THE GRANVILLE HOTEL IN WATERFORD
GRANVILLE HOTEL IN WATERFORD [PHOTOGRAPHED JULY 2018]
It is now August 2025 and I have booked a room for a week at the Granville Hotel having been unable to visit since March 2023.
I have stayed at a number of hotels in Waterford starting with the Waterford Marina Hotel but after a number of visits I decided to use the Fitzwilton instead but never developed any real liking for either but I could not afford the alternatives. The was nothing wrong with the hotels but I found them to be somewhat "unattractive".
In 2023 I had no option but to stay at the Fitzwilton and I had booked this Hotel again for my planned May 2025 visit but I managed to get a much better price and an extra day at the Granville Hotel in August to coincide with the 2025 Water Walls programme. However, there could be a noise issue as there are ongoing roadworks (bridge construction) in front of the hotel but I have been advised that it is only during daylight hours.
The Granville Hotel is a historic four-star, family-run hotel located on Meagher Quay in the heart of Waterford City, Ireland. Overlooking the River Suir, the hotel dates back to the early 1700s and has played a significant role in the city's history, having hosted notable figures such as Daniel O'Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, and Lord Frederick Roberts. It is also the birthplace of Thomas Francis Meagher, a key figure in Irish and American history and the designer of the Irish National Tricolour.
History and Features
Originally built by the Newport family, the hotel was later purchased by Thomas Meagher, a prominent merchant. His son, Thomas Francis Meagher, was born there in 1823. Meagher went on to become a leader in the Young Ireland Movement, designed the Irish flag, was transported to Tasmania, escaped to New York, and became a Brigadier General in the American Civil War, and later acting governor of Montana. The hotel honors this legacy with the Thomas Francis Meagher Bar.
The Granville was also the headquarters for Charles Bianconi's stagecoach service, the first public transport system in Ireland, which is commemorated by the Bianconi Restaurant. The hotel was purchased and restored by Liam and Ann Cusack in 1979, and is now run by the second generation of the family. The hotel's decor combines modern comforts with "olde worlde" charm, featuring stained glass, tapestries, and wood paneling.
Accommodations and Amenities
The Granville Hotel offers 100 individually decorated rooms, including standard double, king, and twin rooms, as well as honeymoon suites. All rooms include private bathrooms with baths and showers, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a work desk, and tea and coffee facilities. Some rooms also offer air conditioning and balconies.
Amenities at the hotel include a 24-hour reception, luggage storage, laundry and dry cleaning services, a business centre, and meeting/banquet facilities. The hotel also offers complimentary overnight car parking for guests who book directly, though public parking is also available nearby for a fee.
Dining
The hotel has two primary dining options:
The Bianconi Restaurant: Named after Charles Bianconi, this award-winning restaurant specializes in seasonal dishes using local produce. It serves breakfast, dinner, and a popular Sunday lunch. The Granville's breakfast is particularly acclaimed, featuring local items like Flahavan's porridge and Waterford's protected "Blaa" bread rolls. The restaurant also serves afternoon tea on Saturdays.
The Thomas Francis Meagher Bar: This cozy and intimate space offers a more casual dining experience with a daily carvery and a bar menu. It is known for its extensive drinks selection, including a "Whiskey Wall" with over 50 Irish whiskeys and a selection of craft gins and cocktails. The bar also features live music on some nights.
The hotel is committed to showcasing local food and drink, collaborating with producers like Walsh's Bakehouse, Metalman Brewery, and Flahavans.
Location
The Granville Hotel is centrally located on the quay, making it an excellent base for exploring Waterford. It is within a short walking distance of the city's main shopping district and historical sites, including the Viking Triangle, the House of Waterford Crystal, and Reginald's Tower. The start of the Waterford Greenway, a popular cycling and walking trail, is also just a 10-minute walk away. The hotel is easily accessible by public transport, with the bus station just a two-minute walk away and the train station within a ten-minute walk.
It is now August 2025 and I have booked a room for a week at the Granville Hotel having been unable to visit since March 2023.
I have stayed at a number of hotels in Waterford starting with the Waterford Marina Hotel but after a number of visits I decided to use the Fitzwilton instead but never developed any real liking for either but I could not afford the alternatives. The was nothing wrong with the hotels but I found them to be somewhat "unattractive".
In 2023 I had no option but to stay at the Fitzwilton and I had booked this Hotel again for my planned May 2025 visit but I managed to get a much better price and an extra day at the Granville Hotel in August to coincide with the 2025 Water Walls programme. However, there could be a noise issue as there are ongoing roadworks (bridge construction) in front of the hotel but I have been advised that it is only during daylight hours.
The Granville Hotel is a historic four-star, family-run hotel located on Meagher Quay in the heart of Waterford City, Ireland. Overlooking the River Suir, the hotel dates back to the early 1700s and has played a significant role in the city's history, having hosted notable figures such as Daniel O'Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, and Lord Frederick Roberts. It is also the birthplace of Thomas Francis Meagher, a key figure in Irish and American history and the designer of the Irish National Tricolour.
History and Features
Originally built by the Newport family, the hotel was later purchased by Thomas Meagher, a prominent merchant. His son, Thomas Francis Meagher, was born there in 1823. Meagher went on to become a leader in the Young Ireland Movement, designed the Irish flag, was transported to Tasmania, escaped to New York, and became a Brigadier General in the American Civil War, and later acting governor of Montana. The hotel honors this legacy with the Thomas Francis Meagher Bar.
The Granville was also the headquarters for Charles Bianconi's stagecoach service, the first public transport system in Ireland, which is commemorated by the Bianconi Restaurant. The hotel was purchased and restored by Liam and Ann Cusack in 1979, and is now run by the second generation of the family. The hotel's decor combines modern comforts with "olde worlde" charm, featuring stained glass, tapestries, and wood paneling.
Accommodations and Amenities
The Granville Hotel offers 100 individually decorated rooms, including standard double, king, and twin rooms, as well as honeymoon suites. All rooms include private bathrooms with baths and showers, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a work desk, and tea and coffee facilities. Some rooms also offer air conditioning and balconies.
Amenities at the hotel include a 24-hour reception, luggage storage, laundry and dry cleaning services, a business centre, and meeting/banquet facilities. The hotel also offers complimentary overnight car parking for guests who book directly, though public parking is also available nearby for a fee.
Dining
The hotel has two primary dining options:
The Bianconi Restaurant: Named after Charles Bianconi, this award-winning restaurant specializes in seasonal dishes using local produce. It serves breakfast, dinner, and a popular Sunday lunch. The Granville's breakfast is particularly acclaimed, featuring local items like Flahavan's porridge and Waterford's protected "Blaa" bread rolls. The restaurant also serves afternoon tea on Saturdays.
The Thomas Francis Meagher Bar: This cozy and intimate space offers a more casual dining experience with a daily carvery and a bar menu. It is known for its extensive drinks selection, including a "Whiskey Wall" with over 50 Irish whiskeys and a selection of craft gins and cocktails. The bar also features live music on some nights.
The hotel is committed to showcasing local food and drink, collaborating with producers like Walsh's Bakehouse, Metalman Brewery, and Flahavans.
Location
The Granville Hotel is centrally located on the quay, making it an excellent base for exploring Waterford. It is within a short walking distance of the city's main shopping district and historical sites, including the Viking Triangle, the House of Waterford Crystal, and Reginald's Tower. The start of the Waterford Greenway, a popular cycling and walking trail, is also just a 10-minute walk away. The hotel is easily accessible by public transport, with the bus station just a two-minute walk away and the train station within a ten-minute walk.