Ireland360
Vikings founded Waterford in 914, which makes it Ireland’s oldest city. Its historic core, the Viking Triangle, is compact enough to explore in a day, with three museums, two cathedrals and the city walls all within a few minutes’ walk.
Waterford Treasures
Reginald’s Tower is the round stone tower on the quay, the oldest civic building in Ireland, with Viking finds inside. A short walk away, the Medieval Museum takes you into the 13th-century Choristers’ Hall and wine vault. The Bishop’s Palace covers Georgian Waterford and holds the oldest surviving piece of Waterford glass. A combined pass covers all three.
Walking tours
The Viking Triangle is best seen on foot. Guided walking tours leave from the quay and bring a thousand years of stories to life, and street art tours show off the murals painted for the Waterford Walls festival.
House of Waterford Crystal
On The Mall, the factory tour shows master blowers and cutters at work, and it’s one of the most popular things to do in the city. Day tours from Dublin often pair it with Kilkenny.
A pint in the old town
The Reg sits right beside Reginald’s Tower. Geoff’s on John Street is a lively local favourite, and Jack Meade’s, under an old stone bridge outside the city, is a classic country pub.
Tip: Waterford is also the start of the Waterford Greenway, so a day in the city and a day on the bike make a good weekend.
