Wonderful Waterford

Neil McAllister enjoys a host of historical and cultural delights in this sparkling Irish port.

- Neil McAllister

Factfile

When the railways adopted standardised time in the 1840s, local clocks ran 25 minutes behind GMT, due to the different time the sun rose and fell locally.

Some of Waterford's ancient lanes were so narrow that sedan chairs were popular transport amongst the rich. Roofs were often open, so wealthy occupants didn't have to bow their heads to servants.

Ballybricken, just outside the old walls, was created for those of Viking ancestry, ejected from the town by the Anglo Norman invaders.

St Patrick's Church holds masses for Polish and both Syrian and Russian Orthodox parishioners.

WHILST Dublin's fair city is Ireland's social and economic hub, Waterford was once the country's most important port.

This heritage has created a fascinating place to visit, filled with beautiful buildings, history, crafts and culture all just a short drive from the UK.

Whilst Stena Line's Fishguard to Rosslare service docks close to Waterford, we chose the Holyhead to Dublin route, as the M9 motorway has created an easy drive from the capital.

Waterford's Norse roots are everywhere, from the defensive walls running through the city centre to Reginald's Tower, which holds the title of Ireland's oldest civic building.

The Vikings arrived in the early 900s, establishing a fortified town beside the River Suir.

The rugged Copper Coast, into which this inlet cuts, is dotted with lovely villages, many of which host pretty fishing coves or Blue Flag beaches.

Built in the early 1700s, the Granville Hotel on Meagher Quay has a history almost a rich as its host city.

The Meagher family made their money trading with Newfoundland, and Thomas Meagher, born in the hotel, went on to be Governor of Montana and pallbearer for Abraham Lincoln.