Waterford in County Waterford, Munster, Ireland — Irish South-West ((Éire) North Atlantic Ocean)
Viking Ship
Waterford Treasures
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
1. Viking Ship Marker
“Get thee a ship and go on the sea and kill men.”
Such was the advice of a Norwegian mother to her son in about 850, a time when the Vikings established many bases around Ireland and Britain. Thanks to their skill as shipbuilders and sailors they were masters of the sea. In the year 914 the Irish annals record that a great fleet of Norwegians landed at Waterford and plundered and brought great spoils and many cows and livestock to their ships.
Between 914 and 917 Reginald the first King of Waterford amassed a large fleet here that allowed him capture and make himself king of the great city of York in England.
Throughout the Viking period Waterford continued to keep a fleet of ships and play a major role in Irish politics. A century after the founding of the city a Waterford fleet joined with the high king of Ireland Brian Boru when in 1014 he defeated the Viking city of Dublin and its allies in the battle of Clontarf.
In 1080 Gruffydd ap Cynan the ousted King of Gwynedd in Wales was given refuge in Waterford and was provided with a fleet to regain his kingdom. Gruffydd assembled a kingly fleet at Waterford full of Danes, Irishmen and Britons.
This replica Viking ship takes its name from the original Norwegian Viking name for Waterford — Vadrarfjordr. Its design was based on ship timbers discovered during archaeological excavations in the city and dated to 1050. Ships like this were used in coastal trade around Ireland and were vital to the growth of Waterford in the Viking period.
Waterford City and County Council would like to thank the participants of the FAS Community Services Local Training Initiative who built this ship.
Erected by Waterford Treasures.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Wars, Non-US • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 52° 15.633′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Ancient East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Medieval City Walls (a few steps from this marker); Waterford - Newfoundland (a few steps from this marker); Reginald's Tower (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Reginald's Tower (a few steps from this marker); Dundory / Reginald's Tower (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Reginald's Tower (a few steps from this marker); Thomas Francis Meagher (within shouting
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
2. Viking Ship Marker
The marker is located next to the replica Viking ship that it references.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
3. Vadrarfjordr
This replica Viking ship is berthed next to Reginald's Tower.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
