Waterford, County Waterford

Home of Waterford Crystal, Ireland - 600 years of Heritage

May 15, 2007

Glass marked for cutting at Waterford Crystal., Karen Lotter

Waterford in Ireland is a small port city dating back to Viking times. It is also home to Waterford Crystal one of Ireland's most famous and dazzling exports.

Waterford is more of a town than a city, nestled into the rugged South East Coast of Ireland. Dating back to Viking times, Waterford is said to be Ireland’s oldest city. The surrounding area offers a spectacular coastline, peaceful river valleys and two dramatic ranges of very accessible mountains. But when people hear Waterford, they immediately think - sparkling, shimmering Waterford Crystal.

And this is indeed where the world famous Waterford Crystal factory is located on a 40-acre site. Well one of them anyway. There are two more manufacturing plants in County Waterford, Ireland.

Waterford Crystal – Ireland’s pride

Waterford Crystal began in 1783 when George and William Penrose founded their Crystal manufacturing business in the busy little port of Waterford on the south east coast of Ireland.

With a combined history of over 600 years of heritage, tradition and craftsmanship, Waterford Wedgwood, plc is among the world's leading luxury lifestyle groups today, with world class brands that include Waterford Crystal, Wedgwood, W C Designs, Rosenthal and All-Clad. (Waterford Wedgwood plc was established in 1986 with the merger of Waterford Crystal and Wedgwood).

Earlier this year, Irish President, Mary Mc Aleese paid a visit the Pope to invite him to Ireland. On this occasion, she presented Pope Benedict XVI with Waterford Crystal cross.

Waterford Crystal – the product and the people

In the Waterford catalogue, the products are divided into Classic, Contemporary, Designer, Lighting, Treasures and Christmas. Each item more beautiful than the next, available at one of 800 worldwide outlets or via the online site.

Crystal cutting is a traditional business. Sons follow their fathers into the factory. (There aren't many women cutters). Many people do not realize that Waterford patterns have names and are never discontinued.

Most of the artisans are born and bred in Waterford and serve a long apprenticeship before they become Master Cutters. Some go on to work on one-of-a-kind pieces and others spend their entire working lives only cutting a certain patterns.

A Waterford Crystal Visitors’ Experience

A visit to Waterford Crystal is now one of Ireland’s top attractions and the Waterford Crystal Visitors' Experience is an interesting tour that takes visitors through the whole process from the design, to the glass blowing, the cutting and polishing. Via a series of guides, visitors are taken through the factory and told the story of Waterford Crystal and how the whole process works. They are shown the various stages and all stand in awe watching the cutters work.

Of course, like most tours, it ends up in the gift shop, where fired-up and inspired tourists cannot wait to empty their wallets so that they can own as much Waterford Crystal as they can carry away.

For those who can’t get to the Waterford Crystal factory in person, Waterford.com gives you ten reasons why you should shop with them.

What else to do in Waterford

Visit Reginald's Tower, located at the junction of the Quays and Mall. It is Waterford's best known landmark, described as the oldest tower of mortared stone in Europe. Waterford is a small, friendly city with cobbled streets and lively pubs. It’s a great place to stroll around, eat, drink and relax.

Much of the north and centre of Waterford County is mountainous, including the Comeragh range with its stunning lakes. The Waterford coastline is a series of rugged cliffs and sand-fringed bays, where you'll find many attractive seaside resorts - Tramore being the most well known. Spend some time here - and explore Lismore Castle, Ardmore and its craft shops and the Church and its round tower.

Of course, this is Ireland, so there are always walking tours, cycling tours and golf courses around for those who want to burn off those extra pints.

Waterford City is about an hour-and-half drive from Cork and two-and-a-half hours drive from Dublin. (That’s if you take the highway – the coastal roads take longer and are much more scenic).