Waterford

Port and county town of County Waterford, in the southeast of the Republic of Ireland, on the River Suir; population (2002) city 44,600. It is a major distribution centre, and container traffic is important. Industries include bacon, flour-milling, brewing, paper and board, pharmaceuticals, furniture, and electrical equipment. The factory producing handmade Waterford crystal glass (34% lead content instead of the normal 24%) was opened in 1783 and closed in 1851. It reopened in 1951, and is now the city's largest employer.

History Danes founded Waterford in the 9th century, and much of their material culture has survived. In 1170 the city was wrested from them by Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke and Striguil. Henry II visited Waterford the following year. King John landed here in 1205, and again in 1211. Waterford received its first charter from him in 1205. After the Battle of the Boyne, James II sailed for France from Duncannon Fort on the Wexford side of Waterford Harbour, and William III sailed from there to England. In 1650 Waterford was taken by the English general Henry Ireton. Waterford was the second most important Anglo-Norman stronghold after Dublin, and was noted for its consistent loyalty to the English crown through to the 17th century.

Features Fragments of two portions of the old city walls remain, both from the Danish occupation and that of the Anglo-Normans, notably Reginald's Tower, traditionally dating from the 11th century, and a number of well-preserved Norman towers. There are remains of the 13th-century Greyfriars Monastery, and Blackfriars, a Dominican monastery founded in the city in 1226. The city has Protestant and Roman Catholic cathedrals: the Church of Ireland (Protestant) Christ Church Cathedral stands on the site of an earlier Danish foundation of 1050, and the present structure dates from 1773; the Catholic cathedral dates from 1796. St Olaf's Church was founded by the Danes in the 11th century, and was restored during the 18th century. Other notable 18th-century buildings include the City Hall. St John's College seminary (founded 1871) contains an important collection of early manuscripts and books. A bridge connects Waterford with the suburb of Ferrybank on the north bank of the River Suir, which has an estuary in common with the River Barrow.

Waterford

Town in New London County, southeast Connecticut; population (1990) 17,900. It is situated on Long Island Sound to the west of New London. It is largely residential.

Waterford

Town in Oakland County, southeast Michigan; population (1990) 66,700. It is located 11 km/7 mi northwest of Pontiac. The many lakes in this affluent residential suburb afford varied recreational facilities and provide settings for a number of summer camps. The Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area lies to the southwest.