Waterford & THE SOUTH EAST OF IRELAND A Cruise Destination of Excellence 200 Years of Craftsmanship 1000 Years of history
The Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre and Factory Tour will re-open in an evocative 200 year old building in the heart of Waterford City s Historic Quarter. RE-OPENING 2010
Marketing Potential to Passengers The Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre and Factory Tour is the must-see attraction of Waterford and the South East of Ireland. Renowned the world over for its luxury lifestyle brand the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre and Factory Tour will re-open in an evocative 200 year old building in the heart of Waterford City s Historic Quarter, where once Viking longships moored. Waterford City, Ireland s oldest city and home to numerous historic buildings and museums, has been the historic home of crystal production in Ireland s for over 200 years. Waterford and the South East region promises a wonderful opportunity to experience the country s unique heritage, vibrant cities, towns and villages set in a spectacularly stunning landscape. Waterford and the South East region promises a wonderful opportunity to experience the country s unique heritage The South East is also home to many of the world s finest gardens Variety of Excursion Options Waterford offers cruise passengers an option that no other Port in Ireland can, a short drive to the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre and Factory Tour, where one can marvel at master craftsmen transforming molten glass into works of art. This can be accommodated on a variety of stimulating half day or full day excursions while still leaving time for passengers to choose additional shore excursions. The historic South East region, dotted with medieval castles and monasteries offers an unrivalled visitor insight into this ancient and mysterious landscape. Geographically compact and linked by five great river systems the region boasts a comprehensive range of attractions which allows innovative handling agents to offer an extensive range of authentic cultural experiences. New attractions include the Ros Tapestry and Wexford s stunning Opera House, home to its prestigious Festival. Ireland s Celtic, Christian, Viking, and Norman past can be experienced at the many heritage sites located in the South East: from the Dunbrody famine ship in New Ross, County Wexford, to the mighty Rock of in Tipperary to the award winning Museum of Treasures on Waterford s ancient quayside or the magnificent Kilkenny Castle, to name a few. The South East is also home to many of the world s finest gardens, including, Mount Congreve ranked in the World s Top Ten - Castle Gardens, JF Kennedy Park Arboretum, Johnstown Castle Gardens, Woodstock Gardens beside the beautiful village of Inistioge, setting of many films. Renowned as the Sunny South East, Waterford s comparatively milder and sunnier climate makes Waterford ideal for shoulder season visits. Our suggested tour stops and excursion routes will introduce you to many of the region s most scenic locations, traditional villages and some hidden gems.
Waterford and the South East of Ireland for the connoisseur of elegant living A variety of Shore Excursions are available to choose from. The menu below offers a range of attractions to suit all passenger tastes and the corporate style tour group. All major attractions are within a comfortable one hour s drive. Please see below our half day [3 and 4 hour] and full day shore excursion sample menu below. Half Day Sample Menu AM (4 HRS) Celebrated Crystal and Stylish Dunmore Historic Waterford Rail and River A Lot Less Walking Tour City, Coast and Country CRYSTAL TREASURES MUSEUM NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY City Overview City Drive City Drive & Walk City Drive Copper Coast and Harbour Drive DUNMORE S HISTORIC QUARTER Suir Valley Drive Copper Coast Half Day Sample Menu PM (3 HRS) Abbeys & Valleys Just Picturesque Pub & Panorama Sail and Stitch DUISKE ABBEY INISTIOGE VILLAGE Kennedy Park 3-Masted FAMINE SHIP JERPOINT ABBEY Famine Ship Ros Tapestry Irish Pub BOLD type indicates a VISIT. For information on all attractions please see Appendix 1 Hj^g Kennedy Park Hj^g TIPPERARY Gardens TIPPERARY Woodstock Hj^g TIPPERARY Duiske Abbey Jerpoint Abbey ROS TAPESTRY Cosy IRISH PUB WOODSTOCK GARDENS River Barrow Drive Hj^g Narrow Gauge Railway Hj^g Suir Valley Drive Hj^g TIPPERARY TIPPERARY Hj^g Hj^g TIPPERARY Drive Country
Full Day Sample Menu Elegant Waterford and Golden Vale Kilkenny - Ireland s Medieval Capital High Notes and High Masts CRYSTAL CASHEL of the Kings, CITY & CASTLE TOWN & OPERA HOUSE HISTORIC CITY CASTLE (Lunch) DUNMORE Vee Mountain Pass Castle - Photo stop Copper Coast Scenic Drive Waterford City River Valley Drive 3-Masted FAMINE SHIP Kennedy Park PANORAMA WEXFO Waterford Castle NE The Vee Hoo Castle Copper Coast River Valley Drive Kilkenny Castle NE Hoo LKENNY Kennedy Park Famine Ship Wexford Opera House BOLD type indicates a VISIT. For information on all attractions please see Appendix 1
Cruise ship Rotterdam at the Belview Cruise Berth, Waterford. PORT OF Waterford offers three berthing and one anchorage options - dependant on size of ship. There is a City Centre location, a middle port location at Belview and an open sea location at. BELVIEW PORT CITY QUAYS (NORTH) DUNMORE
APPENDIX 1 Alphabetical Order Shore attractions - Waterford and the South East in a nutshell CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL A glory of Georgian architecture. This is the third church on the site since 1096 and it was here that Henry II was received in 1171 to proclaim with Papal approval the Norman invasion of Ireland. EDMUND RICE INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE CENTRE Experience this new interactive museum and visitor centre dedicated to Edmund Rice the founder of the Christian and Presentation Brothers. HOOK LIGHTHOUSE Hook Lighthouse is a unique example of an almost intact medieval lighthouse. It dates from the early 13th century and was a major feat at the time of its construction. KENNEDY PARK PANORAMA Magnificent view over south east Ireland, trace its verdant river valleys ringed by distant mountain ranges. CASTLE Set in extensive parkland, yet city centre. Beautifully restored and furnished in style. DUISKE ABBEY Cistercian abbey from 12th century and still a church in living faith crowns Graiguenamanagh - a pretty riverside village on the Barrow. DUNMORE EAST Considered by many as Ireland s most scenic and quaint coastal village. Elegant, picturesque fishing and yachting centre with many pristine thatched cottages, secluded coves and sandy beaches. INISTIOGE VILLAGE A noted setting for films Circle of Friends and Widow s Peak and seeing it you will know why. IRISH NATIONAL HERITAGE PARK A visit to the Irish National Heritage Park is a historical adventure; explore 35 acres of a remarkable heritage trail featuring a Ringfort, Crannogs, a Viking House and a Norman Fortification. CITY AND COUNTY The Medieval Capital of Ireland and now one of the most popular and bustling tourist centres in the country; boasting Kilkenny Castle & Design Centre, Rothe House, St Canice s Cathedral the Walking Tour of Kilkenny, Jerpoint Abbey and Woodstock Garden and Arboretum. LISMORE CASTLE Fairy tale setting overhanging the salmon-rich river Blackwater. Irish seat of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
MOUNT CONGREVE GARDENS Mount Congreve is a beautiful eighty acre garden consisting of extensively planted woodland, 2,000 different rhododendrons, magnolia walks, a Camellia collection and a Georgian green house. NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY Delightful and tranquil route through rolling countryside, by the great gardens of Mount Congreve and the mighty river Suir. THE ROCK OF CASHEL One of Ireland s greatest medieval religious sites. Dramatic setting on rocky outcrop in the Golden Vale. COUNTY TIPPERARY Home to Ireland s iconic Christian monument, the Rock of and also features Cahir Castle, the Swiss Cottage, and the Vee Mountain Pass. CASTLE Exclusive par excellence on a private island in the river Suir. Elegant throughout with a richly paneled dining-room, fit for Lords and Ladies! CITY Ireland s oldest City offering a wealth of history and culture - most of Waterford s famous landmarks are located within walking distance of the city s quays and one of the most significant is the Viking fortification, Reginald s Tower. Shopping in Waterford is lively and varied with sophisticated high fashion boutiques, interesting antique shops, craft studios and high street fashion outlets. ROS TAPESTRY Takes up Norman invasion of Ireland where Bayeux tapestry covered the Norman conquest of England. SCENIC DRIVES Magnificent views of Mountains, Rivers and Coast Views can be seen on The Copper Coast, The Vee, the Comeragh Mountains and the River Nore and Barrow Drives. TRADITIONAL PUBS Ireland is famous for its cosy, atmospheric country-style pubs where you can relax for ever well nearly! We have a number we can suggest. TREASURES MUSEUM Honoured as Ireland s best city museum 2009/10. Vibrant and informative with many varied and priceless exhibits illustrating the history of Ireland s oldest city from its Viking foundations to the present. WALKING TOUR OF Walk back 1,000 years on Ireland s most famous city tour with a historian and master storyteller on the multi award winning tour. THE CRYSTAL VISITOR CENTRE AND FACTORY TOUR Home of the legendary brand and the largest collection of this sought-after crystal in the stunning showrooms and gallery.
APPENDIX 1 continued HISTORIC QUARTER Waterford City s Historic Quarter also known as the Viking Triangle is an area bordered by the River Suir and the Mall. Here are located buildings spanning 1,000 years of Waterford history Reginald s Tower, Christ Church Cathedral, Bishop s Palace, medieval Franciscan Friary, medieval undercrofts, the Theatre Royal and the City Hall which all form an architecturallyimpressive historic quarter. OPERA HOUSE Newly built, a treasure in the town, a towering tribute to this unique, welcoming place, and its Festival. Many a world-famous opera star has first trod the boards in Wexford. TOWN Viking origin but since has become a cosy and quaint harbour side town best known for its hugely successful Opera Festival and birthplace of Commodore John Barry, founder of US Navy. WOODSTOCK GARDENS An inspiring experience, tree-lined avenues, walled gardens, varied shrubs and flowers grace a truly beautiful elevated location overlooking the Nore valley and Inistioge, the film village. 3-MASTED FAMINE SHIP A full size replica of the 3-masted barque Dunbrody, built 1845, which plied the Atlantic westbound with emigrants from the famine and eastbound with timber. Did President Kennedy s great grandfather sail to Boston in this ship.
Activities and Special Interest GOLF The golfing highlights of the region are the Mount Juliet Golf Resort (host course of the American Express WGC in 2002 and 2004) and Faithlegg Resort (host course of the PGA Irish Ladies Open 1999 and 2000) and Waterford Castle. CRAFT Nicholas Mosse Pottery, Bennettsbrie, Kilkenny. This water-powered factory includes a visitors area, shop, decorating studio and small museum. COOKERY SCHOOLS Join award-winning Chef Paul Flynn at his Tannery Cookery School in Dungarvan with cookery courses for everybody - improve home cooking skills, a short cookery course with friends or a tailored course to suit a corporate event or visit the Dunbrody House Cookery School, Co. Wexford where master chef Kevin Dundon caters for all levels from budding enthusiasts to the experienced gourmet.
Contact Details Capt. Philip Cowman Harbour Master Waterford Port Tel: 00 353 51 301401 Mobile: 087 259 8297 E-mail: pcowman@waterfordlolo.com Gary Breen General Manager Fáilte Ireland South East Waterford Tel: 00 353 51 875823 Email: gary.breen@failteireland.ie FI_20770_09 Additional information and full itinerary planning support is available at any time from the above contacts. For further detail on the South East of Ireland please visit www.discoverireland.ie/southeast SOUTH TIPPERARY