Bishop's Palace
Set inside an elegant Georgian mansion, Bishop’s Palace covers the history of Waterford from 1700-1970. Its collections include many rare and precious objects, including the only surviving mourning cross of the 12 commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte’s mother, and the Penrose Decanter, the oldest surviving piece of Waterford Crystal.
The basics
Together with Reginald’s Tower and the Medieval Museum, Bishop’s Palace is one of three museums that are collectively known as the Waterford Treasures. Purchase an individual admission ticket to Bishop’s Palace, or opt for a combination ticket that grants access to both Bishop’s Palace and the Medieval Museum. You can buy skip-the-line tickets in advance to save time. For a more flexible option, simply purchase tickets at the door.
Some walking tours of Waterford’s Viking Triangle pass by Bishop’s Palace and other historic monuments such as Christ Church Cathedral and Reginald’s Tower. Walking tours usually focus on the history of the port city, from Viking to Victorian times.
Things to know before you go
- Bishop’s Palace is wheelchair accessible.
- There is a café serving lunch, hot and cold beverages, and baked goods at the museum.
- A tourist information center—offering maps, brochures, and additional information—can be found about a 5-minute walk from Bishop’s Palace on the waterfront Parade Quay.
How to get there
Bishop’s Palace is located across the road from the House of Waterford Castle and within the Viking Triangle, a historic quarter in the center of Waterford. It is about a 20-minute walk from Waterford Plunkett railway station.
When to get there
Bishop’s Palace is open daily year round, except for Christmas Day (December 25), St. Stephen’s Day (December 26), and New Year’s Day (January 1). Summer is the busiest period, with weekends seeing most footfall. Come midweek for a quieter experience.
The Waterford Treasures’ Museums
The three museums that make up the Waterford Treasures are within a 5-minute walk of each other, making it easy to hop between them over the course of a single day. Visit the 13th-century Reginald’s Tower—the most significant surviving medieval fortification in the city—to learn about Waterford’s Viking history and the Medieval Museum for an overview of the city in the Middle Ages.