Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

What you will visit:
House of Waterford Crystal
Continue to the House of Waterford Crystal. Completed in 2010, the state-of-the-art center is the home of all things Waterford. Your tour begins with an audiovisual presentation that traces the history of Waterford Crystal from its founding in 1783 by brothers George and William Penrose to the present day. Then it's time to discover the secrets that have made Waterford Crystal a prized possession for over two centuries. The tour includes a reconstruction of the manufacturing process and shows on a smaller scale how the original factory would have worked. The process began with the making of wooden molds and moves to a close-up view of the glass-making process. Each piece is mouth-blown and shaped before entering the furnace. From there, crystal forms are sculpted and then cut and engraved by master craftsmen. A limited selection of the process a recreated here in the House of Waterford Crystal and is observed from close-up viewing platforms. Questions are encouraged and you may photograph the craftsmen at their work. The final tour stop is the gallery showroom, where a crystal chandelier lights up a dining table laden with crystals and ceramics. There is plenty of free time to browse among the world's largest display of Waterford crystal, giftware, craft and jewelry collections.

Lismore (independent exploration)
Nestled in the county of Waterford, Lismore was founded in 636 A.D. and renowned as a seat of learning, Lismore would later be plundered by the Danes, sacked by Vikings, and later, conquered by the Normans in 1172. Today its fascinating history can be explored on a self-guided tour. Maps at the Heritage Center offer suggested walks around Lismore and points of interest. On the outskirts of town is Lismore Castle, one of the most spectacular castles in Ireland.

What you will see along the way:
An approximately two-hour motorcoach drive transports you from Cobh to historic Waterford. Founded in 853 by Vikings, Waterford became southern Ireland's chief seaport, a position enhanced in the 18th century by the city's thriving glass works. Waterford's ancient fortified walls are still visible, as is Reginald's Tower. Originally built by Vikings during the 11th century, the tower was rebuilt by Ireland's Norman conquerors, who transformed a temporary fort into an imposing tower with walls 10 feet thick.

Shopping:
At the completion of the tour, visit the House of Waterford gift shop, where a dazzling number of items are displayed and sold. When you take home Waterford crystal, you take home so much more than a souvenir: each piece is destined to become a family heirloom passed down through the generations.

Snack:
No lunch is provided on this tour. You can purchase (at your own expense) a snack at the cafeteria in the House of Waterford Crystal.