The inaugural Waterford International Festival of Time will take place in Waterford city from 19 May until 22 May and will be hosted by the Irish Museum of Time.
Details
International watchmaking experts will showcase their skills, timepieces and knowledge.
The event will celebrate contemporary artisanal horology with the introduction of hand-crafted mechanical devices that will also be available to view at the newly opened Irish Museum of Time. The Festival of Time continues through the Irish Museum of Silver, the Medieval Museum with its thirteenth-century subterranean vaulted chamber, into the city hall and finally on to the Bishop's Palace.
Exhibitors will be present from Switzerland, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, UK and Italy, as well as Ireland.
Guests will include Vianney Halter, Andreas Strehler, Bernhard Lederer, Thomas Prescher, Paul Gerber, Patrik Sjögren, Sebastien Naeschke, Ireland’s John and Stephen McGonigle, as well as Christian Lass, Philippe Narbel, Bastien Vuillomenet and Rune Bakkerdorrf, among others.
An event will be hosted at City Hall at which author and former curator of timekeeping at the Royal Observatory Greenwich David Rooney will take to the stage to discuss his work and his book, About Time: A History of Civilization in Twelve Clocks.
Statement By Curator Of The Irish Museum Of Time
Curator of the Irish Museum of Time Eamonn McNeaney stated, "Events like this take place globally but this is a first for Ireland. Artisanal watchmakers will arrive from Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, France and Denmark as well as our own homegrown talent from Ireland. We know that many of these makers have two and three-year waiting lists for watch-making appointments so this really is an incredible opportunity for visitors to enjoy meeting them and follow the trail as it offers a fascinating journey of innovation, discovery and wonders all the way through the five magnificent museums which comprise the multiple award-winning Waterford Treasures complex in the city's central Viking Triangle.
"The Waterford International Festival of Time is a celebration of the centuries-old principles of artisanal watchmaking, and of the uncompromising standards of complexity, hand finishing and captivating beauty of the watchmaker's craft. It is a showcase for the horological wonders which define the legacies of these masterful contemporary independent artisans. It really is an event like no other."
Additional Information
Further details about the The Waterford International Festival of Time can be found at WaterfordTreasures.com.
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