Reginald's Tower

Welcome to Waterford, the oldest city in Ireland, founded by Viking raiders in the year 914 AD. You are standing before Reginald's Tower, the city’s most iconic landmark and the oldest civic building in the country. …

Stand here at the base of the tower and look up. The first thing you will notice is the sheer thickness of the walls—nearly six feet of solid stone and mortar at the base. …

As you enter the ground floor, you step into the heart of the Viking Museum. The atmosphere changes immediately; the air is cooler, and the thick walls muffle the sounds of the city outside. …

Now, we begin the ascent. As you climb the spiral staircase, pay close attention to your feet. …

We emerge from the stairwell into the first upper level. You will immediately notice how spacious the room is, a stark contrast to the narrow stairs. …

We reach the highest accessible level of the tower. This would have been the most secure part of the building, often reserved for the commander or the storage of the city's most valuable treasures. …

Exit the tower and walk a short distance to the magnificent wooden carving known as the 'Dragon Tail Sword' or the 'Waterford Viking Sword.' This is the longest wooden sword in the world, carved from a single piece of Douglas…

As we stand once more at the base of Reginald's Tower, we reflect on the incredible endurance of this structure. For over a thousand years, it has been the silent witness to the evolution of Waterford. …