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Known as the Crystal County, Waterford is famous for its glassware, synonymous with the Waterford Chrystal Factory. Besides this the county boasts some stunning coastline, while the city of Waterford holds a rich maritime heritage.
Situated on the south coast, Waterford is bordered by Cork to the west, Tipperary to the north and the River Suir to the east. The main hub of the county is Waterford City with a population of 44,155. Waterford is Ireland's oldest city and was founded by Vikings in the 8th century after they took over the Irish settlement of Port Lairge and renamed it Vadrafjord, establishing a key port on the banks of the River Suir. This was later renamed Waterford after the Anglo-Normans took over in the middle ages.
Along the southern coast of Waterford are some picturesque fishing villages, like Dunmore East and Passage East, while the town of Tramore is one of Ireland's largest seaside resorts. Close to the Cork border is the historic town of Dungarvan, while outside the town is the wild and rugged Ring peninsula, one of Ireland's Irish speaking or Gaeltacht regions.
Along the borders with Tipperary are the Comeragh and Monavullagh Mountain ranges and the Blackwater Valley, where St Carthage established a monastic settlement at the pretty town of Lismore in the 7th Century.
Waterford's famous sons include, Thomas Meagher, the Irish Patriot who conceived the Irish national flag, the Tricolour, singer songwriter Val Doonican, physicist Robert Boyle, famous for Boyles law and contemporary magician Keith Barry.
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