Waterford City – Ireland

DAY 11 – For lovers of Waterford crystals, Waterford city is home of this world renowned maker of hand-crafted cut glass.  In 1783, George and William Penrose founded their crystal manufacturing business in the heart of Waterford city.  In their factory, they produced plain and cut flint glass products.  Throughout the ages, Waterford has been producing the world’s most exquisite crystals and these are easily available in most major department stores around the world.  We were therefore more keen on exploring the city sites rather than looking at crystal glassware.

Founded by the Vikings in 914, Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city. It is set by the estuary of River Suir and is a major seaport.  On the quayside is Reginald’s Tower, one of the major historic sites and the largest structure in the old defences.  Although the vikings built the original fort, it was the Anglo Normans who built this structure.  Believed to be the first mortar building in Ireland, the walls are 3m thick.  Reginald’s Tower is the oldest civic urban building in Ireland.

Although Waterford retains its medieval layout, most of the city’s finest buildings are Georgian.  John Roberts, a local architect, was responsible for much of the city’s Georgian heritage, including Christchurch cathedral.

Helen