Upcoming & Recent Events

Youth Arts Workshops

January 2026 registration will open Friday the 9th of January.

Waterford Youth Arts works with children and young people across a range of art forms; dance, youth theatre, drama, film, creative writing, visual art and street spectacle.

Activities are programmed as terms, 3 each year (Jan – April / April - June and Sept - Dec), which tend to run in 9-week cycles during late afternoons, evenings and at weekends.

If you know someone in this age range who would love to learn about the art world while making new friends and doing something new, this is a great opportunity for them. No experience is necessary to get started and we have an open-door policy so anyone can get involved.

At WYA, safety is paramount, and while your young artists are involved in one of their workshops, you can be certain that they are learning in a safe and secure environment as all WYA staff and volunteers have been Garda Vetted and undergone child safety training.

Registrations fees range from Eur 49 - Eur 69 per term. Bookings can be made online through

waterfordyoutharts.eventbrite.ie or over the phone T. +353 51 879 377 (office hours) For more information, get in touch with us; see the workshops section on this website or get in touch with the team for any other information.

The Animals

Waterford Youth Arts has once again been selected for the National Theatre Connections 2026, continuing our proud tradition of developing vibrant youth theatre. Following the success of our 2025 production Saba’s Swim by Danusia Samal, directed by Sinéad Hourigan, we’re excited to present The Animals by acclaimed British-Irish playwright Sean Buckley.

The play follows Sam, a student teacher at Redhill Youth Custody Secure Unit, who uses philosophy to engage young residents and spark self-discovery — especially for Gee, a teen facing life after release. Buckley, known for his BAFTA-nominated drama Responsible Child and work on Skins, brings his signature depth and social insight to this new piece.

Directed by Sinéad Hourigan, The Animals will be performed at the Lyric Belfast and in Waterford, showcasing our continued commitment to powerful, meaningful youth-led theatre.