Waterford

The city's Hiberno-Norse or Viking Age defences feature prominently in Gerald of Wales' account of the Anglo-Norman capture of the city in 1170.

He tells us that Raymond Le Gros, an Anglo-Norman knight who commanded the besiegers, noticed "a small building" (possibly a look-out tower) "overhanging the city wall supported on the outside by a beam. He sent armed men to cut down the aforesaid beam. When it had been cut down, the building immediately collapsed, and with it a considerable part of the wall. The invaders rushed into the city and won a most bloody victory".

Within a few decades of the Anglo-Norman invasion a major wall building programme was begun. King John extended the city to the west with at least three new gates being built on the circuit before 1212. Murage Grants were given to the Corporation during the 13th century giving it permission to collect special taxes for the building and repair of the city walls.

In the late 12th and 13th centuries the suburbs were occupied by the Anglo-Norman settlers. By the end of the middle ages a complete circuit of stone walls and towers existed. However even when the suburbs were enclosed the line of wall and gates which divided the old Viking city from the Anglo-Norman suburbs remained intact, acting throughout the medieval period as a double line of defence.

Developments in warfare towards the end of the 15th century resulted in the building of additional fortifications and the modification of existing structures to enable them to accommodate cannon. So well fortified was Waterford in 1495 that it successfully defended itself against an artillery attack by Perkin Warbeck.

As the use of cannon became more widespread and sophisticated, town walls, like the castles of the great lords became redundant.

In the late 17th and early 18th centuries the medieval gates to the city were seen as a hindrance to development. the destruction of the city's gates began as early as 1695. By 1705 the wall running along the Quays was demolished. Fortunately six towers and large sections of city wall remain to remind us of a lost age of chivalry.

Today Waterford is still one of the premier ports in the country. Much of the city’s architectural heritage has survived and is being restored for future generations to enjoy. The centuries old glass making tradition is still practised in the city. Waterford’s past is therefore more than just history it is a living tradition, for this is a city where people continue to live in the shadow of ancient city walls and practise trades that have been perfected by their forefathers for centuries.

For more information on Waterford, please visit the city's own website.