Home > Counties > Co. Waterford > Waterford

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 ...

more...

Featured Establishment

Drink

Bodéga!

Waterford, Co. Waterford

Restaurant / Wine Bar

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

more...

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

Mount Congreve

Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford

Mount Congreve represents gardening on a very grand scale indeed. And in late spring and early summer the 100 acre demesne is surely one of the wonders of the floral world to be ranked alongside sights like the flower carpets of Namaqualand. At t ...

View all Read on

Golf

Faithlegg Golf Club

Waterford, Co. Waterford
Course Type: Parkland

Opened in May 1993, Faithlegg golf course was designed by renowned Irish golf courses architect Paddy Merrigan, the course carries the familiar Merrigan stamp of difficult, undulating greens. And water heightens the challenge, especially ov ...

View all Read on

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 ...

View all Read on

What's On

Waterford Farmers Market - Co Waterford - Saturdays

Waterford Farmers Market - Saturday 10am-4pm

Jenkins Lane, Waterford, Co Waterford

Contact: Sinead Cheevers - 087 939 8813 / bbbread@gofree.indigo.ie

View all Read on

Tourist Attractions

Ormond Castle

Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary

Ormond Castle is located on the River Suir and the oldest part of the existing castle is a mid-15th century walled bawn, cornered on the northeast and northwest by towers. However some time after 1565 Thomas Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormonde added ...

View all Read on

Wedding Venues

Ballyduff House

Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

Set in fine rolling countryside in its own farmland and grounds, Breda Thomas’s lovely 18th century house overlooking the River Nore is blessed with an utterly restful location. Ballyduff House offers exceptionally spacious and comfortable ...

View all Read on