Delve back in time with a tour that’s bound to bring out your inner Strongbow or Aoife in the most ancient part of Ireland’s oldest city ‘Veðrafjǫrðr’ (Waterford).
Waterford not only boasts the House of Waterford Crystal and three museums but features an award-winning walking experience, the Epic Tour of the Viking Triangle. From the Vikings to the Victorians, the one hour all weather trip gets you into six national monuments, including Greyfriars Medieval Franciscan Friary, the Mayor’s Wine Vault and Christ Church Cathedral, all in the capable hands of professional guides.
Comes to life
History really comes to life at the award winning Medieval Museum. This stunning modern building incorporates a 13th century Choristers’ Hall and a 15th century wine vault. Our professional guides regale visitors with tales of times gone by with the help of a priceless collection of unique artefacts.
Among the great treasures of international importance are the 4 metre long Great Charter Roll dated to 1373, which Queen Elizabeth specifically asked to view on her state visit to Ireland, the only piece of King Henry VIII’s clothing to survive – the ‘Cap of Maintenance’ and the 15th century cloth of gold vestments – the only complete set of High Mass Vestments to survive in Northern Europe.
The story of Waterford
Within a few metres of the medieval museum is the beautiful Georgian Bishop’s Palace built in 1743. It is here that the story of Waterford from 1700 to the 1970s is told by re-enactors against a backdrop of rare 18th century Irish furniture, glass silver and paintings. The Bishop’s Palace is home to the only surviving Napoleon Bonaparte’s Mourning Cross and the world’s oldest piece of Waterford Crystal crafted in 1789. Unveiled in 2019 as part of the guided tour, ‘Masterpieces in Glass’ is a re-enactor led experience culminating in a 17 minute 4D presentation detailing the long history of glass making in Waterford and vividly immersing you 18th and 19th century Waterford.
At Reginald’s Tower (named after the Viking chief who founded the city in 941) you can get up close and personal with weapons from a Viking warrior’s grave.
All these attractions are only 15 minutes away from the seaside town of Tramore and Mount Congreve Gardens in Kilmeaden, 20 minutes from the fishing village of Dunmore East, 25 minutes from the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross and half an hour from the Copper Coast Geo Park.
