Waterford is waterlogged with history, heritage, and small-town charm
Congratulations! You've found the oldest city in a nation chock full of historic places. Waterford was founded by Vikings in 914 A.D. Parts of its ancient stone walls remain, as does the community's pride in its heritage. Your Waterford vacation rental is the perfect home base during a visit to some of the most impressive and well-maintained museums around. The riverfront is a picturesque backdrop for the still-functioning factory that makes Waterford crystal glass, as well as the annual music festival that will charm you with live music and parades.
Grab your horned helmet and get ready for some Viking lore
On the bank of the river and just east of the city center sits the Viking Triangle, a plaza where vacationers can find 3 fascinating museums. The Viking Museum is set in Reginald's Tower, the oldest civic building in Ireland dating from 1003 A.D. The Medieval Museum displays exhibits on 13th and 15th century life, as well as the only surviving piece of clothing worn by Henry VIII. Finally, the Bishop's Palace Museum, built in 1741, tells the history of Waterford from the 17th century to today.
Tiptoe around the crystal glass, then go dancing in the streets
You can satisfy your craving for exploration and retail therapy at the same time when you book a Waterford vacation rental. The House of Waterford Crystal offers a factory tour including a trip through the blowing room, where you can watch skilled artisans work scary-looking blobs of molten glass into fancy goblets and other shimmering objects. The factory store offers all kinds of crystal doo-dads, from the affordable to the wildly expensive. In summer, Waterford's downtown comes alive with its annual Spraoi festival, when locals, visitors, and big bands take to the streets.
Waterford has waterfalls, plus lakes, lava, and little auks
Waterford is cut in 2 by the River Suir, which joins with the Nore and the Barrow Rivers east of the city at a point know as "the confluence of the 3 waters." Bird watchers appreciate the areas turtle doves, spoonbills, and little auks. North of town are the rocky Comeragh Mountains, and to the west are the Mahon waterfalls and Coumshingaun glacial lake. The Copper Coast Geopark, about a 30-minute drive from your Waterford vacation rental, features evidence of Palaeozoic volcanism (lava erupting through the Earth's crust) and remnants of the last Ice Age.
Traveling to and around Waterford
The nearest airport is in Waterford (WAT), located 5.2 mi (8.3 km) from the city center.
If you're traveling by train, you can make your way to Waterford Station.
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