ALERT: Road closures confirmed ahead of major event in Waterford city
Up to 200,000 people are expected to attend the annual Waterford Harvest Festival which takes place this weekend
Waterford City and County Council is advising motorists of that several road closures will be in place for the Waterford Harvest Festival, which takes place this coming weekending.
The annual event, will take place at locations across the city between Friday, September 4 and Sunday, September 6.
The highlights for 2026 include The Murder Mystery Dining Experience, Sheerluck Holmes and a performance from Mary Coughlan. There will also be free outdoor entertainment from Mick Hanly, The Glitterbugs, Brian Kennedy and free storytelling events with renowned story teller, Eddie Lenihan”.
Over 200,000 visitors attended the Waterford Harvest Festival last year and a bumper weekend is expected again this year.
To facilitate event and to ensure the safety of those attending, the local authority has confirmed details of the road closures and diversions that will be in place.
The following public roads will be closed from 6am on Friday until 10pm on Sunday
- L5532 Arundel Square
- L5531 Peter Street
- L15237 Michael Street North (from its junction with Patrick’s St. to Lady Lane)
- L91092 Broad Street
- L91091 Barronstrand Street
- L90352 George’s Street
- L90353 Blackfriars Lane
- L90354 Arundel Lane
- L90355 Little Patrick Street
- L55301 Bakehouse Lane
- L1525 Patrick Street
- L15023 Sargent’s Lane (from its junction with Jenkins Lane Car Park)
- L1502 O’Connell Street (from its junction with Thomas Street) .
- L5501 Gladstone Street
The L1528 Johns Street (Applemarket) will also be closed from 6am on Saturday, September 5 to 10pm on Sunday, September 6.
WCCC says that a comprehensive traffic management plan will be put in place across the weekend, and that all alternative routes will be clearly signposted for road users.
Diversion Routes:
- Access to the Cork Road from Ballybricken Green shall be via Mayors Walk and Barrack Street.
- Access to The Quays from Ballybricken shall be via James Street & Vulcan Street.
- There will be no access to The Quays from O’Connell Street after Vulcan Street.
- Access and egress to Jenkins Lane Car Park shall be via Meeting House Lane only.
- Entry to Patrick Street will be controlled by security and barriers at its junction with Stephens Street and Carrigeen Park and all non-permitted traffic shall be directed to Stephens Street and onto Lady Lane. Traffic Permitted to the closed section of Patrick Street is limited to Taxis, Festival Production and Emergency Vehicles.
- Access to Alexander Street shall be via Stephen Street, with egress via Lady Lane. The traffic direction on the section of Lady Lane from Michael Street to Bakehouse Lane shall be reversed for the duration of the road closures.
“As on-street car parking on the above streets will be unavailable during the event, car owners who reside on the affected streets will be asked to relocate to other areas of the city. Any vehicle found parked in such areas will be impounded and will be subject to a release cost,” the local authority forewarns residents.
Businesses within the cordoned area are being asked to avoid deliveries to and from their premises during the festival period, and warned that no unauthorised vehicles will be allowed within the area between 8am and 9pm for the duration of the festival.
Car Parking
Road users are also being made aware that public parking on High Street (from its junction with Exchange Street Car park to Conduit lane) will be unavailable from Friday, September 5 at 6am until Sunday, September 6. However, access to all city centre carparks will be unaffected by the closures.
Public transport
The bus route, W4 - Peter Street to Browns Road will be affected by the road closures. The full details of affected bus routes will be revealed by Bus Éireann closer to the event.
The Peter Street taxi rank will also be closed for the festival period. The public are advised of the nearest main taxi rank, which will be located 50m away at the appointed stand on Patrick Street.
Access for emergency services will be maintained at all times throughout the road closures.