Waterford Ireland Cruise Port Guide

sandy coastlines with the more rugged landscape typical of County Cork. The town itself is an ancient Viking settlement whose roots go back to the 8th century, when a group of Vikings settled at a riverside location called Port Large, which they renamed Vadrafjord. The deep inlet provided a convenient waterway for their sturdy longships encouraging the building of an independent fortified city, which in time became a booming trading post.

In 1170 an Irish Viking army sallied forth to defend their town against the invading Anglo-Normans but were roundly defeated. Henry II of England visited Vadrafjord in 1171 and declared it a royal city, which it remained for almost 500 years.

In 1649, the town defied Cromwell but eventually succumbed. It went into a decline as Catholics were either exiled to the west of the country, "to Hell or to Connacht," or were shipped as slaves to the Caribbean.

Even today there is a medieval feel about Waterford with its ancient fortifications, 18th century cathedrals and fine Georgian houses, particularly around The Mall, George's Street and O'Connell Street. And while the town is charming in its own right, it regained world recognition with the 1951 re-opening of the crystal factory offering once again the famous, exquisite glassware that bears the town's name.