The History of Waterford® Crystal

Waterford Crystal designs and crafts an extensive line of crystal frames. The company has a strong and dedicated commitment to creating prestigious products - for gift giving and home decorating.

The beginnings of glass making in Ireland are lost in the mists of time but there is sufficient archaeological evidence to show that, from the early Iron Age, glass was regarded with respect. Indeed, medieval documents can prove glass making existed in Ireland back in the middle 13th century.

The company of Waterford was first established in 1783 on land adjacent to Merchants Quay in the heart of the Irish harbor town of Waterford. Its founders were two brothers, William and George Penrose, who were important developers and principal exporters in the city. Their vision was to "create the finest quality crystal for drinking vessels and objects of beauty for the home."

The brothers were important developers and the city's principal exporters. The development, they told the Irish Parliament, cost £10,000 - a great deal of money in the 18th century.

They employed 50 to 70 people, led by a fellow Quaker, John Hill, from Stourbridge in England, and succeeded in producing crystal with a purity of color unmatched in Ireland or England. Merchant ships sailed regularly from the port of Waterford with cargoes of crystal bound for Spain, the West Indies, New York, New England and Newfoundland.

But less than 100 years later the initial company failed due to lack of capital and excessive taxation. In what seems like a remarkably short time, Waterford Crystal acquired an unequalled reputation for creation of beautiful objects and designs, but its operations lay dormant.

Another century passed before the enterprise was revived. In 1947, while Europe was still in ruins after the second World War, a small glass factory was set up in Waterford just 1½ miles from the site of the original glass factory.

Waterford® Crystal Today

Today, Waterford Crystal has very strong links with its illustrious predecessor. There is today the same dedication to the purity of color, to the same design inspiration and to the same pursuit of highest quality levels possible. The traditional cutting patterns made famous by the artisans of Waterford became the design basis for the growing product range of the new company.

Waterford Crystal, today, is the leading brand of premium crystal. Its products - superb handcrafted frames are designed and manufactured to the highest standards.

In 2004, Waterford celebrated the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Lismore pattern of crystal. Almost every year since its inception, Lismore has topped the popularity list and has been the biggest selling pattern of crystal in the US and the world.

Waterford Crystal® has become almost a synonym for the finest quality crystal sought after by collectors and connoisseurs around the world. Each piece of Waterford can be recognized by the signature on the base of the frame with the word "Waterford".