Page 46 - WDT MAGAZINE IRELAND ISSUE WINTER 2018

At the base of the structure, there was a replica of Waterford gets its name from the Norse word
a wooden Viking longboat and a plaster sculptured “Veðrafjorðr,” meaning “windy fjord.” The small Viking
caricature of Reginald with a hole where his face would village grew to become a flourishing medieval port
be. I’m a sucker for these things and poked my head in. that dominated trade between Ireland and Europe for
Now I was a Viking – my graying mustache matching centuries. One stop on our tour was cellars that stored
the plastered hair of Reginald. It’s one of my favorite wine - and lots of it. In fact, Waterford was Ireland’s
personal photos from the trip. wine capital in the 13th century, with a virtual lock on
The tower and Viking ship wouldn’t have come to the trade.
life if it wasn’t for our animated guide who entertained Even before the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1170, wine
us with stories and yarns. Our little group followed her became very popular in Ireland and one of Waterford’s
through bustling narrow streets, medieval walls, cafés, major imports supplying monasteries since the 5th
and pubs to the Viking Triangle, where three excellent century following the conversion of the country to
museums tell the story of Ireland’s Middle Ages. Christianity. Even the Vikings, converted to Christianity

46 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018