I VISITED EVERY YEAR SINCE 2016
I plan to spend a week in Waterford and I hope to find and photograph all new murals.
To the best of my knowledge I have photographed all festivals except the first one and I plan to publish a large selection of images within the next eight weeks. On checking I can confirm that I photograph the work from the 2014 festival in May 2015 but I was not really aware of the event at the time.
History of the Event
Origins (2014–2015): Founded by Edel Tobin under The Walls Project CLG, the initiative launched to address urban decay and dereliction in Waterford following the post 2008 economic crash. The goal was to use public art as a catalyst for urban regeneration.
Expansion: Starting as a small local paint jam, it quickly scaled into a multi-day festival every August. By 2021, the festival encompassed county towns like Tramore, An Rinn, and Tallow alongside its urban city core.
Current Scale: The festival now spans 10 days, drawing over 40 to 70 national and international artists each year and hosting live painting, workshops, guided tours, and film screenings.
Local & International Impact
Local Success:
Urban Renewal: Converted weather-worn, blank gables and derelict industrial walls into an open-air gallery, particularly revitalizing O'Connell Street, The Glen, and the Cultural Quarter.
Community Pride: Replaced non-commissioned tagging with protected artworks while offering youth graffiti workshops, public talks, and family street parties.
Economic Footfall: Drives year-round domestic foot traffic, benefiting local hospitality, cafes, and retail through self-guided audio/digital map trails.
International Success:
Global Network: Partnered with Street Art Cities, placing Waterford on the global street art map alongside major urban hubs like Berlin, Melbourne, and Bogota.
Artist Prestige: Attracts world-renowned talent (Fintan Magee, Telmo Miel, VILE, Dan Kitchener), making it one of Western Europe's premier mural festivals.
Cultural Exchange: Acts as a key platform for Irish artists to collaborate directly with global muralists, raising the profile of Irish street art internationally.
The 2026 lineup for Waterford Walls features a strong, diverse mix of major international heavyweights alongside a substantial domestic contingent.
To the best of my knowledge I have photographed all festivals except the first one and I plan to publish a large selection of images within the next eight weeks. On checking I can confirm that I photograph the work from the 2014 festival in May 2015 but I was not really aware of the event at the time.
History of the Event
Origins (2014–2015): Founded by Edel Tobin under The Walls Project CLG, the initiative launched to address urban decay and dereliction in Waterford following the post 2008 economic crash. The goal was to use public art as a catalyst for urban regeneration.
Expansion: Starting as a small local paint jam, it quickly scaled into a multi-day festival every August. By 2021, the festival encompassed county towns like Tramore, An Rinn, and Tallow alongside its urban city core.
Current Scale: The festival now spans 10 days, drawing over 40 to 70 national and international artists each year and hosting live painting, workshops, guided tours, and film screenings.
Local & International Impact
Local Success:
Urban Renewal: Converted weather-worn, blank gables and derelict industrial walls into an open-air gallery, particularly revitalizing O'Connell Street, The Glen, and the Cultural Quarter.
Community Pride: Replaced non-commissioned tagging with protected artworks while offering youth graffiti workshops, public talks, and family street parties.
Economic Footfall: Drives year-round domestic foot traffic, benefiting local hospitality, cafes, and retail through self-guided audio/digital map trails.
International Success:
Global Network: Partnered with Street Art Cities, placing Waterford on the global street art map alongside major urban hubs like Berlin, Melbourne, and Bogota.
Artist Prestige: Attracts world-renowned talent (Fintan Magee, Telmo Miel, VILE, Dan Kitchener), making it one of Western Europe's premier mural festivals.
Cultural Exchange: Acts as a key platform for Irish artists to collaborate directly with global muralists, raising the profile of Irish street art internationally.
The 2026 lineup for Waterford Walls features a strong, diverse mix of major international heavyweights alongside a substantial domestic contingent.
TEN YEARS OF WATERFORD WALLS