Lonely Planet has its say

House of Waterford Crystal has been highly praised in an international publication! Before there was TripAdvisor, or indeed any social media, there was Lonely Planet. The travel guide is still widely considered the King of its genre. So when a place or tourist attraction is listed, the world tends to take note.

Lonely Planet has published an article entitled "15 essential things to do on your Irish holiday." And the iconic Waterford visitor centre is in the mix. House of Waterford Crystal gets a big recommendation. The article says:

During the guided tour, visitors will be taken on a journey of the crystal making process and watch highly skilled artisans excel at the different techniques and tools like glass-blowing to the final engraving. While most of the crystals are made at another location, the high-end signature pieces are created on site. After the tour, grab a bite at the Crystal Cafe or indulge yourself with an afternoon tea to make your trip a little more worthwhile.

About House of Waterford Crystal

The visitor centre is a hive of activity, showcasing the vast and rich history of glass making in Waterford. Waterford Crystal was established in 1783 by George and William Penrose and at its height it employed thousands of people in the local area. The factory shut its doors in 2009 during the recession. A scaled down version was quickly built on the Mall, and now House of Waterford Crystal is a major tourist attraction.

Other Irish attractions listed by Lonely Planet

The list is wide ranging, with the National Leprechaun Museum in Dublin featured, as well as Glendalough, Croagh Patrick, and Spike Island, described as "Ireland's Alcatraz." You can read the full article here.

For more on tourism in Waterford, read here about how it's to become a 'City of Lights' through a Failte initiative.