Did you know? Waterford is famous the world over for its crystal expertise! It has to be said that the city knows how to handle this material with brio, creating vases, chandeliers, glasses and other artistic objects of great finesse.
Their pieces are so beautiful, they can even be snapped up at impressive prices! To celebrate this expertise, the town has opened the House of Waterford Crystal.
It’s an establishment/museum, fully open to visitors, where Ireland’s finest crystal pieces are made!
A crystal piece from the Waterford House of Cristal – Bro. Jeffrey Pioquinto, SJ – cc
The House of Waterford Crystal is the official home of Irish crystal! Here, in the heart of the town of Waterford, you can discover the secrets of crystal manufacture, as well as the ancestral methods used to work this exceptional material! Mouth-blown and shaped by hand, each piece is unique and close to perfection!
To better understand this art, a local guide will be happy to explain how the house works, from the repatriation of the raw material to its transformation into a luxurious object. You’ll learn all about the various stages of design, right up to the point of sale.
The explanations are fascinating, fun and interactive. You’ll even have the chance to watch a craftsman at work on his crystal, to get a better idea of the difficulties involved! The demonstration is magnificent, and will capture the attention of the whole family.
At the end of the tour, you can buy crystal objects: chandeliers, vases, carafes, glasses… There’s no shortage of objects to work with here! But don’t forget your wallet: the items sold on site aren’t really given away, but they’ll make fantastic souvenirs to take home with you… as long as you’ve got something to protect them on the journey home! (Crystal is infinitely fragile).
Want to extend your visit without having to rush around? Here are a few well-located places to stay near the must-see attractions.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
The Mall, Waterford (County Waterford) - Republic of Ireland
52.259275, -7.106729
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