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Holiday Home Ireland -
Waterford Holiday Homes
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Waterford Holiday Homes |
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Waterford |
Waterford is located in the south of
the country and is the smallest county within the province of
Munster. However, the recent building boom has enabled the county to
increase its population to around 110,000 although more than 40% of
these residents live in Waterford city which is the fifth biggest
city in the Republic. The city administers its own local government
whilst the town of Dungarvan is the administrative centre for the
remainder of the county.
The Republic’s third longest river, the River Suir flows alongside
Waterford city and forms a county boundary with neighbouring
Kilkenny and Wexford to the north and west. The county also borders
on to Tipperary and Cork. There are over 30 beaches to explore in
Waterford along its shoreline with the Celtic Sea, the largest being
at the quaint seaside town of Tramore (which literally means "big
strand" in Irish) located 13km from the city. Waterford Airport
which lies between the city and Tramore is expanding its services
year on year.
Waterford Holiday Homes |
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Waterford City
Waterford City has always been a busy and congested settlement due
to its location as the only coastal crossing point of the wide River
Suir for travellers over the centuries moving between the Republic’s
two largest cities of Dublin and Cork. A town centre bridge crossing
(first erected in 1796) replaced 2 previous small ferries across the
river. This bridge has been upgraded twice in the last century, but
the increasing volume and size of vehicles needing to cross the
River Suir in modern times has led the Republic to invest in the
building of a magnificent new 4-lane wide cable-stayed bridge a few
kilometres upstream as part of the N25 Waterford Bypass (currently
under construction). This structure is classed as the longest bridge
in Ireland with a span of 475 metres. Waterford is located in the
south-east of Ireland on the River Suir, and close to where the Suir,
Barrow and Nore enter into the sea. Most of Waterford City itself is
located on the southern side of the river, Ferrybank being the only
suburb on the north. The South Quay (once dubbed 'The Noblest Quay
in Europe') is a mile long and provides the perfect entrance to the
city. Being a medievel town, the city itself has sprawled over other
fully functional villages over the many generations of its
existence. Most (if not all) of these villages have kept their own
village centres and attitudes, which provides the city with numerous
cultural quarters. The oldest of these is the Viking triangle near
Reginald's tower. Narrow laneways, tranquil surroundings and
late-night dining have made this spot very popular with visitors.
The architecture in the area is also some of the finest in the city.
After a Norman conquest, as Waterford grew, the city walls were
extended west. A large portion of these walls still stand today, and
tours are run regularly. Inside the Norman quarter (opposite the
Clock Tower on the Quay) is the pedestrianised John Roberts Square,
and Arundel Square. These are two of the main social and commercial
hubs in the city. Just outside the walls is Ballybricken, one of the
many inner-city villages in Waterford. The centre has been converted
into a public green area with a bandstand and many benches for those
tired from walking the hill. Being an old farmers community,
Ballybricken is known locally for having some of the finest produce
and butcher shops in the city. Waterford city Garda station is also
located on Ballybricken.
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Dungarvan Museum
The aims of Dungarvan Museum Society are to present the history of
Dungarvan and West Waterford area through a series of well
illustrated panels and displays. Moreover, it aims to acquire and
preserve individual items or collections of local interest. Finally,
it encourages public interest in local history. In 2002, the museum
won the 'Irish Museum Publication of the year award'.
Holiday Homes in Waterford, Ireland |
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway
The magic of rails golden age has been brought to life in Kilmeadan,
Co Waterford. A heritage narrow gauge railway follows six kilometers
of the abandoned Waterford – Dungarvan route, from the station at
Kilmeadan into Carriganore. Experience the beauty of the Suir Valley
from a partially opened carriage as you take in the panoramic views
of the river and rolling farmland of Waterford and across the river
to County Kilkenny. The track runs mostly along the picturesque
banks of the River Suir offering a glimpse into the world famous
Mount Congreve Gardens and the Viking site in Woodstown. This is an
area rich in history and only accessible by train. The railway
journey is an enjoyable experience for all ages.
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Waterford Museum of Treasures
Waterford Museum of Treasures at the Granary brings together an
extensive range of rare and beautiful artefacts that are brought to
life by the latest technological innovations. The treasure trail and
personal sound guide device, allows each visitor to encounter the
past at their own pace, to stop and marvel at the fascinating
artefacts and to explore them in depth through a series of
interactive and audio-visual presentations. One thousand years of
Ireland’s oldest city is encountered during your visit.
Holiday Cottages in Waterford |
Waterford Crystal Visitors Centre
Waterford Crystal has a long tradition of extending a warm welcome
to tourists from all over the world. Visitors are guided through the
actual production areas, where the World Famous Crystal is made. The
Waterford Crystal Gallery is home to the World''s largest display of
Waterford Crystal, in addition, you can see beautiful displays of
Wedgwood, Rosenthal, Stuart Crystal, John Rocha at Waterford and
Marquis by Waterford. You will also find a Craft & Jewellery gift
store, an elegant restaurant, a Tourist Information Office and a
Bureau de Change to help you further plan your holiday. |
Dungarvan Castle
King John's Castle is an Anglo-Norman fortification founded in 1185.
It was built in a very strategic location at the mouth of the River
Colligan. From here, ships could be anchored and soldiers could
command the narrow strip of land to the south of the Comeragh
Mountains which linked East and West Waterford. The castle consists
of a polygonal shell keep with an enclosing curtain wall, a corner
tower and a gate tower. The shell keep is the earliest structure,
dating from the 12th century 'Norman Invasion of Ireland'. This
castle was built by King John of England and is a typical example of
a British Royal Castle. Shell keep's in Ireland are rare. Access to
the castle is by guided tour only, due to ongoing conservation work.
The castle is managed by Dúchas The Heritage Service. |
Reginalds Tower
Reginald's Tower is the oldest civic urban structure in Ireland and
has played a pivotal role in the country's history. The precursor of
this tower is believed to be Dundory, a Viking fortification built
on this site during the 10th century. This early fort formed the
apex of the triangular Viking settlement and was in all probability
a port for Viking longboats. It was strategically located on the
high ground between a tidal inlet or branch of St. John's river in
the south east (since drained and now known as the Mall) and the
River Suir to the north During the medieval period the tower
continued to be surrounded by water both to the north and the south
east. When the Anglo-Normans attacked Waterford in 1170 the tower
was of strategic importance and its capture heralded the fall of the
city. The Hiberno-Norse (Irish-Viking) ruler of the city Ragnall
MacGillemaire was held prisoner by the Anglo-Normans in the tower
and it is from him that the tower receives its name. It was in this
tower that Strongbow, the leader of the Anglo-Norman invasion force,
met Aoife, the daughter of Dermot McMurrough, King of Leinster.
Their marriage was to change the course of Irish history forever. In
later centuries the Tower took on the functions of a royal castle.
King John visited the tower in 1210 and ordered new coins to be
struck here. Richard II visited the tower in 1394 and again in 1399.
On 27 July 1399 Richard left Reginald's Tower as King of England and
Wales; on his arrival in England he was captured by the future Henry
VI and forced to abdicate. In 1463 the Irish Parliament established
a mint in the tower. In 1495 cannon in Reginald's Tower successfully
turned away the forces of Perkin Warbeck, the pretender to the
throne of Henry VII. This act of loyalty earned the city its motto "Urbs
Intacta Manet" - "Waterford remains the unconquered city". In 1690
following his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne, King James II of
England is alleged to have climbed to the top of the tower to take a
last look at his lost kingdom before embarking for exile in France
During the 17th and 18th centuries the Tower was used as a store for
munitions and in the early 19th century it functioned as a prison.
In the late 19th and first half of the twentieth century it became
the residence of the Chief Constable of Waterford. The Tower was
opened to the public for the first time in the 1950s.
Holiday Cottages
Ireland |
Curraghmore House and Gardens
Magnificent home of the Marquis of Waterford and his ancestors since
1170. The interior of the house contains exceptionally fine
plasterwork. Grounds include outstanding Arboretum, shell grotto,
built and personally decorated by Catherine Poer, Countess of Tyrone
in 1754 and a bridge built in 1205 for King John to cross the River
Clodagh. |
Copper Coast Mini Farm
Purpose–built pet farm located on the stunningly beautiful Copper
Coast in Waterford. Large variety of friendly farm animals and some
exotic varieties; New for 2007: miniature wallabies and zebras!!
Spacious tearooms serving homemade refreshments, indoor and outdoor
picnic areas, playhouse, sandpits equipped with toys, Vintage farm
memorabilia, farm walk, guided tours for schools and groups,
birthday parties welcome by appointment. |
Towns and Villages in County Waterford
Outside of the environs of Waterford City, the county’s other
notable towns are Dunmore East, Aglish, Ardmore, Cappoquin,
Cheekpoint, Clashmore, Kill, Kilmacthomas, Lemybrien, Lismore,
Passage East, Portlaw, Stradbally, Tallow and Villierstown.
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