The New York Times has named Waterford among the top places to visit worldwide in 2024. The New York Times' annual '52 Places To Visit' list ranked Waterford 30th - on a wide-ranging list covering areas in Australia, Cambodia, and across the world. The report singled out amenities such as the Copper Coast, Mount Congreve, and the Waterford Greenway.
Sara Dolan, Commercial Director at Mount Congreve Trust and Waterford Treasures says, "When I saw it coming through I was numb with excitement. To garner this attention is great for Waterford. Domestic business is very important to us, but it is essential to draw international spending into the city and county. For a Waterford person who might think they want to go further afield, they might now be more inclined to stay in Waterford and spend locally."
Ireland's former ambassador to the United States has commended Waterford for being recognised as one of the top places to visit in 2024.
Serving as Ireland’s 18th Ambassador to the United States until his retirement in 2022, Waterford native Daniel Mulhall says he loves to spend his retirement in his home county.
"Now that I'm retired I'm able to spend a bit more time in Waterford which is great, I also tweeted this morning about Waterford being chosen by the New York Times as one of the 52 places you have to visit this year and I'm sure alot of my followers in the US probably have been to Ireland many times, but not Waterford because they go to the West of Ireland as they have their routes there rather than here."
Senator Cummins, who represents Waterford, said: “This is great news for the county and the entire region. Huge credit must go to Waterford City and County Council who had the vision over the past decade to invest heavily in Waterford’s tourism offering, developing state-of-the-art museums like Bishop’s Palace, Museum of Treasures, the Silver Museum, and the Museum of Time which explore the rich history of the city since its foundation in 914AD.
“An innovative virtual reality experience and a refurbished Reginald’s Tower which is managed by the OPW have also added to the offer.
“The council was also instrumental in bringing the House of Waterford Crystal into the city centre in 2010, following the closure of the factory on the Cork Road, a move that ensured the history and heritage of such an iconic brand was maintained in Waterford.
“In more recent years the Waterford Greenway was developed linking Waterford city to the picturesque town of Dungarvan along the disused railway line and the latest in a long list of multi-million euro investments has been the reopening of world-renounced Mount Congreve House and Gardens which got a €7 million revamp.
“The amazing scenery on offer from the Comeragh Mountains to the breath-taking Copper Coast, coupled with our beautiful towns and villages give all visitors something to see, while festivals such as Winterval, Spraoi, West Waterford Festival of Food, Comeragh’s Wild and Waterford Walls amongst many more bring great vibrancy throughout the year.
“This news reinforces the designation a couple of years ago by the Irish Times that Waterford was the best place to live."
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