The Lit Young Writers Festival 2019

For the third year running 'The Lit Young Writers Festival' (A reading and writing festival for young people (14 - 19 Years) thats managed by Young People) , returns with a brand new range of workshops, interesting events and compelling talks with some of Ireland's great new and established authors next Friday the 15th and Saturday the 16th of November.


This year’s festival has a very compelling lineup of local and national authors including Sarah Crossan, Elaine Feeney, Sarah Maria Griffin, Dave Rudden, Anthea West, Megan Nolan, Erin Fornoff, Natalya O’Flaherty, Rose Keating and Colm Keegan. Who will all be involved in events throughout Waterford City full information is on the Lit Festival's website - https://bit.ly/2OoUl8J  and this years programme.

There will also be a number of free events to get involved in such as ‘The Big Book Swap’ in Central Library where you can swap some of your favourite books with others including some signed copies of some very interesting young adult authors, If you're interested in poetry their's a pop up poetry event in John Roberts square on Saturday and a spoken word event in ‘The Vintage Tea Rooms’ later in the day. It should be a lot of fun.


All paid events are just a fiver with a small additional charge and can be bought through the 'Lit Young Writer's Festivals' website - thelit.eu you can also book online through eventbrite. For more information you can contact the team directly by email at - thelityoungwritersfestival@gmail.com or by sending the team a message on their Facebook page.

Horrible Historical Trails 2019


Darkness is descending on the Viking Triangle this Halloween and with the darkening of the days comes the creepy, dark, malevolent - creatures of the night. This October why not come see and learn about the lives of these spectres, vikings, vampires and zombies in this years annual Horrible Historical Trails this Wednesday the 23rd to Saturday the 27th and be prepared for 45 minutes of fear and fun.


Meeting at 6.45 each evening at the Theatre Royal's backdoor (beside the medieval museum) where payment is taken (7 euros for children and adults are free) this event is suitable for children over the age of six. To add to the creepy atmosphere all children and adults are encourage to dress up in costume, for more information visit the 'Horrible Historical Trails' Facebook page - link. This show might be too spooky for adults. You have been warned.

Waterford Youth Arts - Autumn Workshops

After an incredible summer, Waterford Youth Art's returns with a range of fantastic workshops - Youth Drama, Dance, Creative Writing and Film -  for 3 to 19 year olds, all of which starting back on Monday the 16th of September.

With an open door policy and no experience necessary, today may be the day to get involved in the arts, as not only is the arts a proven way for young people to develop self confidence, teaches them how to be part of a team and its a great way to make new friends.

Get in touch today If you’re interested in signing up for a term (nine weeks), workshops are 45 euro’s a term  with the exception of visual art which is 65 euro’s to cover the cost of materials (discounts available for two or more young people from the one family).

 To register or get more information you can visit the Arch up on Barrack Street, book over the phone by calling 051 879377, send an email to info@waterfordyoutharts.com or book through eventbrite - https://bit.ly/2n440DU (additional charge applies). Some of our workshops book up quick so get  in touch as soon as possible

Waterford Youth Arts Presents - We have 11 Years to save the planet, but we only have today to save ourselves

WYA (Waterford Youth Arts) would like to invite you to see our, 25th annual Summer Theatre Project - 'We have 11 Years to save the planet, but we only have today to save ourselves' which is running in Garter Lane Arts Centre from the 21st - 24th of August at 8pm each evening, followed by a question and answer session with the cast and crew.

Directed by Grace Dyas / Deirdre Dwyer -"We have 11 Years to save the planet, but we only have today to save ourselves" is a dark comedy on
the very serious topics of Climate Change and Mental Health,
that concerns today's youth.


"It’s real. It's happening, it's an emergency; a crisis. The planet is under threat and the consequences of not acting are devastating. How can we can sing and dance when the world is burning up? The planet is under threat, a global crisis, but we don’t have know how or have the ability to do anything about it, we are young people, what can we do?  And everyone around us seems to have their heads buried in the sand. Maybe we should just try to enjoy the summer, make theatre, make memories. Forget about it. But we can’t. Can we? We want to put on a good show, everyone loves the Summer Project. But some of us want to act, to take a stand, use this platform. The drama will unfold from the ensuing conflict."


Running on the 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th of August in Garter Lane Arts Centre. Tickets are 15 euros for Adults and 10 euros for young people and they can be purchased through Garter Lane Arts Centre's Website - https://bit.ly/2MpXh3r, over the phone by calling 051 855038 or by visiting their premises at 22 O'Connell St, Waterford. This play is not suitable for young people.








Tramore Tales - A Social History of Tramore

People say 'good things come to people who wait' and for people waiting on WYA (Waterford Youth Arts) Social History Film on Tramore and Fenor, that time has almost arrived as WYA's seventh social history film - Tramore Tales - A Social History Film will receive two free premier screenings in O'Sheas Hotel on Wednesday the 3rd of July.


Showing at 3pm and 8pm in the evening this ninety minute long production, will explore the history, culture and social events of the town through a series of interviews, old photos, clips of local activities and performances by local musicians. The film looks at old Tramore when it was quite a small town but with big families. We hear stories about tragedies, romance, dances, Race Week, bits of history and tall tales, stories of emigration and great pubs, Cinema and train stories, learning to swim and heading ‘Down Around’. It captures little glimpses of life today and we see the cockle men in action, hear surfing stories and see the road bowling of Fenor. 

DVD copies of the film will be available for purchase after both showings for 10 euros each as well as online and in local shops. More information to come in the following days. Photo Credit - Ciaran Conneely for this great picture of Rocky Mills taken during his interview.

Return of the WYA Summer School

Notice - Places full for 7-9 and 10-13 year olds. 


It's almost the end of may and with the rising temperatures (hopefully) and the start of the summer vacation it's time to decide what summer camps / schools to sign up too. With plenty of sports camps in and around Waterford for young athletes, you may be asking what else is there for young people, one great option is the WYA Summer School. 

Starting on Monday the 8th of July and running until Friday the 12th of July the WYA Summer School is back in business taking place over in Mount Sion Secondary School across the road from Waterford Youth Arts. This year we will be running activities for 4 year olds to 13 year olds including Drama, Dance, Film, Creative Writing, Circus and Visual Art, run by the highly talented WYA Workshop Tutors with the WYA Staff and Volunteers helping out, all of whom are Garda Vetted by the National Vetting Bureau.

Young people will be divided into three different age groups - 4 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years and 10 to 13 years, each group starting at 10 am in the morning and running until 12.15, 2.30 and 3pm in the day respectively. The cost to sign up is 55 euros for the 4 to 6 years age group and 75 euros for the 7 to 9 and 10 to 13 year olds.  Registration is straight forward all you have to do is visit WYA up in the Arch on Barracks Street, pay over the phone by calling (051) 879377 or by booking online through eventbrite - https://bit.ly/2VBs6Y0 (additional surcharge applies). Places usually fill up quick so book while you can.

PSA - WYA Spring Workshops 2019

Registration is still open for all our fantastic workshops - Youth Drama, Dance, Creative Writing, Visual Art, Film and Circus. If your interested in any of our workshops get in contact with the team as soon as possible as they all start this week. More information about all our workshops on our website - https://bit.ly/2DOeBa1.

Membership costs 45 euros a term except for Visual Arts which is 65 euros to cover the cost of materials. To register or get more information visit the Arch up on Barracks Street, book over the phone by calling 051 879377, send an email to info@waterfordyoutharts.com or book online through eventbrite - https://bit.ly/2n440DU (additional surcharge applies).





Full list of Workshops and Times

MONDAY 
Circus Skills 8-11 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 4.30pm-6pm
Circus Skills 12-15 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 6pm-7.30pm
Drama 15-19 years (Seniors), The Arch, Barrack Street 7.30pm-9.30pm

TUESDAY 
Drama 9-11 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 4.30pm-6pm
Drama 12-14 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 6pm-8pm

WEDNESDAY 
Film 9-11 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 4.30pm-6pm
Film 12-14 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 6pm-7.30pm
Film 15-19 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 7.30pm-9pm
Dance 9-11 years, Garter Lane Art Centre, O'Connell Street 4.30pm-5.30pm
Dance 12-16 years, Garter Lane Art Centre, O'Connell Street 5.30pm-7pm

THURSDAY 
Dance 3-5 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 4pm-4.45pm
Dance 6-8 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 4.55pm-5.45pm

SATURDAY 
Art 5-8 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 10am-11.30am
Art 9-12 years, The Arch, Barrack Street 11.45am-1.15pm
Creative Writing 7-10 years, Central Library, Lady Lane 10am-11.30am
Creative Writing 11-13 years, Central Library, Lady Lane 11.30am-1pm
Creative Writing 14-18 years, Central Library, Lady Lane 2pm-4pm


Costs: Dance, Film, Circus Skills, Creative Writing and Drama cost €45 each per term
Art is €65 which includes cost of materials.
There are discounts for more than one child from the same family, living in the same residence. 
If there is any difficulty paying the fee, please speak to one of the office staff about our bursary scheme.



Note: WYA operates an open-door policy; all young people are welcome, new people
always welcome – no previous experience necessary.


Erasmus+ Exchange of Practises - White Paper

In 2018 Waterford Youth Arts was involved in a three way Erasmus+ Project with the theatre companies Stella Polaris from Norway and National Theatre Târgu-Mureş from Transylvania, Romania. 

With the purpose of documenting the learning of young people. If your interested in reading the document there available on our website - https://www.waterfordyoutharts.com/past-events in English, Romanian and Norwegian.