It was constructed as part of the defensive wall that ringed the city. In 1649, Waterford was attacked by the army of Oliver Cromwell, but he failed to capture the city. This was fired during the Parliamentary siege in 1650. In 1185 Prince John of England landed in Waterford and organised the rebuilding of the city walls, including the tower. It is the oldest civic building in Ireland and it is the only city monument in Ireland to retain a Norse or Viking name. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the tower was used to store ammunition. They returned in 1650, and this time they were successful. In 1495, the towers cannons successfully deterred the forces of Perkin Warbeck, the pretender to the throne of Henry VII. A similar cannonball is on display on the top floor of the tower. It was part of the ancient city walls of Waterford and could be considered the apex of a triangle formed by three structures Turgesius Tower on Barronstrand Street, St. Martins Castle on Lady Lane, and Reginalds Tower at the quay and the mall. The cannon ball on display is a twin to a ball still lodged in the exterior stone wall. Bars can still be seen on some of the windows that were added to make the tower secure during its time as a local jailhouse for petty criminals and drunkards. Reginalds Toweris Waterfords landmark monument and Irelands oldest civic building. The distinctive coins had the phrase Civitas Waterford on one side. It reveals detailed insight into the walled city of Waterford, Irelands oldest city. During lockdown the Waterford Great Parchment Book (1356-1649) was chosen for inclusion in the prestigious Irish Script on Screen project and now all 450 pages are available worldwide on www.isos.dias.ie. In the guide below, youll discover everything from opening hours and admission to what to see inside Reginalds Tower in Waterford. Check out the magnificent treasures of Viking Waterford including the 9th-century sword and weapons from a warrior's grave. One of the big attractions of Reginalds Tower is the sheer volume of things to discover that live within its walls. Youre just 5 minutes walk from Gradys Yard for cask ales and snacks. Reginald's Tower is named after the Viking who founded Waterford in 914 and is home to an exhibition of stunning Viking Treasures. Below, youll find a handful of things to see and do a stones throw from Reginalds Tower (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!). It is located in the area of Waterford Viking Triangle in the centre of Waterford city. Dating back tot he 12th century, it is made of copper alloy. In its lengthy history, Reginalds Tower has been used as a watchtower, mint, prison, munitions store, royal castle (visited by King John in 1210) and an air raid shelter. The current tower is thought to have been constructed between 1253 and 1280. The first tower was constructed by the Vikings in 914AD when they sailed in and formed a trading centre and settlement. It was installed in 1819 when the tower was used as a prison. Reginald's Tower: find the cannonball - See 646 traveler reviews, 302 candid photos, and great deals for Waterford, Ireland, at Tripadvisor. These gaming pieces would have been used in a Viking board game called hnefatafl which was similar to chess. In 1649, Waterford was unsuccessfullybesieged by the army of the English parliamentarian Oliver Cromwell. Tower is not without its scars, and if you look high on the tower to the right hand side of the entrance you can see a cannonball deeply embedded into the stone. The playing pieces and the dice were usually carved from animal bone, antler or wood.The game was played on the pegged board to prevent them moving when played while sailing in rough seas! A cannon from this ship was recovered from the River Suir in 1901. It has been in continuous use for over 800 years. Reginalds Toweris the first in the chronological series of Waterford Treasures Museums and one of the key visitor attractions in Irelands Ancient East. Disclaimer | Reginald's Tower is a historic tower in Waterford, Ireland. Norman invaders attacked the city in 1170. This cannonball dates to the Cromwellian attacks on Waterford in 1650 and is now displayed on the top floor of Reginald's Tower. This was the first successful use of artillery by an Irish city. It is located at the eastern end of the city quay. Pause to admire Van der Hagens painting View of Waterford and dont miss the fantasy shell grotto and Meaghers elaborate Staff Sword. It is the oldest civic building in Ireland and it is the only city monument in Ireland to retain a Norse or Viking name. During the Second World War it was an air raid shelter. Glamping Hostel Look carefully at the external wall of the tower and youll see a cannon ball embedded in the stone. A Viking longship is kept outside Reginald's Tower. It is the oldest civic building in Ireland and it is the only city monument in Ireland to retain a Norse or Viking name. It might be Ragnall mac Gillemaire, the last Norse ruler of the town. This was fired during the Parliamentary siege in 1650. he historic Reginalds Tower is a landmark in Waterford City and its one of the better-known sites in, Plan Your Perfect Ireland Itinerary (Without The Stress) With Our Handy 4 Step Guide, Renting a car in Ireland: An Easy-To-Follow Guide For 2023, How To Get Around In Ireland: The Pros + Cons To Cars, Tours and Public Transport. This was a marriage that would irrevocably change the course of the history of Ireland. Parking is available on the Quays, the Mall and Bolton Street car park. Bars & Nightlife A replica Viking longship is exhibited beside Reginald's Tower. It quickly developed into an . The walls are 3m wide at the base, tapering to 2m at the top. Early History Once described as a massive hinge of stone connecting the two outstretched wings of the city this tower has never fallen into ruin and has been in continuous use for over 800 years. The story of Reginald's Tower begins with the Viking adventurer Regnall who constructed a defensive base [known as a Longphort] where the tower stands today. They returned in 1650, and this time they were successful. The current tower is believed to have been constructed between 1253 and 1280. The city was enclosed on two sides by rivers at that time, making it easy to defend. Address: The Mall, Waterford, Co. Waterford, Ireland. The tower now houses an exhibition on Viking Waterford and is managed by the Office of Public Works. Cannons from the tower sank one of his ships during an 11-day battle. It is also very close to the historic French Church. Slightly less than two centuries later, it fell to Old Ironsides to disprove this motto, when he and his men successfully sacked the city in 1650, following an abortive attempt the year before. [5] This victory earned the city its motto Urbs Intacta Manet - "Waterford remains the unconquered city". Family: 13.00. In 1495, the towers cannons successfully beat off the forces of Perkin Warbeck, the pretender to the throne of Henry VII. In 1649, Waterford was attacked by the army of Oliver Cromwell, but he failed to capture the city. Its site is strategica rise on the banks of the Nemunas River near its confluence with the Neris River. Get the latest updates, events and offers directly in your inbox. 100%! A cannonball, visible high up the wall on the north side of the building, is lodged firmly in the wall, and is said to be from this siege. Among the artefacts are those discovered during a dig at nearby Woodstown by the River Suir in 2003. The tower has been in use for many centuries and is an important landmark in Waterford and an important part of its medieval defence. The tower's name seems to refer to one of the many Viking rulers of the town that bore the name. We expected to see beautiful vintage Waterford crystal and lovely furnishings, which we did, but the historical displays of Irelands role in WWI and Waterfords role in the Easter Rising were most enlightening. Cathedral Square, The Viking Triangle, Waterford, X91 K10E, Ireland, King Of The Vikings, Bailey's New Street, Waterford, Ireland, Reginald's Tower, The Quay, Waterford, Ireland, Welcome to the Treasures of Viking Waterford. In 1649 it survived an attack by Oliver Cromwell but was defeated when he returned in 1650. [4] In 1185 Prince John of England landed in Waterford and organised the rebuilding of the city walls, including the tower. Re-built by the Anglo-Normans in the 12th century the top two floors were added in the 15th century. While it was unusual for Norsemen to utilise stone as their primary building material, recent archaeological excavations have indicated that quite a number of the defences in the city were made from stone prior to 1170 (the year of the Norman invasion). Beaches Thank you to the wonderful staff! [11], In 1690, following his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne, James II of England is said to have climbed to the top of the tower to take a last look at his lost kingdom before embarking for exile in France. In the early 19th century it was a prison. From time to time the tower was used as a royal castle. The cannonball that is to this day lodged in the towers north side is believed to have been from this siege. Adult admission is 5 with special rates for seniors, children and families. Reginalds Tower has models of Waterford showing how the streets were laid out in Viking times. Reginald's Tower: find the cannonball - See 646 traveler reviews, 302 candid photos, and great deals for Waterford, Ireland, at Tripadvisor. The tower's name seems to refer to one of the many Viking rulers of the town that bore the name. At that time, Reginalds Tower was a lookout tower and stronghold. The Irish Wake is a celebration of life, which evolved from the ancient Celtic wake. From models of ancient Waterford and a cannonball to artifacts, a Viking sword and more, theres plenty to keep you occupied. The cannonball dates from the siege of Waterford by the army of Oliver Cromwell in 1650. It would have had a leather or cloth backing attached to the collar through the holes around the rim. [9] It occasionally served as a royal castle, and was visited by King John in 1210, who ordered new coins to be struck there. It is the only urban monument in Ireland to have retained its original Norse/Viking name. It is also known as the Ring Tower. Later, the sacking of the tower by Cromwell and his men would mark a pivotal point in the towers history. Reginald's Tower: find the cannonball - See 646 traveller reviews, 302 candid photos, and great deals for Waterford, Ireland, at Tripadvisor. Other wonderful features to discover include: Phone: +353 (0)761 102501 Take the spiral stairs up and en route see the remains of a 19th century prison cell, artefacts from Waterfords Viking history, and the sword of the Chief Constable whose family were the last residents of the tower. They provide an overview of the city around 1050AD and again about 150 years later. Celtic Routes It is also famous for being the location of the wedding of Richard de Clare, the second Earl of Pembroke, and Aoife (pronounced eefa), daughter of Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster. This sword was found in a grave along with other weapons and tools, including the warriors honing stone which was used for sharpening his sword. On two floors are housed one branch of the Waterford Museum of Treasures, concentrating on the towns thrilling Viking heritage. Reginalds Tower is Waterfords landmark monument and Irelands oldest civic building. Today, it is the largest of the six surviving towers, which are considered the best examples of medieval urban defence in Ireland. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In the section below, weve popped in the most FAQs that weve received. It is 42 feet in diameter with a cone-shaped roof. Restaurants It is located in the area of Waterford Viking Triangle in the centre of Waterford city. Reginald's Tower was built at the tip of that city wall by the Anglo-Normans after their conquest of Waterford, sometime during the 12th century. The dog collar is the oldest such piece in Ireland and is extremely rare. It is located in the area of Waterford Viking Triangle in the centre of Waterford city. It was part of the defensive city walls that surrounded the city. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. It is also known as the Ring Tower. [8] It sometimes was a royal castle and was visited by King John in 1210, who ordered new coins to be made there. It has displays of many items uncovered during an archaeological dig at Woodstown, 5km upriver, in 2003. Set in a purpose-built stone building, it incorporates the 13th century Choristers Hall and the 15th century Mayoral Wine Vault. Group bookings and information are possible via email. Step inside Irelands oldest civic building. Reginald's Tower was built by the Normans when they came to Waterford. All of the staff are welcoming and wonderful. Highlights include unique woven silk vestments from Bruges and Waterfords Great Charter Roll of 1373, among other historic treasures. [10], In 1649, Waterford was besieged by the army of the English parliamentarian Oliver Cromwell, but he failed to capture the city on that occasion. [7] It was strategically located on the high ground between a branch of St. John's River on the southeast (since drained, and now known as the Mall) and the River Suir to the north. A nice tower in a nice historic city. Today, it is the largest of the six surviving towers, which are considered the best examples of medieval urban defence in Ireland. He used the tower to store his munitions. It might be Ragnall mac Gillemaire, the last Norse ruler of the town. Richard II visited the tower in 1394 and again in 1399. The door has some impressive hinges and clasps and an arched shape to fit the doorway. It is closed for Christmas from the 24th December until the 6th January inclusive. Viking Waterford The Vikings traded using silver pieces. Reginald's Tower has been used over the years as a fortress, an arsenal, a prison, a mint and . Today, Reginalds Tower is home to the Waterford Viking Museum, where you will find fascinating and well-curated exhibits covering its history, including the Normans and famous figures such as Strongbow and Cromwell. The current tower is believed to have been constructed between 1253 and 1280. Cycling Reginald's Tower is a historic tower in Waterford, Ireland. Just steps from Reginalds Tower, McLearys Restaurant offers alfresco dining and tasty cuisine. The tower's name is derived from a form of the Irish name Raghnall. On the only rainy day of our visit, the Bishops Museum was the perfect place to spend a couple of very worthwhile hours. [5] The other surviving towers are the Watch Tower, Double Tower, French Tower, Semi-Lunar Tower and Beach Tower.[7]. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The first tower was built by the Vikings in 914AD. Check out the Viking weight dating back to around 850AD. As of September 2016 the opening times are from January through to Early March: Wednesday Sunday 9.30 17.00; Late March until Mid-December:Daily 9.30 17.30. Kilmacthomas It is located in the area of Waterford Viking Triangle in the centre of Waterford city. The visit includes Reginald's Tower first mentioned in 1088, Greyfriars Medieval Franciscan friary 1240, Choristers' Hall 1270, the Mayor's Wine Vault 1448, the Bishop's Palace 1743 and if there is not a church service in progress then Christ Church Cathedral 1783 is also included. The models clearly show how the Viking Triangle got its name. Display of Irish silver freely donated by Irish silver collectors. They are known as stumble steps. We also were glad we went to the Bishops Palace which is not at all what we thought it would be. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Reginald’s Tower worth visiting?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"100%! They returned in 1650, and this time they were successful. B&B A Viking longship is kept outside Reginald's Tower. The Reginald's Tower is the largest collection of medieval walls and strongholds in Waterford, located just 45 minutes from Gold Coast Golf Resort Hotel. Blackwater River Valley Cannons from the tower sank one of his ships during an 11-day battle. It was continuously inhabited right up to 1954, when the last tenant left and the tower was then reconfigured into a museum. There is a spiral staircase within the thick walls - these are 10 feet wide at the base, going down to 7 feet at the top. The tower has been in use for many centuries and is an important landmark in Waterford and an important part of its medieval defence. The tower has been in usage for different purposes for many centuries and is an important landmark in Waterford and an important remnant of its medieval urban defence system. Contact +353 (0) 51 304220 or e-mailreginaldstower@opw.ie. E-mail:reginaldstower@opw.ie An average visit lasts for approximately 60 minutes, with last admissions being 30 minutes before closing. Reginald's Tower: Cannonball stuck in the wall - See 647 traveler reviews, 302 candid photos, and great deals for Waterford, Ireland, at Tripadvisor. The tower's name is derived from a form of the Irish name Raghnall. [6] The other surviving towers are the Watch Tower, Double Tower, French Tower, Semi-Lunar Tower and Beach Tower.[8]. It is the only structure in all Ireland that has a Viking name. The tower has been in usage for different purposes for many centuries and is an important landmark in Waterford and an important remnant of its medieval urban defence system. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the tower was used to store munitions. Reginalds Tower. [1] Contents [ hide ] The tower has been in use for many centuries and is an important landmark in Waterford and an important part of its medieval defence. Last admissions are 30 minutes before closing (prices may change). Reginalds Tower was probably named after a local Viking ruler Raghnall Mac Gilla Muire which was anglicized and shortened to Reginald. Walking / Hiking / Trails History Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Reginald's Tower was once described by the famous Irish patriot Thomas Francis Meagher in 1843 as being . In 1690, following his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne, James II of England is supposed to have climbed to the top of the tower to take a last look at his lost kingdom before embarking for exile in France. Cannons were positioned to fire on ships on the River Suir. The historic Reginalds Tower is a landmark in Waterford City and its one of the better-known sites in Waterfords Viking Triangle. [6], The tower is 54 feet high; its horizontal cross section is circular. Things to Do It continued to be lived in until 1954 when the last person left and the building was turned into a museum. In 1463, coins were minted in Reginald's Tower by order of the Irish Parliament, which, at that time, was meeting in the city. It continued to be lived in until 1954 when the last person left and the building was turned into a museum. Some of the greatest Viking treasures in Ireland are on display inReginalds Tower, including the stunning Kite Brooch, the Viking Warriors sword, dog collar and the decorated face weight. In 1185 Prince John of England landed in Waterford and organised the rebuilding of the city walls, including the tower. On 27 July 1399 Richard left Reginald's Tower as King of England and Wales; on his arrival in England he was captured by the future Henry IV and forced to abdicate. It is the oldest civic building in Ireland and it is the only city monument in Ireland to retain a Norse or Viking name. It is also very close to the historic French Church. Kaunas Castle is a medieval castle in Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania.Archeological evidence suggests that it was originally built during the mid-14th century, in the Gothic style.