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Waterford City
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Waterford City is
located in the south eastern part of the county. It boasts a
commanding presence at the point where the meandering River Suir
meets the head of Waterford Harbour.
Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland. A walled city of Viking
origins, it retains much of it's medieval character together with
the graceful buildings from its 18th century expansion. Among the
top attractions in Waterford City are Reginald’s Tower, the House of
Waterford Crystal, Bishop's Palace Christ Church Cathedral and the
Theatre Royal.
Reginald’s Tower is the oldest civic urban building in Ireland and
is one of the most significant Viking buildings still in existence
in the country. During its chequered lifetime it has been used as a
royal court, mint and prison. The newly restored Bishop's Palace on
the Mall charts the history of Waterford from 1700 to 1970. Visitors
to the Bishop’s Palace will see the oldest piece of Waterford
Crystal in the world - a decanter made in the 1780’s.
Waterford City is renowned as the home of Waterford Crystal, a
lifestyle product of exquisite craftsmanship. The House of Waterford
Crystal is a recently opened centre which features an actual living
and breathing crystal factory tour. It contains a visitor centre and
splendid retail store housing the largest collection of Waterford
Crystal in the world. A guided factory tour gives the visitor first
hand access to all areas of traditional crystal production.
Situated on the historic Mall, the Theatre Royal is a superb example
of a 19th century theatre. While its architectural charm has been
preserved, its programme is broad based and contemporary and
includes drama, musical theatre, comedy, dance and music.
Christ Church Cathedral on Cathedral Square has been a constant
presence in Waterford since the 11th century. It is the only neo -
classical Georgian Cathedral in Ireland and is thus of enormous
architectural importance. Nowadays the Cathedral is also used as a
venue for concerts, recitals and exhibitions adding to the cultural
life of Waterford.
Waterford has a full programme of festivals and other cultural
events which take place throughout the year. In March there is the
annual St Patricks Day Festival and The Waterford Writers’ Weekend .
The Waterford International Festival of Music usually takes place in
the first half of May. During the Spraoi Street Festival in early
August the streets, squares and parks of Waterford become a series
of stages. Spraoi offers international street theatre, Irish
premieres, an array of world music, fringe events and the dazzling
Spraoi Parade.
The Imagine Arts Festival in October is a unique celebration of the
arts in Waterford City. The Waterford Film Festival in November
showcases a wide range of films from feature films and documentaries
to experimental and student work.
For golfers there is a wide selection of courses in and around
Waterford. Waterford Golf Club is located just to the north of the
city. Its hillside location provides this fine parkland course with
magnificent views. On an island to the east of the city is the
superb Waterford Castle Golf Club. This18-hole, par 72 championship
parkland course was designed by Des Smyth, the former Ryder Cup
player. The course itself runs to 6,814 yards, off the medal tees,
and covers an area of over 200 acres.
A few kilometres
further east is the Faithlegge Golf Club. This fine 18 hole course
has a superb setting on the banks of the River Suir. The course has
been cleverly moulded into a wonderful landscape of mature trees and
no less than five lakes.
Waterford has a strong maritime tradition and an estimated 500,000
people enjoyed the colourful spectacle of the 2011 Tall Ships Race
and festival of music and culture in the city and along the river
Suir Estuary to Dunmore East. Suir River Cruises offer daily trips
on the River Suir from the Neptune Marina behind the Marina Hotel on
Canada St.
Despite it being one of Ireland’s oldest, Waterford City is a
wonderful blend of modern shopping centers, pedestrian walkways,
lively traditional pubs and top class restaurants. It is a city
which will delight and impress the senses without relinquishing its
unique local spirit. |
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Waterford City Holiday Homes - County Waterford, Ireland