Waterford

Waterford, county, Republic of Ireland

Waterford (wô`tərfərd), county (1991 pop. 91,624), 710 sq mi (1,839 sq km), S Republic of Ireland. The county seat is the port town of Waterford. Although the terrain is largely hilly, there are lowlands in the east. Principal rivers are the Blackwater, the Bride, and the Suir, which forms most of the northern boundary. The coastline, on the south, is indented by Dungarvan Harbour and Waterford Harbour and by Youghal Bay and Tramore Bay. The county has much farming and grazing land; dairy and beef cattle and sheep are important. Fishing, food processing, tanning, toys, and glassmaking are other industries. Waterford was rebellious under English domination, notably in the latter part of the 16th cent., when it suffered severely during the revolt of the Desmonds.

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Waterford, town, Republic of Ireland

Waterford, town (1991 pop. 41,853), seat of Co. Waterford, S Republic of Ireland, on the Suir River near the head of Waterford Harbour. The port town is a center for the export of fruit, meat, and the famous Waterford crystal. Other industries are fishing, food processing, and the manufacture of footwear and fertilizers. The making of crystal and glass, predominant in the 18th cent., died out in the mid-19th cent. but has since been revived. Established very early as a walled Danish settlement, Waterford was taken in 1170 by Richard, earl of Pembroke, who used Reginald's Tower (built 1003; still standing) as a fort. King John granted the first charter in the 13th cent. In 1618 the charter was withdrawn because the people refused to accept the religious supremacy of the king of England. Waterford was besieged by Oliver Cromwell in 1649 and taken by Henry Ireton in 1650. The area contains remains of 13th-century Franciscan and Dominican foundations that were suppressed in the 16th cent.; there are also Protestant and Roman Catholic cathedrals. Waterford is the seat of the united Protestant dioceses of Cashel, Emly, Waterford, and Lismore and of the Roman Catholic dioceses of Waterford and Lismore. St. John's College is a Protestant theological seminary.

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Waterford, town, United States

Waterford, town (1990 pop. 17,930), New London co., SE Conn., on Long Island Sound; settled c.1653, inc. as a separate town from New London, 1801. Mainly residential, it has some publishing and other light industry; commercial and sport fishing are also prevalent. The Millstone Point Nuclear Power Station, completed in 1969, serves Waterford's electric needs as well as a larger New England area. An annual conference for playwrights and a summer music festival are held in the town.

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Waterford

1. a county of S Republic of Ireland, in Munster province on the Atlantic: mountainous in the centre and in the northwest. County town: Waterford. Pop.: 101 546 (2002). Area: 1838 sq. km (710 sq. miles)

2. a port in S Republic of Ireland, county town of Co. Waterford: famous glass industry; fishing. Pop.: 44 594 (2002)