Your guide to Imagine Arts Fest and Waterford Writers' Weekend
There will be free events, family friendly workshops and amazing live music and theatre in the evenings. Photo courtesy of Imagine Arts
Whether you consider yourself a cultural aficionado or you just love to have a good time, this weekend in the Deise is jam-packed with great events, world-class writers and artists and some decades old traditions.
The Imagine Arts Festival and Waterford Writers Weekend is exactly my kind of festival weekend. Most of the events are free (the most expensive event is €30 and it gets you a three-hour workshop with an award-winning poet), they’re spread out across the city, and despite the amazing talent, the vibe is always laid back.
However, the programmes are absolutely jam-packed, so I’ve chosen one event each day that I’ll be sure not to miss. If these pique your interest, make sure to check out the full line-up of events here.
Also check out events here.
Blending Irish epics with a deeply personal narrative, Sinead O’Brien will tell the story of her relationship with her father in a funny yet heartbreaking way. This is “storytelling as it should be.” It doesn’t hurt that it's on in one of the best pubs in Waterford: Phill Grimes. The event begins at 7 pm.
If you haven’t read anything by Danielle McLaughlin yet you’re missing out. She’s been published in The New Yorker and The Stinging Fly, her debut novel was short-listed for the Dublin Literary Award, and she won the Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award. She is a master of her craft and lucky for us, willing to share her expertise!
Writing is the perfect hobby to take up (or re-ignite) in these colder months, and what better to start than taking a class from such a distinguished writer!
The workshop will take place in Old Market House Arts Centre in Dungarvan and will run from 10 am to 1 pm.
Tickets are 25 euros and can be bought on Eventbrite.
Running since 2011 and now a firmly rooted tradition, this dockside-inspired event draws its name and soul from the old early house taverns of the Quay—once brimming with dockers, sailors, seafarers, characters, and barstool philosophers.
This unique hootenanny serves up short labour social history talks, music, poetry, and song, along with complimentary Waterford Blaas (with fillings), tea and coffee, and access to the early sailor’s licence for those who wish to toast the morning.
This year’s Booze, Blaas n’ Banter boasts a rich and diverse lineup of local talent, historians, musicians, poets, and storytellers. Wayne Power returns with his iconic poetry set, while Andrew Doherty will share a historical talk exploring the origins of a well-known Waterford placename. Frieda Ryan and Petra Kindler, musically supported by Paul Dillion, will present stories from the 19th-century prison in Regional’s Tower.
Ollie Breslin will perform the nostalgic street gambling games of Pitch and Toss, while Elaine Power will recount Jackie Kennedy’s unexpected visit to Woodstown House. Johnny Codd will deliver a riveting tale linking Wexford, Waterford, Cork, and the Spanish Armada.
When and where: 9 a.m. Jordan’s American Bar
This year’s headline for Imagine Arts Festival is a commissioned piece by Phil Christie.
Known for his genre-defying music, Phil Christie will be performing new material for the very first time this weekend in Garter Lane.
He is known for fusing 1960s garage rock, minimalist pop and free jazz, building hypnotic grooves that loop and evolve with mathematical precision and raw human energy.
When and where: Garter Lane, 8 pm, tickets can be bought on Eventbrite.
If you are the type of person that doesn’t want to commit to a specific time and place during the weekends (I get it) have no fear! This year, Imagine Arts Festival has introduced a brand-new Festival Hub at the former AIB Bank on 42 Michael Street – a daily base for audiences to gather information, meet artists, and experience a programme of exhibitions, installations, and workshops in the heart of Waterford City.
You can pop in any time.
There is a Molly Buí installation where you can explore spontaneous writing and visual expression through guided prompts. The experience is all about curiosity, creativity and play.
With over 40 events across the city, pop into the Medieval museum, Garter Lane, Phil Grimes Pub, the library, Waterford Gallery of Art and St. Patrick’s Gateway and you will surely stumble upon something utterly unique!
