Waterford

Waterford (in Gaelic, Port Láirge), city in the southern Republic of Ireland, county borough of County Waterford, on the River Suir, at the head of Waterford Harbour. It is one of the chief seaports of Ireland and the headquarters of an extensive export trade in meat, dairy, and agricultural produce. The processing of foodstuffs, and the manufacture of marine and aviation equipment, sunglasses and lenses, pharmaceuticals, and high quality crystal ware, known as Waterford glass, are also important. Among the landmarks are Reginald’s Tower, on the site of a tower built in 1003; Blackfriar’s Priory (1226); and the Protestant and Roman Catholic cathedrals, both dating from the 18th century.

Settled early in the Christian era, when it was known as Cuan-no-groith, the site of present-day Waterford was occupied in the 9th century by the Danes, who named it Vader Fiord. In the 12th century it was seized by the English. Waterford received its charter of incorporation in 1206. In later times it became an anti-Protestant stronghold. Waterford withstood the forces of the English statesman Oliver Cromwell in 1649, but fell to the Parliamentarians in 1650. James II, King of England, embarked (1690) for France from Waterford after his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne. Population 44,594 (2002).