Local Notes: Déise Medieval, try surfing, picnic in the park, Coast Guard open day and much more
T-Bay Surf Club is offering a Come And Try Surfing session for children aged eight to 12 with a mild to moderate intellectual or sensory disability. Stock image
On Saturday, August 15, from 1pm to 5pm and Sunday, August 16, from 10am to 5pm, on the Greenway at Carriganore, Déise Medieval, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Waterford City and County Council Heritage Office, will host Aonach na nDéise, a free family festival featuring Viking re-enactors recreating the daily life of our ancestors. The living history and craft village will include spinning and weaving, cooking and food demonstrations, a spice trader, children's games and pastimes, displays on daily life, witchcraft and medicine, and a full weapons display. Visitors will have the opportunity to try on a helmet and hold a sword or axe. Western and Eastern styles of battle will take place throughout the day. There will also be a "Kiddie Vike" event where children under 10 can take part in their own battle against Viking warriors.
Looking for a fun way to introduce your child to the waves? T-Bay Surf Club is offering a Come And Try Surfing session for children aged eight to 12 with a mild to moderate intellectual or sensory disability. The event takes place on Wednesday, August 19, at 6pm in Tramore. The cost is €5 per child plus booking fee. All surfing equipment will be provided. Places are limited and booking is essential through Eventbrite.
Dunmore East Community Picnic In The Park will take place on Thursday, August 6, from 1pm to 4pm. Hosted by Vintage Vibes, the afternoon will feature music, games and a hat competition for adults and children. Those attending are asked to bring their own picnic.
Waterpark Ladies will hold an open session on Friday, August 7, at 7pm in Ballinakill. Anyone interested in joining as a player or volunteer is welcome to attend and meet the players and coaches. For further information contact Brianna Heylmann at BRIO141003@gmail.com.
The Waterford and Lismore Diocesan Youth Fundraiser Golf Classic will take place on Monday, September 7, at Faithlegg Golf Club. The event will be played as a teams-of-three Champagne Scramble. The cost is €240 per team and includes a meal. Shotgun starts will take place at 9am and 2pm and there will be excellent prizes. To book, email markofarrell@waterfordlismore.ie or telephone 085 8153803.
The Irish Coast Guard Open Day will be held in Dunmore Harbour on Sunday, August 16. Members of the public are invited to meet their local Coast Guard teams and view vehicles and equipment in action.
Waterford Crystal FC is inviting players to open training sessions on Tuesday, August 4. Training for U13s and U14s begins at 5.30pm, while U15s, U12s and U11s begin at 6.30pm. Players of all abilities are welcome and qualified coaches will help participants develop in a fun, safe and positive environment.
St Joseph and St Benildus and St Mary's Parish is organising a pilgrimage on the Portuguese Coastal Camino from Monday, September 28, to Monday, October 5. Pilgrims will walk the final 124km into Santiago de Compostela. The package includes flights, transfers, daily bag transfers, evening meals and accommodation. The pilgrimage will be led by Fr Liam and pilgrimage leader Eoin O'Neill. The cost is €1,100 with a €250 deposit required. Further information is available from the Parish Office.
Volunteers are required to assist with flower arranging at St Joseph and St Benildus Church. No experience is necessary and all are welcome. Contact the Parish Office for details.
The B Corridor photography competition remains open until Wednesday, September 30. Participants are invited to photograph biodiversity along the corridor and email entries to bcorridorwaterford@gmail.com, including their name, photo location, date taken and age category. Winning entries will be displayed in Ardkeen Library and prizes will be awarded.
The Wild Bee Festival 2026 will take place on Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23. Organised by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the B Corridor group, the festival celebrates pollinating insects and biodiversity. Further details of workshops and talks will be announced.
Free professional support services are available through Solas Cancer Support Centre for people affected by cancer, their families and carers throughout Waterford and West Waterford. Services include counselling, art therapy, acupuncture, music therapy, reflexology, reiki, cranio-sacral therapy and life coaching. One-to-one supports for children and adolescents are also available. For information contact 051 304604 or email info@solascentre.ie.
A limited number of tickets have become available for the Solas Annual Ladies Lunch, which will take place on Saturday, September 19, at 1pm in Faithlegg House Hotel. The event includes a prosecco reception on arrival and all proceeds will go to Solas Cancer Support Centre. Ticket enquiries can be made through Theatre Royal on 051 874402.
A talk on Thomas Francis Meagher will take place in Ardkeen Library on Saturday, August 22, at 2.30pm. The event will explore the life of one of Ireland's most iconic historical figures through the Heritage Week theme "Heritage At Risk". Admission is free but booking is required. Contact Ardkeen Library on 051 849755 or email ardkeenlibrary@waterfordcouncil.ie.
Summer Games sessions continue at Ardkeen Library every Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm until August 25. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Summer Stars reading programme continues in Waterford City and County Libraries until August 24. Children are invited to collect a Summer Stars Reading Card and return it before the closing date to receive a medal and certificate.
The Baby And Me Group meets every Wednesday in Ardkeen Library from 10.30am to 12 noon. Children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian.
The Comeragh Active Retirement Knitting and Crochet Group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month from 2pm to 4pm in Ardkeen Library. No booking is required.
Registration is now open for EOPD Ireland's free Waterford exercise classes for people living with Early Onset Parkinson's Disease. The 12-week programme runs from September 1 to November 19 at Motiv8 Fitness, Waterford City. Classes take place on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 11.30am and Thursdays from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Places are limited and can be booked through EOPD.ie.
A clothes collection fundraiser will begin on Thursday, August 27, at Williamstown Community Childcare. Donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Items accepted include men's, women's and children's clothing, paired shoes, handbags, belts, soft toys and imitation jewellery. The initiative aims to help recycle unwanted items, reduce waste and raise funds for the childcare facility.
