Imagine a festival for all the people

To keep an arts festival going in some of the toughest economic conditions this country has ever witnessed is an achievement in itself.

But to do it with very limited funding and no paid staff is quite a feat.

Waterford City’s Imagine arts festival has survived, and thrived, thanks to the dedication of the volunteers who have kept the show on the road for the past 11 years. It is no surprise that artistic director Ollie Breslin describes the festival as a labour of love. It receives a small amount of funding from the Arts Council, the City Council and this year, from The Gathering, but relies greatly on those involved in the local arts community to keep the festival going.