Waterford, Ireland Attractions

In 1170 Strongbow took the town, and it became second in importance only to Dublin among Anglo-Norman strongholds. Waterford remained loyal to England well into the 19th C. and it was in recognition of this loyalty that in 1487 Henry VII granted the town the motto "Urbs intacta manet Waterfordia" because of its support for him in opposing rival claimants to the throne. In 1649 Cromwell was forced to abandon the siege of Waterford, but it was taken by his forces in the following year. Forty years later, after first supporting James II, it surrendered to William III.

There are still many houses in the town dating from about 1800, when the glass industry was in its heyday. Particularly in the street called "The Mall" there are a number of Georgian houses and the town has a full complement of hotels, restaurants and pubs.

From the bridge over the Suir the street known as the Quay - successively called Merchants' Quay, Meagher's Quay and Parade Quay - runs along the south bank of the river for 0.75mi/1.2km. Most of the principal sights of Waterford can be seen by going down various streets and lanes opening southwards off the Quay.