One night on the Suir.
1 July 2028 · River Suir · Mount Congreve
Counting to the night
On the first night of July 2028, a city turns to face its river.
A flotilla carries students from the Waterford quays upriver to Mount Congreve, the Georgian estate on the water, where a black-tie ball runs till morning. Along the way the whole city comes to the banks — Waterford to the south, Kilkenny to the north — for a free festival on the water.
One river. Two counties. One night.
The Suir carries the night
The river is both the stage and the route. One of the Three Sisters, it runs through the heart of the oldest city in Ireland — and for one night the whole evening moves with the water, from the quays out to the estate.
Féile na Siúire
(Festival of the Suir)
A flotilla moves upriver at dusk, free to watch from both banks, with a public festival alongside it — food, music and light on the quays for anyone who turns up. No ticket, no gate. The city’s own.
The SETU Ball
At the end of the river, Mount Congreve is transformed. A black-tie ball for students — reception, dinner and dancing beneath the trees of a Georgian estate, running till the light comes back.
Upriver, from the quays to the estate
At the close of the day the boats gather at the city quays. As the light goes, they move as one — upriver, unhurried, carried by the tide of the Suir toward Mount Congreve. From both banks, the whole city watches the water.
- 01Last light · South bank
Adelphi Quay
The flotilla forms on the Waterford quays. Lanterns are lit; the city gathers along the water.
- 02Dusk · South bank
Custom House Quay
The boats slip their moorings and take to the river together, the current at their backs.
- 03Blue hour · South bank
Meagher's Quay · Reginald's Tower
Past the oldest stone in Ireland’s oldest city — a thousand years of quayside looking on.
- 04Nightfall · North bank
Ferrybank Embankment
Kilkenny answers from the far bank. Two counties, one river, a single line of light between them.
- 05Full dark · South bank
Bilberry Rock
The city falls away behind. The river widens and the estate woods begin to gather on the water.
- 06Full dark · North bank
Grannagh Castle
A Norman keep stands over the bend, floodlit above the reeds, marking the turn toward Mount Congreve.
- 07The night · River bank
Mount Congreve Riverbank
Journey’s end. The estate rises from the dark, lit for arrival — and the ball begins.
Free to watch from both banks — Waterford to the south, Kilkenny to the north. Two counties, one river, a single line of light between them.
A night the size of the place
One night, in five movements
One night, told in movements — from the gathering on the quays to the last of the music at dawn. Times and detail will follow; this is the shape of the evening.
The gathering
Evening
The city comes to the river. The festival opens along both banks — food, music and light on the quays, free and open to everyone.
The procession
Dusk
The flotilla takes to the water and begins its passage upriver. The banks fall quiet, then loud, as it passes.
The arrival
Nightfall
The boats reach Mount Congreve. The estate is lit for the night; guests come ashore beneath the trees.
The ball
Into the night
Reception, dinner and dancing in the transformed estate. Black tie, and the river still moving beyond the windows.
Till morning
Dawn
The music runs until the light comes back over the Suir, and the last of the night walks out into the morning.
What to know
When is it?
The night is 1 July 2028, on the River Suir. The date is final.
Is it free?
Féile na Siúire — the procession and the public festival — is free and open to everyone. You can watch from either bank. The SETU Ball at Mount Congreve is a separate, ticketed event.
Do I need a ticket to watch the procession?
No. The procession is free to watch from both banks, and there is no gate. Just come to the water.
Where should I watch from?
There are vantage points the whole way upriver, on the Waterford side to the south and the Kilkenny side to the north. See the viewing page for the indicative areas — they’re still being confirmed.
Who can attend the ball?
The SETU Ball is a student event. Places will be offered to students in third year and above, with SETU students first. Ticketing details will follow — we’re still working on this.
Is this run by SETU or the councils?
No. Waterford 2028 is an independent, student-founded project. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by South East Technological University. We hope to work with the university, and with both counties, as the project develops.
How can I get involved?
Register your interest to attend, or to work with us on the crew, on the join page. Sign-ups open soon.
Be part of the night
Sign-ups open soon — as a guest at the ball, or to work with us on the crew that makes the night happen. Register your interest and we’ll be in touch.