Festival of Time in Waterford
The countdown is underway for one of Europe’s most unique cultural events, opening this weekend in Waterford. The 2025 International Festival of Time returns to Waterford from May 23rd to 24th, offering a celebration of innovation, reflection, and the evolving nature of time. As the city welcomes some of the most respected figures in horology and temporal philosophy, this year’s program places special emphasis on a keynote address, an expert panel discussion, and a curated guided tour.
The centrepiece of the festival will be the keynote address delivered by renowned Irish watchmaker John McGonigle, taking place at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 24th, in the historic Christchurch Cathedral. Titled “How Complications Work”, McGonigle’s talk will offer a deep dive into the intricacies of high-end watch mechanisms and the artistic and mechanical challenges that define the world of haute horlogerie. A live Q&A session will follow the 45-minute address.
Also on Saturday, at 3:00 pm in Christchurch Cathedral, a panel discussion will bring together leaders in contemporary watchmaking. The panel, titled “Horology & Watchmaking”, features Colman Curran, Co-Founder of the Irish Museum of Time; two of the few Irish independent watchmakers, Bryan Leech, Director and Designer at the Irish-based brand Sidereus Watches; and Alison Moriarty, founder of Moriarty Watches Ireland. The discussion will be moderated by Pietro Tomajer, Co-Founder of The Limited Edition, a platform dedicated to independent watchmaking. This session promises insight into the intersection of craftsmanship, design, and the future of independent horology.
Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to explore Waterford through time itself. On Friday, May 23rd at 3:00 pm, curators from Waterford Treasures will lead a guided walking tour of the city’s historic public clocks, starting from the Medieval Museum. This immersive tour provides an engaging look at how timekeeping has long been part of Waterford’s public life.
The Festival of Time will take place across several of Waterford’s cultural landmarks, including the Medieval Museum, the Irish Museum of Time, and Christchurch Cathedral. As the only festival of its kind in Ireland, it also highlights Waterford’s historical link to watchmaking.
Confirmed exhibitors for 2025 include some of the most innovative names in international horology, among them Vianney Halter, Rune Bakkendorf, Rob Nudds, Marco Borraccino, and Sylvain Pinaud, alongside a strong contingent of Irish talent.
Festival hours are from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm on Friday, and until 5:00 pm on Saturday. Tickets and streaming options are available at www.waterfordtreasures.com.
BOUT THE IRISH MUSEUM OF TIME
The museum, located in a refurbished Neo-Gothic church in Waterford’s Viking Triangle, showcases over 600 timepieces from around the world, including Ireland, the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, France, Japan, and Russia. Among its notable exhibits is a clock made in 1551 and William Clement’s 1663 timepiece, recognised as the world’s oldest surviving clock with an anchor escapement.
ABOUT WATERFORD – ONCE DUBBED NEW GENEVA
In the late 18th century, an ambitious project known as “New Geneva” was initiated in County Waterford, Ireland. The plan aimed to establish a colony for Genevan artisans and intellectuals who had fled Switzerland following the Geneva Revolution of 1782. The Irish Parliament, seeking to stimulate trade and cultural development, allocated £50,000 for this endeavour. Renowned architect James Gandon was commissioned to design the town, envisioning a grand layout with crescents, squares, and public buildings overlooking the Waterford Estuary.
However, the project faltered when the Genevan settlers demanded autonomy, including representation in the Irish Parliament and the right to govern themselves under their own laws. These conditions were unacceptable to the Irish authorities, leading to the abandonment of the settlement plans. The partially constructed site was repurposed into a military installation known as Geneva Barracks.
During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, Geneva Barracks gained notoriety as a detention centre for captured United Irishmen rebels. The facility became infamous for its harsh conditions, with reports of executions and prisoners being transported to Australia or conscripted into foreign armies. Today, the remnants of the barracks stand as a testament to this turbulent period in Irish history.
WATCHMAKERS ATTENDING FOR 2025
- John McGonigle (Oileán)
- Stephen McGonigle (McGonigle)
- Albert Edelmann (Zeitwinkel)
- Bryan Leech (Sidereus)
- Vianney Halter
- Ludovic Ballouard
- Marco Borraccino (Singer)
- Patrik Sjögren
- Rune Bakkendorf
- Alison Moriarty
- Sylvain Pinaud
- Rob Nudds (Arcanaut)
- Pim Koeslag (Christiaan van der Klaauw)
- Martin Klocke (Sherpa)
