On The Fringe

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 heart

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Day

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.

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 allows

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.

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 county

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 future

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 Spraoi

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 Boyle

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.

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"