Visit Waterford Invites Visitors to ‘Dig Into Waterford’ in 2025
Visit Waterford Invites Visitors to ‘Dig Into Waterford’ in 2025 as Ireland’s Oldest City Celebrates 1111 Years On the first day of summer, Visit Waterford officially launches its ambitious 2025 tourism campaign, ‘Dig Into Waterford,’ inviting both domestic and international visitors to explore Ireland’s oldest city and its surrounding regions in a year of monumental celebrate
Marking Waterford’s 1111th birthday, the campaign promises a deep and engaging journey into the city’s rich heritage, vibrant culture, thriving food scene, scenic coastline, and outdoor adventures. The campaign encourages visitors to not just see Waterford, but to truly dig into its stories, its spirit, and its significance in shaping the Ireland we know today. “Waterford is the birthplace of urban Ireland,” said Cllr Jason Murphy, Mayor of Waterford City and County. “At 1111 years old, our city stands proudly as the oldest in the country. This campaign gives us an incredible opportunity to celebrate our past while welcoming the world to experience our present and our future.
To help visitors tailor their trips, Visit Waterford has curated six unique ‘Dig In’ itineraries each of them are themed and guides visitors through some of the region’s most captivating locations. From the charming coastal villages of Dunmore East, Ardmore, and its own Gaeltacht An Rinn, to the iconic destinations of Tramore, Lismore, and Dungarvan, each itinerary offers a different slice of Waterford’s character. Naturally, the historic city of Waterford itself takes centre stage, with walking tours, exhibitions, and cultural experiences that bring over a millennium of stories to life. ‘Dig into the Past, ‘Dig into Nature, ’ ‘Dig into Luxury, ’ ‘Dig into Flavour, ’ ‘Dig into Culture, ’ and ‘Dig into Comfort’ can all be explored in visitwaterford.com or https://visitwaterford.com/dig-into-waterford/Chair of Visit Waterford, Clare Barrett, emphasised the city’s exceptional legacy. “Waterford is where Ireland truly began—the heart of our urban story. ‘Dig Into Waterford’ isn’t just a call to visit, it’s an invitation to uncover the layers of our heritage, from the Vikings to the Victorians, and everything in between. We aim to inspire curiosity, pride, and discovery.”
As part of the 2025 celebrations, Visit Waterford has also launched a brand-new podcast series titled ‘Digging into Waterford’, with the first episode focusing on ‘Ritual landscapes and Viking legacies’ is now available on Spotify. The podcast explores pivotal moments and lesser-known tales from Waterford’s long and fascinating history. Featuring interviews with local historians, archaeologists, artists, and community figures, the podcast offers an immersive way for listeners to connect with Waterford, whether from afar or as a guide during their visit. Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0IDIckDEjtXIbSR1kuqGk7?si=YwQLDZrUQoGpEtZEl1GgOw&nd=1&dlsi=5b55e713074543c6
“We wanted to create something that could deepen people’s understanding of Waterford, even before they arrive, ”said Clare Barrett. “The podcast is both a tribute to our past and a tool for our future—helping new audiences experience the unique soul of our city and county.” In a further celebration of local culture and community, Visit Waterford is also putting out a call for folklore submissions from the public. Locals are encouraged to share their favourite stories—be they myths, legends, personal memories, but mostly the drive is for local curiosities—for inclusion in the Waterford Folklore Heritage Ebook, to be released later in the year
We are delighted to announce this community-driven initiative,” added Clare. “Waterford’s history doesn’t just live in books and museums—it lives in the voices of its people. This is a chance to preserve those voices and local history stories for generations to come. ”Submissions for the folklore project will be accepted throughout the summer, with the final collection to be unveiled in September and published before the end of 2025.Full travel information, downloadable itineraries, the events guide, and podcast access are now available at www.visitwaterford.com and through Visit Waterford’s social media channels @visitwaterford.‘Dig Into Waterford’ is proudly supported by Waterford City and County Council and Fáilte Ireland.
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