Waterford proudly flies its Purple Flag again

Waterford has, once again, received the coveted Purple Flag accreditation, which represents the gold standard of the management of evening and nighttime economies.

In recognition of its commitment to creating a dynamic secure and vibrant nighttime economy, this prestigious award underpins Waterford's great blend of entertainment, dining, and culture, all the while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, and visitors in the evening and night-time economy, between the hours of 5pm and 5am.

Key successes noted in Waterford's submission included the introduction of community safety wardens, whose work is making the city safer, and the strength of the existing Purple Flag Partnerships which benefits the wider area.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan welcomed the renewal of Purple Flag status for Waterford saying: “I am delighted that Waterford has retained the title once again in 2025."

“This successful accreditation is as a result of the collaborative effort between the Council, local businesses, community organisations and stakeholders, who showcased the vibrancy, accessibility and energy of Waterford’s nighttime offering, when the Purple Flag assessors visited the city in the summer," said Cllr Ryan.

In July, the Purple Flag Assessment Team was welcomed to Waterford by representatives from Waterford City and County Council, the Purple Flag Committee, and business and community stakeholders.

While in the city they got to experience Waterford’s eclectic mix of dining, entertainment, culture and arts.

A spokesperson for Waterford City & County Council said that during their visit the assessors were greeted by the Mayor in City Hall. 

There, the strength of local collaboration was emphasised by Claire Hartley, Senior Executive Officer, Waterford City and County Council and Jim ‘Flash’ Gordan, Proprietor of Revolution and Chair of the Purple Flag Committee.

Following a guided tour, the assessors met with local businesses and community and creative organisations, where they experienced a taste of Waterford’s vibrant and authentic nightlife. 

The spokesperson said that the presence of the Gardaí further underscored the collaborative approach Waterford takes to creating a safe and welcoming city after dark.

Upon receiving the coveted accreditation, Julie Walsh, Purple Flag Administrator with Waterford City and County Council said the award was indicative of the city's vibrant nighttime offering.

“The Purple Flag is testament to Waterford’s buoyant nighttime economy, which has so much to offer," she said.

“Being recognised by the Purple Flag judges as a safe, vibrant, eclectic and accessible place after dark, truly reflects the potency of collaborative efforts, local partnerships and stakeholder engagement," she added.

“Waterford City and County Council, along with our partners will continue to consolidate the nighttime economy and foster a vibrant, safe and welcoming city after dark for all who live in and visit Waterford.”

The Council spokesperson said one such initiative is the introduction of a Night-Time Economy (NTE) Pilot Grant for 2025.

The grant is aimed at supporting creative, cultural and community-led projects that bring fresh energy to the city centre during off-peak evening hours, encouraging innovative collaborations and enhancing Waterford’s cultural life after dark.

"The pilot scheme reflects Waterford’s ongoing dedication to fostering an inclusive and engaging city experience, complementing the Purple Flag’s recognition of excellence in night-time management and community partnership," said the spokesperson.

There are one hundred Purple Flag destinations around the globe across the UK, Ireland, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia. 

They include everything from world-renowned tourist destinations to small market towns.