Waterford

Understand

The River Suir is tidal here, and navigable by sea-going craft. This attracted the Vikings, who settled in 853 and called it Veðrafjǫrðr, the rams' fjord. They were ousted by the native Irish in 902 but returned and held on from 914. This precedes Dublin's settlement in 988 so Waterford is Ireland's oldest city. Its landscape is dominated by walls and fortifications from the Anglo-Norman period, and architecture of the 18th century when it grew rapidly as a port. The Suir was bridged in 1793 but the city remained on the south bank: a strip along the north bank has the railway station and suburb of Ferrybank, then the boundary with County Kilkenny.

Get around

Walking is generally the best option. The area of interest is compact, and you should avoid bringing a car into the centre. thumb | 300px | Bishop's Palace By bus: Bus Éireann operate five city routes, which start from the Quays near the Clock Tower. See the bus network map, but in summary: W1 loops clockwise via Cork Road, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ballybeg, Cannon Street and back to the Quays, every 20-30 min. W2 loops anticlockwise via Cannon Street, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road and back to the Quays, every 20-30 min. W3 runs south to St Johns Park every 20-30 min. W4 runs west via Peter Street to Browne's Road every 30 min. W5 shuttles cross-town between University Hospital in the east, the Quays, and Oakwood in the west, every 30 min.

Bus Éireann also run the hourly Bus 360 / 360A to Tramore from the bus station.

The fare within the city (as of July 2025) is €2 adult and €1 child by cash, or €1.55 adult, 65c child by Leap Card.

In addition Kavanagh Coaches run buses between the housing estates, college and shopping centres.

Taxi: fares are nationally regulated and taxis must use the meter. As of 2025, fares M-Sa 8AM to 8PM are €4.40 flagfall then €1.32 per km. 8PM to 8AM and Sunday is €5.40 flagfall then €2.20 per km.

Operators include Rapid Cabs +353 51 858585, Waterford Taxi +353 51 331033, and Newtown Taxi +353 89 220 9682

The ferry to Little Island may only be used by guests of the hotel (see Sleep) or clients of resort facilities e…

Do

thumb | 300px | WSVR halt at Mount Congreve What's on? Listen to WLR FM on 95.1 MHz or Beat 102 103 on, yes you guessed; or read Waterford News & Star, Munster Express or Waterford Today. Epic Walking Tour is led by the museum. It starts from Bishop's Palace and lasts an hour, with three walks daily, adult €10, child free. Cinema: is on Patrick St, is 500 m south on Poleberry Link Rd. is a pleasant green space just south of the smaller river. Gaelic games: the County GAA plays hurling and Gaelic football at , on Keane's Road 1 km southwest of city centre. Its capacity is expected to increase to 14,000 in 2025. There's a secondary home stadium in Dungarvan. Football: Waterford FC play soccer in the Premier Division, the Republic's top tier. They play at the (capacity 5150) on Tramore Rd 1 km south of town centre. The playing season is March-Nov, with most games Friday evenings. is north bank of the river on Newrath Road. White tees 5636 yards, par 71. Deise Greenway is a 46-km walking and cycling route along an old railway track. It heads west from Waterford along the south bank of the river, alongside the WSV Railway as far as Kilmeadan. It continues west cross-country then turns south to the coast at Dungarvan. Altogether Now is a modern music festival held on Curraghmore Estate over the three days of the early August holiday weekend. It's Ireland’s largest independent festival and won the IMRO 2024 Festival of the Year award.

Buy

The main retail mall is a block back from the Quay.

Eat

A blaa is a floury bread bun unique to this region; see County Waterford#Eat. Walsh's Bakehouse and Hickey's Bakery still produce blaas in Waterford by the traditional method, as does Barron's Bakery in Cappoquin near Lismore. Peppers is an Indian restaurant within Granville Hotel at 61 Merchant's Quay.

Drink

thumb | 300px | The city at night

Tom Maher is at 20 O'Connell St next to Garter Lane Arts Centre. Tully's is opposite Tom Maher at 37 O'Connell St. is at 56 Ballybricken off Patrick St. The Gingerman is at 6 Arundel Lane by the shopping centre. is at 18 William St. Phil Grimes is at 60 Johnstown near the Odeon.

Sleep

thumb | 300px | Waterford Castle Hotel

Stay safe

Standard advice about road safety and avoiding drunks. The city centre is safe day and night, and the revellers are noisy rather than threatening.

Connect

As of July 2025, Waterford and its approach roads have 5G from all Irish carriers.

Go next

Along the coast nearby are the resorts of Dunmore East and Tramore; further west is the "Copper Coast" towards Dungarvan. The Comeragh Mountains form the border with Tipperary to the northeast, similarly the Knockmealdown Mountains northwest. They're scenic and easy to access. Cahir, across the mountains in County Tipperary, has a river-island castle and the playful Swiss Cottage. Inistioge is a picture-postcard village north in County Kilkenny.