\VATERFORD, a maritime county of Ireland, in the province of Munster, is separated by the Suit- from Kilkenny and Tipperary, by the Black water from Cork on a part of its west boundary, by the sea on the south, and on the east by the harbour of Waterford, which separates it from Wexford. It is about 51 miles long and 30 broad, and contains 710 square miles, or 454,400 English act-es. Its political divisions are the liberties of the city of Waterford, and seven baronies, in cluding 74 parishes and 21 churches, which are divided between the sees of Waterford and Lis more.
This county is generally hilly, and is particularly rugged and mountainous in its northern part. The Knockmeledown mountains occupy the west of' the county, forming a very elevated ridge on the north of the Blackwater. The Commeragh mountains occupy a great space between Dungarvon and Clonmell. With the exception of a few barren and rugged spots, these hills afford good pasture. On the south and east of the county, the laud is rich and productive. The farms are in general small; though Arne of the dairy farmers in the neighbourhood of Waterford pay 10001. of rent per annum. A great deal of butter is made in the mountainous districts, where small cows furor the principal stock. There are few sheep, and these are not good, and a small part of the land is under tillage. Lime is so dear that it costs £.5 to lime an acre. Furze is so much used as fuel, that it is raised as a crop for that purpose. The largest property in the county is that of the Duke of De vonshire. Leases are generally for 21 years.
The principal rivers are the Blackwater, which is navigable to Cappoquin. The Bride, which joins the Blackwater, passes near Tallow, and is so far navigable. The majestic Suir, which rises in Tip perary, flows almost due cast, when it enters this county, till it joins the Barrow and the more be yond the city of \Vaterford, when flowing southerly, they form the harbour of Waterford, which is an estuary nine miles long and two broad. The
wooded banks of the Blackwater and the Suir, and their tributary streams, are singularly beautiful, and adorned by many ancient castles and modern residences.
The principal towns in this county are Water ford,Lismore, Dungarvon and Tallow. WATERFORD and LISMORE are described in separate articles. Dungarvon is an old seaport town, with narrow and dirty streets. Forty or fifty coasting and fishing boats belong to the place. The ruins of the old castle of the Augustinian priory still remain. It sends a member to the imperial parliament. It is frequented for sea bathing. Tallow or Tallagh is a decayed village containing a barrack, and at the west end of the bridge the ruins of Lessfinny castle. The village of Traraore, a few miles south of Waterford, is much frequented during the bathing season.
Waterford county sends two members to the im perial parliament.
In 1791, the population of this county was 110,000, and the number of houses 18,796. In 1821, the population was 127,679. The Protestants bear a small proportion to the Catholics, and most of the landed and personal property is in the hands of the Catholics. The celebrated Boyle was born in the castle of Lismore, and also Congreve, whose father was agent to the Boyles, from whom the Duke of Devonshire, as the oldest branch of the family, derives his property in the county. See Beaufort's Memoir of a Map of Ireland, and Wake field's Statistical Jleeount of Ireland, passim.