Traveler Overview

4.5 3,129 reviews

Excellent66%
Very good25%
Average7%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

Travelers talk about

“factory tour”(237 reviews)

“whole process”(57 reviews)

“glass blowing”(99 reviews)

About

Originally founded by George and William Penrose in 1783, Waterford crystal is world-renowned for quality and beauty. Have you seen someone blow molten crystal into a vase? Check out the factory tour. Visitors are guided through the factory to see...more

Open Now

Hours Today: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

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Contact

The Mall, Waterford Waterford, Ireland

Website

+353 51 317 000

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Reviews (3,129)

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OntarioTrekker

Innisfil, Canada

324123

Reviewed yesterday

WATERFORD CRYSTAL

Very interesting tour starting at the glass blowing area right through to the final etching stage. There were lots of simply beautiful examples of their specialty glassware as well as the special order things like trophies. The guide answered every question. The retail part is...More

Thank OntarioTrekker

Bainesmann

Houston, Texas

11148

Reviewed yesterday

Outstanding Experience

My wife and 2 22 year old grandchildren took the factory tour. Great experience. Complete details as to how Waterford crystal is made.

Thank Bainesmann

David H

Virginia

121

Reviewed 2 days ago

The Waterford Factory Tour is Amazing!

Great Tour. Recommend early arrival. We were in first group on a Saturday, 0930 am, and felt as if this were a Special Tour. Very informative. Cordial Staff. Great Cafe inside the facility. Tremendous Crystal shopping upon completion of Tour. "Must-See" in Waterford.

Thank David H

rodkpage

Greater Wellington, New Zealand

20458

Reviewed 3 days ago via mobile

A must see

Great factory tour with very staff who made you most welcome. The displays in the shop were of all varieties. The actual factory is quite small but well set out. The commentary was well presented by Alan, our tour guide.

Thank rodkpage

LSUJane

Katy, Texas

194

Reviewed 4 days ago

Beautiful craftsmanship

The guided tour was nice and we got to see the expert craftsmen at work. You really appreciate the effort that goes in to making the varied types of crystal pieces.

Thank LSUJane

jkumar61

83

Reviewed 4 days ago

Sand to Crystal with a human Breath!

Waterford crystal factory, conveniently located as you enter the city, where you will witness "simple sand" receiving a new life through the breath of the artists working in sync with each other like the nature does, creating this new life-form called "Waterford Crystal". Tour tickets...More

Thank jkumar61

Lisa W

Wichita Falls, Texas

29882

Reviewed 5 days ago via mobile

Interesting tour

The tour basically showed step by step how the crystal is made, and I have a new appreciation for the craftsmanship involved. I have always believed Waterford crystal was ridiculously priced, but now I understand why. I went with a group, only intending to take...More

Thank Lisa W

Audreyhep

Ireland

3831

Reviewed 5 days ago via mobile

Amazing tour

Our tour guide was Marie she was amazing! Explained everything from where the glass comes from to what they do with recycled glass. She was very friendly and approachable. The tour itself is so interesting and you get to see so many beautiful pieces of...More

Thank Audreyhep

Sharron G

Henderson, Nevada

898366

Reviewed 5 days ago

Outstanding Tour!

Our tour guide on the 2:30 pm Tour on Thursday, July 12th was amazing. The fellow (a 60-70'ish retired Waterford glass cutter himself) knew everything there was to know about Waterford Crystal...both in the UK and USA. His lively banter kept us all having a...More

Thank Sharron G

Reddogdeb

Perry, Missouri

305

Reviewed 5 days ago

Beautiful Craftsmanship

Enjoyed this tour, very interesting lots of history about Waterford Crystal. Able to see up close the craftsmen at work and talk to them. Gorgeous showroom.

Thank Reddogdeb

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Questions & Answers

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Connie H

How long does the tour take?

15 July 2018|

AnswerShow all 4 answers

Around an hour

kcowley

I'm trying to label some pictures taken on the factory tour. What is the large metal box, possibly found in the Cutting Department for that has a glass window you can see through that's spraying pieces of Waterford Crystal? Is it an autocutting machine like one sign says and does that mean the pieces aren't cut by hand? In another picture taken right the above one there's a bunch of slots for what looks like round disks and labels saying things like olive, middle, decanter, and stem. What are these used for?

4 June 2018|

Answer

The water spraying machine is indeed a CNC cutting machine which cuts the crystal and is probably how most of the pieces are cut these days. I'm not sure what the other picture is of, sorry. Hope that helps.

Carolyn P

Are prices any better at factory

27 December 2017|

AnswerShow all 6 answers

Sorry not to pick up your message earlier but I would suggest that the prices are standard via shops or factory as they pride themselves on their craftsmanship and don't have anything called flawed pieces or seconds. I would... More