Waterford City is the smallest of the Irish cities. Founded by the Vikings in the 9th century, the city straddles the basin of the River Suir and has a population of about 50,000. The strategic location of the city at the southeast gateway to Ireland attracted the Vikings and later the Anglo Normans who seen the advantages the natural deep-sea basin had for trading and shipping goods.

Waterford is famous the world over for the top quality crystal glass it manufactures. Waterford Crystal is the world leader in tabletop and decorative glass and a factory in the city and a second one in the western town of Dungarven.
At the height of its success, the company employed over 6,000 people as well providing thousands of other jobs in the service provider sector. Sadly, the company and indeed the brand has experienced a downturn in fortunes in recent years and the current employment levels are at a historical low of less than 2,000 and heading in the wrong direction.

Competition from other brands, a falling share price and the weakness of the US dollar have combined to create conditions where heavy losses are being sustained by the company. America, which accounts for over 50% of sales, in now in a recession and the prospects for this once mighty brand look precarious.

Waterford is, however, a busy commercial centre, with shipping, pharmaceutical and technology multi-nationals all located there. The city is known as being prosperous and this is evident in the range of top UK and European stores in the various shopping centres in the city. To the east of the city centre, you will find upmarket housing estates and amenities.

Tourism is a huge earner for the city and even with its current woes, the Waterford Crystal shop and tour is a huge draw. Cruise liners regularly call to the city because of the deep-water facilities of the port and the retail trade and the crystal factory benefits greatly from such trade. Waterford Castle, which sits on an island in the Suir estuary and is accessible by ferry every five minutes, is definitely worth a stay, or at least a visit. It is a surrounded by a beautiful championship golf course.

A great choice of restaurants and pubs are available to the visitor. Fish features prominently on most menus and is guaranteed to be fresh, given the location of the city.

Sport is high on the list of activities in Waterford. There are a host of quality golf clubs within a 20-minute drive. Hurling is the dominant local sport and passions run high about that subject as Kilkenny, the acknowledged masters of the game, actually encroaches into the city boundaries of Waterford. Sailing is a popular sport, with both sea and inland cruising on the rivers Suir and Barrow available.

For culture vultures, The Museum of Treasures, The Theatre Royal and the Municipal Art Gallery are worth a visit. Each year the city holds the Spraoi Festival of Arts along the quayside. In 2005, the city hosted The World Tall Ships Race and it is scheduled to visit again in 2011.

Transport links to the city are good in road, rail and bus infrastructure. Waterford has a small airport to the south east of the city, but it has limited connectivity to international routes and destinations.

Find out more in our service provider listing and enjoy your stay in Waterford