Christ Church Cathedral is Ireland's only neoclassical Georgian cathedral. Designed by local architect John Roberts, it was built on the site of an 11th-century Viking church, where the historic 12th-century marriage of Strongbow and Aoife took place. The rather grim highlight is the 15th-century tomb of James Rice, seven times Lord Mayor of Waterford: sculpted worms and frogs crawl over the effigy of his decaying corpse.
Christ Church Cathedral
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
28.15 MILES
Ireland's second-largest medieval cathedral (after St Patrick's in Dublin) has a long and fascinating history. The first monastery was built here in the…
27.64 MILES
Rising above the River Nore, Kilkenny Castle is one of Ireland's most visited heritage sites. Stronghold of the powerful Butler family, it has a history…
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20.31 MILES
This fortified Augustinian monastery is the best sort of ruin, where you can amble around whenever you like, with no tour guides, set hours or fees. Most…
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0.02 MILES
Housed in a stunning modern structure that incorporates several medieval buildings and part of the city wall in its basement (all on display), this museum…
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0.05 MILES
This large modern complex combines a retail shop and cafe with a factory offering a 90-minute tour that shows how world-famous Waterford crystal is…
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12.08 MILES
On its southern tip, Hook Head is capped by the world's oldest working lighthouse, with a modern light flashing atop a 13th-century tower. Access is by…
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17.52 MILES
One of Ireland’s finest Cistercian ruins, Jerpoint Abbey was established in the 12th century, with the tower and cloister dating from the late 14th or…
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25.65 MILES
Parading peacocks guard the splendid 19th-century Johnstown Castle, the former home of the once-mighty Fitzgerald and Esmonde families (the estate was…
Nearby attractions
0.02 MILES
Housed in a stunning modern structure that incorporates several medieval buildings and part of the city wall in its basement (all on display), this museum…
0.04 MILES
The Bishop's Palace, a Georgian mansion dating from 1741, covers Waterford's history from 1700 to 1970 and displays a wide-ranging selection of city…
0.05 MILES
This large modern complex combines a retail shop and cafe with a factory offering a 90-minute tour that shows how world-famous Waterford crystal is…
0.06 MILES
Waterford's stately City Hall (1788) was designed by local architect John Roberts.
0.1 MILES
Ireland's oldest complete building and the first to use mortar, 13th-century Reginald's Tower, the city's key fortification, is an outstanding example of…
0.2 MILES
The sumptuous interior of the city's Roman Catholic cathedral has a carved-oak baroque pulpit, painted pillars with Corinthian capitals and 10 Waterford…
0.23 MILES
In the middle of Waterford's waterfront stands an 1860s clock tower, a famous local landmark.