The tower was built on the site of a 10th-century Viking defensive fort.
It is the only monument in Ireland named after a Viking, specifically Ragnall mac Gofraid.
The tower’s current conical roof was added during a 19th-century restoration; it was originally flat for artillery use.
In 1170, the tower was the site of the marriage between Aoife of Leinster and the Anglo-Norman leader Richard de Clare, known as Strongbow.
The base of the tower features a cannonball embedded in the masonry, a remnant of the 1649 Cromwellian siege of Waterford.
Reginald’s Tower is Ireland’s oldest urban civic building and serves as the primary landmark of Waterford’s Viking Triangle. Constructed in the 13th century, the stone tower has functioned as a royal castle, a mint, a prison, and an artillery fortification throughout its history. It is the only surviving urban medieval tower in Ireland to retain its original structure. The exhibits inside trace the city’s history from its foundation by Viking settlers to its medieval development. The structure features a circular design with walls nearly three meters thick at the base. It stands at the confluence of the River Suir and the city's historical trade district. As a National Monument of Ireland, it is managed by the Office of Public Works.
From the opposite side of the Quay at street level to capture the full verticality of the tower against the river backdrop.
Walk the narrow, steep spiral stone stairs carefully, as they are original and uneven.
The tower is compact, so plan to pair this visit with the nearby Medieval Museum or Bishop’s Palace.
Check the upper levels for the best views over the River Suir.
Do not attempt to climb the tower if you have significant mobility restrictions, as the stairs are steep and narrow.
Open year-round, but generally closed for a few days during the Christmas period.
No food or drink allowed inside; wear stable footwear for navigating uneven stone steps.
