For your tour, make your way to the House of Waterford Crystal in Waterford. Tour hours fluctuate depending on what month of the year it is, so make sure to be aware of the operating hours for the day you want to do your tour.
Once you get to the House of Waterford Crystal and are ready to go on your tour, go behind the scenes at the factory. Waterford Crystal is one of the very few companies who still practice the ancient craft of mold making, and as you go through the factory, you’ll see little has changed over the centuries.
First up, go into the mold room, and witness blowers shape molten crystal with wooden molds and hand tools. Then, head into the blowing department where you can watch as glowing balls of crystal are put through a 1300-degree furnace. After their time in the furnace, each piece is cut, and sculpted, and engraved to perfection.
After the tour, enjoy some time exploring the retail store. From dining tables to golf trophies, this store houses one of the world’s largest collections of Waterford Crystals. If you need a break at any time during the day, there’s also a café you can pop into for a bite to eat or a beverage (own expense).