Waterford Crystal Factory, Waterford

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Waterford Crystal is now located in the heart of Waterford city and consists of a brand new manufacturing facility, visitor centre and retail outlet. Visitors can enjoy all aspects of the manufacturing process through the factory tour, which contains a brand new continuous melt tank furnace producing two tones of molten crystal every day. During the tour you will see the magic of the skilled master blowers, cutters, sculptors and engravers creating Waterford Crystal’s range of premium products. The retail centre has the largest display of Waterford Crystal anywhere in the world, with some of their famous sporting trophies on display

The Waterford Crystal factory closed down over a year ago and most of the glass is now manufactured in Poland to reduce labour costs.

However, two weeks ago a new visitor centre opened in the City Centre on the Mall. It is stunning and well worth a visit. Here you can see most of the things you used to be able to see in the old factory, including the cutting and blowing of glass.

Specially commissioned pieces of glass are still made here at the Waterford centre.

I HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM IRELAND AND A MUST DO WAS TO VISIT THE WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY. WHILST THE TOUR WAS VERY INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE I WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN I CAME TO PURCHASE AN ITEM FROM THE GIFT SHOP. I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO BUY SOMETHING THAT WAS SMALL AND WITHIN MY PRICE RANGE THAT WAS ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED IN IRELAND. ALMOST EVERYTHING WAS PRODUCED IN EUROPE. TO ME THIS DID NOT HAVE THE SAME APPEAL AS ONE ASSOCIATES WATERFORD CRYSTAL WITH IRELAND NOT EUROPE

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The tour is certainly informative and you see all phases of the process, starting with the wooden molds for tools and ending with the polishing. You get quite close to the workers to see what they're doing.

The tour groups are quite large, however, about 30 or more people, so if you are not at the front, it's hard to see and hear what's going on.

I would still recommend this visit to friends.

To start with, make sure that you visit the factory during the week. On the weekends, they bring in a skeleton crew to work the factory, so you miss out on the feel of an entire factory at work. We went on a weekend, and while we did get to see each step of production, the factory was mostly void of workers. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed my visit to the factory, and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Waterford crystal!

The tour began with a short film about Waterford's history, and then continue via bus to the actual factory. You are shown every step of crystal production, from the glass blowing to the engraving. It was a really interesting presentation, and I am still amazed at the intricate skills the factory workers possess!

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I'm easily bored, but not here. While it's nice enough to simply browse, shop and enjoy the crystal here, the tour is worth your time. Thorough, interesting, beautiful. Realizing each piece really is handmade - shaped and infused with something a little more warm and human than what we're used to - gives you a new appreciation for the value of Waterford.

what's a trip to waterford without going to the factory??? so, they tell us that these people that make the crystal train for years doing this stuff. it's just amazing watching them make the crystal. everything is done by hand. also, if they don't pass, the workers don't get paid for the pieces they make. so, that means these people are VERY good at what they do. it's simply something you must see!!!

Everyone stops at the Crystal Factory. The tour is interesting. To tell the truth, I liked Kinsale Crystal better. Waterford is more or less mass produced and the technique for cutting the design is shallower and less sparkling than the old-fashioned style used by Kinsale Crystal. I really am a crystal affectionado so I have strong preferances! (that didn't stop me from finding some lovely candlesticks to take home, however!!) The showrooms are full of chandeliers, trophies, a huge grandfathers clock - lots of pretty sparkles!

Check out the gallery at the Waterford Crystal factory. The gallery consist of many prestigious pieces presented to celebrities, presidents and sport champions throughout the years.

Visit the Waterford Crystal Visitor Center and admire all crystal work, and don't forgot to take a tour and check out how all these beautiful creations are made.