Best of Waterford and will feature a wide range of community groups and everything else you have come to expect from the Waterford St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year’s parade will begin at 1pm at The Quays and will be led by Grand Marshall Kelyn Cassidy. The parade will make its way to The Mall. Prior to the parade the TFM Flag Presentation will take place at The Mall at 12:50pm.
With something for everyone Waterford’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival is not to be missed!
For more information and a full breakdown of events visit –https://stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com/
