Waterford is a city in County Waterford in the south-east of Ireland. When it comes to Ireland’s dramatic scenery. This place has its natural beauty to offer. It is located on the southeast coast of Ireland, a 2-hour drive from the capital of Dublin. Waterford is a laid-back, under-the-radar city and county with an amazing festival calendar, peaceful beaches, and one of the country’s best rail lines for bike riding.
Here are the Best Attractions in Waterford to Visit
1. House of Waterford Crystal
House of Waterford Crystal is located in the center of Waterford City. This house allows visitors to witness the creation of crystal stemware, giftware, and masterpieces. The house has a unique and captivating experience of the factory tour. Visitors can witness every stage of production, from the initial design stage to the final engraving of the piece. House of Waterford Crystal melts down over 750 tonnes of crystal. The factory was founded in 1783. However, this House of Waterford Crystal provides a fascinating glimpse into the workings behind the famed glassworks that put the city on the manufacturing map.
2. Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens
Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens is five minutes from the beach in Tramore. It is a tribute to the life of a local writer, Patrick Lafcadio Hearn. Every garden contains elements of the style and planting traditions of the countries that played a part in Hearn’s life. Such as an American Garden, a Greek Garden, and a Victorian Garden. Representing his childhood summers in Tramore. Lafcadio Hearn was famous in Japan for his literary descriptions of the country’s people culture, and children. In particular, entranced by his fairy tales and folklore. However, Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens is a unique garden, that visitors can explore.
3. Curraghmore House and Gardens
The inherited home of the 9th Marquess of Waterford. Curraghmore House and Gardens near Portlaw is Ireland’s largest private demesne. With over 2,500 acres of formal gardens, woodland, and grazing fields. This historic property and its grounds are fun to explore. Visitors can find stone-arched King John’s Bridge. That is the oldest bridge, built in 1205. Here one can find the country’s tallest tree, a huge stika spruce dating from the 1830s. There is a Shell House constructed in 1754. This house hosts a music festival during the August bank holiday.
4. The Copper Coast Geopark
The Copper Coast Geopark is a 25-kilometre stretch of spectacular coastline containing scalloped beaches and coves enclosed by rocky headlands. This place gets its name from the 19th-century copper mines hidden below ground. Currently, the destination is UNESCO Global Geopark. The park extends along the Waterford coastline from Fenor in the east to Stradbally in the west and up to Dunhill in the north. Visitors can take the audio tour around Annestown, trail cards can be printed. They can even download to their phone for self-guided tours of Annestown, Boatstrand, Bunmahon, Dunhill, Fenor, and Stradbally.
5. Mount Congreve Estate
Mount Congreve Estate is known as the Great Gardens of the World. It was built in 1760. This property covers 75 acres, which includes huge woodlands and the property’s crown jewel. It’s a beautiful four-acre walled garden. There is also a walled garden just outside Waterford City in Kilmeaden. Where visitors can find more than 3,000 species of trees, shrubs, thousands of rhododendrons, camellias, conifers, and climbers. They can even explore the Chinese Pagoda, an attractive classical temple. There is a Georgian-era glasshouse built in 1840, and a delightful rock waterfall and cascades.
6. Lismore Castle Gardens and Heritage Centre
Situated beside the River Blackwater, approximately 70 kilometers from Waterford. The scenic heritage town of Lismore is a great day trip from Waterford. Even after the Lismore Castle is a private family home. Visitors can enjoy and explore the beautiful Lismore Castle Gardens. They can enjoy wonderful views of rolling, wooded hills to the Knockmealdown Mountains beyond. Lismore Garden sits on the outskirts of the heritage town of Lismore with its picture-perfect streets steeped in stories. It was built by monks and plundered by Vikings. Make sure to visit The Lismore Experience at Lismore Heritage Centre for an award-winning presentation narrated by Niall Toibin.