House of Waterford Crystal Guided Factory Tour
Overview
The House of Waterford Crystal comprises of a manufacturing facility, visitor centre and retail outlet. Visitors can enjoy all aspects of the manufacturing process through the factory tour and learn about both historical and contemporary production techniques through direct interaction with the craftsmen and audiovisual materials. The manufacturing facility contains a brand new continuous melt tank furnace that uses leading edge technology to deliver molten crystal, for skilled master blowers to hand-shape and hand-blow into Waterford Crystal’s range of premium products. The retail centre represents the largest display of Waterford Crystal in the world.
Inclusions
- Guided Factory Tour
- Opulent Retail Store
- Cafe
- Entry/Admission - House Of Waterford Crystal
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: House Of Waterford Crystal, The Mall X91 FXN4, Waterford Ireland
At the House of Waterford Crystal, there is a manufacturing plant, and brand experience in Waterford, where we produce crystal and give visitors an opportunity to visit the factory and see how we make our beautiful products.
On the tour, guests visit the mould room where they witness mould making – a technique that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries, as the Master Blowers shape the molten crystal flawlessly with the use of wooden moulds and hand tools. The next part of the tour is truly magical, as visitors enter the blowing department where they see glowing balls of crystal transformed into majestic shapes as they are put through the 1300-degree furnace. The Waterford Crystal pieces are then hand marked for precision and accuracy, and they are then cut, sculpted and engraved.
While getting this behind the scenes sneak peak of this highly skilled method of crystal manufacturing, visitors also see the high standards that the House of Waterford Crystal has for each and every piece that leaves the factory.
The crystal is inspected at each stage of production, so each piece no matter how small goes through six inspections, and if it fails to reach the Waterford Crystal standards at any stage it is smashed and returned to the furnace to be re-melted so that the piece can be started again. The tour is fully guided and takes approx 50 minutes to complete.
On completion of the tour, visitors can experience over 12, 000 sq ft of crystal heaven in the largest retail and showcase of Waterford Crystal in the world. The retail store represents everything that is made in crystal, including a showcase on golf and sport, which is a major part of the international business at the House of Waterford Crystal.
The main feature in the retail store is a centre dining table, with twelve Waterford Crystal Chandeliers on display. The lifestyle displays communicate the various brand stories including the Jo Sampson Collection, John Rocha, Jeff Letham and the core Waterford Crystal patterns.
The product range includes Waterford Crystal, House of Waterford Crystal, John Rocha, Jasper Conran, Jo Sampson, Archive Stemware, Marquis, Lighting, Holiday Heirlooms and the new Waterford Crystal Jewellery Collection.
Waterford Crystal continues to provide some of the most prestigious trophies to the world’s great sporting events made at the facility, and some of these trophies are on display in the retail store.
The Crystal café is open seven days a week, a daytime cafe, the Crystal Café is all about great food using nothing but the best locally sourced seasonal produce supporting as many Irish suppliers as possible along the way.
The menu offers café-style dining, incorporating scrumptious salads, soups, wraps, ciabatta’s and other healthy options, with fresh baking daily.
Duration: 1 hour
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: House Of Waterford Crystal, The Mall X91 FXN4, Waterford Ireland
At the House of Waterford Crystal, there is a manufacturing plant, and brand experience in Waterford, where we produce crystal and give visitors an opportunity to visit the factory and see how we make our beautiful products.
On the tour, guests visit the mould room where they witness mould making – a technique that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries, as the Master Blowers shape the molten crystal flawlessly with the use of wooden moulds and hand tools. The next part of the tour is truly magical, as visitors enter the blowing department where they see glowing balls of crystal transformed into majestic shapes as they are put through the 1300-degree furnace. The Waterford Crystal pieces are then hand marked for precision and accuracy, and they are then cut, sculpted and engraved.
While getting this behind the scenes sneak peak of this highly skilled method of crystal manufacturing, visitors also see the high standards that the House of Waterford Crystal has for each and every piece that leaves the factory.
The crystal is inspected at each stage of production, so each piece no matter how small goes through six inspections, and if it fails to reach the Waterford Crystal standards at any stage it is smashed and returned to the furnace to be re-melted so that the piece can be started again. The tour is fully guided and takes approx 50 minutes to complete.
On completion of the tour, visitors can experience over 12, 000 sq ft of crystal heaven in the largest retail and showcase of Waterford Crystal in the world. The retail store represents everything that is made in crystal, including a showcase on golf and sport, which is a major part of the international business at the House of Waterford Crystal.
The main feature in the retail store is a centre dining table, with twelve Waterford Crystal Chandeliers on display. The lifestyle displays communicate the various brand stories including the Jo Sampson Collection, John Rocha, Jeff Letham and the core Waterford Crystal patterns.
The product range includes Waterford Crystal, House of Waterford Crystal, John Rocha, Jasper Conran, Jo Sampson, Archive Stemware, Marquis, Lighting, Holiday Heirlooms and the new Waterford Crystal Jewellery Collection.
Waterford Crystal continues to provide some of the most prestigious trophies to the world’s great sporting events made at the facility, and some of these trophies are on display in the retail store.
The Crystal café is open seven days a week, a daytime cafe, the Crystal Café is all about great food using nothing but the best locally sourced seasonal produce supporting as many Irish suppliers as possible along the way.
The menu offers café-style dining, incorporating scrumptious salads, soups, wraps, ciabatta’s and other healthy options, with fresh baking daily.
Duration: 1 hour
Additional information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Wheelchair accessible
- Parking is available at the rear of the House of Waterford Crystal, in Bolten Street Public Car park: Cost is €1 per hour
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Jesse_B
March 2023
This is a fascinating tour, delving into the past, present and future of Waterford Crystal. You see how its crystal is made from beginning to end - not to mention the fantastic gift shop at the end! Also stopped for a bite to eat in the café. Tour guide Mary was a delight, as was Ellie on reception
This is a fascinating tour, delving into the past, present and future of Waterford Crystal. You see how its crystal is made from beginning to end - not to mention the fantastic gift shop at the end! Also stopped for a bite to eat in the café. Tour guide Mary was a delight, as was Ellie on receptionNurseKalyn
November 2021
This was a wonderful experience displaying the incredible art of crystal making. 10/10 would recommend :)
This was a wonderful experience displaying the incredible art of crystal making. 10/10 would recommend :)Andy_D
May 2022
Excellent and enthusiastic guide. Seeing bespoke glass works was wonderful. There is also a full service Cafe on premises. We had lunch there after the tour
Excellent and enthusiastic guide. Seeing bespoke glass works was wonderful. There is also a full service Cafe on premises. We had lunch there after the tourRobert_T
June 2022
Really informative tour while seeing highly skilled Master Craftsmen at work creating the crystal glassware.
Really informative tour while seeing highly skilled Master Craftsmen at work creating the crystal glassware.Corby_L
June 2022
I think the tour was interesting and would have enjoyed it more if I could hear the guide and see. The group was too big and the guide’s headset was barely audible. I almost asked to join the group behind us which was smaller and I could clearly hear her.
I think the tour was interesting and would have enjoyed it more if I could hear the guide and see. The group was too big and the guide’s headset was barely audible. I almost asked to join the group behind us which was smaller and I could clearly hear her.kimstamps
May 2022
The tour of the Waterford factory was enlightening and fascinating. You get to see up close how these amazing craftsmen create stunning pieces of crystal artwork. Their attention to detail makes you appreciate the workmanship that goes into each piece. The guided tour is well worth the price and...
The tour of the Waterford factory was enlightening and fascinating. You get to see up close how these amazing craftsmen create stunning pieces of crystal artwork. Their attention to detail makes you appreciate the workmanship that goes into each piece. The guided tour is well worth the price and your time.