With a tradition dating back to 1783 (absent about 100 years, from the late 1840s famine until the post-WWII boom), Waterford was once the largest – and is still the most respected – glassworks in the world. The economic downturn of 2008 shattered the market for luxury items like crystal, forcing the huge Waterford Crystal factory outside town to close.
The company was bought by American investors who opened a new, scaled-down factory in the town center (and later sold it to a Finnish company for a handsome profit). While 70 percent of Waterford Crystal is now manufactured by cheaper labor in Poland, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, the finest glass craftspeople still reside here, where they create prestige pieces for special-order customers.
We took the tour – the one-hour tour of this hardworking little factory is a joy. It’s more intimate than the old, larger factory, and you’re encouraged to interact with the craftspeople.
The tour begins with a bit of history and a look at an impressive six-foot-tall crystal grandfather clock. Your guide will take you into the factory to meet the craftspeople in their element.
Glassblowers magically spin glowing blobs of molten crystal into exquisite and recognizable shapes in minutes. If you get dizzy blowing up balloons for a kids’ party, consider the lung stamina on display here.
Watch closely as the glassblower puts a thumb over the opening between breaths to keep the heat and pressure inside the blob constant.
Heavy molten crystal has an intentionally high lead content (it’s what distinguishes fine crystal from common glassware). A cooling-off stage allows the crystal to set.
Then glasscutters deftly cradle the fragile creations against diamond-edged cutting wheels. Watch as the skilled cutters muscle rough unfinished pieces – weighing as much as bowling balls – and cut intricate patterns.
The crystal bases and bowls may look light and delicate, but hold an unfinished piece (with its lead-enhanced heft) and you’ll gain a new appreciation for the strength, touch, and hand-eye coordination of the glasscutters.
