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Waterford, Co. Waterford

Waterford (Old Norse: Vedrarfjord meaning "windy fjord" or "haven from the wind-swept sea"; in Irish: Port Láirge) is the primary city of the South East region, and the fifth largest in the country. Founded in 914 AD, by the Vikings, it is Ireland's oldest city.

Waterford is the largest city in Ireland to retain its Viking-derived name, Vedrarfjord. Reginald's Tower, named after the city's founder, Regnall, is the oldest urban civic building in Ireland, and the oldest monument to retain its Viking name. It is to this day Waterford's most recognisable landmark.

The River Suir flows through Waterford city and has provided the basis for Waterford's long maritime history. Waterford Port has been one of Ireland's major ports for over a millennium. In the 19th century shipbuilding was a major industry in the city.

Today, Waterford is synonymous with Waterford Crystal the world over, a legacy of one of the city's most successful and enduring industries, glass making. Glass, or crystal, has been manufactured in the city since 1783.

As with most cities there are various cultural attractions in Waterford including galleries, theatre, festivals, museums and other events throughout the year.

Featured Establishment

Eat

Granville Hotel

Waterford, Co. Waterford

Hotel / Restaurant

One of the country’s oldest hotels, this much-loved quayside establishment in th ...

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Featured Establishment

Drink

Bodéga!

Waterford, Co. Waterford

Restaurant / Wine Bar

Firmly established as a leading Waterford restaurant that delivers quality and value, ...

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Featured Establishment

Stay

Granville Hotel

Waterford, Co. Waterford

Hotel / Restaurant

One of the country’s oldest hotels, this much-loved quayside establishment in th ...

more...

Gardens

Fairbrook House Gardens & Museum of Contemporary Figurative Art

Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford

The water power of the River Dawn is the key to Fairbrook’s history, first as a flour mill dating back to 1776 and, from 1846 to 1929, as a woollen mill. When Dutch artists Clary Mastenbroek and her late husband Wout Muller moved there only ...

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Golf

Mount Juliet Golf Club

Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny
Course Type: Parkland

Opened in 1991 with a match featuring golfing legends Christy O'Connor Snr. and Jack Nicklaus, the beautiful and challenging Nicklaus designed Mount Juliet course located 19km (12 miles) south of Kilkenny City has established itself as one of Ire ...

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Self Catering

Waterford Castle Lodges

Waterford, Co. Waterford

Castle Gardens’ architects and interior designers have pooled cutting edge design, technology and glamour to achieve something very desirable indeed. These 3 bedroom semi detached lodges are set on the beautiful island of Waterford Cast ...

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What's On

Carrick on Suir Farmers Market - County Tipperary - Fridays

Carrick on Suir Farmers Market

Heritage Centre, Main Street, Carrick on Suir, County Tipperary

Friday 10am-2pm

The very best quality foods including organic burgers ...

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Tourist Attractions

Jerpoint Abbey

Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

An outstanding Cistercian abbey founded in the second half of the 12th century that is notable for its stone carvings, including one at the tomb of Felix O'Dulany, Bishop of the Diocese of Ossory. The church with its Romanesque details dates from ...

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Wedding Venues

Dunbrody Country House Hotel

Arthurstown, Co. Wexford

Set in twenty acres of parkland and gardens on the Hook Peninsula, just across the estuary from Waterford city, Catherine and Kevin Dundon’s elegant Georgian manor makes a magnificent venue for a wedding, with well-proportioned public rooms ...

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