Waterford Harvest Festival 2023

Join GIY in celebrating the local food heritage and diverse culinary scene of Waterford during the 2023 Waterford Harvest Festival. From September 8th to 10th, a thrilling array of events such as markets, dining experiences, discussions, and more will be showcased. We have curated a list of some of the events happening over the weekend. Find the full lineup of events on the Harvest Festival website.

The Taste Waterford Kitchen Stage

Learn how to make delicious food from the finest local chefs. With live cooking demonstrations from Cliff House Hotel's, Tony Parkin, Faithlegg'sJenny Flynn and Mezze's Nicola & Dvir. The stage will be hosting live demonstrations from 12 to 3 pm over the weekend.

Live music Stage

Programmed by WAMA’s Trevor Darmody, local artists will take centre stage every day throughout the Harvest Festival.

Friday, September 8th

1pm: The Knotted Chords (Irish folk acoustic duo)
2pm: Baby Root Acoustic (hip hop, reggae, and swing)
3pm: Liam Merriman Duo (Singer-songwriter)
4.15pm Calypso Trio (Jazz)
5.30pm: Omega 3 5-piece (Bluegrass)

Saturday, September 9th

12 pm: Damn Dirty Apes (4-Piece Rock Covers)
1.15 pm: The Mulligans Celtic (Traditional)
2.30 pm: Sand (Alternative Pop)
3.45pm: The Shellakybookies (Acoustic Pop)
5 pm: The Ramling Paddy’s (Irish Folk & Pop)
6 pm: Conor Clancy Band Pop (Funk and Soul)

Sunday, September 10th

12pm: WAMA Drum Band (Percussion)
12.45pm: Cadence (Acoustic Duo)
2pm: WAMA House Band (Jazz, Funk)
3.15pm: Deise Brass 10-piece (Dixieland Jazz)
4.45pm: Two Time Charlie 5-piece (Pop Funk Soul)
6pm: Lower East Side (Smooth Jazz)

Waterford Honey Show

Hosted by the East Waterford BeeKeepers’ Association. This event gives you the opportunity to meet with the region’s top honey producers and taste some of the finest kinds of honey.

GIY Food Matters Talk Tent

GIY will host free talks from experts in sustainability, biodiversity and sustainable food systems. These thought-provoking talks and debates delve into the heart of pressing food issues. Speakers include chair of the Food Writer’s Guild Caroline Hennessy, and Mick Kelly.

Saturday, September 9th

11am Using Food Waste in the Garden
12pm GIY- Getting Started
1pm Food Matters – Love Soil
2pm Biodiversity Centre – Top 10 ways to help Pollinators
3pm Food Matters – Stop Food Pollution
4pm Finding Magic & Medicine in your garden
5pm Irish Tree Explorers – The Importance of Urban Trees

Sunday, September 10th

11am Birdwatch – Irelands Garden Birds
12pm Regional Action For Global Change
1pm Food Matters – Support Local
2pm Biodiversity Centre – Top 10 ways to help Pollinators
3pm Food Matters – Eat More Plants
4pm GIY- Getting Started
5pm SeedSavers

Activities for kids

Storytelling and Seed Sowing at Ardkeen Library

Join the Librarians at Ardkeen Library on Friday 9th of September for an enchanting session of storytelling and seed sowing. This is the perfect experience to get your little ones excited about the harvest season. The storyteller will weave stories that will transport you to far-off lands and teach valuable lessons along the way. Storytelling begins at 10:30.

Craft Workshops with SE Craft Studio

Jo McCluskey and Jennie O'Neill are organizing a series of free arts and crafts workshops for children. These workshops will teach kids how to make flowers and bees using recycled and sustainable materials.

Kids Growing Workshop with Monty Potts

Monty Potts, the legendary grower, is bringing his expertise to the Waterford Harvest Festival! Join him in the Junior GIYer’s Tent on O'Connell street for educational growing workshops designed especially for children. On O'Connell Street, Saturday 9th, Sunday 10th of September.

Check out the Harvest Festival website for a full list of all events.