The New York Times’ ‘52 Places’ is a lavish production, published each January and seen as agenda-setting for the year ahead.
“Waterford’s natural riches rival its historical ones,” it says, placing the county at No. 30 on a list that ranges from the Albanian Alps to Brisbane, Australia and Koh Ker in Cambodia.
“Yes, Waterford is synonymous with crystal, but the city, founded in 914, also sparkles with history and natural treasures,” it adds – citing Viking Triangle attractions like Reginald’s Tower, the new Irish Wake Museum and the Irish Museum of Time.
Beyond the city, The New York Times singles out the Copper Coast – “hemmed by towering cliffs and scalloped coves” – as well as the Waterford Greenway and Mount Congreve.
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“Top off your Greenway adventure with afternoon tea amid one of Ireland’s largest collections of plants at Mount Congreve Gardens, which reopened in 2023 after a multimillion-dollar refurbishment,” it says.
Waterford is on something of a roll when it comes to international citations. Last November, Condé Nast Traveller tipped it and Co Wexford among its ‘Best Places To Go in 2024’ in the UK and Ireland.
It was also named ‘European City of Christmas 2024′ by the jury of the European Capital and City of Christmas 2024 competition late last year.
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The city is “an extraordinary jewel of Christmas harmony and aesthetics”, said the jury, chaired by Danuta Hübner, a member of the European Parliament.
Last August, the New York Times zeroed in on Co Donegal, where it hailed Breac House as “a tiny inn that does it right” in an in-depth feature.
Lonely Planet also tipped Donegal in its ‘Best in Travel 2024’, while National Geographic Traveller singled out Belfast and the Wild Atlantic Way on its ‘Cool List’ of destinations for the year.
Irish Wake Museum tour guide Jamie Murphy, dressed as a funeral director. Photo: Patrick Browne
Media spotlights…
