Waterford is a coastal county that occupies the southern coast of Ireland. There are numerous beaches, cliff shores and many interesting monuments from the Viking times.
The city of Waterford is the oldest in Ireland and was founded in the 9th century by the Vikings at the mouth of the Suir and Barrow rivers into the sea. To this day, the medieval street layout has been preserved, and in the museums collectively called Waterford Treasures one can admire monuments from the early periods of the city's functioning.
For centuries, crystal production has been very important for the city and the entire county. Founded in the 18th century, the glassworks now also has a tourist route, and visitors can learn techniques of making and decorating crystals during the trip.
In the county you can also see other interesting monuments related to the medieval history of the island. There is the Ardmore Abbey with the fifth-century cathedral which is the oldest surviving church on the island. On the western edge of the region, the Lismore Castle rises, which dates back to the 12th century. Today only its gardens are available because the residence remains in private hands.
Waterford Coast is known for its sandy cliffs and numerous beaches. Due to its landscape and natural values, a 25-kilometer fragment of the coast called the Copper Coast has been protected under the UNESCO Geopark.
