Reginald's Tower

Museum Medieval stone tower in Waterford, Ireland's oldest civic building

Reginald’s Tower on Cork’s quays is a circular medieval fortification housing exhibits on the city’s Viking and maritime past; visitors stop for history displays and riverfront photos.

Main image

Reginald’s Tower is a circular stone tower on the quayside in Waterford, Ireland, and forms part of the city’s medieval defenses. The present stone structure dates largely from the medieval period and the site is frequently described as one of Ireland’s oldest civic buildings.

Inside are exhibitions covering Viking and medieval Waterford, with artefacts and displays that interpret the city’s early maritime and urban history for visitors. The tower’s position at the quay provides close views of the River Suir and the adjacent pedestrian waterfront.

The site originated on a Viking fortification named after the Norse leader Ragnall; the stone tower replaced earlier timber defences and was used over centuries for defensive, administrative and custodial purposes. It underwent restoration for public display and now operates as part of Waterford’s museum network.

The tower stands on the north bank of the River Suir in central Waterford, within the historic core of the city in the province of Munster. It is directly accessible from the city centre and the riverside promenade.

  • Quayside viewpoint: Located on the city's quayside, the tower gives direct views along the River Suir and of Waterford's quays and quay street.
  • Museum displays: Houses exhibitions on Viking and medieval Waterford, including finds from local excavations and displays about the city's maritime history.
Reginald's Tower
Reginald's Tower, The Quay, Waterford, Ireland
52.2605, -7.1054

How to Get to Reginald's Tower #

Reginald’s Tower sits on the quays in Waterford city centre and is best reached on foot from the city’s transport hubs. From Waterford railway station and the nearby bus stops it’s a short walk (around 10-15 minutes) along the quays into the centre. Waterford is also served by national routes including the N25 for drivers.

Tips for Visiting Reginald's Tower #

  • Visit Reginald's Tower early in the day or later in the afternoon to avoid the peak of cruise-ship and coach-tour arrivals in Waterford; the Viking Triangle is compact so timing your visit avoids long lines.
  • Buy tickets at the Waterford Treasures visitor desk for combined entry to the city's museums and plan a clockwise route through the Viking Triangle so you don't backtrack and miss the tower's exhibits.

Best Time to Visit Reginald's Tower #

Spring and autumn offer the best combination of comfortable weather and lighter crowds for visiting Reginald's Tower.

Spring and autumn (best times)
April-June, September-October · 8-16 °C
Mild weather and smaller visitor numbers make these shoulder seasons pleasant for touring the tower and riverside area.
Summer (busiest)
July-August · 12-20 °C
Warmer weather and peak tourist activity - expect more crowds around the quays and museum.
Winter (quiet)
November-February · 4-10 °C
Cooler and quieter with fewer tourists; indoor exhibits are usually less crowded but daylight hours are shorter.

Weather & Climate near Reginald's Tower #

Climate

Reginald's Tower's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (921 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 34 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyJuneAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
-6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (104 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.1h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.8h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.5h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
16.5h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
12° 20°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
12° 20°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.5h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
14°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.6h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.5h daylight

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