Waterford City

This busy commercial port city along the River Suir is the fifth largest city in Ireland, and bears the distinction of being the oldest. It is also the largest town in the southeastern part of the country.

The area now called Waterford City was established by the Vikings and named Vadra Fjordr after raids in 795, but evidence of human occupation goes back to 7000BC. The first Stone Age hunters and gatherers were replaced by copper miners in 2000BC, followed by the first commercial fishermen. Waterford City even predates most of the other large Nordic cities - such as Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm. Evidence of parts of the ancient Viking City has been uncovered by recent excavation projects.

In the 12th century, the Normans took control of Waterford City. Although it was invaded by Cromwell’s Army in the 17th century, the city weathered the battles well, and a large portion of its beautiful medieval structures remains intact. Waterford’s city walls are second in the quality of their preservation only to those in Derry. Cromwell coined the phrase “by hook or by Crooke” here – in reference to his preferred seizure routes via Hook Head or Crooke Village.

The 18th and 19th centuries were perhaps the city’s most prosperous times, when the glass and crystal production first begun by George and William Penrose flourished and became the city’s most prevalent industry. Quite a few buildings from that period survive and are in excellent condition.

Waterford City is located only seven miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and is beset by strong winds most days of the year. Merchant’s Quay, along the river, features many diverse shops, hotels, and other public buildings, including the Granary of 1872, which houses the office of tourist information.