waterford church and tower

Waterford was founded by the Vikings around 914 and initiated its own episcopal See in the 11th century. It was taken by Diarmuid Mac Murrough Kavanagh, and later fell to Strongbow who married MacMurrough's daughter in the now no longer existing Cathedral in the town. In medieval times it was a flourishing port, loyal to the English crown. However, it lost status by remaining Catholic, and submitted to Cromwell's son-in-law in 1650. In the 18th and early 19th century, the town had a famous glass industry which was re-established in 1947. @The French Church@ The church was founded as a convent for the Franciscans by Hugh Purcell about 1240. In 1395 the O'Conor Don, de Burgo, O'Brien and O'Kennedy submitted to Richard 11 in the Friary, and Cahpters of the Order were held here in 1317, 1469, 1615 and 1834. Of the original buildings a nave, chancel and north aisle remain. There is a triple-light east window in the chancel. In 1545 Henry Walsh was granted a charter by Henry V!!! to make the Friary, by then dissolved, into a hospital, and the area over the nave of the church was used as such for hundreds of years, while the chancel and the Lady Chapel were used for the burials of members of illustrious Waterford families such as the Powers, Waddings etc. Reginald's Tower: The tower was allegedly founded by Reginald the Dane in 1003, but it is probably a 13th century Norman tower.