Meagher’s Quay

History

Way back in the early 1700s, the city council had a bright idea to knock down the river-facing walls and use the remains to make the quays wider and more commerce-friendly. This move paid off as more merchants moved in and Waterford became a major player in the bacon game. Trade in butter and corn was also a big deal and huge stores were built along the quays.

The area around the quays became a hub for markets selling everything from hay and straw to potatoes, fresh fish, and veggies.

By the end of the 1700s, trade with Newfoundland (part of modern-day Canada) was on the rise. Every year, nearly 70 boats made the trip and around 5,000 people from Waterford and nearby areas joined them.

This trade was a major job creator in the city. With no cars or trucks back then, goods were offloaded, uploaded, and transported by hand along the quays, so plenty of workers were needed.

Waterford was also a major player in shipbuilding between 1820 and 1882, with White’s Shipyard and Malcomson’s Ironworks Shipyard being the big names in the biz.