I have a love/hate relationship with Waterford City, as do most people with their hometown. It is the place that harbours the strongest sense of familiarity for me but is also a place I often crave to escape from. Of course, it is always easier to be more vocal about the ‘hate’ side of such a relationship. I am perhaps guilty of being a little too hateful towards Waterford at times. It is hard growing up in a city that has been battered economically without feeling that it will never truly recover.

I have left and returned to Waterford many times, and as much as I hate admitting it to myself, coming back is a feeling like no other. The other day I had a realisation as I walked along the Quay under the open arms painted upon the Ard Rí hotel. It clicked with me as to why I seem to have an unrequited love for the city; Waterford is the creative underground of Ireland.

Unless you spend some time in Waterford, it is probably hard to truly sense and understand the air of magic winding through the streets and side-alleys. We’ll probably never be named cultural city of the year, and will more than likely never make it to top of the list of ‘must sees’ in Ireland. However, we have something that no other city seems to have in such abundance. Raw imaginative genius.

We are a city of underrated storytellers, musicians, writers, painters, actors, foragers, gardeners, bakers, festival-creators, photographers, and film-makers. Most importantly, we are supporters of it all.

I’ll be brave enough to say the natural creativity within Waterford is unmatched throughout the country.

There are almost too many individual examples of this artistic flair to name. If you have ever been to the Rogue Gallery, or a themed night in the Vintage tearooms you will understand. If you have ever danced to local bands in Central Arts, or gone mad at a King Kong Company show, you will have felt it. If you have enjoyed film nights in Garter Lane or witnessed any production by Little Red Kettle, you’ll get it. Maybe you have supported local creators in shops or markets that double as treasure troves such as Beibhinn, Finders Keepers or the Copper Coast Markets. You might have tasted the magic through local bread, seaweed, craft beers, gins, and much much more. What about Spraoi, Waterford Walls, All Together Now, the Harvest Festival, Winterval, Imagine Arts and the Dunmore Bluegrass Fest? You’d know all about our creativity then. Waterford Crystal, the one thing that puts us on the international map, is in itself our biggest example.

The thing that really sets us apart from other cities in Ireland is that there is this overwhelming sense of support and camaraderie between the creators and those who revel in the creativity.

The city shines in its own understated way. It adds to the charm of it all. On a whole, it is probably hard for this concept to resonate with outsiders. It is a small city that gets very little government support and financial aid in the greater scheme of things so it is hard for us to fully live up to our potential. It is important to recognise and appreciate the people that make Waterford this little bubble of imagination.

It might be our surroundings that provide a good base of imagination for us. Maybe the Metal Man points us in the right direction. There might be something in the water along the Copper Coast. Who knows? Something is working in our favour. It is all too much of a coincidence. Waterford is the creative underground of Ireland.

I have been trying to write an article like this for a while now. I find myself inspired and captivated by what subtley goes on around us each day that makes Waterford the creative hub it always is. The most important thing to take away from this article is to always support local creators and visions. I didn’t want to name certain people as I am sure I’d have left one out and there are people constantly contributing in the background that I’d rather not overlook…

Ciara.

All words and pictures are my own.

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