The name Waterford us derived Old Norse Veðrafjǫrðr, meaning "ram (wether) fjord".

Mesolithic people are known to have been in this area of Ireland some 8,000  to 10,000 years ago. The fine harbors, coastal coves and the navigable waters of the Suir and the Blackwater rivers attracted them.

Between 5,000-4,000 years ago sophisticated tribes who were engaged in agriculture took root in Ireland. During their tenure they built the great megalithic tombs, sixteen of which lie in Waterford.

St. Declan founded his monastery at Ardmore in 416 and was preaching the Christian message before the arrival of St. Patrick. Lismore was a renowned educational establishment which attracted influential figures from all over Europe to study there.

County Waterford is colloquially known as "The Déise", pronounced "day-sha" (Irish: An Déise). Sometime between the 4th and 8th centuries, a tribe of native Gaelic people called the Déise were driven from southern county…