Step back over a thousand years as you stroll through Waterford’s Viking Triangle—a compact and historic district that marks the very birthplace of Ireland’s oldest city. Founded by Norse settlers in 914 AD, this area is packed with ancient buildings, cobbled streets, and tales of longboats, warriors, and early urban life in medieval Ireland.
The walk is easy and leisurely, weaving past three national museums and centuries-old structures including Reginald’s Tower, which still stands sentinel at the edge of the River Suir. Originally built by the Vikings and later rebuilt in stone by the Normans, it’s the oldest civic building in Ireland that has been in continuous use. Just a few steps away, you’ll find the elegant Bishop’s Palace, showcasing treasures from the 18th century, and the Medieval Museum, where original cloth-of-gold vestments and Viking swords await.
But the magic of the Viking Triangle lies not just in its artefacts, but in the atmosphere. The narrow lanes, preserved city walls, and ancient foundations beneath your feet all whisper stories of raiders turned settlers, traders turned townsfolk. It’s a place where Ireland’s layered history is etched into the very streets—a living museum under open skies, and a must-see stop in Waterford.
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