Waterford is the Irish city whose Saint Patrick’s Day festival began in 1903 as the Waterford Feis.
Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, has a long association with public celebrations connected with 17 March. The early event was known as the Waterford Feis and included cultural and community activities. Waterford’s observance is distinct from the modern national Saint Patrick’s Festival established in Dublin in the twentieth century.
The Waterford celebration also has a place in the history of Irish-language promotion. Events held there in 1903 were linked with the declaration of Irish Language Week, later known as Seachtain na Gaeilge. That language-focused tradition is separate from the religious origins of the feast day.
Waterford is sometimes confused with Cork or Limerick because all three cities hold major Irish cultural events. The clue is the specific early festival name: Waterford Feis.