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Waterford City Centre/Ballybricken
About Waterford City Centre/Ballybricken
Steeped in history, Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city and is earmarked for exciting major development and investment over the next five years as the city prepares for the redevelopment of the North Quays. This project will include the construction of a significant retail centre, offices, a 200-bed hotel and conference facility and 200 apartments. A new sustainable bridge over the River Suir will connect the site to national railway and bus routes and to the scenic Waterford Greenway.
Waterford city centre boasts a bustling retail area, various hotels and restaurants and a historic cultural quarter, popular with locals and tourists alike.
The area has extensive transport links with Carlow, Kilkenny and Dublin, with daily train services from Plunkett Station and bus services from the station on the quay – both within walking distance from the city centre.
The city’s largest IDA industrial estates are well connected to the area via bus. Here multinational organisations and larger local business employ over 20,000 workers.
The area has an extensive number of apartments and houses, retail units, hotels, and restaurants and is perfect for those who want to be right in the centre of everything.
History and Culture
As Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford boasts over 1,000 years of rich history. Viking raiders first established a settlement near Waterford in 853. They left a considerable mark on Waterford, evident in the spectacular Reginald’s Tower – named after Viking ruler, Ragnall, who resided there during the 10th century. The tower is a tourism hot spot, and the surrounding area an important cultural and recreational centre.
Close by, the Medieval Museum is home to many important artifacts and treasures, including the Great Charter Roll of 1373, which depicts Waterford as it was in the medieval ages, and the Cloth-of-Gold vestment, woven in Florence, embroidered in Bruges, and finding a home in Waterford. Adjacent is the Bishop’s Palace, an elegant townhouse where you can discover another age of Waterford, the Georgian period.
At the heart of Waterford is the world-renowned Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre. Since 1783, the crystal was created in the city and has a reputation for artistry around the globe. A limited amount is still blown in Waterford but the visitor centre is very popular with visitors from around the world.
Education
St Angela’s Secondary and Primary Schools offer education to girls from junior infants to 6th Class.
De La Salle College accommodates over 1000 boys and Waterpark College is a co-educational secondary school. Both schools are located on the Park Road in the city along with their primary school equivalents.
Newtown School (secondary and primary), welcomes students of all religious backgrounds and those of none.
The Presentation and Our Lady of Mercy secondary schools are catholic girl schools.
St. Paul’s Community College and Abbey Community College are co-educational, inter denominational secondary schools.
Gaelcholaiste Phortlairge is an Irish-speaking secondary school on the outskirts of the city. Its primary feeder school is located close by.
Dine and Drink
Waterford City, described as ‘foodie heaven’ has a large choice of award-winning restaurants, bars and cafes.
The Apple Market area of the city is a lively destination for a night out. Geoff’s is a long-established pub serving bar food. Heery’s and the Kasbah are lively music venues popular with students and younger revellers.
Emiliano’s Italian Restaurant is renowned for its lively Italian waiters and good quality Italian fayre. Pizza and pasta are firm favourites here.
Momo Restaurant on Patrick Street offers the best in international cuisine. Kyoto brings Japanese and Asian cuisine to the heart of Waterford.
Burzza is famous for quality burgers and pizza.
For coffee lovers, Arch Coffee is the destination of choice.
