Republic of Ireland, Waterford

Waterford is a city in Ireland. It is the primary city of the South East region, and the fifth largest in the country. Founded in 914 AD, by the Vikings, it is Ireland's oldest city.

Waterford is the largest city in Ireland to retain its Viking-derived name, Vedrarfjord. Reginald's Tower is the oldest urban civic building in Ireland, and the oldest monument to retain its Viking name. It is to this day Waterford's most recognisable landmark.

The population of the city in 2006 was 49,240; of which 45,775 lived within the city limits, and 3,465 lived in the city's suburbs in County Kilkenny.

The River Suir flows through Waterford city and has provided the basis for Waterford's long maritime history.

Waterford Port has been one of Ireland's major ports for over a millennium. In the 19th century shipbuilding was a major industry in the city.

History

Viking raiders first established a settlement at Waterford in 853. Waterford and all the other longphorts were vacated in 902, the Vikings having been driven out by the native Irish. The Vikings re-established themselves in Ireland at Waterford in 914 and built what would be Ireland's first city.

In 1137, Diarmuid MacMorrough, King of Leinster, failed in an attempt to take Waterford. He returned in 1170 with Norman mercenaries under Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke (Strongbow); together they besieged and took Waterford after a desperate defence.

Throughout the medieval period, Waterford was Ireland's second city after Dublin. In the 15th century Waterford repelled two pretenders to the English throne: Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck.

The 18th century was a period of huge prosperity for Waterford. Most of the city's best architecture appeared during this time. In the 19th century, great industries such as glass making and ship building thrived in the city.

In July 1922, Waterford was the scene of fighting between Irish Free State and Irish Republican troops during the Irish Civil War.

Places of interest

The old city of Waterford consists of various cultural quarters. The oldest is what has been referred to as the Viking triangle. This is the part of the city surrounded by the original 10th century fortifications, which is triangular in shape with its apex at Reginald's tower.

In the 15th century, the city was enlarged with the building of an outer wall on the west side. Today Waterford retains more of its city walls than any other city in Ireland with the exception of Derry, whose walls were built much later. Tours of Waterford's city walls are conducted daily.

John Roberts Square is a pedestrianised area that is one of the main focal points of Waterford's modern day commercial centre.

The Mall is a fine Georgian thoroughfare, built by the Wide Streets Commission in order to extend the city southwards.

Culture

Literature
Poet Seán Dunne (poet) was born in Waterford in 1956 and grew up in St John's Park. He attended the De La Salle School and wrote with affection of the city in his memoir "My Father's House".
Museums
Waterford Museum of Treasures, in the Granary on Merchant's Quay, is the city's foremost museum, housing a collection spanning over 1,000 years of the city's history.
Art galleries
The Waterford Municipal Art Gallery has been housed in Greyfriars since 2001. It is the permanent home for the Municipal Art Collection, "A Gem Among Municipal Collections", over 200 paintings by Irish and International artists, including pieces from renowned artists such as Jack B Yeats, Paul Henry, Charles Lamb and Louis Le Brocquy.

Sport

Waterford United is a team in the FAI First Division. Waterford United's origins are as Waterford Football Club which was formed in 1930 and joined the Football League of Ireland the same year. The Club which changed its name to United in 1982 shared its ground with the cities greyhound racing stadium at Kilcohan Park.

Transport

Roads
Waterford is connected to other major centres via the N9 to Dublin, the N25 to Cork (west) and Rosslare (east) and the N24 to Limerick.
Rail
The main train station at Waterford City is Plunkett station. It is located across Edmund Rice bridge on the north side of the Suir. Waterford railway station opened on 26 August 1864.

There are seven daily connections to Dublin; 4 daily connections to Limerick Junction; and 1 direct daily connection each way to Rosslare Europort and onwards to Wexford & Enniscorthy.
Bus
Bus services are provided by Bus Éireann to all major Irish centres, and by JJ Kavanagh & Sons to locations such as Dublin and Carlow.
Air
Waterford Airport, or South East Regional Airport, serves Waterford and the south east region. Aer Arann is currently the only carrier operating out of the airport.