Destinations > Ireland > Munster > County Waterford

County Waterford

Waterford (Port Láirge)

Waterford is Ireland's oldest city boasting over 1000 years of history. It was founded by Vikings in 853 and later became an important centre for the Normans and in the 18th century it developed on the wealth of its glass industry.

Nowadays Waterford is a busy port and commercial centre that is famous for producing crystal.

Practical Information

Waterford Tourist Office

41 The Quay, Waterford

Tel (051) 875 823

Website www.discoverwaterford.com

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Apr-Jun Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm; Sep-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Coming & Going

AIR

Waterford's South East Regional Airport (website www.flywaterford.com) is served by Aer Arann (website www.aerarann.com) with flights to Lorient, France and to London and Manchester. The airport is 6km south of the city centre.

BUS

Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) buses go to Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick. Buses stop opposite the tourist information centre on the Quay.

TRAIN

Waterford's train station is on the northern side of the River Suir. Trains go to Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick and Rosslare.

Accommodation

There are no hostels in Waterford but there is a hostel in Tramore, which is only 13km away.

Beach Haven Hostel

Tivoli Terrace, Tramore, Co. Waterford

Tel (051) 390208

Sights

Reginalds Tower

This round tower dates from the 12th century and has been used as a military store, mint and a prison. It is Ireland's oldest urban monument.

The Quay, Waterford

Tel (051) 304220

Website www.heritageireland.ie

Admission €2 (€1 students)

Open Easter-May 10am-5pm daily; Jun-Sep 9.30am-6.30pm daily; Oct 10am-5pm daily

Waterford Crystal Visitors Centre

The visitors centre displays the world's largest collection of Waterford Crystal and you can also take a tour of the factory to see crystal being produced.

Cork Road, Kilbarry

Tel (051) 332 500

Website www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com

Admission €7.50

Open Jan-Feb 9am-5pm daily; Mar-Oct 8.30am-4.15pm daily; Nov-Dec 9am-5pm daily

Waterford Museum of Treasures

This excellent museum at the Granary on Merchant's Quay displays a collection of artefacts and audio-visual presentations that illustrates 1,000 years of Waterford's history.

The Granery, Merchants Quay, Waterford

Tel (051) 304 500

Website www.waterfordtreasures.com

Admission €4 (€3 students)

Open Jan-Mar 10am-5pm daily; Apr-May 9.30am-6pm daily; Jun-Aug 9.30am-9pm daily; Sep 9.30am-6pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-5pm daily