Celtworld – situated in Tramore,
Celtworld is a unique visitor attraction, which uses the latest
in audiovisual projection and special effects to enable the visitor
to experience the excitement of Celtic mythology and ancient legends.
Dungarvan Town – situated 30
miles southwest of Waterford City, this market town dates back
to the Stone Age. Archaeologists discovered a collection of bones
(dating back some 40,000 years) belonging to mammoth elephants
in a local cave in the late 19th century. The town developed around
a monastery in the 7th century, while one of its most notable
building is the 12th century Dungarvan Castle, which today is
the administrative centre of Waterford County Council.
Dunmore East Harbour
Dunmore East – this attractive
fishing village has managed to retain its traditions and boasts
a number of beautiful thatched cottages. The Doric Lighthouse,
dating back to 1823, combines with the natural splendour of the
area to provide great vistas across the water to Hook Head.
Granary – located in the city
of Waterford, this one-hour multimedia exhibition recounts 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 and county to life.
Great Newtown Head – situated
in Tramore on the summit of Great Newtown Head, a massive iron
replica of an 18th century sailor, stands with his arm jutting
out towards the sea as a warning to passing ships. Numerous ships
and hundreds of people were lost around this area, prompting the
erection of the landmark as a warning to passing ships of the
dangers of the coastline.
Lismore Heritage Centre – situated
in Lismore, this former courthouse has become the Lismore Heritage
Centre, where area’s Celtic origins are on view in the historical
display room. The story of the "Book of Lismore" and
the Lismore Crozier is told in an impressive audiovisual presentation.
Reginalds Tower
Reginald’s Tower – located
in the Waterford City, this is Waterford’s most distinctive
building. Originally the site of a wooden Viking fortification,
the Normans constructed a circular tower here in the 13th century,
with a second phase in the 15th century bringing it up to today’s
dimensions. Today, the building houses the Waterford Civic Museum,
with an impressive range of artifacts related to the tower and
its history.
Temple Disert – situated in
Ardmore, southwestern Waterford is this early hermitage church
and one of the best-preserved round towers in the country. Some
154 members of the Confederate army sought refuge here in 1642
before surrendering to the English forces. Some 117 of them were
hanged on the spot.
The French Church – located
in Waterford City, this building, also known as Friars Church,
was built in 1240 as a monastery for the Franciscan order. During
the suppression of Irish monasteries by Henry VIII, the monastery
was converted into a hospital in 1545, a function it served for
many centuries. It eventually fell into ruin in the 18th century,
while some original remnants are still standing.
Waterford City Hall – inside
this impressive building, built in 1788, hangs the sword of local
man, Thomas Francis Meagher, who fought as general during the
American Civil War. Having survived this brutal conflict, Meagher
later died when he fell overboard from a steam boat on the Missouri
River.
Waterford Crystal Visitors Centre
– situated on the outskirts of Waterford City, the handcrafted
cut class of Waterford Crystal has become a global institution,
with pieces adorning mantelpieces and coffee tables around the
world. The centre, which features the world’s largest display
of Waterford Crystal, explains the evolution of glassmaking and
traces the history of the business since 1783, while visitors
can also watch the skilled cutters and blowers in action.
