The inaugural Waterford International Festival of Time kicks off today and runs until May 22nd.
World renowned horologists have descended on the city to showcase their masterpieces of time, design and engineering.
The festival will run between 10am and 5pm on each of the three days, at the Irish Museum of Time, The Medieval Museum, The Bishop's Palace and the Silver Museum.
Speaking to WLR at the launch in City Hall this week, Mayor of Waterford Joe Kelly said it's fantastic to have such experts coming here:
It's an absolute first for Waterford, and I believe a first for Ireland as well. We're truly, truly blessed and lucky to have these people here, people with such expertise in the area of both watch making and clock making.
Commenting on the upcoming festival Curator of the Irish Museum of Time, and Director of Waterford Treasures Eamonn McEneaney, said:
"It’s very exciting to be welcoming a vast array of world-renowned clock and watchmakers to Waterford – home to the Irish Museum of Time. These are the most respected Masters in the world of contemporary independent watch and clock making and many of these watchmakers have waiting lists of years for appointments, so this is an incredibly unique opportunity to enjoy meeting them, observe their masterpieces and chat with them about their work and process."
Reading like a “Who’s Who” of the contemporary watch and clock making, festivalgoers will have the opportunity to view, for the very first time in Ireland, masterpieces, which have defined the careers of these celebrated, award-winning and even Guinness World Record holding creators.
The festival will also include a special event at City Hall where author and former Curator of Timekeeping at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, Mr David Rooney, will discuss his work and his book, About Time: A History of Civilization in Twelve Clocks.
Admission to the Festival is included in a ‘Freedom of Waterford’ ticket to Waterford Treasures Museums that gives access to all Waterford Treasures museums and a walking tour. You'll find more details here.
The Irish Museum of Time officially opened in Waterford last year, and houses a unique collection. More here.
