Our Sponsors

Bausch + Lomb Waterford is the biggest single-site private sector employer in the southeast region with 1,300 full-time employees at its contact lens manufacturing and pharmaceutical operations based in a 500,000 square ft plant on  40 acres at the western approaches to Waterford city. Bausch + Lomb Ireland supplies contact lenses to over 80 countries all over the world and the Waterford facility is the biggest Bausch + Lomb manufacturing site in the world. 

The Port of Waterford brings our port, our people and our communities closer to the world through trade, economic development and sustainable growth.

About Your Local Enterprise Office
The Local Enterprise Office is the First Stop Shop for anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland.
The Local Enterprise Office provides advice, information and support to you in starting up or growing your business.
With 31 dedicated teams across the Local Authority network in Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices offer you a wide range of experience, skills and services.

The Local Enterprise Office is for people interested in starting up a new business or already in business including; entrepreneurs, early stage promoters, start-ups and small business looking to expand.

Local Enterprise Offices Role:
- To help you deliver on your business idea.
- To drive and support business start-ups and promote a 'can-do' business culture.
- To increase the job potential of new and existing micro and small businesses.
- To be proactive in response to the needs of our clients.
- To drive the development of local enterprise, putting local micro and small business at the heart of job creation in Ireland.
- To increase the number of innovative businesses with potential to export.

Zinnia is a New Tech Company,
But Not New to Insurance….

For almost twenty years, Zinnia have brought together insurance experts with entrepreneurs from the fields of technology and data science to deliver new products for the life and annuities industry. We have invested in our technology platforms and capabilities and innovated to deliver full-stack digital services.  Zinnia will build on these innovations – creating brand-new products and value-add data capabilities.  We’re focused on transforming the life and annuity industry from end to end so that the experience is exceptional for everyone: consumers, advisors, insurers, and reinsurers.

Zinnia is involved in many charity and public events that are close to the hearts of our associates and are focused on giving back to the community. Zinnia has proudly sponsored this magical festival over the last number of years and are delighted to be part of this wonderful festival.  To learn more about Zinnia, please visit our website - www.zinnia.com

It takes a thirst for adventure to do things the Guinness way. From our humble beginnings in 1759 to the present day, we’ve gone to extraordinary lengths to bring you exceptional beer. But we’re not ones to rest on our laurels. As we like to put it: our greatest work is yet to come.

We’re delighted to acknowledge Tesco as a sponsor of Winterval. With multiple stores across Waterford — including in Lisduggan, Poleberry, Ballybeg and Ardkeen — Tesco is a strong presence in our city’s everyday life.

Parker Law is an award winning legal services firm based on Barronstrand Street in the heart of Waterford City. Parker Law was founded in 2019 by Suzanne Parker and have grown to a team of 20 since the inception. The provide innovative, efficient and tailored advice for their private and commercial clients in all areas of Law.

Volkswagen Waterford is the new home of Volkswagen in Waterford and the official car sponsor for Winterval.  We are proud to be your trusted destination for all things Volkswagen, offering a range of vehicles, expert servicing, and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

At Volkswagen Waterford, we believe that buying and owning a car should be an enjoyable and stress-free experience. Our dedicated team of sales and service professionals are here to provide you with personalised attention, whether you're in search of the perfect vehicle, need assistance with servicing, or simply have a question about our products and services.

Our mission is to offer outstanding customer service, to make sure every aspect of your experience with us exceeds expectations, and to provide you with top-quality Volkswagen vehicles that deliver reliability, performance, and style.

Expressway, Bus Éireann’s premium coach service, provides direct and regular services on throughout Ireland. We are the largest coach network connecting passengers across the Island of Ireland to who and what matters to them, making Expressway the quickest and easiest way to reach an unrivalled number of destinations. 

Our modern fleet of comfortable coaches offers a cost-effective alternative to the hassle and stress of accessing increasingly restricted car parking and busy town centres.

Expressway customers can now avail of new features when booking Expressway services online, on board and at ticket vending machines:

• Advance Seat reservations on ALL Expressway routes with priority boarding for pre-booked customers.
• Seat Reservation now available on Expressway.ie for Free Travel Scheme passengers.
• New ways to pay on board:  Contactless / Apple Pay / Android Pay / TFI Leap Card

Tickets can be purchased when boarding any of our Expressway services however, seat reservation passengers will receive priority boarding. Once all pre-booked passengers are boarded, seats for your chosen service will become available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Expressway fleet includes, charging points and ISOFIX attachment points, allowing your children to travel in safety and you to travel with ease of mind. The majority of our routes provide hourly services for timely travel to wherever you’re headed. And, our routes let you travel to major airports around the country in luxury with our extra comfort leather seats, while you stay connected with onboard Wi-Fi.  

To explore the wide range of routes and destinations that we offer, start by selecting ‘to’ and ‘from’ destinations in the fields provided at the top of the website.

Expressway. Way Better.

Founded in 2013 and based in Waterford, Encon is a leading provider of sustainable construction and energy-saving solutions across the South East and beyond. With over twelve years of industry experience, Encon specialises in Building, Deep Retrofitting, Solar PV, and Renewable Energy Systems for both residential and commercial properties.

Encon delivers comprehensive supply-and-fit services, focusing on reducing energy demand and integrating the latest technologies to create efficient, future-proof buildings.  From insulation upgrades and heating systems to windows, doors, and full retrofit projects, our expert team ensures every project achieves the highest standards of quality and performance — spanning private homes, multi-unit retrofits, educational facilities, and commercial developments, including live occupied environments.

Our approach is built on quality, transparency, and technical precision. Using Home Energy Assessments (HEA) and detailed technical evaluations, we tailor every solution to maximise comfort, efficiency, and long-term value.

Driven by a passionate, multidisciplinary team, Encon continues to lead the way in energy-conscious construction, helping clients across Ireland reduce energy costs, improve comfort, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Nestled in the heart of the city’s theatre and museum district, House of Waterford stands as the proud home of the world-renowned Waterford crystal. This iconic destination is more than a flagship store; it is where artistry, heritage, and craftsmanship unite. The factory is the beating heart of crystal making, where generations of skill and passion bring each intricate piece to life; from molten crystal to hand-cut designs, every detail reflects centuries of tradition and unrivalled expertise.

A visit to House of Waterford is an invitation to immerse yourself in this extraordinary story. Join a guided factory tour to witness Master Craftsmen at work, learn the rich history behind the brand, and explore spectacular collections in the showroom — the perfect place to find a treasured piece of Waterford to take home this Christmas.

To complete your visit, indulge in an elegant Afternoon Tea Experience and relax and unwind as you enjoy delicate treats and specialty teas or coffee, all served on beautiful Wedgwood fine bone china; a truly memorable way to savour your time at House of Waterford.

Discover generations of craftsmanship today.

Waterford Academy of Music & Arts (WAMA)

The Waterford Academy of Music & Art (WAMA) is a stage school, music school, art school and theatre all under one roof! Located just behind the garage at Passage Cross on the Dunmore Road our 8,000 sq ft state-of-the-art presmises houses what is now the premiere music and arts school in the South-East.

We provide tuition for students (both adults and children) with a range of goals and skill levels, form beginner right through to NFQ Level 5, preparing them for college or university.

Stage School:
Drama, Contemporary Dance, Tap, Introduction To Ballet, Lyrical Dance, Voice lessons, Choir, LAMDA Exams, Dance Finess for Adults

Music School:
Ukelele, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums, Voice Training, Violin/Fiddle, Cello, Mandolin, Banjo, Flute, Bodhrán, Rock Band, Drumming Band, Ukelele Orchestra, Guitar Ensemble, Choir

Art School:
General Art, Oils, Watercolours, Drawing, Craft

Live Room Theatre:
The Live Room Theatre, located in WAMA, serves as a theatrical space and a live music venue suitable for families. Under 18s are welcome, and no alcohol is served on the premises. The Live Room Theatre provides the students of WAMA with fantastic opportunities to see professional artists, both national and local, including access to live music acts that would otherwise typically perform in pubs and clubs. Not only is it a space for the pros to perform in, it's also a forum for our own students who can participate at open mics, teenage kicks, battle of the bands, recitals, plays, musicals and even play support to the professional acts.

We make a student's stay with us be as comfortable, inclusive, productive, and enjoyable as possible. To achieve this we have professional premises, professionally developed syllabi's, and professional staff who have degrees, gigging experience, and teaching experience. In fact, every teacher here has a minimum of 5 years teaching experience, some with over 10 years experience. We also provide a range of performance opportunities for our students from concerts to open mics, from plays to full scale musicals, and from street theatre to outreach programmes.

✨ WLR – Proud Media Sponsor of Winterval 2025! ✨

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and WLR is at the heart of the Christmas magic in Waterford as the official media sponsor of Winterval!

Whether you're visiting Ireland’s Christmas Capital or soaking up the festive cheer from home, tune in to WLR – Waterford’s most listened-to radio station – for all the latest Winterval updates, event highlights, interviews, and that unbeatable Christmas playlist! 

❄️With 70,000 weekly listeners, 1.4 million views on wlrfm.com, and over 155,000 social media followers,
❄️WLR is your number one source for local news, sport, and seasonal sparkle – on air, online, and on the go. 
❄️WLR – Bringing the Christmas spirit to Waterford and beyond!

Journi Credit Union is a member-first financial institution in Ireland, formed from the merger of St. Dominic Credit Union and Waterford Credit Union, serving approximately 60,000 members in Waterford, South Kilkenny, and beyond. It offers loans, savings, online banking, and community support, focusing on fair rates, low fees, and a not-for-profit model where surpluses are returned to members. Journi aims to blend community-focused service with accessible digital tools and a strong financial base, expanding services like mortgage lending and enhancing digital and in-person experiences for its members.  

City Square is Waterford’s largest Shopping Centre with an impressive tenant line up of both International and National retailers all under one roof with up to 490 carparking spaces. Tenants at City Square include Dunnes Stores, River Island, JD Sports, Holland & Barrett, Vero Moda, Carraig Donn, Name IT, Hallmark Jewellers, Peter Mark ,Boston Barbers, Specsavers, Sky, Vodafone, Golden Discs, Mulligans Pharmacy, Bookstation, Adara, MobileTech, YZE Holistic, Hale, Calander Club.

Take a break in the new Foodhall and visit restaurants and cafes such as Starbucks, The Pantry, Jump Juice, Abrakebabra, O’Briens Sandwich Bar /Bagel Factory and Chatime. City Square also offer a wide selection of services to ensure a very pleasant shopping experience, these services include Free WIFI, 2 ATMs, spacious modern Toilets and Baby changing facilities, Taxi service outside Carraig Donn entrance, Internet and printing station, An Post post box, Public Phone, Complimentary Wheelchair loan service, Passport Photo Booth and friendly staff who are available to help you with any queries you may have. 

City Square really is your Fashion and Lifestyle destination.

Rapid Cabs is a family run business located in Waterford city (Ireland’s oldest city).

The only Irish and locally owned taxi dispatch operator in Waterford.

Established in 2000 with only five taxis, we now have the largest range of taxis in the south east of Ireland, including taxis, hackneys, people carriers, wheelchair taxis and a large range of coaches.

We are open 24 hours a day 365 days a year, so we’re always here for you, no matter where you want to go.

With the most advanced technology in our local taxi call centre and in car devices in all of our taxis, our lovely staff are always on hand to look after you and ensure a fast and efficient service.

Simply give us a ring on 051-858585 or download our app today!

WELCOME TO THE GRANVILLE HOTEL

The Granville Hotel is situated in the centre of the quay in Waterford City. Its bustling shopping district is right behind the hotel and the historic Viking Triangle is just a stones throw away from us!

Whether you are visiting to shop, immerse yourself in history, cycle the award winning Waterford Greenway or explore some of Waterford Counties 52 beautiful beaches, the Granville Hotel is your perfect base.

Make it a trip to the Sunny South East you will never forget in one of our uniquely decorated bedrooms.

Enjoy a meal in our award winning Bianconi Restaurant before enjoying some drinks from our Whiskey & Gin wall in the Thomas Francis Meagher Bar.

The following morning enjoy our award winning breakfast which includes the Granville Hotel Porridge Experience. 

If travelling for business, we have everything you need! We offer comfortable rooms each with a work desk, a laptop sized safe, meeting facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. 

Book direct for added extras such as complimentary parking, more flexible cancellation terms and a preferential room allocation.

Contact us today on +353 51 305555 or email stay@granvillehotel.ie 

Stay at Travelodge Waterford for Winterval
Make the most of your Winterval experience with a comfortable stay at Travelodge Waterford, just minutes from all the festive fun in the city centre. Enjoy cosy, modern rooms, free parking, and easy access to Winterval’s magical attractions, from the Christmas markets and light displays to the ice rink and Santa’s Kingdom.

SPECIAL OFFER
Get 10% off our Best Available Rates for all Winterval visitors! Simply email ‘Winterval10’ to waterford@travelodge.ie when booking directly with Travelodge Waterford.
Whether you’re here for a family adventure, a festive getaway, or a weekend of shopping and lights, we’ve got everything you need for a warm and welcoming stay this winter.