Waterford, Ireland’s sunniest city, has a rich heritage

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Waterford is considered Ireland’s oldest city and is located in what is known as the “sunny south east” of the country. It offers visitors a plethora of attractions, from ancient to ultra-modern.

David Rogers, Sales Director for Waterford Treasures, which consists of three museums in the city’s Viking Triangle, said: “Not only do we have the best climate in Ireland, we also offer a centuries-old tour de force of Irish history.”

Here are some of the city’s highlights and a cozy seaside restaurant where you can enjoy local cuisine and discuss the city’s rich historical heritage.

Waterford Museum of Treasures

The following three museums, collectively known as the Waterford Museum of Treasures in the “Viking Triangle” district, are within easy walking distance of the city center.

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Viking Museum

Parts of the old city walls are still preserved and inside is the Reginald Tower, a landmark from the Viking Age from the 10th century. Ireland’s oldest town house has been in continuous use for over 800 years. It was rebuilt by the Anglo-Normans in the 12th century and now houses a special exhibition on the Vikings at Waterford.

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Medieval museum

This museum is the only building in Ireland that houses two medieval chambers, the 13th century Choir Hall and the Mayor’s Wine Vault from the 15th century. It houses a variety of artifacts, from pottery and wine jugs to weapons and jewelry.

Here you will see magnificent 15th century gold robes known as “Heavens” Embroidered Cloths, which were hidden from robbers under floorboards for many years. exquisite gold ring brooches from the 12th century that are used as love tags; an impressive sword and mace that King Edward IV sent to the mayor in 1462; a 1373-foot illustrated Great Charter Roll from Waterford; and a collection of pilgrim badges worn to protect pilgrims on thieves from thieves. Look out for the elegant 22-carat gold jewelry from the 13th century, including rings with sapphires.

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Episcopal Palace

An elegant neoclassical palace from 1743, a multi-level storage space for paintings, crystal, porcelain and furniture from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The collection’s diverse highlights, which can be seen after climbing a gleaming wooden staircase, include gilded wooden mirrors with dragons from a time when Chinese furniture was fashionable and a pair of ‘hucklebuck’ dance shoes that inspired the successful Irish show band- 1960s delusions reflect featured top Waterford groups.

A ‘Dead Man’s Penny’ is a bronze plaque presented to the family by John Condon, the youngest known casualty of World War I, while an 18th-century Cuban mahogany folding dining table made popular pastimes such as dancing and card games possible . play.

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King of the Vikings

For an exciting, nerve-wracking and highly entertaining glimpse into the Vikings’ invasions into what is known as the Vadrafjord (Waterford), visit one of Ireland’s most modern tourist attractions, this virtual reality Viking experience. Housed in a handcrafted Viking house in the ruins of a 13th century Franciscan monastery, this 15-minute technological presentation explains what happened when these Nordic sailors from southern Scandinavia landed on Ireland’s coast.

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Irish Museum of Science and the History of Time

A first for the nation, this museum in Greyfriars Church’s old art gallery will explore the science of time and the 5,000 year history of how the passage of time in Ireland was marked and recorded. Artifacts include grandfather clocks and pocket watches from the 16th century. The exhibition will also examine how traditions, rituals and superstitions of the Irish people “Irish Wake”.

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Irish Silver Museum

Under the watchful eye of Eamonn McEneaney, Director of Waterford Treasures, this attraction in the Deanery Building in Cathedral Square will house a comprehensive collection of Irish silver from the Viking Age to the present day, from urns and rings to candlesticks. Two goldsmiths and silversmiths, Paul and Laura Sullivan, will set up a workshop in the museum selling bespoke wedding rings, such as those used in the ancient marriage of Anglo-Norman nobleman Strongbow and Princess Aoife MacMurrough of Ireland.

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Waterford crystal

One product Waterford is known for around the world is its quality crystal. While the factory has changed hands over the centuries, visitors can still enjoy a guided tour to see their skilled artisans at work. Here, you can watch crystal powder turn into liquid at 1,400 degrees Celsius and admire finished works that range from golf trophies for celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby to sculptures like Viking helmets, harps, eagles, etc. . Gramophones, pianos and violins.

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After so much history hunting and collecting souvenirs, you will be pretty hungry (and thirsty) Azzurro restaurant.

Opened 12 years ago by brothers Adriano Cavaliere and Dario Cavaliere, this charming two-story restaurant is in a picturesque seaside location in Dunmore East, a 20-minute drive from Waterford. Choose an upstairs window table with views of the bay and cliffs and watch waves crash on the beach and seagulls glide majestically over you.

Shiny wood floors, artwork on the walls, hanging chandeliers, and candles on some shelves create a warm, welcoming ambience.

With Dunmore East considered the second largest port in Ireland, the Azzurro specializes in seafood, including the special catch of the day. My companion enjoyed roasted cod with broccoli, pea sprouts, celeriac, mushy peas and fried potatoes with an Italian chardonnay, while I opted for shrimp with tomato and ruccola, lemon and garlic focaccia, which was rinsed off with a glass of Spanish albariño.

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The restaurant is also known for its homemade pizzas, as well as Mediterranean pasta dishes, including my companion’s choice, pasta tagliatelle with zucchini, lemon peel and fresh salmon. It also serves tasty meat dishes like grilled chicken and chorizo ​​with sautéed onions, black olive and garlic salsa, or Angus sirloin steak.

Don’t go without trying the owners’ refreshing Italian ice cream. When you are with a friend or partner, like us you can indulge in a grave sin with malvasia wine and tiramisu. You might be lucky enough to see vanilla wreaths or chocolate toffee walnut cheesecake on the menu.

The family atmosphere in the Azzurro is so cozy, you might even see twin sisters Martha and Bevin as bartenders and waiters. The restaurant also offers al fresco dining with an open terrace overlooking the sea and will host the restaurant in the Bishops Palace.