Waterford’s St John’s Pill or River is a historic landmark in the development of the city. Initially, it was a major factor in Viking invaders choosing the area for their Long Port. The marshes it drained provided a strategic defence for the developing town too. Later, as the town developed, it was to these marshes the town looked both for settlement and for industry, much of it utilising the river for access, at least as far as Poleberry.

This journey explores the river and the men that navigated it, from the mouth where sailing ships could enter to Georges Quay, and beyond this where the Lightermen ruled. If you follow this link you have a choice of a visual journey by map, a video journey, and/or a long-form article outlining the river’s history and the areas adjacent to it.  This project was supported by Waterford City & County Council through the Local Authority Heritage Fund