There are plenty of reasons to visit Ireland’s oldest city, one of which is that its South-Eastern location means the sun is a lot more likely to shine here than on the notoriously drizzly West Coast! Travelodge’s Waterford hotels provide an ideal base from which to explore this unique history-steeped city.
House of Waterford Crystal
Waterford’s most iconic export has a great visitor centre, which features a fascinating factory tour where you can see how the intricate products are skillfully crafted. Seeing a work of crystal being created in the blowing room where it’s transformed from a molten lump into a sophisticated work of art is a sight not to miss. After the tour don’t forget to visit the store where you can pick up your own piece of crystal as a souvenir – you can choose from something traditional or something more modern from the John Rocha or Jasper Conran ranges.
Reginald’s Tower
If you’re a fan of the gory, bloodthirsty history of the Vikings (and even if you’re not!), you’ll have a great day out at this ancient defence tower in Waterford’s famous, central Viking Triangle. As Waterford’s best-known landmark it’s great to just admire from the outside but it’s well worth going in to find out more about Waterford’s long and turbulent history.
Waterford Museum of Treasures: Medieval Museum
If your visit to the tower has whetted your appetite for all things mysterious and medieval, the next stop on your itinerary is this nearby museum. Only opened in 2012, with the stunning Chorister’s Hall as its centerpiece, it’s a lovingly restored and fascinating tribute to Waterford’s rich heritage.
As you’ll feel as soon as you arrive, Waterford’s a perfect place to leave your everyday life behind and step into a different age for a few days.
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