Waterford, founded by the Vikings in 914, is Ireland’s oldest city. In the past, Waterford, located on the River Suir, was the most important port in Europe, and now it is the fifth largest in the country.
Note: according to allcitypopulation, the population of Ireland is 5.028 million (2021).
And only in Waterford you can try the famous blaa buns, made according to old recipes.
How to get to Waterford
Waterford Airport is located 9 km southeast of the city. Local airline AerArann operates daily flights from London. In addition, there are flights from Birmingham and Manchester 6 times a week and twice a week from Lorient (France).
Slattery Sun operates flights from France, Portugal and Spain. You can get to the airport by taxi (the cost will be about 25 EUR). The prices on the page are for August 2021.
By bus
Bus Eireann has daily connections to Tramore (journey time 45 minutes), Dublin (2.5 hours), Killarney (4 hours 15 minutes). The bus stop is located on Merchant’s Quay.
Euro Lines has daily services to London (13 hours) with stops in Cardiff and Bristol; in Tralee (4 hours 40 minutes) with stops in Killarney, Dungarvan and Cork. Suirway flies to the hamlets of Dunmore East (30 minutes) and Passage East (30 minutes). Flights operate several times a day from Monday to Saturday.
By train
Plunkett railway station on the north side of the river has daily trains to Dublin (2 hours 45 minutes) with stops in Kilkenny (45 minutes) and Limerick (2 hours 45 minutes). Trains run several times a day from Monday to Saturday.
On a ferryboat
The nearest port is located 53 km west of Waterford in the town of Rossavile. From Rossavile to Waterford can be reached by bus. There are also ferries to Rossavile from Fishguard and Pembroke in Wales.
Weather in Waterford
The climate in Waterford is the same as in the rest of Ireland – mild and changeable. The hottest months of the year are June, July and August with temperatures around 19 – 21 degrees. Waterford is also one of the sunniest cities in Ireland. The rainiest months are from October to January. See also the current weather forecast in Waterford for the next few days.
Transport
You can move around the city on Bus Eireann buses, the routes of which connect Waterford with the suburbs (including Tramore). The second carrier, Rapid Express, operates routes to/from the city center, as well as in the suburbs of Ferrybank.
Car parking is available in the city center (cost 2 EUR per 1 hour), as well as along the waterfront. Taxi ranks are located at Plunkett train station and at Barronstrand St.
For 35 EUR per day you can rent a bike. The Altitude rental is located at 22 Ballybricken Street.
Shopping
A 10-minute walk from the city center is the Waterford Crystal glass and ceramics factory. Excursions are organized around the factory every 15-20 minutes (duration is about 1 hour).
Tarmor is home to Mother’s Knee Tea Parlour and Chocolate Boutique, which sells chocolate, coffee and tea.
Entertainment and attractions in Waterford
To touch the secrets and legends of the Vikings and Normans who once inhabited the lands of Waterford, it is better to go on a city tour with a tour of the Reginalds Tower and the ancient city walls. The Reginalds Tower, named after the city’s founder, is the oldest city building in Ireland. The tower now houses the Waterford History Museum.
Also of interest is the Treasure Museum (Waterford Museum of Treasures, website), located on Hanover St., which stores thousands of archaeological finds. The Edmund Rice International Heritage Center (web site), located on Barrack St., is dedicated to Rice’s memory.
Sion Hill House & Gardens, located in Ferrybank, a suburb of Waterford, is 4 acres of land planted with rare trees and shrubs, offering beautiful views of the Suir River.
In the suburbs of Waterford is the picturesque fishing village of Dunmore East, the resort of Ardmore, which has Blue Flag beaches, and the tiny seaport of Passage East, from where you can take a ferry to Wexford.
Neighborhood of Waterford
Not far from Waterrford, in the town of Dungarvan, there are no less interesting sights: St. Mary’s Church, the city museum, the 17th century market, St. Garvan’s Church, Dungarvan Castle of the 12th century, the town hall, the Augustinian abbey and the Norman Motte-and-Bailey – a medieval castle, which is a courtyard surrounded by a palisade, inside of which or nearby was a hill topped with a wooden fortress.
Mahon Falls is located in the Comeragh Mountains. At the mouth of the Blackwater River, you can go birdwatching or go fishing.
