My time exploring Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city
Exploring the historical sights of Waterford
Waterford often calls itself the oldest city in Ireland, having been inhabited constantly for over 1100 years. I took a trip round Waterford a while back, and I’ve written up a bit of my trip, having a look at the best places to see a bit of the city’s famous history, from the city’s early origins as a Viking settlement all the way up to the recent years.
Waterford’s a pretty cheap place to stay in as far as cities go, with prices tending to be a whole lot lower than areas like Dublin. I would big up staying at the Travelodge Waterford, planning on saving a bit of cash to actually explore Waterford to its fullest.
There’s a few big museum attractions that you’ll see a lot of advertising for around Waterford, but I started off my day having a look around a couple of the city’s free sites. The city has two huge cathedrals, dating back centuries with some beautiful sights. Neither the Waterford Cathedral or Waterford Cathedral are particularly far from central Waterford, making it pretty easy to reach the two sites. I’d absolutely recommend a trip to the Christ Church Cathedral, with some truly beautiful design (it’s also right in the city centre), while the Waterford Cathedral is really for the most dedicated history fans.
After my early exploration, I headed over to see the Waterford museums themselves. There’s three different sites that lead you through the city’s history. It all started off over in the Viking Tower, one of the oldest buildings in the entire city. The tower contains a huge collection of items from across the Viking occupation of Waterford, from swords to jewellery and far more. The Viking Tower comes across as being designed for children, but was still enjoyable enough.
Things picked up at the Medieval Museum, with some ancient pieces built over several centuries making for a really impressive time. The museum was built in an ancient wine cellar, and hosts artistic collections, ancient ornaments and a few genuinely important items. Finally, over at the Bishop’s Palace, I was brought from the Georgian period right through to practically the modern day. There’s impressively designed items, paintings and pieces leading up through to the late 20th century.
The city’s not just about the past. In fact, around the whole of county Waterford you can find more Michelin starred restaurants than any other part of Ireland outside of Dublin. The most highly rated restaurants are actually quite a way from the city of Waterford itself, so I didn’t have a chance to check those out, but there’s a couple of highly reviewed places around (I stopped off at Momo, a charming little eatery with some healthy tastes on a budget).
Before heading back to my budget Travelodge hotel (just a short distance from the city centre, nicely enough) I had a look around Waterford’s Viking Triangle. The triangle hosts most of the city’s oldest attractions, as it is right at the heart of Waterford, but it’s also something of a cultural hub. I’m not much of one for modern arts, but there’s galleries around the area, along with a few local shops showing off different kinds of the city’s culture.
It has been on my wish list for years to visit Ireland. My ancestors came to New Zealand from The British Isles and Ireland just looks like “Home” to me.
I would love to go to Ireland sounds so green plus so beautiful to visit
Ireland has so much to offer I would love to go there.
I would love to travel to Ireland! Its one of my top picks (have always wanted to travel period!). Waterford sounds wonderful
I have always wanted to travel. this sounds so wonderful, & Ireland is one of my top picks
That’s a vacation of a lifetime there. I could only wish! The closest I’ve gotten to Ireland is in the crystal that adorns my home.
Oh how I would love to go to Ireland! I think that if I went I might not want to come back!
What a cool place to visit.
i have castle over ireland and love to go and viist
I would absolutely love to visit Ireland. It is at the top of my list.
Loved reading all about your adventure in Wexford. What a beautiful relaxing place to visit – Ireland is on my bucket list to visit one day. So curious to dine at restaurants in Ireland. Thank you for sharing!
The photo looks so serene and idyllic. What a fabulous place to stay and explore.
Thanks for the review. I want to go to Ireland, but hadn’t thought about going to Waterford, mainly just the bigger cities, but I can see now that would be a mistake.
I think Ireland would be an awesome place to visit. Lovely photo of old village.
Thanks for your nice review of your trip to Ireland! Waterford seems like a beautiful place to stay! Ireland has long been on my buck list and hope to one day be able to visit as well! Waterford would be my first choice to stay! Love your pictures!
I have always wanted to visit Ireland. It’s so beautiful and I have friends who live there.
I have always wanted to visit Ireland.
Ireland seems like a fascinating place to visit.. Thank you for sharing the details of your trip!
I was here a long time ago. Over Thirty years. I went when I was a teenager and not yet aware of what it meant. I would love to go with my husband to show my heritage.
I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland,I find it intriguing . they have a lot of castles I’d like to visit.
My dream is to go to Ireland.
What a beautiful picture and beautiful place. I would love to go visit one of the castles and the older the better. What a wonderful trip. I am soooooooooo jealous.
Visiting Ireland is on my bucket list of places to visit. My mother’s family is from Ireland (several generations back) and I would love to see where they were from. Plus, the country seems to picturesque.
Visiting Ireland is on my bucket list.
it’ on my wish list to go to Ireland your so lucky! sound so fun.
on my wish list to go to Ireland. wow sounds so cool.
It sounds lovely. I wold love to visit there one day.
My brother just recently met a friend in Ireland and now I want to go visit! It looks so beautiful and I bet it would be an amazing adventure to sightsee
What else can I say Kristen, than JEALOUS! I’ve always wanted to travel and Ireland is on my bucket list. I really enjoyed you review and cannot wait until I can take my own trip to Ireland!
This is my husband’s ultimate trip!!
I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland,it always seemed so quaint and village like.
I live in Wexford, about an hour & a half from Waterford. It is a lovely old city but the one-way system drives me mad! I can think of a couple of other Irish cities that would quibble with it’s claim to being the oldest in Ireland!