Waterford City, located in East County Waterford is the undisputed oldest city in Ireland and has a viking history dating back over 1200 years (iron age and stone age going much further back). Reginald's Tower in the picture below is the oldest civic building in Ireland and dates back to the 9th Century. Waterford still has much of it's original walls, both Viking and Norman and they can be viewed if you stroll around the city by foot. Waterford City, Ireland’s oldest city, founded by Viking raiders in AD 914, has played a pivotal role in the economic, political and cultural life Ireland and its motto "Urbs Intacta" (the untaken city) bears witness to the many power struggles and conflicts in which it has been embroiled through the centuries.
It is most famous for it's Crystal and is a household name worldwide because of this, yet in years gone by it had been most famous for ship building as one of Europe's largest ports. Throughout the medieval period and up until the end of the seventeenth century, Waterford remained the second city in Ireland. Today Waterford is the cultural, economic, educational, technological and industrial capital of the South East region and its port – the traditional source of wealth continues to expand in line with the growth of the Irish economy.
Some facts about Waterford:
It is the oldest City in Ireland
The tri-colour (the Irish Flag) was first flown in Waterford and created by Waterford man, Thomas Francis Meagher
The biggest Viking find in Europe has been found in Woodstown in Co. Waterford about 3 miles from the city centre (Save Viking Waterford)
The Christian Brothers' were founded by Edmund Rice in Waterford (see www.mountsion.org)
The first Governer of New Zealand was born in Waterford City
The Famous physicist Robert Boyle (Boyle's Law) was born in West Waterford
The first GAA competition ever was held in Tramore, Waterford
The Suir flowing through Waterford is Europe's fastest flowing river
Waterford Crystal, the world's most famous crystal is created here
Old Parish, near Ardmore, is as the name suggests, Ireland's oldest parish, pre-dating the arrival of St. Patrick
Luke Wadding made St. Patrick's festival a national feast and is thus responsible for the festival
The well known phrase 'by hook or by crook' originated from the place names Hook and Crooke when Cromwell vowed that his armies would take Waterford 'by Hook or by Crooke' (he never did!!!)
Waterford has an amazing coastline with over 30 amazing beaches
Waterford has the best example of a corrie lake in Europe (Comshingaun)
Waterford has three glorious mountain ranges
Lismore, Co. Waterford is officially the most beautiful town in Ireland and now Europe
It also boasts the European renowned Waterford Institute of Technology, which is a University in all but name as it alone serves one of the largest populated regions in the country. All in all, Waterford is Ireland's best loved city and county, it is also Ireland's best kept secret and as a result is the only city and county where you will experience Ireland at it's absolute best.
If you want to see Ireland in all it's glory in one visit, you need only visit Waterford City, Ireland's Oldest City.
Waterford - Because one place can have it all!
visit www.upthedeise.com to chat with Waterford people of all ages and find out about the 'real' Ireland
www.UpTheDeise.com, The Waterford People's Website!