Reginald's Tower is one of Waterford's most famous landmarks and the oldest civic building in use in an urban setting in Ireland. The tower is circular and was once part of the city's defensive walls. It was built in the 13th century and over the years had been used as a prison, a mint, and a space for the storage of military equipment.
The tower has been restored and it is open to the public and guided tours are provided. As a national monument, the building has protected status.
According to the Irish Walled Towns Network:
The earliest Viking settlement in the Waterford area was at the early to mid-ninth century site at Woodstown about five kilometres up river from the present city. This proto-town did not survive and in 914 Viking adventurers established Ireland’s first permanent city at Waterford – in an area which is still known as the Viking Triangle. This settlement occupied the site where Reginald’s Tower now stands and recent archaeological excavations have confirmed an early tenth century date for Viking Waterford. The early settlement was easy to defend as two sides were surrounded by water while the landward side was protected by an earthen bank and ditch. This was replaced by a stone wall by the mid-twelfth century. Today, nearly two kilometres of town wall, along with Reginald’s Tower and five other towers remain. Together they constitute the largest collection of medieval urban defences in Ireland.
References
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Heritage Ireland history of the tower | Ireland | VIEW SOURCE |
