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    Awaiting Your Return From Shore | Nestled in 
    the southeast corner of Ireland, County Waterford combines low farmland and 
    sandy coastlines with the more rugged landscape typical of County Cork. The 
    town itself is an ancient Viking settlement whose roots go back to the 8th 
    century, when a group of Vikings settled at a riverside location called Port 
    Large, which they renamed Vadrafjord. The deep inlet provided a convenient 
    waterway for their sturdy longships encouraging the building of an 
    independent fortified city, which in time became a booming trading post. 
 In 1170 an Irish Viking army sallied forth to defend their town against the 
    invading Anglo-Normans but were roundly defeated. Henry II of England 
    visited Vadrafjord in 1171 and declared it a royal city, which it remained 
    for almost 500 years.
 
 In 1649, the town defied Cromwell but eventually succumbed. It went into a 
    decline as Catholics were either exiled to the west of the country, "to Hell 
    or to Connacht," or were shipped as slaves to the Caribbean.
 
 Even today there is a medieval feel about Waterford with its ancient 
    fortifications, 18th century cathedrals and fine Georgian houses, 
    particularly around The Mall, George’s Street and O'Connell Street. And 
    while the town is charming in its own right, it regained world recognition 
    with the 1951 re-opening of the crystal factory offering once again the 
    famous, exquisite glassware that bears the town’s name.
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    Awaiting Your Return 
    From Shore | 
  
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    Complimentary 
    Spirits Await | 
    
    Return to Your 
    Suite and Sail Away to The Next Adventure | 
    
    Entertainment 
    and Dancing Await You |