St. Patrick’s Festival set to honour Waterford’s ‘Saints & Scholars’
Waterford City and County Council and EveryEvent, with the support of Fáilte Ireland, are delighted to announce the return of the St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival celebrations - four days of craic agus ceol, live entertainment, pageantry, and tradition from March 14th to March 17th.
The theme for this year’s festival is Saints & Scholars – A Celebration of Waterford’s rich heritage. As with previous years the festival is a celebration of Waterford’s people and communities, its culture and heritage, its diversity, and its musical and artistic talent, with a nod to our very own renowned Saints and Scholars.
St. Patrick is in the company of esteemed Waterford ‘scholar’, Luke Wadding, who was instrumental in placing the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in the Church’s Calendar of Saints.
Born in Waterford in 1588, Luke Wadding was an academic, author, historian and a Franciscan, who was at one stage considered for Pope. He is however best remembered for ensuring St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated world-wide after it was added to the liturgical calendar.
This was the starting point of Waterford’s long-held association with St. Patrick’s Day. In February 1903, before March 17th was ever declared a National Day of Celebration, a meeting was held in the Town Hall in Waterford where the citizens unanimously voted to make St. Patrick’s Day a ‘general holiday’ where local businesses would close in order to allow everyone to celebrate.
That year Waterford was Ireland’s first city to hold a St. Patrick’s Day Parade and over 120 years later, that tradition is stronger than ever!
Details of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and festival event will be revealed in the coming weeks, however Johnny Codd, Festival Director, Waterford City and County Council said there will be plenty for all to enjoy.
“Waterford has a great track record in festivals and events. We were the first to hold a St. Patrick’s Day Parade and this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival will not disappoint. From parades and pageantry, live music and cultural events and festival fairgrounds to history tours, there really is something for all ages to experience and enjoy.”
Waterford City and County Council and EveryEvent are also inviting applications from community groups, sports clubs, charities and businesses, large and small, to take part in the parade to really showcase what a diverse and special place Waterford is.
John Grubb of EveryEvent said, “We’re hoping to see as many groups as possible line up for the Parade this year. It’s a fantastically fun occasion for all participants and a great platform to showcase your club, society and community to Waterford.”
If your business, group or club would like to take part in Waterford’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025 visit https://stpatricksfestivalwaterford.com/take-part-in-2025/ and register your interest.
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