Page 152 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

150  IRELAND REGION B Y REGION

p Waterford
Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, was founded by Vikings in
914. Set in a commanding position by the estuary of the
River Suir, it became southeast Ireland’s main seaport.
From the 18th century, the city’s prosperity was consolidated
by local industries, including the glassworks for which
Waterford is famous. The strong commercial tradition
persists today and Waterford’s port is still one of Ireland’s
busiest. Following extensive archaeological excavations in
the city centre, a new heart and atmosphere has been put
into the old city with the creation of pedestrian precincts in
the historic quarter and along the quays.

the 1770s to a design by John
Roberts, a local architect who Reginald’s Tower on the quayside
contributed much to the city’s
Georgian heritage. It is fronted + Reginald’s Tower
by a fine Corinthian colonnade. The Quay. Tel 051 304220. Open Jun–
A grim 15th-century effigy of a Aug: 9:30am–6pm Mon–Sat, 11am–
rotting corpse is an unexpected 6pm Sun; Sep–May: 9:30am–5pm Mon–
sight inside. Heading down Sat, 11am–5pm Sun. & 8
towards the river, you pass the In 1185, the Anglo-Normans
13th-century ruins of Grey built the stone structure seen
Friars, often known as the here today. With walls 3-m
French Church after it became (10-ft) thick, it is said to be the
a Huguenot chapel in 1693. first Irish building to use mortar,
West along the waterfront is a prim itive concoc tion of blood,
a Victorian clock tower, which lime, fur and mud. It is the
stands at the top of Barron- old est civic urban building
strand Street. Rising above the in Ireland.
Ardmore Castle Watch Tower and signal busy shops is Holy Trinity
station, Co Waterford Cathedral, which has a rich E Medieval Museum Rice
Bridge
Neo-Classical interior. George’s The Granary, Merchants Quay. Plunkett Station
Exploring Waterford Street, which runs west from Tel 051 304500. Open Jun–Aug: 250 m (270 yds)
KILKENNY
The extensive remains of the here, is dotted with period 9:15am–6pm Mon–Fri, 9:30am–6pm WEXFORD Bus
Station
city walls clearly define the houses and cosy pubs. It leads Sat, 11am–6pm Sun; Sep–May: BRIDGE STREET M ER C HA N TS Q UAY S u i r
area originally fortified by the to O’Connell Street, whose 9:15am–5pm Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm O 'CONN
Vikings. The best-preserved partially restored warehouses Sat, 11am–5pm Sun. & 8
PENROSE ELL ST
section runs northwest from contrast with the shabbier The 13th-century Chorister’s A NN E S T LANE HANOVER STREET ME AG H E R QU AY
the Watch Tower on Castle buildings on the quay. In the Hall building on Merchant’s Clock Tower
Street, although Reginald’s summer, you can enjoy another Quay houses the Medieval THO M AS H ILL
Tower, overlooking the river, view of the waterfront by Museum, showcasing treasures Chamber of TH E QUAY
Commerce
is the largest structure in the taking a cruise on the river. from the Middle Ages. BA R KE R ST Holy Trinity
old defences. In The Reginald GEORGE’S STREET BARRONSTRAND ST Cathedral
MEETING HOUSE LA
Bar you can see the arches St. Patrick's Reginald’s
through which boats sailed HENRIETTA ST PA R AD E QUAY Tower
Grey
ST
forth down the river; these BROAD H I G H S T RE ET Friars BAILEY’S NE W ST
sallyports are one of several PAT R I C K ST REE T PETER ST Christchurch City Hall
Cathedral
Viking sections of the largely Medieval Museum
Norman fortifications. L AD Y L A N E THE MALL
Although Waterford retains ALEXANDER ST MICHAEL STREET Waterford Crystal Waterford
Airport
its medieval layout, most of the MAYOR’S WAL K S T E PHE NS S TR EET S P R I NG GARD EN A L L EY 10 km (6 miles)
Visitor Centre
city’s finest buildings are Geor- O'BRIEN'S ST PASSAGE EAST
gian. Some of the best examples C AT H E R I N E ST
can be seen on the Mall, which PARNELL S TRE E T
runs southwest from Reginald’s BAR RACK STRE E T JOHN STREET
Tower, and in the lovely Cathedral
Square. The latter takes its Watch WAT ERSIDE
name from Christchurch C AS T L E S TREET Tower
Cathedral, which was built in The city of Waterford seen across the River Suir
CORK
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp297–8 and pp311–13
150-151_EW_Ireland.indd 150 08/03/17 11:06 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm