WATERFORD, the capital of the county of Waterford, Ireland, a county of a city, a market- and poet-town, a sea-port, a parliamentary borough, an episcopal city, and the seat of a l'oor-Law Union, is situated on the river Suir, In 52' 16' N. lat., 7* 8' W. long., distant 9 1 miles S.S.NV. from Dublin. The population of the city in 1851 was 25,297. The city is governed by 10 aldermen and 30 councillors one of whom is mayor; and return, two members to the Imperial Parliament. Waterford Poor-Law Union contains 30 electoral divi sions, with au area of 125,719 acres, and a population in 1841 of 71,223 ; iu 1851 of 69,083.
The city itself is entirely on the right bank of the Suir, and is about a mile long ; a suburb lies on the left bank of the river. A noble quay, 120 feet in width, except at each end, where it narrows, extends for nearly a mile along the bank of the river, from which tho city rises gradually. Waterford is about 12 miles from the sea, and vessels of 800 tons burden can lie by the side of the quay, but larger ships anchor about 6 miles lower down, opposite the village of Passage. The river is crossed at the upper end of the city by a very long wooden bridge, which opens in one part to allow vesicle to pass.
The principal public buildings are—the cathedral, an elegant modern structure; the bishop's palace, which is of hewn stone, with a double front, and commands an extensive view across the river into the county of Wexford ; the dean's house; two parish churches ; several Roman Catholic chapels, one of which has a handsome Ionic front, and is said to be the largest in Ireland ; and places of worship for Quakers and other sects. The other public buildings are—a town hall, a market-house, an exchange, a custom-house, a theatre, an assembly-room, a jail, and artillery and infantry barracks. Among
the charitable institutions are a house of industry, a hospital for tho poor, a fever hospital, a dispensary, and a lunatic asylum.
The commerce of Waterford is chiefly with England, and consists for tho most part of agricultural produce—butter, pork, bacon, grain, flour, and meal, and, since the introduction of steam-vessels, of live stock. On December 31st 1854, the number and tonnage Of vessels registered as belonging to the port were, sailing-vessels under 50 taus 62, tonnage 1602; above 50 tons 93, tonnage 13,663 ; steam:vessels 19, tonnage 5361. During 1854 there entered and cleared at the port as follows :—Inwards, sealing-vessels 1147, tonnage 99,149; steamers 192, tonnage 55,660: outwards, sailing-vessels 925, tonnage 74,670; steamers 200, tonnage 56,977. There is a packet-station at Waterford for conveyance between Waterford and 31ilforil daily.
Waterford was originally founded by the Danes about S50, and it was their chief possession in Ireland for some centuries. In 1170 it was taken by assault by Strongbow, earl of Pembroke, who afterwards restored and enlarged the town. Waterford received its first charter from King John, who resided there fur some time. All its charters were seized and atioulled by Jansea L, on the ground of the noncon formity of the chief magistrates, and Waterford remained without a charter from 1617 to 1626, when it received one from Charles I. Waterford was unsuocessfully besieged by Cromwell, but it was after wards taken by Ireton. Some remains of the old fortifications still exist, and there are a few relics of some of the ancient monasteries. Carrot/Atmore the magnificent domain of the Marquis of Waterford, is in the neighbourhood of Waterford ; it contains 4,600 acres. •