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04 Oct 2025
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04 Oct 2025
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St. Patrick and 2024 Waterford Rose Abby Walsh, launching the Waterford St. Patrick’s Festival in 2025. Photo: Patrick Browne
Festival organisers across Waterford are being urged to get their applications in as Waterford City and County Council opens its 2026 Festivals and Events Grants Scheme.
The scheme supports events that help make Waterford a more vibrant and sustainable place to live and visit, with this year's emphasis once again on greener practices.
Festivals are encouraged to cut single-use plastics, provide refillable water stations, and even look at renewable energy options like Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
READ MORE | Boil Water Notice hits Waterford homes as Uisce Éireann issues urgent health warning
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan, said festivals were at the heart of Waterford's cultural life.
"Arts, creativity and music are integral to the very fabric of Waterford. In 2025, 71 Council-supported festivals brought light, laughter, music and creativity to the streets of Waterford city and county.
"I would hope to see even more festivals added to the calendar in 2026 and would encourage artists, creatives, musicians, and directors to apply," he said.
Council Chief Executive Sean McKeown added that the scheme is not only about supporting talent but also about boosting the economy.
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"Waterford City and County Council is committed to supporting local talent and fostering community spirit, and this grants scheme is a fantastic opportunity for established, new and niche festivals to apply for funding.
"As Ireland's Best Place to Live, our quality of life is buoyed by the vibrancy and excitement that Waterford's unique festivals never fail to deliver," he said.
"It's not only those who live in Waterford that benefit, but these events draw large numbers of visitors who generate valuable spend, thus boosting the local economy."
Applications must be submitted online at www.waterfordfestivals.ie before 4pm on Friday, October 24, 2025.
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