Waterford to host spectacular four-Day St. Patrick’s Festival

Waterford is pulling out all the stops this year for a St. Patrick’s Festival like no other, with four days of non-stop celebrations from March 14 to 17.

As the birthplace of St Patrick’s Day as an official feast, the city is embracing its legacy with a jam-packed schedule of events under the theme 'Saints & Scholars – A Celebration of Waterford’s Rich Heritage'.

Expect everything from dazzling performances and family-friendly fun to parades, music, and even a fire-filled spectacle lighting up the streets.

Leading the show in Waterford City on March 17, will be three-time Olympian and European gold medalist Thomas Barr, who has been named Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Kicking off at 1pm from the Bus Station, the parade will see more than 2,000 participants flood the streets in a vibrant display of Waterford pride.

The Déise is in for a real treat with FireDance, an electrifying new show in John Roberts Square that promises to mesmerize crowds with a fiery fusion of music, dance, and pyrotechnics.

Across the city, more than 30 live music acts with stunning local artists will take to the stage in hotspots like the Apple Market and John Roberts Square, featuring homegrown talent such as the Suir Ukulele Strummers, City of Waterford Brass, and The Knockadollys.

There will also be musical performances from artists such as Kerry's Oisin O’Connor, Bonya, The Knotted Chords, Spancil Jills, BOOLABOOM, and Sympos & Guests, throughout the city's Cultural Quarter. Local pubs and restaurants will also be running live events and entertainment throughout the weekend, such as at Dooley’s Hotel and Itty Bittys. 

From medieval reenactments in the Viking Triangle to high-energy Irish dance mixed with hip-hop, there’s no shortage of jaw-dropping entertainment. There's plenty for kids too, with Playful Streets and Wobbly Circus among the events for young people.

For history buffs, a special Luke Wadding lecture at St. Patrick’s Church will shed light on the Waterford scholar who helped put St. Patrick’s Day on the global map.

Theatre Royal has a St. Patrick’s weekend programme full of laughs as comedian Neil Delamare is set to perform a show full of observations on life and trad to a Déise audience.

Music lovers can also enjoy a rare performance of 17th-century music by renowned cellist Roger David. Waterford is introducing an Autism family-friendly area to ensure that everyone can join in the fun.

The festive fun is stretching across the county, the 46th St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dungarvan will be preceded by a vintage car parade alongside live music from the main stage in Grattan Square from 1pm.

The 11th annual Cappoquin parade is set to begin at 11.30am and in Tramore, the 2024 St Patrick’s Day parade will start marching at 1.30pm.

It won’t just be St. Patrick who will star this weekend, Waterford’s very own Saint Declan, who lived in Ardmore, Waterford, between 350AD and 450AD will also be featured during the celebrations.

Legend has it St. Declan and St. Patrick came to an agreement with the Waterfordman forgoing the national praise to care for the people of the Déise. 

His contributions will be celebrated on Waterford’s second feast day, July 24, when Ardmore will hold the Ardmore Pattern in his honour.

Sign-ups to take part in this year’s St. Patricks Day parade are still open on the festival website and the parade will be streamed live so you can get a sense of the Déise wherever you are in the world.