10 Things to do in County Waterford That You Shouldn't Miss

November 19, 2021 Franklyn Hardiman

Discover the best top things to do in County Waterford, Ireland including Waterford Greenway, King of the Vikings, Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum, Reginald's Tower, Bishop's Palace, Clonea Beach, The Viking Triangle, Mount Congreve House and Gardens, Tramore Beach, Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens.
Restaurants in County Waterford

1. Waterford Greenway

46 klm of old disused railway line now a cycle and pedestrian route between Waterford and Dungarvan., Waterford Ireland +353 58 45273 [email protected] http://www.visitwaterfordgreenway.com
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 646 reviews

Waterford Greenway

Waterford Greenway is a spectacular 46 km off-road cycling and walking trail along an old railway line which runs between Waterford and Dungarvan. From the Viking City alongside the River Suir, out by Mount Congreve Gardens, through Kilmacthomas, across eleven bridges, over three impressive viaducts and through a 400m long tunnel; with wonderful views of the Comeragh Mountains and Dungarvan Bay.

Reviewed By renaultwrc - Waterford, Ireland

Absolutely fabulous, walking or cycling it's a pleasure, coastal and inland old railway line converted to this stunning Greenway, try pint in old world pub along the way or coffee or tea and scones in Kilmacthomas old workhouse ,you will return many times guaranteed

2. King of the Vikings

10 Bailey's New Street Viking Triangle, Waterford X91 A0PF Ireland +353 76 110 2676 [email protected] http://www.kingofthevikings.com
Excellent
86%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 277 reviews

King of the Vikings

King of the Vikings - The World's First Viking Virtual Reality 3D Adventure, bringing you up close and personal with the Viking warlords who founded Waterford Ireland's oldest city! Housed in a replica Viking house within the atmospheric ruins of a medieval monastery in the heart of the Viking city. Next to Reginald's Tower where the Treasures of Viking Waterford and a fullsize Viking longship. Available in English, French and German. Cost of admission is only €5.00 for an Under 12 and only €10.00 for an adult. Currently CLOSED for annual maintenance, from 6th January till Fri.13th March 2020.

Reviewed By Seehanes

Visitors are strongly advised to book in advance for this virtual reality experience due to limited capacity - visits last thirty minutes and only ten people can be accommodated during each session. Within the Viking Triangle, so rich in history and museum experiences, this novel format brings that Viking history to life in an unforgettable manner that should be greatly enjoyed by people of all ages and interest levels - you cannot help but feel thoroughly engaged. With a son who suffers from travel sickness, this virtual reality experience posed no problem for him. Situated in a replica Viking house within the ruins of the Franciscan friary, the costumed staff skilfully aided visitors to use the apparatus effectively. In fact no skill was needed - the staff ensured that everybody's experience was optimised. Potential improvements, in my opinion, would include greater sensory engagement such as water spray (from the sea or discarded waste), blasts of heat when there are fires, or release of smells to coincide with cooking, other domestic situations, or proximity to livestock. Apart from the brief thrill (or horror?) of seeing rats at your feet, I think the fear / shock factor could have been considerably heightened. If there is concern for the welfare of younger children, then perhaps headsets could have two different settings (one milder experience, and one more dramatic one). Nevertheless this is unquestionably a worthwhile addition to Waterford's attractions.

3. Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum

Cathedral Square Viking Triangle, Waterford X91 K10E Ireland +353 76 110 2501 [email protected] http://www.waterfordtreasures.com/
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,114 reviews

Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum

The magnificent curved facade of the warm butter-coloured stone building draws in the visitor. The eye-catching giant sculpture on the gable was inspired by a tiny 13th century belt mount found in Waterford. It is Ireland’s only purpose-built medieval museum and the only building on the island to incorporate two medieval chambers, the 13th century Choristers’ Hall and the 15th century Mayor’s Wine Vault. Don't miss the stunning Heavens' Embroidered Cloths, Waterford's cloth-of-gold 15th century vestments, the only piece of clothing from King Henry VIII's reign to survive in the world - the 'Cap of Maintenance' and the Great Charter Roll from 1373, containing the earliest contemporary portrait of a medieval English king (Edward III) shown to Queen Elizabeth on her 2011 state visit to Ireland. These and many more unique artefacts await you on your guided tour of the award wining Medieval Museum.

Reviewed By straea

When I arrived here around opening time yesterday, their early guided tours were fully booked with cruise ship passengers. Having read recent reviews here and some replies from staff, I thought coming back when they had space on a tour would be best. So I bought a combination ticket with Bishop's Palace, they called over there to confirm I'd be able to take a guided tour there in a few minutes, and I headed next door. I came back here for a guided tour about 90 minutes later. My tour guide, Liam, was fantastic — funny, interesting, and a great storyteller. The tour lasted about 40-45 minutes. I stayed on my own afterwards (as you are welcome to do) watching the introductory films (there is a 10-minute one on the second floor and a 15-minute one on the first floor) and viewing the objects we'd skipped on the highlights tour. As an historical researcher, I was personally especially fascinated by the unique Great Charter of Waterford and the medieval book of civic records of Waterford (both of which we viewed on the guided tour). While I was looking around on my own, a couple more guided tours cane through with different guides. Each guide seems to have their own style. Highly recommended for those interested in Irish history and/or medieval history.

4. Reginald's Tower

The Quay, Waterford Ireland http://www.waterfordtreasures.com/reginalds-tower
Excellent
51%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 637 reviews

Reginald's Tower

Reviewed By WW_Traveller023 - Kirrawee, Australia

The town is a short walk away and we headed to 'Reginald's Tower', it is the last tower remaining from numerous incarnations of a fort that was here from the 10th Century. It is named after the Viking King 'Reginall or Reginald' who conquered this place and set up a Viking town in the late 900's. The tower is 3 storeys high and has sen a lot of history since then, including being used by 'Strongbow' (the leader of the Anglo-Norman invasion force) and visits by King John and King James II as well as serving time as a munitions store and prison. There are very interesting displays on all the floors.

5. Bishop's Palace

The Mall Viking Triangle, Waterford X91 E279 Ireland +353 76 110 2650 [email protected] http://www.waterfordtreasures.com/bishops-palace/index.htm
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 663 reviews

Bishop's Palace

The Bishop’s Palace Museum houses a display of Waterford treasures from 1700 to the 20th century, and gives visitors a wonderful insight into the history of what was, up until the 1750s, Ireland’s second city. 'The Mall is a beautiful walk, about 200 yards long… facing it stands the Bishop’s Palace, which not only adds a considerable beauty ... the Palace is a fine building of hewn stone, with two fronts, that next to the Mall is beautifully ornamented with a handsome portico.' (Charles Smith’s History, 1746)' This exquisite architectural jewel, now a museum, continues to delight over 250 years later, the ground and first floors furnished as a very elegant 18th century townhouse. The top floor brings 'old' Waterford alive from the 1900s to the 1960s. Unveiled in 2019, 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.

Reviewed By 680lk - Cork, Ireland

Visited here with my husband and five year old Very friendly lady on reception advised us on the tickets and tours We did the self guided tour of the medieval museum as well as the guided tour of the bishops palace The tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly Small group to allow for social distancing The best part for us was the audio visual presentation 3D video which we all loved my little girl was thrilled and Is still talking about it days later Which for her first experience of the wonderful world of museums is fantastic Highly recommend

6. Clonea Beach

Dungarvan Ireland
Excellent
58%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 260 reviews

Clonea Beach

Reviewed By ClodaghG88 - Dublin, Ireland

Gorgeous beach - Lots of water sports available for all ages right on the beach & lifeguards on duty for safety too. Plenty of parking available if driving & also just off the Waterford Greenway, if cycling on a day trip. Dungarvan town is only a few minutes away with fantastic cafes & restaurants, & also on the scenic copper coastal drive as well.

7. The Viking Triangle

High Street and Henrietta Street, Waterford Ireland http://www.waterfordvikingtriangle.com
Excellent
49%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 331 reviews

The Viking Triangle

Waterford Viking Triangle is the cultural and historic centre of Waterford, Ireland's oldest city, where in 914 A.D. the Vikings first settled. It is a tranquil place, characterised by narrow streets, historic architecture, atmospheric public spaces and unique cultural and heritage attractions. Wander through Waterford Viking Triangle, visit the home of the global brand that is Waterford Crystal, nine national monuments including a 13th century underground wine vault, three world class museums (Viking, Medieval and Georgian) as well as an array of craft studios, cafes and excellent gift shops. Over 1,000 years of history unfold in just 1,000 paces in this compact and authentically charming location.

Reviewed By Seehanes

Waterford's much needed recognition and celebration of its rich history is a very welcome development. Our time in the city of Waterford was very limited on this occasion, but having been disappointed by how tired the main commercial areas of Broad Street, John Roberts Square (with the exception of the wonderful The Book Centre), and Merchants Quay now appear, the Viking Triangle offers a far more positive impression of Ireland's oldest city (founded by the Vikings in the 9th century). Although not extensive an area, it benefits from proximity to Waterford's maritime legacy and it includes Reginald's Tower (Ireland's oldest civic building), the Medieval Museum, the Bishop's Palace Museum, French Abbey (also known as Greyfriar's Abbey - an imposing ruin at the entrance to which stands Gabriel Hayes's masterly statue of the notable historian Luke Wadding, 1588-1657), the relocated Waterford Crystal factory and showroom (a magnet for Americans on coach tours, who unfortunately seem to bypass all else that Waterford has on offer), a wonderful outdoor replica Viking longship (modelled on those excavated during the 1960s in Roskilde, Denmark), the Theatre Royal, the art galleries, the fantastic new King of the Vikings virtual reality experience (located in a replica Viking house set in the ruins of the Franciscan friary), and, among our favourites, the giant street chess board in Bishop's Place where we felt obliged to pass twenty minutes (the duration taken for me to checkmate my son - I feel no guilt, as he made it very difficult for me). We didn't have time to visit the bars and restaurants in this part of the city, but they looked inviting and were clearly being enjoyed by others. We will know to allow more time for the Viking Triangle during a future visit.

8. Mount Congreve House and Gardens

Kilmeaden, Waterford Ireland +353 89 210 0260 http://www.mountcongreve.com
Excellent
71%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 338 reviews

Mount Congreve House and Gardens

Reviewed By shopping-spraoi - Waterford, Ireland

Stunning gardens and trails. A lovely cafe. Just visit, its just stunning. I have visited on many, many occassions, its a beautiful alternative for lunch and because its so well shaded, a light breeze is the most you'll feel

9. Tramore Beach

Promenade, Tramore Ireland
Excellent
62%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 294 reviews

Tramore Beach

Reviewed By porterIreland - Dublin, Ireland

We visited Tramore Beach recently and we had a lovely walk along the dunes and the beach. This is a vast beach and we were blessed with a beautiful day for our visit.

10. Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens

Pond Road, Tramore X91 DE48 Ireland +353 87 096 0013 [email protected] http://lafcadiohearngardens.com/
Excellent
75%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 155 reviews

Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens

The Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens reflect the life and extensive wanderings of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, who grew up in Ireland, and whose life journey embraced several parts of the world. The gardens pay homage to the fame he attained in Japan through his incomparable literary descriptions of the people, customs and culture of that country. The Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens have a wonderful and unique story to tell. In their style and planting they contain elements of the gardening traditions of the countries and cultures traversed by Hearn during his varied life. The journey begins in a Victorian Garden to commemorate Hearn's happy childhood summers in Tramore. There is an American Garden, a Greek Garden and a traditional Japanese Tea Garden, in addition to a Stream Garden, ponds, waterfall and an extensive woodland area. The main elements of design, in particular the use of rocks and water and the plant selection, are influenced by the tradition of a Japanese Strolling Garden.

Reviewed By John60Powell - Dublin, Ireland

I first visited these gardens when they opened in 2015 , revisited again this August 2020 to find an amazing amount of work has been completed in that short time ..As a LIVING tourist attraction these gardens have to be rated number 2 in Ireland ( Dublin Zoo being number 1 ) As Japanese Gardens they must be one of the Best ,if not THE best in Europe , the many different vistas together with the seating to enjoy the peace and beauty have been so well planned . The attention to detail ,the sense of calmness and the wonderful surprises throughout are all a credit to the staff and those involved in the day to day running of this outstanding place.

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