Flashback Friday: Waterford, Ireland

Waterford, the oldest city in Ireland, is a small seaport in southeast Ireland that may be missed by travellers but I urge you to consider adding it to your Irish tour. Whether you stay at Waterford Castle on its private island in the River Suir (check it out!) or just spend the day in town, its a great place explore.

The city was founded in 914AD by Vikings. There are remnants of the ancient walls and an ancient tower built around 1000AD known as Reginald's Tower. The Tower is home to part of the Waterford Museum of Treasures, a collection of 3 museums within the Viking Triangle that narrate the 1100 years of history in the area.

This is also the home of the famed glass manufacturer Waterford Crystal. The story of Waterford Crystal began here in 1783 and has faced challenges and closures. Most Waterford glass is no longer manufactured here. Today the company’s facility near the historic district creates specialized work such as the PGA Tour of America trophy, the People’s Choice Award, and Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball and pieces for their gift shop and offers fascinating tours.