City Guide To: Waterford, Ireland
Stay
Set in the heart of the historic city centre, the four-star Granville Hotel is an elegant retreat to retire to after a busy day sight-seeing. Each of its 100 guest rooms has been individually decorated, and located on Meagher’s Quay, the hotel overlooks the River Suir. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the city’s two cathedrals, too (granville-hotel.ie, from £97 per room B&B). On The Mall, overlooking the marina, lies the centrally located three-star Tower Hotel, (towerhotelwaterford.com, from £97pp DBB). With 132 rooms, guests can relax in the swimming pool before sampling a Guinness in the Adelphi Riverside Bar with its fantastic views over the water.
Eat
he area provides some
fantastic local produce, from the freshest seafood or prime Irish beef. So don’t miss a trip to the multi-awardwinning Munster Room Restaurant at hotel and golf resort Waterford Castle (waterfordcastleresort.com). Set on a private island just outside the city centre, its head chef, Michael Thomas, was named the best chef in Ireland in the 2017 YesChef awards. Savour dishes such as seared scallops and venison loin in the beautiful oak-panelled dining room.
Back in the city, visit French bistro L’Atmosphere (restaurant-latmosphere. com), where you can sample cassoulet with confit duck leg.
Wander
Founded by the Vikings in
the 9th century, Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city. Learn about its fascinating history by exploring the ‘Viking Triangle’, the city’s cultural and heritage quarter and make a beeline for the Medieval Museum (waterfordtreasures.com/ medieval-museum).
And make sure you visit the House of Waterford Crystal (waterfordvisitorcentre.com) where you can see master craftsmen at work, creating the iconic intricate designs.
Appreciate the verdant scenery along the recently opened Waterford Greenway (visitwaterfordgreenway. com), a spectacular 46km trail along an old railway line.