Newtown in Waterford in County Waterford, Munster, Ireland — Irish South-West ((Éire) North Atlantic Ocean)

Site of Neptune Shipyard

1843–1882

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026

1. Site of Neptune Shipyard Marker

Inscription. Here 40 iron steam ships were built, five of them large ocean liners for Malcomson’s of Waterford

Erected by Waterford Civic Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 52° 15.512′ N, 7° 6.101′ W. Marker is in Waterford, Munster, in County Waterford. It is in Newtown. It is at the intersection of Canada Street and Scotch Quay, on the left when traveling west on Canada Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Canada Street, Waterford, Munster X91 PK2W, Ireland. Touch for directions.

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: John Horn Shipbuilder (here, next to this marker); The People's Park (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct

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line); John J Hearne / Seán S Ó hEachtheigeirn (about 180 meters away); William Hobson (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Waterford Steamship Co. (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Anna Manahan (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Thomas Francis Meagher (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Cumann Wolfe Tone / Wolfe Tone Club (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterford.

Also see . . . Blue Plaques (Waterford Civic Trust).

In 1843 the Neptune Ironworks opened at Park Road as a repair yard for the growing fleet of ships of the Malcolmson family. A Quaker family, the Malcolmsons were major industrialists in the area and had established their cotton factory in Portlaw in the 1820s. At the end of 1846 the first steamer built in the Neptune yard was launched, the SS Neptune. The shipbuilding business continued to develop especially under the management of John Horn from 1849-70 and employing over 1,000 men locally. In total forty steamers were built at the Neptune yard including five trans-Atlantic liners for the Malcolmson London, Le Havre and New York line, the SS Cella (1862), SS Iowa (1863), SS Cordova
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026

2. Waterford Marina Hotel
The marker can be seen near the entrance to the hotel, behind the flag in this image.
(1864), SS William Penn, and SS Indiana. From the 1870s however, the concern was in serious decline, especially after the bankruptcy of the Malcolmson brothers and when the last ship to be built in the yard was completed in 1882 the workforce was reduced to thirty-two men.

(Submitted on July 1, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Additional keywords. blue plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.