World famous as the home of Waterford Crystal, Waterford is an historic,
bustling maritime county, which nestles on Ireland’s sunny southeastern
coast. Offering a dazzling coastline, beautiful river valleys, glorious
mountains and attractive fishing villages, Waterford is a superb holiday
destination. Like most counties, Waterford has suffered from mass
emigration during the traumatic and repressive times in Irish history
and has a large expatriate population scattered throughout the world.
The diversity of landscape in Waterford is quite remarkable. West
of Dungarvan is a wild and beautiful peninsula containing the historic
seaside resort of Ardmore and a Gaeltacht area where the Irish language
is still spoken. To the southeast of Waterford City is the East Waterford
Gaultier Coast, a peninsula of Anglo-Norman character, containing
the seaside resort of Dunmore East. The beautiful Comeragh Mountains
form the spine of the county, while the county is bordered to the
northwest by the Knockmealdown Mountains.
Reginald's Tower
Waterford City itself was founded by the Vikings
some 1,100 years ago and is the oldest city in Ireland. Conquered
by the Anglo-Normans in 1170, the victorious Norman leader Strongbow,
sealed his victory by marrying Aoife, the daughter of the King of
Leinster (reputedly in Reginald’s Tower, one of the most venerable
buildings in Waterford, originally built at a corner of the city walls
in the 12th or 13th century). Waterford was first granted a charter
by King John in the year 1215 and in the centuries that followed,
prospered as Ireland’s chief port for European trade. The power
and wealth of the local merchants was broken by the Cromwellian invasion
in the 17th century and the merchants left to form emigrant communities
all over Europe. The city was extended along the Quay in 1704 and
an important link with Newfoundland was established. This link brought
prosperity to Waterford and a Waterford colony to Newfoundland, which
still remains today.
The reason why Waterford is known the world over
however, is undoubtedly due to its famous crystal industry. The renowned
handcrafted cut class of Waterford Crystal has almost become a global
institution, with pieces adorning mantelpieces and coffee tables in
every continent today. The Waterford Crystal Visitors Centre, which
is Waterford's most popular visitor attraction, explains the evolution
of glassmaking over the years and traces the history of Waterford
Crystal since George and William Penrose first opened their glassmaking
factory in the city in 1783. The centre features the world’s
largest display of Waterford Crystal and visitors can watch the skilled
cutters and blowers in action.
One of Waterford's principal attractions is Waterford
Treasures at the Granary, which traces the history of Waterford from
its Viking foundations to the 19th century. The exhibition uses modern
interpretative techniques to bring the colourful history of the city
to life. Other attractions include the Lismore Heritage Centre, which
imaginatively recreates the history of the town of Lismore; the Dungarvan
Museum, which presents the history of Dungarvan Town through a series
of displays; the Edmund Rice Centre, which commemorates the founder
of the Christian Brothers; Cappoquin House and Gardens, an 18th century
Georgian mansion with fine informal gardens overlooking the River
Blackwater; and Ardmore Church and Round Tower, which boasts a beautifully
proportioned tower built in the 12th century, rising to a height of
almost 100 feet.
Dunmore East
The county of Waterford offers many picturesque
towns and villages, including Dunmore East and Passage East, both
of which are well worth a visit. Dunmore East is a small fishing village
with beautifully thatched houses in southeastern Waterford, which
was built in the Breton style, while Passage East is an ancient port,
now a tranquil fishing village, with close links to some pivotal times
in Irish history.
