Founded by the Vikings circa. 870, the city of Waterford is over 1000 years old. The city was fortified from an early date and the annals of Ireland mentioning a dun or fort at Waterford in 1088. The city's Hiberno-Norse defences feature prominently in Gerald of Wales' account of the Anglo-Norman capture of the city in 1170. Raymond Le Gros, an Anglo-Norman knight who commanded the besiegers, noticed "a small building overhanging the city wall supported on the outside by a beam". Upon attack, the building collapsed, and with it a considerable part of the wall. The invaders rushed into the city and won a most bloody victory. Within a few decades, a major wall building programme was begun.

King John extended the city to the west with at least three new gates being built on the circuit before 1212. In the late 12th and 13th centuries the suburbs were occupied by the Anglo-Norman settlers. By the end of the middle ages a complete circuit of stone walls and towers existed. By 1705 the wall running along the Quays was demolished. Fortunately six towers and large sections of city wall remain today.

The French Tower

Located along the top of Castle Street, adjacent to Brown's Lane, the area is dominated by this interesting tower.

The Double Tower

Further along Castle Street, this tower is so called because the interior consists of two chambers, one of which comprises a passageway providing access to the Benedictine Priory.

The Watch Tower

This tower's cyndrical shape suggests that it dates from the 13th century. Located at Manor Street.

St. Martin's Gate

One of the three terminal points of the old Viking City, these walls have recently been unearthed in Spring Garden Alley, off the Apple Market.

Reginald's Tower

Located in corner of the Mall and the Quays, this is undoubtedly Waterford's most famous building.

Turgesius's Tower

Located on Waterford's quays, around where the AIB building on Barronstrand St. now stands, this tower and its wall were demolished during the 18th century.

The Beach Tower

The Beach Tower, with its 15th century Irish crennalations, is one of the finest towers on the circuit. It can be see in Jenkins' Lane.

Semi-Lunar Tower

Like the Double Tower, the semi-Lunar Tower is a flanking or "on the wall tower". It can be seen behind the DeLaSalle School on Patrick Street.