O’ Connell Street’s Cultural Quarter, Waterford

O’Connell Street, located near the quays and port of Waterford, is steeped in a rich industrial heritage that dates back to the 1600s. This historic street became home to the first Quakers who settled in Waterford in 1655, fleeing persecution and establishing businesses in the area. Notably, O’Connell Street was where the Jacob family invented the first cream cracker and where the Penrose family founded the world-renowned Waterford Crystal in 1783. These pioneering families contributed significantly to the street's legacy as a center of innovation and craftsmanship.

Today, O’Connell Street is a vibrant and dynamic part of Waterford's city center, known as the Cultural Quarter. This area celebrates creativity and cultural diversity, offering a lively atmosphere filled with art and expression. The street is adorned with large-scale urban art, a testament to its embrace of contemporary culture. Each year, the Waterford Walls festival invites internationally renowned street artists to contribute their work, transforming the street into an open-air gallery of vibrant murals that captivate both locals and visitors.

In addition to its artistic flair, O’Connell Street boasts some of Waterford's most charming traditional Irish pubs. Among them is Thomas Maher’s pub, the oldest in the city, which has a storied past of once serving only men. Today, it welcomes everyone to enjoy a drink, such as their famed whiskey mac, while listening to tales of Waterford's rich history. Just across the street, Tully’s Bar offers a great selection of craft beers and whiskeys, making it a popular spot for pub-goers who often find themselves moving between Tully’s and Thomas Maher’s throughout the night.

O’Connell Street also features a variety of ethnic food stores and unique retail outlets, adding to its eclectic charm. Souk Dalma, one of the newer additions to the street, offers stylish brands and accessories, reflecting the area's embrace of both tradition and modernity.