Quality of Life
Waterford City is unique in that it offers an "urban" experience with a rural and coastal environment on its doorstep. The River Suir which runs parallel to the main shopping area in Waterford City features three marinas, the coast is only 10km away and the Comeragh Mountains 25km. The retail experience in Waterford City offers a wide range of choice from boutique stores to international chains with plenty of coffee shops and cafés to stop in along the way.
The City and its environs offer a variety of leisure or sporting activities including golf, horse riding, swimming, sailing, surfing to name but a few.
For those with a love of culture Waterford City hosts a number of festivals throughout the year including Spraoi, the Sean Dunne Literary Festival, the Imagine Arts Festival, and the Waterford Film Festival. The City is also rich in architectural heritage which is celebrated annually as part of the John Roberts Weekend.
'...Waterford is one of those places where scraping the surface reveals numerous delights. Behind those ... quays lies a complex of narrow lanes, first formed in medieval times, and many grand examples of Georgian town planning in the shape of sturdy townhouses and elegant municipal and ecclesiastical buildings. There's a lively night life here too with plenty of enjoyable bars, as well as decent cafés and restaurants'.
'The City possesses an outstanding museum in the shape of Waterford Treasures on Merchant's Quay, which houses an abundance of relics, dating right back to the Viking period.' The Rough Guide to Ireland