The 2025 Ted & Mary O’Regan Arts Bursaries were presented at a ceremony in Garter Lane this week, supporting five Waterford-based artists across a range of disciplines.

This year’s bursaries, adjudicated by external assessor Robert Browne, were awarded to visual artists Stephen Walsh and Molly Hennessy, filmmaker John Bermingham, and theatre artist Natasha Everitt.

Walsh’s award will support the creation of a book and exhibition featuring illustrations inspired by original poetry and Irish birdlife. Hennessy, a recent Fine Art Painting graduate from NCAD, will use her bursary for a period of research and travel leading to a multimedia exhibition in Waterford and Dublin in 2026/27.

Everitt’s bursary will help fund a month-long contemporary dance and performance course with Orian Theatre in Paris. At the same time, Bermingham will use his award to accept a place on the MSc in Computer Animation at Dundalk IT.

An additional Musical Theatre Bursary, sponsored by Waterford Panto Society to mark its 40th anniversary, was awarded to theatre maker Emma Nathan. The funding will go towards a 2026 production of The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, which she will produce and direct.

Now in its 21st year, the Ted & Mary O’Regan Arts Bursary was established by friends and colleagues of the couple in recognition of their contribution to Waterford’s cultural life. Contributors to the bursary fund include Waterford City and County Council, Garter Lane Arts Centre, Spraoi, Theatre Royal, and Waterford Youth Arts.

Speaking at the ceremony, Bursary Committee Chair Bertie Rogers thanked all sponsors for their continued support. To date, over €135,000 has been awarded to 75 local practitioners. He offered special thanks to the Waterford Panto Society for their generous sponsorship and congratulated the group on its milestone anniversary.

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