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The Bishop’s Palace Museum
Waterford City, Co. Waterford
Family friendly
Rainy days
Visit the Bishop’s Palace Museum and view its fine display of Waterford treasures. Enjoy a wonderful insight into the history of what was, up until the 1750s, Ireland’s second city.

Discover the Bishop’s Palace Museum in Waterford City. Experience life in the 18th century in this fun museum and take a family-friendly tour with costumed guides who remain enthusiastically in character throughout.

Check out the intriguing artefacts, well-preserved period furniture, beautiful fireplaces and a collection of rare paintings. Explore the special floor of the museum dedicated to extraordinary stories specific to Waterford like the Ballybricken’s pig markets, Waterford’s Home Rule history and historical tales of households in the city.

See the Penrose Glass Decanter, the oldest surviving piece of Waterford Crystal, which dates back to 1789 and admire unique treasures, such as the only surviving Bonaparte 'mourning cross' (one of 12 produced upon Napoleon Bonaparte’s death in 1821).

Enjoy the latest in technology with the 4D ‘Masterpieces in Glass’, a journey into the history of glass making in Waterford, tracing the history and culture of glass making in the city from the Penrose family in the 1700s to modern day.

Visit the crystal master craftsman and watch him creating engraved pieces of crystal before your very eyes. He will also talk about the superb 911 piece that he created which was presented to the NYFD. The craftsman will also point out the memorial in the Bishop’s Palace garden with the only piece of the Twin Towers given to any other country by the NYFD.

Why we like it
  • Explore Waterford's history through the centuries.
  • Enjoy tours with guides in character and in costume.
  • See the oldest piece of stunning Waterford Crystal.
  • Admire the only surviving Bonaparte 'mourning cross'.
Tips from locals

You’ll find great value and convenience opting for a Combination Ticket to include the Medieval Museum, Bishop's Palace, The Irish Silver Museum and The Irish Museum of Time, ask at the reception for more information on this great deal.

Tips from locals

The Epic Walking Tour leaves from here twice daily taking you through a thousand years of history in a thousand paces around the Viking Triangle.

Contact details
The Mall, The Viking Triangle, Waterford, X91 E279, Ireland
Visit duration

We recommend planning to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour here.

More to discover at The Bishop’s Palace Museum
City breaksReginald's Tower

Discover Reginald's Tower in Waterford City. This monument has played a pivotal role in the country's history and has an in-house exhibition of Waterford treasures and Viking heritage.

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