Waterford celebrates being the Best Place to Live in Ireland this weekend

This weekend Waterford will celebrate winning the 2021 Irish Times award for being the Best Place to Live in Ireland.

On Saturday the city will see a programme of music, entertainment and family friendly workshops on John Roberts Square from 12pm to 6pm. Starting with the Jack Wise Magic Show at 12pm and finishing with Skazoo music band at 5pm. Full programme is below:

On Friday, the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Kelly will be presented with the Irish Times Best Place to Live Award after a day of celebration and exploration in the Theatre Royal. Those who live here, work here, play here & invest here are coming together to discuss what makes Waterford Ireland’s Best Place to Live. This event is available to view live here

In 2021, members of the public were invited to nominate their favourite place to live and over six weeks more than 2,400 entries for 470 locations were received. After being shortlisted in the Top five, a panel of judges visited Waterford, along with Clonakilty in Co Cork, Galway city, Glaslough in Co Monaghan and Killarney in Co Kerry.

Each place was judged on broad criteria including natural amenities, buildings, community initiatives and spirit, presence of clubs and societies, good local services, transport links, employment opportunities, diversity, the price of property and housing supply, and cost of living.

Emerging as the Irish Times Best Place to Live in Ireland is a wonderful endorsement of Waterford as a great city, with strong community ties, a rich arts and culture scene, a high calibre talent pool and a bright future.