Things to do in Waterford Town
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47 The Bistro
Looking like an interior design magazine spread, elevated, S-shaped walnut seating and glossy maple floors provide an unlikely backdrop for comfort food like shepherds pie and stew.
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Ardkeen Food Store
On the second and fourth Sunday of each month, there’s a mouth- watering farmers market outside Ardkeen Food Store.
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Bodéga!
The exclamation mark in the name clues you in to the effusive nature of this Mediterranean cantina. Sun-inspired, seasonally changing dishes are drawn from the region's seafood, produce and meats. The bar buzzes with people enjoying glasses from the great wine list.
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Cafe Lucia
This bright, funky cafe dishes up homemade soups, salads, sandwiches in many flavours, daily hot specials and more. It's beloved for its succulent desserts.
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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 everything from choirs to pop quartets.
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Henry Downes Bar
For a change from stout, drop into Downes, which has been brewing its No 9 Irish whiskey for over two centuries. Have a dram in its series of character-filled rooms, or buy a bottle to take away.
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Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre
Edmund Ignatius Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers, established his first school at Mt Sion on Barrack St. A whiz-bang interactive museum recreates life in 18th-century Waterford. It incorporates a chapel, where Edmund Rice's tomb takes pride of place, awaiting the anticipated canonisation of its occupant.
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Farmers Market
On the second and fourth Sunday of each month, there’s a mouth- watering farmers market outside Ardkeen Food Store.
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Forum
The mighty Forum hosts everything from gay club nights to the Irish kick-boxing championships.
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Garter Lane Art Gallery
Just down the road, this affiliated gallery hosts regular exhibitions and workshops.
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Garter Lane Arts Centre
This much-complimented theatre stages art-house films, music, dance and plays in an atmospheric 18th-century building.
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Geoff’s
This cavernous local with creaky wooden floors and rock music pumping from the speakers is a home away from home for Wexford’s alternative crowd.
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Harlequin
Run by young, charismatic Italian duo Simone and Alessandro, this authentic little trattoria morphs throughout the day from a coffee and pastry stop to a busy dining spot to a candlelit wine bar. House speciality antipasti platters are laden with cheeses, marinated vegetables and/or finely sliced cured meats.
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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, and has trad sessions every Wednesday.
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La Bohème
Down a short flight of steps in the Georgian ‘Port of Waterford’ vaults, this romantic gem combines French flair with fresh Irish produce, resulting in mains such as mustard-and-honey rack of lamb or seaweed-encrusted scallops, and desserts like Tahitian vanilla crème brûlée.
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Munster Bar
Dating from 1822, this wonderful old pub has long been a cosy spot for a pint by its roaring open fire. Of late, it’s also been attracting attention for its gourmet pub grub.
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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. 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. Architectural oddities include the toilet that drained halfway up the building.
Behind the tower, a…
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Saturday Market
Fresh food is sold at Waterford’s weekly Saturday market alongside local crafts.
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A licensed establishment for over 300 years, Doolan’s hosts traditional music every night of the week.
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Theatre Royal
Now resplendently refurbished, Waterford’s flagship theatre stages plays, musicals and dance.
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Waterford Museum of Treasures
This is the umbrella name for three excellent museums which cover 1000 years of local history and shouldn't be missed.
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Ardkeen Food Store
Some of the region's best foods are sold here, 3km southeast of the centre. On the second and fourth Sunday of each month, there's a mouth-watering farmers market outside.
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Berfranks
Irish artisan foods line the shelves in the deli section while mouth-watering creations line the menu on the cafe side. This is an ideal place for a pit stop while you unravel Waterford's medieval past.
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Bishop's Palace
This interactive museum detailing Waterford's long history is in the newly renovated Bishop's Palace (1741). It has dazzling displays covering Waterford's history from 1700 to 1970 and includes treasures from the city's collection, such as golden Viking brooches, jewel-encrusted Norman crosses and 18th-century church silver.
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Chorister's Hall
Set to open in 2012, this new museum traces the city's rich medieval past and covers all the steamy and stinky details of local life until 1700. It's located in the renovated 12th century Undercrofts. The star attraction will be the magnificent 1372 4m-long Great Charter Roll which shows portraits of five medieval kings of England.
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