Latest news with #Night-TimeEconomy
Irish Independent
25-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
New pilot grant to support Waterford's night-time economy
Waterford Purple Flag and Waterford City and County Council have teamed up to announce the launch of the Night-Time Economy (NTE) Pilot Grant for 2025. The new scheme is designed to support creative, cultural, and community activity during off-peak evening hours in Waterford city. The pilot scheme seeks to energise the city's Purple Flag Zone with fresh, engaging events that will take place between Sunday and Thursday after 5pm, bringing new life to Waterford after dark and diversifying its cultural and social offering for residents and visitors alike. Waterford City and County Council has a long-standing commitment to support the cultural and creative life of Waterford, said a spokesperson. 'In 2025 the elected members approved a budget of €1.6 million to support festivals, cultural events, and artistic programming across the city and county. 'The launch of this new NTE pilot grant reflects and compliments that same commitment, with a specific focus on stimulating safe, inclusive and imaginative activity during traditionally quieter hours.' Grants, ranging from €500 to €1,000, are available to artists, venues, businesses, community groups and creative collaborators who wish to trial events such as live performances, exhibitions, wellness evenings, guided tours, workshops, and more. Collaborative, multi-partner applications with larger ambitions may also be considered, subject to available funding. The project aligns with Waterford's Purple Flag goals, which are the recognition of excellence in evening and night-time management and the local authority's 'ongoing commitment to nurturing a vibrant, safe and sustainable cultural life for all.' Michael Quinn, director of services with Waterford City and County Council explained: 'The NTE grants will give artists, groups and businesses the opportunity to develop night-time initiatives that not only contribute to Waterford's evening economy but place an emphasis on Waterford's city centre as a safe, accessible and vibrant place after dark. 'The importance of the nighttime economy cannot be overemphasised, and the introduction of new, engaging and value-added initiatives will only serve to complement and enhance what's on offer throughout the day.' Jim Gordon, Chair of the Purple Flag Committee, welcomed the launch, saying: 'The NTE Pilot Grant builds on the great progress already made in enhancing Waterford's night-time economy. It provides targeted support to creative projects that bring life into the city centre in the evenings and encourages collaboration across the community. 'We're pleased to see Waterford City and County Council continue to lead in this space, helping to grow and sustain the Purple Flag standard.' Applications are now open and the deadline for submissions is 4.30pm on Friday, August 22. All supported events must take place Sunday to Thursday after 5pm between September 4, and November 13, within Waterford City's Purple Flag Zone.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Drogheda making ‘moves' to create a night-time cafe culture
Out of 1,238 respondents, 908 (73pc) expressed a desire to see late-night cafés, while 670 respondents called for additional non-alcoholic or alcohol-light options in the town centre. In response, a pilot programme titled Night Moves will see four local cafés – The Coffee Box, Il Forno, Loaf'd and The Bare Food Café – extend their opening hours on Friday, May 30 and Friday, June 20. These venues will host free, curated evenings of live music, poetry and spoken word performances, creating welcoming, relaxed spaces where people can enjoy the town differently. These cafés are championing a more diverse night-time offer and helping trial what a more balanced evening economy might look like. The initiative is part of a wider cultural programme produced by Droichead Arts Centre and curated by singer-songwriter SJ McArdle, in collaboration with Drogheda's Night-Time Economy Adviser and supported by the local Purple Flag group. 'This is an inspiring step forward, and it's coming straight from what people told us,' said Mark Davies, Night-Time Economy Adviser for Drogheda at Louth County Council. 'It's not about replacing anything - our pubs and bars are a vital part of Drogheda's nightlife - it's about adding to the mix and creating the kind of town centre where more people want to spend time.' The idea builds on a smaller trial during Night Moves Culture Night 2024, when two cafés opened late with artistic performances. One, Il Forno, hosted a pop-up opera night, and people stayed long after the last note was sung. The other, The Coffee Box, has continued to trial later events. Collette Farrell, Director of Droichead Arts Centre, said: 'There's something special about seeing familiar places take on a new energy after dark. These events are about working with local businesses and artists to bring warmth, creativity, connection, and a sense of possibility to the town at night.' Drogheda is one of a small number of towns nationally piloting new approaches to the Night-Time Economy under a government-supported initiative. Across Ireland, Night-Time Economy Advisers are testing ways to help towns adapt and thrive between 6pm and 6am. Cafés are increasingly being viewed as flexible, familiar and accessible venues, full of potential for cultural experiences. The Night Moves cafés are supported by the Drogheda Purple Flag group – a vibrant local partnership that brings together businesses, artists and public sector teams. It includes hospitality venues, Drogheda and District Chamber, Love Drogheda BID, Droichead Arts Centre, and various departments within Louth County Council, who host and support the work of the Night-Time Economy Adviser. This energetic collaboration is helping shape a more welcoming, diverse and inclusive town centre after dark. 'We're not just testing ideas, we're seeing real signs that a more varied evening economy will benefit everyone,' said Mark Davies. 'Drogheda is helping lead the way, showing that when you listen to people, back local businesses, and bring in creativity, good things happen. We'd love people to come out, enjoy the cafés, and be part of it.' In addition to the late-opening cafés, the Night Moves programme will also feature events like Night Tones and The Stowaway Sessions throughout May and June. Organisers hope the model will inspire other venues and help lay the foundation for a more vibrant, sustainable evening culture - one that perhaps feels a little more eclectic and continental, where people meet to eat, chat, listen to music, and enjoy their town well into the evening. ADVERTISEMENT Night Moves is an innovative and dynamic programme designed to provide new and engaging night-time cultural experiences across Drogheda and East Meath. Produced by Droichead Arts Centre and delivered with a range of curators, promoters, and alternative venues, it is supported and funded by the Night-Time Economy Adviser in Drogheda, Louth County Council, and the Arts Council. The programme encapsulates a shared vision of expanding cultural offerings, fostering partnerships, and creating diverse opportunities for artists and audiences. More information about events under the Night Moves programme is available at Results of the Drogheda by Night 2025 survey will shortly be available at To get involved as a late-opening café, contact
