Waterford

Facts and figures

Population: 50,000.

Employment: major employers include the regional hospital; the Waterford Institute of Technology; Bausch & Lomb, Genzyme, Waterford Crystal, Diageo, Waterford Stanley, ABB, Allied Signal and Honeywell Hospitals. The main hospital (537 beds) for the region is at Ardkeen (and under Government plans a new private hospital will be built in its grounds). The Whitfield Clinic is a separate new private hospital.

Education: a wide choice with over 20 primary schools around the city. Secondary schools include the Mercy, Presentation and Ursuline for girls; the CBS for boys; and mixed schools include Newtown School and De La Salle College. There's also a Gaelscoil. Third-level at WIT (www2.wit.ie) is noted for its high-rated business degrees. Closest university (for now) is UCC at Cork.

Culture: highlights include the lovely 18th century Theatre Royal (which has lured Ben Barnes, former artistic director at the Abbey); and an International Festival of Light Opera every autumn.

Sport: all the usual sports clubs and facilities you'd expect in a city but try something new - such as sea angling, sailing or surfing.

Must see: the Waterford Museum of Treasures showcases 1,000 years of history; the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre (with factory tour and shop) is the top tourist attraction with over 300,000 visitors annually; the 12th century Reginald's Tower forms part of the restored mediaeval walled fortifications built by the Normans; there are two lovely Georgian cathedrals: Christ Church (Protestant) and Holy Trinity.

Useful websites: city council, www.waterfordcity.ie; chamber of commerce, www.waterfordchamber.ie; and Fáilte's Ireland's www.southeastireland.com for tourism information.

Local radio: WLR on 97.5 fm.

Best aspects: riverside setting; Ireland's only city centre marina; capital of "the sunny south-east" combines city living with proximity to great beaches, hidden coves, picturesque fishing villages and the magnificent unspoiled mountainous countryside of west Waterford.

Main issue: widely supported campaign for the WIT to be upgraded to a university. A decision by the Government is awaited.