Waterford Hotels

Waterford is the seventh largest city in Ireland and the oldest and is even home to Ireland’s oldest building, Reginald’s Tower. But unlike Cork or Dublin, Waterford is not generally overrun by tourists – unless one of the top festivals is on - meaning you can take in all the attractions without having to jostle for position.

Waterford Port has been one of Ireland’s most important for over a millennium, and a fleet of trans-Atlantic passenger liners steamed out of here for America in Victorian times. Waterford Quay, once termed the ‘noblest quay in Europe’, is a mile in length and still a focal point in the city.

During a trip here you are bound to buy a sample of what Waterford does best - Waterford Crystal – from the House of Waterford Crystal, a reminder of the glass making industry which once flourished here.

Waterford’s Top 10

Waterford Events

The St Patrick Day Parade takes place in Waterford, naturally, on 17^th March without fail every year.

The SPRAOI festival is pronounced ‘Spree’ is organised by a street arts organisation and held in Waterford each summer, attracting huge crowds of up to 80,000.

The Waterford International Festival of Light Opera is a yearly event which is held in the Theatre Royal, and has been since 1959.

The Waterford International Festival of Music takes place in November at the Theatre Royal.

The Tall Ships Festival is held in Waterford with Waterford’s Suir River capable of berthing up to 90 ships. The festival marks the start of the Tall Ships Race but get your place early because last time 450,000 people turned up.

The Waterford Harvest Food Festival is an annual September event at the Quays with a free concert and demonstrations and tastings.

The Imagine Arts Festival takes place in Waterford in October where everyone is invited to partake in a range of art forms with workshops, and an exhibition of upcoming talent.

The Golden Years Festival takes place in the Tower Hotel, Waterford during November and promises an exciting programme of events.

Trad in the Triangle is a new event and a free outdoor concert in Waterford’s Viking Triangle. In Cathedral Square to be exact, during July.

From the 1^st to the 31^st of December Waterford hosts as range of seasonal Xmas events and activities including carol singing, Christmas markets and the red coated jolly gentleman himself!

When to Go

· Waterford is, in common with the rest of Ireland has a temperate maritime climate, which means the weather is mild with no real extremes in temperatures. The warmest months in the year are July and August when Waterford gets more sunny days than the rest of Ireland.

· Temperatures during the summer months reach average highs of around 20°C and lows of 12°C, with winter temperatures dropping to 3°C in January. Colder weather can be expected however with frosts a not uncommon occurrence.

· Waterford gets rain all year round, with the wettest months being October, November, December and January. Always pack a brolly when you come to Ireland.

Getting There

· Waterford is located in the South East of Ireland, easily accessible by air, road or boat. Waterford city is less than two hours’ drive from Dublin on the N7/N9, M50 and N25. The city is also only an hour and a half away from Cork by road. Ferry ports of Cork, Roasslare, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin are also an easy distance from Waterford.

· Waterford has excellent rail connections to Dublin with eight services a day. Plunkett Train station is centrally located too. Waterford City Bus station is in the centre of the city where a number of bus companies operate intercity connecting services, including Bus Eireann.

· By air, Waterford has its own airport which is 20 minutes from the centre from where there are flights to Galway, London, Birmingham, and Manchester.