Hotels in Waterford

Waterford: Ireland's Oldest City on the Suir

Waterford was founded by Viking settlers in 914 AD, making it the oldest city in Ireland. It sits on the south bank of the River Suir in County Waterford, roughly 160 km south of Dublin. The medieval Viking Triangle district contains three major museums within a short walk — the Medieval Museum, Reginald's Tower (built c. 1003), and the Bishop's Palace. Reginald's Tower is the oldest civic urban building in Ireland and houses Viking artefacts recovered from local excavations.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster along The Quay and in the city centre, within a 10-minute walk of the Viking Triangle. Business travellers book here for Waterford's pharmaceutical and technology employment base, while heritage tourists come for the museums and the Waterford Crystal visitor centre on The Mall. The city anchors a broader South East Ireland touring circuit that includes the Copper Coast UNESCO Geopark, 30 km to the west.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Waterford is 2 hours by Bus Éireann from Dublin Busáras; the M9 motorway connects by car in under 2 hours.
• Getting around: The city centre is walkable; the Viking Triangle sites are within 500 m of each other.
• Best time to visit: May–September for the Waterford Walls street art festival, held annually in summer.
• Currency: Euro (EUR); card payments accepted widely.