- published: 05 Nov 2012
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Waterford (from Old Norse: Veðrafjǫrðr meaning "ram fjord" or "windy fjord"; Irish: Port Láirge, meaning "Lárag's port") is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city. The population of the city in 2011 was 51,519; of which 46,747 lived within the city limits, and 3,465 lived in the suburbs in County Kilkenny. The metropolitan area figure is not official as it includes Tramore, Dunmore East, Passage East and Cheekpoint
Viking raiders first established a settlement near Waterford in 853. It and all the other longphorts were vacated in 902, the Vikings having been driven out by the native Irish. The Vikings re-established themselves in Ireland at Waterford in 914, led at first by Ottir Iarla (Jarl Ottar) until 917, and after that by Ragnall ua Ímair and the Uí Ímair dynasty, and built what would be Ireland's first city. A list of the city's rulers from this date to the mayors of the present day can be found in Rulers of Waterford. Among the most prominent kings of Waterford was Ivar of Waterford.
County Waterford (Irish: Contae Phort Láirge) is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Waterford which is derived from the Old Norse name Veðrafjǫrðr or Vedrarfjord. There is an Irish-speaking area in the south of the county. Waterford County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county at large, including the city, is 113,707 according to the 2011 census.
County Waterford has two mountain ranges, the Knockmealdown Mountains and the Comeragh Mountains. The highest point in the county is Knockmealdown, at 794m. It also has many rivers, including Ireland's third longest river, the River Suir (184 km); and Ireland's fourth longest river, the Munster Blackwater (168 km). There are over 30[citation needed] beaches along Waterford's volcanic[citation needed] coast line. A large stretch of this coastline, known as the Copper Coast has been designated as a UNESCO Geopark, a place of great geological importance. The area around Ring (An Rinn) is a Gaeltacht, an Irish-speaking area.