Waterford

Waterford, an Irish county in the province of Munster, to the east of Cork. Its greatest length from east to west is 52 miles, and its breadth north to south 28; the total area being 721 sq. m., or 461,552 acres. The surface is in general mountainous, the principal ranges being Knockmeledown (2609 feet) and Cummeragh (2478). The Suir (q.v.) and the Blackwater (q.v.) are the chief rivers. The climate is moist, and the soil over a considerable part of the county is marshy; but the upland districts are well suited for tillage, and the lower pasture-lands produce excellent butter. In geological structure the mountains present the old and new slate, separated by red and gray quartz rock and quartzose slate. The valleys belong to the limestone series. Lead, iron, and copper are found, the latter having been worked at Knockmahon for many years. Marble of several colours is quarried near Cappoquin and Whitechurch, and potter's clay of good quality is found at Kildrum near Dungarvan. There are some cotton manufactures, and the fisheries are of some importance. The chief towns are Waterford, Dungarvan, Tramore, Portlaw, and Lismore. Before 1885 the county and the boroughs sent five members to parliament; now the county sends two and Waterford city one. Pop. (1841) 196,187; (1861) 134,252; (1881) 112,768; (1891) 98,130. This district, in common with the adjoining county of Wexford, is believed to have been anciently peopled by a Belgic colony. The Danes also formed a settlement at the mouth of the Suir. From the date of the invasion Waterford became a stronghold of the English, large grants having been made by Henry II. to the De la Poers; and in all the alternations of the subsequent struggle with the Irish population it continued for the most part a firm centre of English influence. The county abounds with ecclesiastical and military antiquities of the Celtic and Danish as well as the Anglo-Norman period.