County Waterford

Ireland

Waterford which includes street scenes and a city

Discover a Viking heritage and a culture of music, art and traditional glass blowing in this quaint town in the south of Ireland.

The oldest city in the Republic of Ireland, Waterford is a scenic waterfront town with an intriguing history and contemporary culture. Located on the banks of the River Suir and near the south coast of Ireland, Waterford was once an important port city due to its proximity to England. Today visitors come here for traditional Irish charm and a change of pace from the larger cities in Ireland. Waterford is home to fascinating architecture and is known as a former Viking settlement.

The city enjoys a mild climate, free of extreme temperatures and with the least rain in the country. Whatever the weather may be when you visit, you will find plenty to do with the countless intriguing indoor activities Waterford offers.

Waterford’s attractions focus on history, arts, music and culture. The city is famous for its glass producers, with the Waterford Crystal Company one of the largest exporters in the town. Visit the factory to watch glass smiths blowing the material by hand, an intriguing form of traditional craft.

Visit the cultural venues downtown, including the Garter Lane Arts Centre, the Waterford Municipal Art Gallery and the Theatre Royal. The Waterford Museum of Treasures is a great place to see historic Viking artifacts. Don’t miss the 13th-century circular Reginald’s Tower, Waterford’s famous landmark full of archaeological treasures.

In the summer months Waterford hosts a number of arts and music festivals that attract people from all over Ireland. See if you can time your visit with the Waterford Music Fest or Waterford International Music Festival.

In Waterford most attractions can be visited on foot. Base yourself downtown to be close to the nightlife and museums. Enjoy traditional Irish cuisine or meet the locals at an Irish pub in the John Street entertainment precinct.

A bus service runs throughout the city and intercity trains leave regularly from the central station. Waterford can also be reached by air, with the Waterford Airport just 5 miles (9 kilometres) from the centre of town.