The Purple Flag standard is an accreditation process similar to the Green Flag award for parks and the Blue Flag for beaches. It allows members of the public to quickly identify town and city centres that offer an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night out.

The accreditation was first awarded by the Association of Town and City Management to Waterford in 2015 and standards in the city are re-assessed each year. Having Purple Flag status gives recognition of the city’s wide choice of entertainment and the range and quality of leisure offerings. It also recognises the strong partnership of those working towards making the city centre safer and continuing to drive standards forward. Locations with Purple Flag status represent good quality evening & night time entertainment where people can enjoy a safe night out.

The evening and night-time economy is an important driver of tourism, leisure and business growth within Waterford City. It consists of a wide range of activities during the hours of 5pm-3am – including pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants, retail, cinemas, theatres or concerts, meeting friends or attending community events. Purple Flag is not about alcohol or anti-social behaviour – it is holistic and caters for all ages and includes family entertainment, arts & culture, shopping, dining, pubs and nightclubs.  

The Purple Flag zone stretches from Rice Bridge, along the River Suir boardwalk to Reginald’s Tower.  The zone takes in the award-winning Viking Triangle where you’ll find world class museums, a variety of artisan cafés, fine dining restaurants and the famous House of Waterford Crystal.  The Purple Flag zone continues along to John Street, where you’ll find a wide choice of bars and eateries.  It incorporates Railway Square retail area and cinema. The zone moves through The Apple Market and along the pedestrianised retail quarter towards John Robert’s Square where it links in with Ballybricken. Via Georges Street it includes O’Connell Street (Waterford’s Cultural Quarter) and links back to The Quay at Hanover Street.

Achievement of the status is of huge benefit to Waterford and all stakeholders are working together to ensure that the positive promotion of this accreditation will help increase visitor numbers which help sustain jobs and increase vibrancy in Waterford.  To learn more about Purple Flag Waterford, contact any of those listed below, and also check our news page for regular updates: