Waterford

Names prominent in this county include: Aylward, Barron, Brick, Brien, Crotty, Croty, Dennehy, Foley, Geary, Grath, Harper, Henebry, Henebry, Kean, Keane, MacGrath, MacGrath, McGrath, Merry, Neil, O'Brick, O'Brien, O'Crotty, O'Croty, O'Flahavan, O'Flannagan, O'Kean, O'Keane, O'Merry, O'Mullany, O'Neil, O'Neill, O'Phelan, Ormond, Ormonde, Phelan, Power, Sherlock, Wadding, Wall, Wise, Wyse

A city as well as a county, Waterford was once part of the historical kingdom of Munster. Lying just to the south of Tipperary & Kilkenny, Waterford’s many bays --especially Waterford harbor-- have always been the gateway of change. Originally inhabited by Celtic sun worshippers --some translations of Waterford’s early name suggest that it was known as The House of the Sun or the Haven of the Sun-- St. Declan founded a monastery & preached in Waterford in the 7th century. Roughly two hundred years later the Danes invaded --doubtless drawn by the easy access offered by Waterford’s many navigable rivers & the wealth of Ireland’s monasteries-- & founded a permanent settlement. After the trauma of the Viking invasions --& King John’s Wars-- had passed Waterford became a haven for the Cistercians fleeing continental persecution. Today Waterford is still famous for its salmon. - notes by Sarah Nagle

One of a series of Irish District tartans designed (and copyrighted) by Polly Wittering of the House of Edgar in 1995. This is not an 'officially sanctioned' District tartan but has proven popular.