House of Waterford Crystal
A working crystal factory in Waterford’s Viking Triangle where guided tours show every stage of making Waterford crystal, with a store and café.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The House of Waterford is the home of Waterford Crystal in the centre of Waterford city, on The Mall at the edge of the Viking Triangle. Waterford has been associated with fine glass since the 18th century, and the brand traces its origins to 1783. The factory is the place where the company’s hand-cut and sculpted pieces are made today.
The visit is built around a fully guided factory tour of about 50 minutes. Visitors follow the whole production process: the mould room, where master blowers shape molten crystal in wooden moulds, the blowing department with its furnace, six stages of quality inspection, hand marking, cutting, sculpting and the copper-wheel engraving of trophies and limited-edition pieces. Cutters learn each pattern from memory during an eight-year apprenticeship.
The tour ends in a large retail store with a display of the company’s crystal range and an exhibition of golf and world sports trophies. The complex also has a café and a bar, and Waterford Treasures’ Bishop’s Palace and the Medieval Museum are only a short walk away. A joint ticketing arrangement links the factory tour with the Bishop’s Palace.
Highlights
- Fully guided tour of the crystal factory floor
- Mould making, blowing, cutting, sculpting and engraving
- Exhibition of golf and world sports trophies
- Large Waterford crystal retail store
- Joint tour offer with the Bishop’s Palace
Permanent exhibition
- Factory tour and trophy exhibition – A guided tour through all stages of crystal production, followed by a retail store that includes an exhibition of golf and world sports trophies.
- Operated by
- Fiskars
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €18.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €17Students and seniors aged 60 and over |
| Children & teens | €10.50free up to age 4 · Children aged 6 to 18; children under 5 are free. |
| Seniors | €17Aged 60 and over. |
| Students & apprentices | €17 |
| Families | €40.502 adults and 1 child. |
| Family ticket, 2 adults and 2 children | €49.50 |
| Family ticket, 2 adults and 3 children | €58.50 |
| Family ticket, 2 adults and 4 children | €67.50 |
| VIP and private tours | –A private tour with a personal guide must be booked in advance; the price is shown when booking. |
Tickets are for the factory tour. A flexible ticket is valid on any date and time, while a timed ticket fixes a date and time. The store and café can be visited without a tour ticket. A joint ticket with the Bishop’s Palace guided tour is offered.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The site states that it is fully accessible.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €40.50 · 2 adults and 1 child. |
Child and family tickets are offered, and the website has a page of suggestions for families.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Waterford city is served by Irish Rail trains and by long-distance coach services.
By car
Paid parking
Parking is at the Bolton Street car park directly behind the factory; it is pay and display at €1 per hour.
The House of Waterford is on The Mall, about 100 yards from the River Suir and the main quay.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Coat check: not available
- Lockers: not available
The House of Waterford café serves walk-in meals and pre-booked afternoon tea, and there is a bar. The 12,000 square foot retail store offers personalisation and worldwide shipping. There is no luggage storage, and backpacks are not allowed in the factory for safety reasons.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Corporate events are offered; see the corporate page of the website.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photos and filming are allowed on the tour and in the store. |
| Good to know | The factory can be seen only on a guided tour, given in English only. Public tours leave about every 30 minutes on weekdays. Advance booking is not essential. |
