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the primary city of the South East region of Ireland, and the fifth largest in the country. The population of the city in is around 49,000. Founded in 914 AD, by the Vikings, it is Ireland's oldest city.
Industry
Waterford is synonymous with Waterford Crystal the world over, a legacy of one of the city's most successful and enduring industries, glass making. Glass, or crystal, has been manufactured in the city since 1783.
Geography
The River Suir flows through Waterford city and Waterford Port has been one of Ireland's major ports for over a millennium.
History
The Vikings first established a settlement at Waterford in 853. Waterford and all the other settlements were abandoned in 902, when the Irish drove out the Vikings However, in 914 the Vikings re-established themselves in Ireland at Waterford and built what would be Ireland's first city. In 1137, Diarmuid MacMorrough, King of Leinster, failed in an attempt to take Waterford. He returned in 1170 with Norman mercenaries took Waterford after a desperate defence. This established the Anglo-Normans into Ireland. In 1171, Henry II of England landed at Waterford and Waterford and Dublin were declared royal cities. Throughout the medieval period, Waterford was Ireland's second city after Dublin. In the 15th century Waterford repelled two pretenders to the English throne: Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck. After the Protestant Reformation, Waterford remained a Catholic city and participated in the confederation of Kilkenny - an independent Catholic government from 1642-49. This was ended abruptly by Oliver Cromwell, who brought the country back firmly under English rule; his nephew Henry Ireton finally took Waterford in 1650 after a major siege. The 18th century was a period of huge prosperity for Waterford. Most of the city's best architecture appeared during this time. In the 19th century, great industries such as glass making and ship building thrived in the city. In July 1922, Waterford was the scene of fighting between Irish Free State and Irish Republican troops during the Irish Civil War.
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