The History Of Waterford

Founded by Vikings and later earning the nickname Parva Roma ('Little Rome') for its religious devotion, Ireland's oldest city has been witness to many significant historical events. From the marriage of Strongbow and Aoife to the splendour of the Georgian period, and from the first frog to be recorded in Ireland to the invention of the cream cracker, Waterford City: a History documents both momentous events and lesser-known stories. Discover the social and economic history of Waterford, and its notable characters who impacted the local, national and sometimes even the international scene.

Waterford harbour has centuries of tradition based on its extensive fishery and maritime trade. Steeped in history, customs and an enviable spirit, it was there that Andrew Doherty was born and raised amongst a treasure chest of stories spun by the fishermen, sailors and their families. As an adult he began to research these accounts and, to his surprise, found many were based on fact. In this book, Doherty will take you on a fascinating journey along the harbour, introduce you to some of its most important sites and people, the area's history, and some of its most fantastic tales. Dreaded press gangs who raided whole communities for crew, the search for buried gold and a ship seized by pirates, the horror of a German bombing of the rural idyll during the Second World War – on every page of this incredible account you will learn something of the maritime community of Waterford Harbour.