On The Fringe

Up and coming local poet Darragh O Dempsey, he self published a book of his works, The Serpent's Hiss, last year and is releasing a short cinematic piece to accompany it on January 22nd,Blackwater Valley Opera Festival takes place May 26th - June 1st this year and festival director Eamonn Carroll tells us what we can expect andWaterford City poet Wayne Power joins Gemma in studio ahead of the launch of his first ever spoken word album, and A Slip of the Tongue is back for chapter 11See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dick Roche chats with Gemma about the history of the original site of Waterford city, founded 100 years earlier and 3 miles further down the Suir than the city we know and love today,It's the time of year for New Year's resolutions, and Damien Tiernan has set himself the challenge to learn a cupla focail with the help of teacher Aoife Walsh andCould a theatre for Tramore become a reality at long last? Garrett Wyse chats about the progress so far, and just what it would mean for the community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fringe Jan 6th. John Keane steps in for Gemma this week and chat to Pat Grant about his new theatre school for children called Class Act with Pat Grant. Garrett Wyse spoke with Dmaien Tiernen with an update on the campaign for a new community theatre in Tramore and we revisit our chat with Danny O Reilly from the Coronas about his recent solo gig in the Theatre Royal in Waterford.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dungarvan Singer and Saxophonist, Maria Hymas, is back for another year with her "12 Dresses of Christmas", promoting sustainable fashion with one lucky charity winning a fundraising performance by Maria herself,Actor and drama teacher, Luke Corcoran, chats with Gemma about what he has in store for audiences over the festive period, for Downes Pub Theatre andDirector of Waterford Film Centre, Flavia Pordominsky, will be in studio with Gemma to share some exciting updates, and news about the film centre.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show. Gemma hears all about a new documentary, From That Small Island, and she finds out all about SETU Waterford's Master's in Music Performance. SETU Waterford's Master's in Music Performance will be holding their public music recital on December 4th. Students Niamh and Oisin tell Gemma about this incredible concert, From That Small Island, the feature-length documentary written and produced by local woman and professor of Irish Studies, Briona NicDhiarmada, has just received the outstanding international documentary award at the Newport Beach festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dungarvan Dramatic Club returns to the Town Hall Theatre this November 19th-22nd  with one of Shakespeare’s most gripping and powerful plays, Macbeth. Director Mike Keep tells Gemma why they chose this Shakespeare classic,Ahead of  the release of their latest album on November 21st and nationwide tour, Ispini na hEireann tell John Keane why Irish music is on the rise andPhil Coulter brings his Tranquillity by Candlelight tour to St. John's Church,  Waterford December 5th. He talks about the concept behind it and why Waterford holds a special place in his heartSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Basciville are coming to Waterford!, As part of their course, SETU Music Degree students Kerry Batan and Patrick Murphy are coordinating a special intimate Basciville gig at the Goma Gallery of Modern Art on Thursday 27th of November 2025 at 7.30pm. Doors will open at 7pm, with tickets costing ten euro for university students, and fifteen euro for members of the public.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stagemad Theatre Company's latest production is the Tennessee Williams classic, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Taking place Nov 11th-15th in Garter Lane Arts Centre, actors Helena Walsh Kiely and Daniel Andrews told Gemma all about it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carrie Crowley chatted with Ollie and Dymphna about her role in the tv adaptation of the Walsh Sisters based on the books written by author Marion Keyes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dance Scratch Night presented by Rachel Ní Bhraonáin, Come and experience a unique evening of dance and community. Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural event, this an evening for dance, theatre and music lovers alike to see fresh new work from Ireland’s up and coming makers. A Scratch Night is an opportunity for artists to put their ideas to the test in front of an audience and receive feedback.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fringe Sep 30th, Andra Postolache, the recipient of the ORIGINS Graduate Solo Show Award 2025, opening in Lismore this Saturday, sat down with Gemma to talk about this immersive, surveillant, and multilayered show comprising installation and projection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fringe Sep 23rd 2025, Damien Tiernan sits down with Frank McNally, writer of The Irish Times daily column "Irishman's Diary", about his new book "Not Making Hay"Declan O’Rourke makes a welcome return to Theatre Royal on Oct 4th, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of his debut album ‘Since Kyabram’ andAoibhinn Fallon chats with Irish biologist Éanna Ní Lamhna ahead of National Tree DaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fringe Sep 16th 2025, In 2023, Michael Harding walked the Camino de Santiago and wrote his memoir entitled I Loved Him from the Day he Died. Michael tells Gemma about An Evening with Michael Harding coming to Theatre Royal September 18thTo coincide with the Waterford Gallery of Art’s next exhibition, the gallery is delighted to announce the winner of ‘The Sea Around Us’ open call competition, Linn Hansen. Judge and Biodiversity Officer, Marina Mulligan chats with Gemma about the exhibition running September 19th - January 22ndAuthor and journalist Aoife Barry is the latest guest of Writers at Waterford Libraries, September 20th. Gemma and Aoife discuss journalism, disinformation and how media shapes our world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fringe Sep 9th 2025 Darragh O'Dempsey is an eighteen-year-old writer from Waterford who has released his debut poetry anthology, The Serpent's Hiss. Book launch with Wayne Power introducing, will take place in Ardkeen Library on Culture Night at 6pm on Friday 19th September 2025. Gemma spoke with Darragh and Wayne all about itMembers of Diva Voces choir, are coming to Waterford to perform a special concert to honour survivors of the Magdalene Laundries and Mother and Baby Institutions. The concert takes place on Saturday 18th October in the chapel of the old laundry in SETU. Mary Tracey from Diva Voces and Jennifer O'Mahony from SETU tell Gemma about the importance of the event and Local Jazz Hero Phill Collins, of the Phill Collins Quartet, is kicking of Waterford Music's first autumn concert on Thursday 11 September. The concert will take place in the Dr Mary Strangman Large Room at 7.30pm. Phill talks with Gemma about his love of the creativity that jazz allowsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fringe Sep 2nd, This week Gemma brought us interviews with Keith Dunphy about his new one man show in Garter lane this October. Wayne Brown spoke to the manager of the RTE concert Orchestra ahead of their show in the SETU and Keith Boyle chatted with Maria McCann about Beats, Bites and Bubbles for the Harvest Festival weekend ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Fringe Aug 19th with guest host John Keane, Andrew Ryan from The Royal Hunt of the Sun, chats about the album launch in Philly Grimes. Rosemary Ryan, Bishop Palace Keeper of Waterford Treasures chats to us about Heritage week in Waterford and Tracey McEnaney tells us what else is on This Heritage week across the city and countySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Fringe Aug 13th, John Keane is this weeks guest host and chats with Darren Holden from the High Kings about their ongoing tour which takes in the Haven Hotel on Friday 15th of Aug. John also spoke with Washed Out, local Waterford band about their new EP and plans for the futureSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Fringe Aug 5th, John Keane guests host this weeks show and chats with Vinnie from Cry Before Dawn about their new EP and upcoming performance in Waterford this week. TV Honan joined Damien Tiernan on Desie Today to chat about this years successful SpraoiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Fringe July 29th with John Keane. John chats with Waterford Harvest festival co festival directors Martin Nolan and Mark Dunne and also with the culinary director of the festival, Chef Keith BoyleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TV Honan and Clem Jacob -  Business to Arts has shortlisted Clem Jacob Hire and Spraoi Festival for its 2025 business sponsorship of the arts awards.The Waterford firm is nominated in The Irish Times long-term partnership award category.Wayne Brown chats with Niamh Colbert general manager of Spraoi as she previews the 2025 weekend aheadAnd finally, The Ted and Mary O'Regan Arts Bursary was inaugurated in 2004 to honour the memory of one of Waterford’s best loved and respected couples who, together, made an enduring and extraordinary contribution to the cultural life of the city. The purpose of the Award is to assist an individual or individuals, either from or with a strong connection to Waterford City or County, to pursue and develop their chosen arts discipline. Wayne Brown also spoke with Bertie Rogers, Ollie Breslin - committee member and Natasha Everett - bursary recipient this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE FRINGE JULY 8TH, After studying law at University College Cork, and moving to Cork City where she works as a solicitor, Fews native Catherine Kirwan finally took the leap and tried her hand at crime writing. Four books later, and she's never looked back. She sat down to tell Gemma all about it and her latest book, "The Seventh Body".Waterford’s Comeraghs Wild Festival is back for its 11th installment and is bigger and better than ever. Festival spokesperson, Bernadette Drohan, chats with Gemma about how they've strived to provide a little something for all the family andBagatelle and Friends "Celebrating The Legacy of Liam Reilly" comes to The Village, Rathgormack on July 18th. Founding member Ken Doyle talks about their longevity, their legacy, and why Waterford shows feel less like a gig and more like a "happening"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a successful debut with his single ‘Midsummer’, Patrick Dowling is on the road towards his first EP with his next single ‘Colossal’. He joined Gemma in studio to tell her about the song, the video of which was shot on the Copper CoastMinuan Community Theatre Group are seeking future play admissions for their next performance. Michael Cox and Catherine Burgess chat with Gemma about this call out to all aspiring writers in the community to come forward andAuthor and performer Terri Ryan will bring her inimitable blend of humour, folklore, and song to Micilín’s Bar in Kilrossanty, as part of the Comeraghs Wild Festival where the crackle of stories and traditional music will fill the night with magic and laughter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Woodstown Waves is back for Vol. 3, and as promised, it's bigger than ever with camping added to the event. Aoife Kennedy sat down to tell Gemma how local support has been vital to the "mini festivals" growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Fringe June 18th.Rachel Ní Bhraonáin's brand new show "Mosh" takes place July 10th & 11th Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford. With live music, real interviews, dance and text, five performers dive into the deeper meaning behind the misunderstood subculture of moshing. After a 2 year hiatus, Oran Byrne is dropping new music.  ‘Flowers & Dungarees’ is the lead single from his new and upcoming third studio album ‘I’ve Been Here Before’ which releases on July 4th and Bonnie Boux's Boogie Brunch comes to The Reg, Sunday, July 13th. Get ready to get feral with Live Dj's, performances and some exciting surprises.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fringe, In its fifth year, TuneFest is back with a line up to rival Glastonbury! Donnchadh Gough tells Gemma all about it,The 18th of June brings Crime Writer Andrea Carter to Lismore Library for Writers at Waterford Libraries. Andrea spoke of her love for the genre and Following the resounding success of its first year, Art in the Garden at Mount Congrieve is back this weekend. Dr Martina O'Byrne from Artform tells Gemma about this year's line-up See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fringe June 3rd, SprÓg Festival is back with another incredible line-up! Gemma finds out from Sandra Kelly what's on this year .Internationally acclaimed violinist Vladimir Jablokov is live in the Theatre Royal this Friday. John Keane found out what we can expect and Kieran O Connor provides a round-up from this year's Blackwater Valley Opera FestivalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gemma chats with Paul Bolger of Waterford International Comic Arts Festival., taking place this weekend, Mat 31st and June 1st in Waterford Comics, Park Road,The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is back for another year with another incredible line up, Gemma sits down with Festival Director Eamonn Carroll andThe incredible Jenny Greene tells us about this Sunday's gig at The Haven with our very own Ray C on supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fringe May 20th with guest host John Keane. John spoke with Stephen Jones about his new show with director Jim Nolan, Tagdh Williams was in to chat about his live gig in Geoffs and Shane Barry is back in the Seanti with another very special live showSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gemma chats with acclaimed actor Barry McGovern ahead of him taking to the stage as "Puck" in the Blackwater Valley Opera Festivals production of "A Midsummer Nights Dream"Dymphna and Ollie from The Big Breakfast Blaa recently spoke with Jungle house Film about their brand new documentary "Freya- Beyond The Mat" about 11-year-old Waterford Jiu-Jitsu champion Freya Marsh andTramore sensation Moncrieff popped into studio to talk about his new album, coming home and playing a secret Waterford gig.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fringe May 6th, You may be wondering about the colourful silhouettes surrounding our streets and some of Waterford City’s iconic buildings. As part of the City of Lights project supported by the Fáilte Ireland Urban Animation Scheme, this inaugural project, commissioned by Waterford City and County Council. I'm chatting with Waterford Cultural Quarter Project Lead Katherine CollinsAIB Press Photographer of The Year Award 2025 Exhibition to visit Waterford in May. Ireland’s stories in images for 2024 will continue its nationwide tour at Waterford Central Library until May 17th. Tracey McElhenney from Waterford Libaries tells us what we can expect andJohn Keane recently chatted to Brendan Murphy of The 4 of Us about their brand new record Crescent NightsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local poet Wayne Power chats to Gemma about curating this years upcoming Poetry Day 2025 taking place this Thursday,Plight of The Bumblebee, a documentary by Brenda Castles comes to the Sean Tí May 18th. Brenda talks about everything from bees role in religion to their fight to survive andLocal historian Chrissy Knight O'Connor tells Gemma all about the ancient battle of DungarvanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scáthach, a Celtic-inspired Waterford band, currently recording their debut album. Lead singer Taylor Lily popped in for a chat about their brand new single and upcoming gigs,'Grasp' is a new play taking place in the GOMA Gallery of Modern Art gardens over the May bank holiday weekend. Waterford playwright, Hannah Carberry, tells Gemma all about it andLast Friday marked the 30th anniversary of Fr Ted. The WLR presenters joined Gemma on air for a reenactment of one of the most famous scenesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eunice Power tells Gemma about what drives her passion for the West Waterford Festival of Food,Damien Tiernan sits down to chat with Dermot Whelan about his brand new mindset book "Busy and Wrecked" and Kieran Goss chats with John Keane about his Seanti gig with Annie Kinsella See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Fringe, Perform South East comes to the SETU Arena on April 26th billed as the ultimate performance expo. Richie Hayes sits down with Gemma to tell her all about it;Devour the Night, a night of fire, fearless sword swallowing and more comes to Wexford Racecourse April 19th MC-ed by Waterford's own Bonnie Boux. Megan from Devour the Night tells Gemma the inspiration behind this 18+ only circus andHerb Dee brings his solo acoustic set to the Market Bar on May 7th. He chats with Gemma about how Covid renewed his love of musicSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Woodstown Waves, possibly Waterford's smallest music festival, is back for Volume two at the Saratoga bar. Aoife Kennedy and Sarah Mulligan tell Gemma about their incredible local line upHe's been tour drummer for Bellx1 among other things, Tim O Donovan's latest venture is probably his most exciting yet. John Keane recently caught up with the artist otherwise known as NeosupervitalTell of the Estuary comes to Faithlegg National School the 4th and 5th of April.  Damien Tiernan spoke with Minuan Theatre Group to find out what it was all about.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Martina Devlin will join City and County Librarian Mary Conway for the first Writers at Waterford Libraries event of 2025 in Central Library on 29th March at 3.00 pm to discuss her latest book Charlotte. Martina chats with Gemma about her love of the written word and Charlotte Bronte's Irish connectionPilgrimage Presents is celebrating its third birthday. Having hosted some truly brilliant bands and musicians, the birthday celebrations kick off this Friday 28th in The Vic Tramore with  Deep Down Detox, Kilkenny’s High-Energy Rock Phenomenon. Ricky Grogan chats to Gemma about the COVID passion project that grew legs and Fresh off the back of winning the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Green Room awards, Jim Nolan tells Gemma about directing the new play 'Gas Ticket',  a one woman show starring Shauna Farrell. It is the story of a sixteen-year-old girl who is forced to leave her baby behind in a mother and baby home, what becomes of them and the lives they imagine for one another.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Fringe this week saw John Keane chat with Tara Howley and George Murphy about the play Dockers. They both appear in this show from April 8th - 12th in Dublin's AmbassadorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Fringe, Gemma chats with local band Forge Hounds about the new album plus The Big Breakfast blaa chat to John Grubb about this weekends St Patricks day celebrations in WaterfordSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building on the success of its 2024 programme, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and Music Generation Waterford is once again bringing the magic of opera and singing to classrooms across the county with the return of Discover Opera and Discover Singing. These inspiring music education initiatives offer primary school children an engaging introduction to the transformative power of music. Director Eamon Carroll tells Gemma all about it andThe Thomas Francis Meagher Tricolour celebrations take place from this Friday March 7th until Sunday the 9th Numerous events are planned to mark 177 years since the Irish tricolour was first flow at 33 The Mall in Waterford. WLR's Kieran Foley attended the launch of this year's programme at the Bishop's Palace See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beauty and the Beast is the new production from the TY class in The Presentation Secondary school and Flexx Carter chats to John Keane about his upcomimg new music and all about just who is Flexx CarterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last 18 months have seen a meteoric rise for Dave Lofts as he now announces his biggest headline shows to date at The Academy in Dublin and the Theatre Royal, Waterford in May 2025. Gemma chats with him about the gig, Valentine's Day and the news he's been confirmed for Picture This Waterford summer show. Using scaled models as well as bunraku and shadow puppetry, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company presents  THE LAST PEARL  Garter Lane, Waterford, February 21st & 22nd. Director Niall Henry tells us what we can expectWaterford Music returns for its first spring concert. Tenor Dean Power,  sings a unique program of music based on the texts of great Irish writers, arranged and composed by pianist James Hurley on Friday 21 February at the Medieval Museum in Waterford, 7.30 pm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary is joined in studio by legal expert Jacqueline E Dunne, who has founded new company thejourney.ie, a planner to help people organise their affairs ahead of unforeseen events. Meg Dunphy, HR Policy and Engagement Manager with CIPD will also be in studio. She'll discuss the so-called ‘hushed hybrid’ trend in Irish workplaces. And Waterford has recorded over 940 new domain registrations according to the .ie Domain Profile Report 2024 - I'll find out more from Marketing and Communications Manager Ryan Levis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Well festival is back! Maeve Butler from Realta and Tracey McElhinney from Waterford Libraries tell Gemma what's on this years line up.The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival returns for it's 15th anniversary. Festival director Eamonn Carroll is confident it's going to be the best one yet and From the Japanese Gardens, a collaborative exhibition runs all month in the Coastguard Cultural Centre. Damien Tiernan spoke with photographer Margaret O’Brien-Moran and poet Mark Roper about the inspiration behind itSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Mc Namara returns to Waterford with Coldplay by Candlelight, this time to the beautiful surrounds of The Granville Hotel. Frank tells Gemma why Coldplay is the ultimate music to play on piano.Michael Murphy is a Lecturer in IADT, his particular area of interest is the music business and he's written several books on the subject. His latest book is called Pop Music Management: Lessons From Managers of Number One Albums, and he was speaking to Maria on the Saturday CafeWaterford City and County Council has approved the allocation of €1,671,107 in festival and event funding to aid the development and promotion of events across Waterford City and County in 2025, Finn Brophy chats with Gemma about how the allocation will support 71 festivals and events throughout the city and county. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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