Things to do in Waterford Town
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47 The Bistro
A popular restaurant with curvy contemporary décor, serving sizzling stir-fries, stodgy classics such as Irish stew and pasta, and delicious desserts. Book ahead to get a table.
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Reginald's Tower
The oldest complete building in Ireland and the first to use mortar, 12th-century Reginald's Tower is an outstanding example of medieval defences, and was the city's key fortification. The Normans built its 3m- to 4m-thick walls on the site of a Viking wooden tower. English-appointed local officials stayed in this 'safe house', as did many royal visitors.
Over the years, the building served as an arsenal, a prison and a mint. The exhibits relating to the latter role are interesting: medieval silver coins, a wooden 'tally stick' with notches indicating the amount owed, a 12th-century piggy bank (smashed) and a coin balance used to determine weight and bullion value. Archit…
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Waterford Museum of Treasures
Waterford Museum of Treasures is one of Ireland's widest-ranging and most hi-tech museums. It's a dazzling, intriguing, provoking, and at times plain bewildering maze of metal, glass and state-of-the-art audiovisual displays. The fun begins on the 3rd floor, from where (plugged into an audioguide) you follow the exhibitions as they wend their way through history.
A highlight is the 'Viking longship', a rocking ride narrated by Waterford's Nordic forebears, who call themselves 'children of the raven' but sound more like comedic Scotsmen. You can also attend the marriage of Strongbow and local princess Aiofe, who promises to teach her Anglo-Norman lord how the Irish feast. …
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Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre
The pride of every middle-class living room, Waterford Crystal has become one of the world's most famous luxury brands. The Waterford Crystal visitor centre, complete with restaurant and tourist office, is 2km south of the centre. You can lurk in the shop, but we recommend the one-hour factory tour.
The transformation of glowing-hot balls of glass into diamond-cut crystal is near miraculous, and the guides have real insider knowledge of the factory's workings. In summer buy tickets in advance from the tourist office to avoid queues. The first Waterford glass factory was established at the western end of the riverside quays in 1783, but closed 68 years later because of pun…
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French Church
The elegant ruin of the stone French Church is announced by a statue of Luke Wadding, the Waterford-born Franciscan friar who persuaded the Pope to negotiate with Charles I on behalf of Irish Catholics. Hugh Purcell gave the church to the Franciscans in 1240, asking them in return to pray for him once a day. The church became a hospital after the dissolution of the monasteries, and was then occupied by French Huguenot refugees between 1693 and 1815. John Roberts is buried here. Ask the staff at Reginald's Tower to let you in.
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Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is Europe's only neoclassical Georgian cathedral. Designed by local architect John Roberts, it was built on the site of an 11th-century Viking church, also the site where the 12th-century marriage of Strongbow and Aiofe took place. The highlight is the 15th-century tomb of James Rice, seven times lord mayor of Waterford: sculpted worms and frogs crawl out of the statue of his decaying body. Guided tours (adult/child €6/5) take place at 11.30am and 3.30pm. The cathedral also acts as a concert venue with wonderful acoustics – its broad program of performances features every- thing from choirs to pop quartets.
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Holy Trinity Cathedral
The sumptuous interior of this Catholic cathedral boasts a carved-oak baroque pulpit, painted pillars with Corinthian capitals and 10 Waterford Crystal chandeliers. It was built between 1792 and 1796 by John Roberts, who, unusually, also designed the Protestant Christ Church Cathedral.
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Bodéga!
The décor is all Spanish cantina, but the French chefs' menu is straight out of his homeland. The ever-changing menu, altered according to what's freshest, features wonderful dishes such as moules frites (mussels with fries) and Toulouse sausage, and there's a late-opening wine bar.
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Wine Vault
One of a cluster of quality eateries, this beautiful little restaurant is on two floors of an Elizabethan town house, with one floor housing the wine cellar. The food is a treat, ranging from starters like rabbit sausages and West Cork mussels to calamari and onwards.
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Paddy Gonzales
This pub, which looks more like an American diner with its seating booths, is overpriced but a good option if you're travelling with children. It offers breakfasts, a carvery and, Wednesday to Saturday nights, Mexican food.
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International Light Opera Festival
Waterford's International Light Opera Festival takes place in the last fortnight in September. It's cheaper and more easily accessible than the more famous Wexford Festival Opera but booking is still advisable.
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Café Lucia
You may have to wait for one of the colourful seats in this deservedly popular place, which dishes out homemade soups, fresh juices, salads, paninis, wraps and Thai fish cakes.
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Haricot's Wholefood Restaurant
With local artwork on the walls and Billie Holiday on the stereo, this a great place to tuck into the newspaper, along with dishes such as fish chowder, beef stew and vegan casserole.
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T&H Doolan's
A licensed establishment for over 300 years, historic Doolan's is a popular place to watch sport on the box and live bands with names like the Shamrocks and the Dead Beats.
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Garter Lane Arts Centre
Garter Lane Arts Centre is a much complimented theatre in an 18th-century building, staging art-house films, exhibitions, music, dance and plays.
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Forum
The mighty Forum hosts everything from gay club nights to the Irish kick-boxing championships. Its venues include the Gallery Theatre.
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Katty Barry's
Don't be discouraged by the plain exterior and side-street location; this small, friendly place serves a smooth Guinness.
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Geoff's
This cavernous pub with creaky wooden floors and rock music pumping from the speakers packs in a lively student crowd.
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Waterford Book Centre
Three floors of books – with an excellent selection of Irish classics – and a cafe.
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Market
Crepes and cheeses are available alongside craft-work at the weekly Saturday market.
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Theatre Royal
Beautifully refurbished, Waterford's flagship theatre stages plays, musicals and dance.
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T&H Doolan's
A licensed establishment for over 300 years, Doolan's hosts traditional music every night of the week.
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Sean Egan Art Glass
One of the finest designers at the 'old' Waterford crystal factory, Egan didn't take getting sacked in 2009 sitting down. He has a full-blown crystal studio here and is busy through the day making exquisite items.
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Saturday Market
An excellent market featuring many prepared foods. Watch for the irresistible baked goods by Mary Doherty of Granny Maddock's Pantry.
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