Imagine Arts Festival 2025 Unveils Dynamic Six-Day Programme Across Waterford City
21–26 October | Waterford City
Waterford will once again come alive this October as Imagine Arts Festival unveils a vibrant six-day celebration of theatre, music, dance, visual art, installations, heritage, and family-friendly events.
Running from Tuesday 21st to Sunday 26th October 2025, the festival continues its reputation as one of Ireland’s most imaginative and diverse arts festivals, transforming the city into a stage for creativity and connection.
This year, Imagine also introduces 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.
Programme Highlights
Theatre & Performance
Word Against the Word – Keith Dunphy
A powerful one-man show tracing his journey from Waterford to RADA, grappling with dyslexia and the lure of Shakespeare. (Tue–Sat, Garter Lane)
How Is Everyone Doing? – Hannah Carberry
A new work-in-progress exploring loneliness, connection, and Irish folklore. (Tue 21 Oct, St. Patrick’s Gateway)
Hero / Banlaoch – Wandering Stories Theatre
Personal stories interwoven with ancient Irish myths in a lyrical storytelling performance. (Thu 23 Oct, Phil Grimes’ Pub)
Six Days Work – GasWorks Productions
A secular reimagining of biblical tales through four monologues. (Wed 22 Oct, Bank Lane)
Residency Showcase – Ksenia Parkhatskaya & David Duffy
The culmination of Imagine’s 2025 Artist Residency, fusing live music, movement, rhythm, and improvisation. (Sat 25 Oct, St. Patrick’s Gateway)
Music & Dance
Phil Christie (The Bonk) – Commissioned Artist
Experimental new work blending groove, rhythm, and improvisation. (Sun 26 Oct, Garter Lane)
Shauna Mullin, Alan Colfer & Damien McGeehan
A trio performance blending traditional and contemporary songs with exquisite arrangements. (Fri 24 Oct, St. Patrick’s Gateway)
The Legendary Dead
Raise a glass while we raise the dead — a bold, one-of-a-kind live performance trail across Waterford’s pubs, merging music, theatre, and spectacle. (Fri 24 Oct, Starting point Nicky’s Bar at 8 PM, moving onto The Tap, The Exchange, The Tavern, Downes’ Bar)
Children & Young People
Circusful & Waterford Youth Arts – Same Difference
A cross-border collaboration between Belfast’s Circusful and Waterford Youth Arts, showcasing the creativity, energy, and imagination of young performers. (Sun 26 Oct, Theatre Royal)
Shadow Lands – Cathy Purcell, Niall Crowley, & Nick Kavanagh
A magical theatre piece combining music, shadow puppetry, and myths from Ireland and Indonesia. (Sun 26 Oct, Medieval Museum · 12 PM & 2 PM)
Big Blaa Little Blaa All-Stars
A retro-style family gameshow with a Waterford twist — fun, laughter, and local flair! (Sun 26 Oct, Tower Hotel)
Heritage & Community
Women of Waterford: History Walks
Guided tours uncovering the often-overlooked contributions of women across the city. (Tue–Thu, Various Locations)
Booze, Blaas & Banter
The beloved early-morning tradition returns to Jordan’s Bar with history, song, poetry — and complimentary blaas. (Sat 25 Oct, 9 AM)
Visual Arts & Installations (All Week)
Exhibition of Wool Paintings – Emily A Thompson
Textile landscapes recreated through the ancient craft of needle felting. (Festival Hub)
To Paint a Picture in Your Mind – Molly Buí Hennessy
An intuitive, participatory installation combining painting, poetry, and sound. (Festival Hub)
Where Dreams Are Born – Isa Studio Photography
A photographic journey exploring childhood wonder and imagination. (Festival Hub)
Creative Transparency – Waiting Space
Installation merging art, sound, and reflection — exploring confession, creativity, and vulnerability. (Medieval Museum)
Retro 40: On a Night Like This – Eoin Ronayne
A photographic retrospective celebrating Waterford’s 1980s emerging arts scene. (Jordan’s Bar)
Book Swap Exhibition – Anne McDonnell
A visual art project featuring artist-created art books for visitors to explore and exchange. (Sat 25 Oct, Theatre Royal)
The Decoration of Absence – James Hughes
Photographs capturing the silent traces of Irish interiors and shared heritage. (Index Gallery, Central Library · Library Hours · Oct)
Lichen – Fern Wright
A new series of abstract oil paintings inspired by the textures of Ireland’s coastline. (Tramore Coastguard Cultural Centre · Gallery Hours · Oct)
Get Involved / Workshops
Dancing the Character — a practical dance workshop with Ksenia Parkhatskaya, exploring rhythm, character, and expressive storytelling. (Wed 22 Oct, St. Patrick’s Gateway)
From Silence to Spectacle — a live performance workshop with David Duffy, integrating technology, dramaturgy, and live sound. (Thu 23 Oct, St. Patrick’s Gateway)
The Reverie Tree – Éabha Róis
A reflective creative writing and storytelling workshop exploring memory, imagination, and self-expression. (Sat 25 Oct, St. Patrick’s Gateway)
QUOTES
Festival Director Sinéad Dunphy said:
“This year’s Imagine Arts Festival builds on Waterford’s extraordinary creative spirit — offering audiences a programme that is bold, diverse and deeply rooted in community. We’re thrilled to premiere new work by Phil Christie, host an international residency with Ksenia Parkhatskaya and David Duffy, and celebrate voices that span generations, disciplines and traditions. Our new Festival Hub on Michael Street creates a central space where audiences can drop in daily to experience art and connect with the festival right in the heart of the city.”
Artist Keith Dunphy added:
“Bringing Word Against the Word home to Waterford means the world to me. This city shaped me, and to perform this show — about finding your voice when it’s hard to be heard — in front of my own community is very special.”
FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Dates: Tuesday 21 – Sunday 26 October 2025
Venues: Across Waterford City – including Garter Lane Arts Centre, Theatre Royal, Medieval Museum, Jordan’s, St. Patrick’s Gateway, and the new Festival Hub (42 Michael Street).
Tickets & Full Programme: www.imagineartsfestival.com
Social: @ImagineArtsFestival | #ImagineArtsFestival #Waterford
