Everybody has heard of Waterford Crystal, however not everybody is aware of that there are various different causes to go to Waterford Eire. Situated within the southeast, in Eire’s Historical East area, Waterford has the good thing about being within the sunniest a part of the nation.
This small metropolis has the consideration of being the oldest metropolis in Eire, based in 914 A.D. by the Vikings. It has an necessary historical past as a significant buying and selling port, and continues to be Eire’s fifth most-populous metropolis.
Waterford Metropolis is 2.25 to three hours south of Dublin, and two hours from Cork Metropolis, so you possibly can fly into both airport. There is sufficient to do to spend no less than two nights in Waterford as half of a bigger Eire journey, or you possibly can keep longer when you wished to make day journeys. (Take a look at my Eire journey ideas for concepts on planning a visit!)
For thus many Individuals that I’ve spoken to, they know Waterford is house to the Crystal manufacturing facility, however do not know what else to do within the space. After spending a few days in and round Waterford, I’ve some concepts on different issues to do in Waterford.
Issues to do in Waterford Eire
Notice: I used to be a visitor of Tourism Eire and Steller Tales. All opinions are my very own. This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks. If you happen to click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee.
King of the Vikings
There are three museums in Viking Triangle within the coronary heart of Waterford, together with a Viking digital actuality expertise. The King of the Vikings expertise takes place in a reproduction Viking home within the ruins of a Thirteenth century Franciscan friary.
After a brief introduction, you strap on the digital actuality goggles and headphones and immerse your self in Viking historical past. They’ll solely take 10 folks at a time so it is sensible to pre-book a time slot or no less than cease by early within the day to order your expertise.
Digital actuality could make me movement sick and there have been positively instances once I needed to shut my eyes. Though my physique was nonetheless, the motion on display screen might get a little bit a lot. Nevertheless, everybody else was tremendous so I believe I’m simply ultra-sensitive. I might nonetheless advocate this expertise as a really distinctive technique to be taught historical past and I believe it will be an enormous hit with youngsters that aren’t too delicate to the violent historical past.
Waterford Museum of Treasures
Additionally positioned within the Viking Triangle subsequent to Bishop’s Palace, the Waterford Museum of Treasures represents 1,000 years of historical past. Along with many worthwhile artifacts, there are additionally two medieval chambers integrated into the museum, a Thirteenth-century Choristers’ Corridor and fifteenth century Mayor’s Wine Vault, which is accessible by a winding set of spiral stone stairs.
A number of the main items within the Medieval Museum are Nice Constitution Roll, artifacts from King Henry VIII, and medieval vestaments. The Nice Constitution Roll is a scroll that was offered to King Edward III to current the case of why Waterford ought to retain management of the harbor and due to this fact the wine commerce with Europe. The fabric of gold vestment was discovered buried underneath a church after being misplaced there for over a century.
Waterford Crystal Customer Middle
Waterford after all is named the house of Waterford Crystal. Simply throughout from the Bishop’s Palace within the Viking Triangle, the Waterford Crystal Customer Middle presents visitors the choice to discover the reward store and cafe, or take a guided tour to see a few of Waterford’s 50 grasp craftsmen at work. Manufacturing facility excursions can be found and it saves you cash to guide your tickets forward of time. You can even guide a time for afternoon tea!
Grasp craftsmen must apprentice for a complete of eight years to attain that designation in simply one of many disciplines: glass blowing, engraving, or chopping. The tour will get you up near the motion and offers you a deep appreciation for the talent and arduous work that goes into every bit of Waterford Crystal.
Waterford Road Artwork
Throughout the walled metropolis of Waterford, you can find an excessive amount of public artwork and wall murals.
Yearly, the city invitations world-class nationwide and worldwide avenue artists to color the town’s partitions. There are weekly guided excursions of the Artwork Trails each Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and final roughly 2hrs. Or you may discover city and see what number of murals you will discover by yourself. While you’re strolling round city, remember to hunt down landmarks like Reginald’s Tower, the Christ Church Cathedral, and the outdated metropolis partitions.
Excessive Tea at Waterford Fort
If you end up visiting Eire, you could plan to have afternoon excessive tea no less than as soon as, and what higher setting than a citadel? Waterford Fort and Golf Resort is positioned by itself non-public island, accessible by automotive ferry, about half-hour from downtown Waterford.
Reservations are required for Afternoon Tea, and it may be taken in The Fitzgerald Room, The Leinster Room, Entrance Corridor and The Conservatory. The Afternoon Tea menu adjustments seasonally to make the most of the most effective of recent, native elements and may be personalized based mostly on dietary necessities.
Along with a collection of teas, you’ll feast from a tiered tray of treats together with finger sandwiches and pastries. After all, the Waterford Fort would even be a beautiful place to remain, each within the elegant manor home or one of many family-friendly lodges.
Waterford Greenway
The Waterford Greenway bike path runs 46 km from Waterford to Dungarvan alongside an outdated railway line. Bike leases can be found from Greenway Waterford Bike Rent, positioned on the WIT Sports activities Area simply exterior of downtown Waterford. You don’t have to cycle the entire thing. You’ll be able to both bike out and again or prepare a shuttle decide up.
The Greenway presents a beautiful experience alongside the river and railway line, with lovely views and quiet scenes. If you happen to bike far sufficient, you may cross trestle bridges and undergo an outdated railway tunnel. After all, it’s also possible to bike only a quick distance and cease and revel in Mount Congreve Gardens.
Mount Congreve Gardens
Situated simply quarter-hour out of Waterford, and some kilometers on the Greenway, Mount Congreve Gardens is an oasis of coloration in a sea of inexperienced. The home and gardens have been first constructed within the 1740s. The Woodland gardens have been based by Mr. Lionel N. de Rothschild, who was often known as the best landscaper of the twentieth century and a really intelligent hybridist.
These gardens have been expanded and developed by Ambrose Congreve, who, together with Mr. Herman Dool, constructed Mount Congreve as much as be one of many best gardens on this planet. In the present day, the gardens cowl 78 acres with 16 km of strolling trails, which have routes of 45 minutes to as much as two hours.
The Walled Gardens are divided into two sections, with fruit timber and vegetable gardens, flowers, and a water lily pond. The Woodland Gardens peak from February by way of Might and supply fantastic bursts of coloration. There are additionally particular paths just like the Bluebell Stroll and 1 km of hydrangeas.
The place to Keep in Waterford
After all, my first selection can be to remain on the attractive Waterford Fort. Nevertheless, if you’re trying to keep on the town, the Granville Resort is a basic selection. The Granville is positioned on The Quay and overlooks the harbor.
The rooms is usually a little tight and people going through the water is usually a little noisy, so chances are you’ll wish to request a rear-facing room. Don’t miss the fascinating bar scene (particularly on Saturday nights) within the pub, and make time to take pleasure in breakfast within the eating room. The scones and jams are made by hand they usually supply a contact of whiskey within the porridge for a morning kick.
In case you are prepared to drive a bit additional, the Mount Juliet Property close to Kilkenny is excellent!
There are two properties on the Mount Juliet Property, the 18th century Manor Home with 32 bedrooms, and the 93-room Hunter’s Yard Resort, which presents good luxurious in an property setting. In case you are touring with youngsters, each settings supply rooms that may accommodate households, from bigger rooms within the Manor Home with pull-out couches, to interconnecting rooms with two double beds at Hunter’s Yard. I might assume that households with youthful youngsters can be extra snug at Hunter’s Yard, as it’s a much less formal setting.
I stayed on the Manor Home, within the “Black Earl” room with a peaceable river view. Draped in luxurious and cuddled in consolation, the room was precisely what I might have hoped for after a number of busy days exploring Dublin, County Wicklow, and Waterford.
The Manor Home really felt fairly cosy, with loads of locations to curve up and revel in a guide, a drink, or a cup of tea. Public areas embrace the library, parlor, outside seating, and little nooks just like the sitting space on the prime of the steps.
Along with an award-winning, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, there may be loads to do on the Mount Juliet Property. Different actions together with horseback driving, fishing, biking, archery, and falconry.
The Mount Juliet borders a big stud farm and horses have performed an enormous function within the property’s historical past. The Equestrian Centre is state-of-the-art, with two all-weather arenas and present jumps and trails unfold throughout the five hundred acre property. Classes, clinics, and path rides can be found for a charge.
Archery is accessible for visitors ages six and up and workers is there to supply ideas and guarantee security. The property additionally works with Hawkeye Falconry to supply non-public falconry experiences (charge applies). This one hour program (for ages seven and up) features a stroll by way of the property, an introduction to falconry, and an opportunity to deal with these regal creatures underneath the steering of an skilled falconer.
Catch and launch salmon and trout fishing is accessible on the two.5 mile stretch of the River Nore that runs by way of the property. Mount Juliet offers the fishing gear if wanted (and the required fishing license) in order that visitors can benefit from the twelve named swimming pools on the river.
Mount Juliet additionally presents a well being membership and remedy rooms, with a full five-star spa within the works for the close to future. For youthful visitors ages 5-12, the Mount Juliet Junior Membership presents day by day actions like archery, golf classes, falconry, swimming, horse again driving, and outside video games and night actions together with karaoke and flicks.
Day Journeys from Waterford
Dunbrody Famine Ship – New Ross
Simply half-hour from Waterford is the city of New Ross, well-known for its ties to John F. Kennedy’s household. New Ross is JFK’s ancestral house, and the John F. Kennedy Belief was based in 1988 to commemorate his historic legacy. The belief developed the Irish Emigration Database and constructed the Dunbrody Famine Ship in 2001. The everlasting flame that burns out entrance was introduced from Arlington cemetery and was lit by JFK’s sister Caroline Kennedy.
The Dunbrody Famine Ship was constructed as an genuine reproduction of an 1840’s emigrant vessel. These famine ships transported 1000’s of individuals over a interval of 25 years. Initially constructed as a cargo vessel, after the famine began in 1845, it was outfitted to move 200 to 300 folks throughout the ocean to New York and Quebec over a seven-week journey.
The Dunbrody Famine Ship expertise begins with a video presentation to provide the historical past of the famine. Guests then step onto the ship for a guided tour with costumed performers who present insights into what it was prefer to be a passenger aboard one in every of these ships, each in third-class and in first-class.
Kilkenny
The medieval metropolis of Kilkenny can also be solely about 40 minutes from Waterford in southeast Eire. In Kilkenny, you may go to the Twelfth-century citadel, in addition to St. Canice’s Cathedral and the Black Abbey Dominican priory from the Thirteenth century.
Kilkenny is a really walkable city, with craft retailers lining winding lanes. Close by, you may go to websites like Jerpoint Abbey and Jerpoint Park.
PIN THIS FOR LATER
Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising govt and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged skilled in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.