The Great Port of Waterford

'Waterford Port' by Michael O'Connell

'Waterford Port' by Michael O'Connell (b. 1918)Born in Wateford, a National Teacher and a local landscape painter. Oil on Board

© Waterford City Council

'Waterford Port' by Michael O'Connell
© Waterford City Council

'Waterford Port' by Michael O'Connell

'Waterford Port' by Michael O'Connell (b. 1918)Born in Wateford, a National Teacher and a local landscape painter. Oil on Board

© Waterford City Council

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The Port in Viking Times

Waterford's Port as a trading centre can be dated back more than 1,200 years to the arrival of the Vikings. After years of plundering the coast, the Vikings decided to make a permanent settlement and Waterford was chosen because of its favourable location. About 853 A.D., Sitric a chieftain set up a settlement in Waterford in a fortified encampment – trade from Waterford Port had begun.

View of the Quay from the Ferrybank side of the river

View of the Quay from the Ferrybank side of the river

© Courtesy of the Irish Architectural Archive

View of the Quay from the Ferrybank side of the river
© Courtesy of the Irish Architectural Archive

View of the Quay from the Ferrybank side of the river

View of the Quay from the Ferrybank side of the river

© Courtesy of the Irish Architectural Archive

Enlarge image

The Great Port of Waterford

In 1170 the Normans, lead by Strongbow, captured Waterford. King Henry II took control of the city the following year and many Vikings were expelled. Henry's youngest son John, at this stage king, granted the City its first Charter in 1215. This Charter granted 'the great Port of Waterford' to its citizens. Trade in Waterford Port increased rapidly.

Over the following centuries imports and exports were shipped to and from England and the Continent mostly to Spain, France and Italy. Wine was imported on a large scale by Waterford's merchants from the thirteenth century.

Exports consisted mainly of leather, wheat, flour, butter and other agricultural produce from the area around Waterford. In 1600 Waterford, in terms of trade volume, was surpassed only by Dublin.