The City of Waterford is deeply associated with many wonderful things. We are Ireland’s Oldest City founded by the Vikings in 914AD.
We are associated with some of Ireland’s most historic events, The Norman Invasion, The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife, The unconquered city during the Cromwellian Invasion of Ireland.
Our deep-rooted association with maritime history and we are the city where the Tricolor was flown for the first time by Thomas Francis Meagher.
Our history and the life of Waterford City is however probably best known for a product that is loved the world over, our amazing and beautiful Waterford Crystal.
It is an awe-inspiring product that is owned and wanted by people across the globe. A name associated with luxury, beauty, quality and light.
The beautiful crystal glass that grasps the imagination and engulfs your senses. Waterford’s association with crystal is so deep that we have become known as The Crystal City.
With a history of fine glassmaking spanning nearly 250 years, it is one of Waterford’s most precious commodities.
Now located in the heart of Waterford Viking Triangle surrounded by wonderful museums, historic buildings and ancient Norman walls, you are surrounded by our cities outstanding history.
The House Of Waterford Crystal is a must see for anyone visiting Waterford. With wonderful tours of the new state of the art showrooms and factory, your imagination will run wild.
The showrooms contain the finest of Waterford Crystal with traditional and modern products on offer.
You will find something to bring home and love forever. You can even purchase new and wonder items from the new jewelry range.
It all started in 1783 when George and William Penrose founded their business producing fine crystal that soon became world famous.
They had a large town of gifted craftsmen at their fingertips.
These craftsmen comprised of blowers, cutters and engravers produced some of the most beautiful crystal glass the world had seen. Their factory operations were run by Mr John Hill.
John Hill was a gifted glass manufacturer. He was the man who held crystals greatest secrets. Hill was the chief compounder and knew the secret mineral mix of the glass.
Hill was also responsible for polishing the crystal, making it clear and giving the crystal its sought-after luminescent appearance.
Hill would eventually pass on his method and secrets. Waterford was soon on the world stage exporting to international markets.
After the death of William Penrose, the company was taken over by James Ramsey, Ambrose Bancroft and Jonathan Galchell who held the secret of the glass compound mixture, he was to go on to become the sole owner of the glass right up until his death in 1823.
His son George would eventually take over the glass company with the help of advisors. Unfortunately, the company was to close in 1851.
After World War II Charles Bacik arrived in Waterford from the Czech Republic and opened a glassworks in Ballytruckle. Waterford. Charles travelled to Europe to gather a team of the continents finest craftsmen.
Eventually, these exceptionally gifted craftsmen would go on to train local people from Waterford in the skilled craft of crystal making.
Miroslav Havel was one of those men, he was from the Czech Republic and he revived designs from the original Penrose Waterford Glass Works.
The company was taken over in 1950 and moved to a new site in Johnstown Waterford where under the guidance of Joseph McGrath, Richard Duggan and Spencer Freeman.
In 1979 Waterford Crystal took over John Aynsley and Sons LTD and renamed the company Aynsley China LTD.
The 1970’s saw Waterford Crystal in high demand throughout the world and to meet the rising demand they established the factory at Kilbarry, Waterford and another factory in Dungarvan, County Waterford.
Waterford Crystal saw a decline in the 1980’s due to the recession but recovered with the help of investors. During the 1990’s Waterford Crystal also expanded into the world of celebrity with world-famous designers such as John Rocha and Jasper Conran designing extremely successful ranges for Waterford Crystal.
Waterford Crystal makes an appetence on the world stage every year in Washington DC on Saint Patrick’s when the President of the United States is presented with a bowl of shamrock in a magnificent Waterford Crystal Bowl.
You will see Waterford Crystal every New Year’s Eve in Times Square, Waterford Crystal designs the world famous Drop Ball.
The majestic chandeliers that hang in Westminster Abbey in London are Waterford Crystal. Countless trophies and awards are designed and produced by Waterford Crystal including Volvo Ocean Challenge and National College Football Championship Commission WC.
For people from Waterford, it is our go-to gift for all occasion and appears in our families homes all over the world.
In 2009 it was announced that the Waterford Wedgwood LTD was in receivership. The factory at the Kilbarry location was closed.
In 2010 WWRD groups holdings who own Waterford Crystal, Royal Dalton and Wedgwood signed an agreement with Waterford City Council to open the House of Waterford Crystal factory and showrooms we see today on The Mall, Waterford, however major glass production was moved to other parts of Europe.
WWRD was bought by Fiskars Corporation in 2015.
The state of the art House of Waterford Crystal factory and showrooms you see today is absolutely magnificent.
Its outstanding facilities and location in the heart of Waterford offers easy access to visitor and customers.
You will take a tour of the factory and see the historic crystal making process and see many of the specialist pieces that are famous throughout the world.
The House of Waterford Crystal offers a unique shopping experience with all ranges on offer, with prices to suit all buyers. There is a wonderful café on site and a showroom is disability friendly.
We advise that you book your tour of the House of Waterford Crystal online so as you are not disappointed as this is a very busy visitor location.
The House of Waterford Crystal also ships to the United States and throughout the world.
This is a wonderful visitor experience that will not disappoint. You will see different eras in the history of Waterford Crystal and how this wonderful product helped to shape the city of Waterford.
For tour information and pricing please visit www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com