Waterford's Viking heritage is celebrated at Winterval

This year, Winterval has opened with a deeper focus on Waterford's Viking heritage.

Now open every Thursday to Sunday, until December 23, the city’s Blackfriars Church will transform into a Viking village, with experiences, crafts, storytelling, and authentic reenactments.

At the heart of this celebration is a free event hosted by Déise Medieval, a passionate Waterford-based group of living history enthusiasts who recreate early Viking settlement life. 

Visitors can explore a tented village where every detail has been carefully crafted, from the period furniture and household goods to the open-fire cooking aromas filling the air. 

Reenactors demonstrate traditional Viking crafts such as spinning, weaving, leatherworking, blacksmithing, coin striking, and woodwork. 

The Viking village also features displays including coin striking, helmet and armour exhibitions, traditional food preparation.

There is also the presence of the Volva - the Viking witch. 

For those enchanted by stories, the Viking Storytelling sessions provide a highlight for families. 

Set inside a replica Viking house, a fully costumed storyteller brings Norse myths, legends, and adventures to life in 15-minute sessions running every 20 minutes, on Saturdays and Sundays.

Waterford’s Winterval, Ireland’s largest Christmas festival, runs weekly, Thursday to Sunday, until December 23, across the Cultural Quarter, Viking Triangle, and throughout the city centre. 

Alongside Viking reenactments, the festival features the Winterval Circus, dazzling illuminations, festive markets, live entertainment, and over 50 events.

For full details on Winterval’s Viking events, workshops, and the entire festival programme, visit www.winterval.ie