Travels in Ireland -There's more to Waterford than just Crystal.
Societies from all over Ireland and UK have spent the year preparing to compete in this light hearted event. Gilbert and Sullivan' works are perrenial favorites, together with such Off Broadway hits of the '60s as The Fantasticks, Little Mary Sunshine and Little Shop of Horrors. Last year's winning entry was Sweeny Todd. If, like me, you enjoy the fun of amateur theatricals, this is a Festival just for you. And dont miss Oscar Night, the last night.
Waterford is undergoing a pedestrianisation of some of its old city. I am marking the last weekend of July 2000 as a date to be in Waterford for the next annual Festival of Street Performers and Artists, (SPRAOI), which has now established itself as a hugely popular event for buskers and other artists of talent, musical groups, and street theater from all over Europe. Busking and street theater follows a centuries old tradition of street performing that has its roots back in medieval times.
When not doing the streets, the musicians are performing evening gigs in some 30 of the many pubs in the city. Sounds like a party not to be missed!
Addresses:
Waterford Castle Hotel, The Island, Ballinakill, Co.Waterford, Ireland. Telephone: 051/878203. Fax: 051/879316.
Sion Hill House, Ferrybank, Waterford, Co.Waterford, Ireland.
Telephone: 051/851558. Fax: 051/85678.
Carraig Liath, Harbour Road, Dunmore East, Co.Waterford, Ireland.
Telephone: 051/383273. (Open 1st April - 31st October)
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